Monthly Archives: March 2013

Garage Door Safety Tips

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On March 30, 2013 at 6:10 pm | Comments Closed

Garage doors and their components are an important part of the home to maintain and keep functioning. Working on garage doors brings a variety of serious safety risks which is why it is generally recommended to contact professional technicians if there is a major problem. However, there is some easy maintenance that can be performed routinely to keep the system functioning safely. The easiest maintenance that can be performed on a garage door system is the visual inspection. About every four weeks, it is a good idea to thoroughly inspect all components of the system for worn out or broken parts. Because of the serious nature of this work, call a technician to inspect the problem or approach with caution according to these safety tips.

The biggest component of this system is the door itself. The garage door is the largest door of a house and it is powered by an electric opener. It is important to make sure that the door is properly aligned and adjusted, otherwise the door could become disconnected from the opener and fall shut without warning. If this happens, the power exerted by the door is strong enough to cause serious injury or death. The overall safety of the door is affected by its component parts so it is important to know how to inspect each part individually to make sure the whole system is functional.

The garage door opener is the next biggest component of this system. There are several different varieties of openers that differ in opening mechanism and power. One way to ensure safe operation of the door opener is to make sure the opener type is right for the size and weight of the door. Failure to match the door with the proper opener could lead to problems for both components and make the door unsafe to operate. Garage door technicians can help determine which openers work best for the different door types. The other safety tip to keep in mind with door openers is the sensor law. Since 1993, it has been a federal law that all openers must be equipped with sensors that prevent the door from closing if they detect something in the path of the door. Any door openers that are too old to have these sensors should be replaced.

The corner brackets of the door are another component that should be inspected regularly. The corner brackets are located at the bottom corners of the garage door and are attached to the cables that lift the door. If the cables become disconnected, the brackets could dangerously fly off the door and cause serious injury. If there is a problem with the corner brackets or the cables, it is best to call a trained technician to handle the repairs.

The most dangerous and important component to the functionality of the garage door is the door springs. Garage door springs hold the tension of the door and if not properly handled could release that tension and fly dangerously off its mounts. There are two main types of springs, extension and torsion springs. Extension springs are mounted perpendicular to the closed door and they lift the door by extending and stretching while torsion springs are mounted parallel to the top of the door and lift it by winding and unwinding. Both types of springs are very dangerous and need to be adjusted by trained professionals with the proper tools. Performing these regular inspections can help keep a garage door system functional and help detect problems before they cause further damage to the system. Be sure to perform routine inspections to ensure safe operation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7101994

Features and Benefits of LiftMaster RSL12V Slide Gate Operator

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On March 27, 2013 at 4:30 pm | Comments Closed

Features and Benefits of LiftMaster RSL12V
Residential / Light Commercial Slide Gate Operator with Battery Backup
Features Include:
– EverCharge Power Management System
– Battery Backup System
– Solar-Ready
– On-Board 315Mhz Receiver
– External Manual Disconnect
– Emergency Access Compliant

Garage Door Replacement Is Among the Top 10 Home Improvement Projects

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On March 24, 2013 at 9:30 pm | Comments Closed

The overhead garage door used to be something that was only used when moving a vehicle into or out of the garage space. It was utilitarian in the max, and no one thought about it much until they had to brave the elements to get out of their cars to raise or lower it. They didn’t much care what their doors looked like as long as they functioned as expected. No one back then could have imagined how important automatic garage doors would become to 21st century homeowners. In fact, statistics show that garage doors have replaced the front door as the main entrance in 71% of all homes.
The advent of attached garages and automatic door openers has sparked the new uses of the doors. Face it. The automatic door is by far the easiest access to most homes and the most convenient. With the push of a button, you can sail your car into the garage and out of the rain and snow. Loading and unloading groceries and other supplies from your car to your home is a whole lot faster and more efficient. Older folks will remember when they had to unload their car from a garage that was some distance from the house and then carry everything to a locked door of their home in order to get it inside through pouring rain or on driveways covered with snow and ice.
It’s no wonder that people have embraced a much easier way of accomplishing the same chores. In addition, experts have ascertained that just replacing your garage door with a new mid-range model will pay back almost 72% of the approximate $1,512 cost. Even high-end garage doors will recoup almost this much of their cost with the value they add to a home.
Determining the type of replacement door to install may be the biggest challenge involved. Doors are now available in wood, steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and vinyl. In order to narrow down the choices, you will need to base your decision on four key factors: aesthetics, safety, insulation, and maintenance.
1. Since curb appeal has become such a large factor in the resale value of a home, the way the garage door looks has become increasingly more important. Your choice of doors, therefore, will need to take the way the door will look with your home into account.
2. New doors feature safety devices that weren’t available on older models. You may have heard the sad stories about children being killed when trapped under the heavy doors. Choosing a new door that includes stops for doors that hit something during their descent and technology that prevents pinched fingers can be important.
3. Garages aren’t just used to store vehicles any more. Many of them contain workshops, and some even have living space above them. If your garage is being used for these types of functions, you will want a well-insulated door which will keep the space at more comfortable temperatures.
4. You also probably don’t want a door that’s going to need a lot of maintenance. Steel doors are a popular choice because they are so cost-effective. You can buy them already well-insulated and with 25-year warranties against paint fading and rust.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7169915

Winter Garage Door Maintenance

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On March 21, 2013 at 5:05 pm | Comments Closed

Coming home to a garage door that doesn’t work, especially in the cold, rain or snow, can be frustrating and maddening. With winter just around the corner it is appropriate to discuss winterizing your garage door. This will help to extend the life expectancy of the door and also give homeowner’s peace of mind that the door will function properly when needed most.
Step 1: Appearance is everything
Tools Needed: Mild Detergent, Car Wax
Remember the old adage, “appearance is everything”? Well it also applies to the garage door. The exterior of the door should be cleaned once a year with a mild detergent. Restrain from using any abrasive cleaners as it will strip the paint from the door allowing for rust to build-up. And there is nothing appealing about a rusty garage door. Once the door is cleaned and rinsed thoroughly car wax may be applied. This will help to protect the door from ultraviolet rays, acid rain and dust. It will also add a nice sleek finish, sure to have neighbors scratching their head on how you did that.
Step 2: My lips are sealed
Tools Needed: All-purpose Cleaner, Silicone Lubricant
Alright maybe not my lips but at least my garage is sealed. It is essential to check the weather stripping and look for areas that may need replaced. The weather stripping ensures a tight seal when the door is in the closed position which helps to keep the wind and cold weather drafts outside where they belong. It is also a good idea to clean the weather stripping with an all-purpose cleaner, rinse thoroughly with water and apply a silicone lubricant. Steer clean from petroleum based lubricants as those tend to dry out the weather stripping which will then lead to cracking.
Garage doors with windows should also be examined to be sure the seals are tight. If not then frost will accumulate between the windows as temperatures reach freezing.
Step 3: It is what is on the inside that counts
Tools Needed: WD40 or similar
Lastly it is time to look on the inside of the garage where all the moving parts are located that are vital to the operation and functioning of the garage door. Prior to lubricating the moving parts remove old grease from the track and rollers with a cloth. Once the grease has been removed it is now ready to lubricate the rollers, hinges and track. Wipe away any excess oil with a cloth. Now it is ready for smooth operation.
After following the above steps you should have no worries about whether your garage door will work or not. And with the proper care and attention it can last for years to come.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6675335

amarr garage doors

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On March 18, 2013 at 11:49 pm | Comments Closed

Need A new door?