Why is Your Garage Door Warping?

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On September 30, 2023 at 6:00 am | Comments Closed

You expect a lot from your garage door. You expect it to keep weather and critters out of your home, and you want it to protect your vehicles and other belongings. So why shouldn't it expect a lot from you? Taking action when something is wrong with your door is highly beneficial for your home. A warped garage door is not a functional garage door.

WHAT IS A WARPED GARAGE DOOR?
Warping occurs when a garage door appears almost caved in. The top portion of a garage door tends to bow more often than the bottom, but you should not discount either type.

You should be able to tell immediately that something is wrong with the door simply by looking at it. If you don't see it first, you will likely hear it if you try to open or close the door.

Warping can occur in wooden and steel garage doors. Wooden doors are especially susceptible, in spite of the fact that they may look beautiful. Extreme temperatures can impact the door's quality and structure. Steel doors do not experience warping as often, but they can be at higher risk if the garage door opener is not strong enough to handle the door.
CAN YOU PREVENT A WARPED GARAGE DOOR?
You can prevent a warped garage door if the damage is caused by problems like weather damage. Paint and seals can prevent warping, especially for wooden doors that are prone to weather damage. Weatherstripping is another crucial step. Taking these steps prevents moisture from getting into the garage.

Prevention in this manner can be difficult to do on your own, especially because you need to clean and prepare the area early on.
CAN YOU FIX A WARPED GARAGE DOOR?
Fixing a warped garage door may be possible. The situation depends entirely on the extent of the warping and where the damage is situated. If you catch warping early enough, you may be able to fix the problem before it becomes more expensive to manage.

For example, you may need to replace only a few panels if the door has damage limited to a specific area. If damage is prominent all over the door, you will likely need to replace the door in its entirety. And of course, if your garage door does not contain easy-to-fix panels, you probably need to replace the entire door.

If your garage door is very difficult to open or close, you need to replace the entire door as well. The garage door opener may not be able to handle the weight of the door, and trying to fix the issue could mean that it just happens again.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT?
Replacing your garage door may be the best option. Fortunately, this option provides you with the perfect opportunity to choose something in a style you love, perhaps giving your home an entirely new look and feel.

Call Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors today for a quote!!!

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You must address the problem, no matter how mild it seems now. Eventually, the pressure of lowering and raising a bowed garage door could mean that the rails start to give way. This can result in damage not only to your garage door and opener but also the items inside your garage.

How to Get Oil Stains Off Your Garage Floor

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On September 27, 2023 at 6:00 am | Comments Closed

Whether you've got a tricked-out workbench or a crafting corner your grandma could only dream of, you want your garage looking fresh,meaning those old oil stains covering the ground have got to go. Oil stains obviously don't look great. And if you step in those oil stains, you might just track oil onto your flooring in the house. Then there's more bad news for the accident-prone among us: just like an old banana peel, oil stains are a safety hazard, too. So how do you get old oil stains off your garage floor? Here's the skinny.

How Do I Get Old Oil Stains off My Garage Floor?
Believe it or not, the answer to how to remove old oil stains from the garage floor could be lying in your kitty litter. Yep, weird, but true. And if you don't have a cat? You can easily pick some up at the pet store on your way home from work and give it a go. First, cover the oil stain in clay cat litter, letting it sit for several hours (or overnight if it's a heavy stain.) Then sweep up the cat litter and pour liquid dish soap over the stain to break up the grease. Let it soak up for at least an hour, then use a wire scrub brush and clean the stain in a circular motion. Rinse it with water, let dry, and voila!

Does WD-40 Remove Oil Stains From Concrete?
Yes! You can definitely use WD-40 to remove oil stains from concrete, too. Here's how to apply it: First try to soak up the oil with a paper towel, then saturate the stain with WD-40 and let it soak for 5-10 minutes. Wipe with a rag, and get at the last remaining bits of grease with some dish soap, water, and a scrubbing brush.

Does Vinegar Remove Oil Stains From Concrete?
Ah, vinegar. The wonder cleaner that's all-natural and dirt-cheap. What's not to love? Vinegar is a natural degreaser, so while it may not be as aggressive as some of the other solutions we've mentioned, it's totally worth a try. Start by pouring sawdust or that reliable kitty litter on the stain and let it soak overnight. Then sweep it up and sprinkle a mixture of ½ teaspoon baking soda, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, ¼ teaspoon dish soap, and 2 cups of water. Pour the solution over the grease, let it soak for a bit, then clean with a scrubbing brush. You know the drill!

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Tips for Preventing a Garage Fire

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On September 24, 2023 at 6:00 am | Comments Closed

1. DON’T STORE FLAMMABLE MATERIALS
Unfortunately, storing flammable materials in the garage is all too common. Flammable materials include:

  • Lighter fluid
  • Aerosol
  • Gas
  • Paint thinner
  • Turpentine
  • Propane
  • Oil-based cleaning products
  • Paint
  • Varnish
  • Brake fluid

A better place to store these items is in a shed in your backyard, away from your home.

Other potentially flammable materials include newspapers, magazines, and paper. If you do store these in the garage, place them in a sealed container.


2. PROTECT YOUR WATER HEATER AND BOILER
If your water heater and boiler are stored in your garage, keep all items at least three feet away from them. A flammable object touching these appliances can spell disaster for your garage and your home.

3. CHECK ELECTRICAL OUTLETS
You may pay attention to the outlets in your home, but do you also check the outlets in your garage?

It’s important not to overload your outlets. Only one appliance should plug into each outlet. Also check that all cords are in good shape and aren’t frayed, broken, or bent.

You should also avoid using extension cords for appliances stored in your garage. Extension cords can overheat and catch on fire.

4. INSTALL FIRE-PROTECTIVE DEVICES
Do you have a smoke alarm or heat alarm in your garage? While a smoke alarm alerts you of smoke, a heat alarm alerts you when the temperature begins to rise. Smoke alarms are more effective at detecting smoldering fires and poisonous gases. But heat alarms are not as sensitive to harmless factors like dust and humidity. Therefore, many people install heat alarms in garages.

If you choose a heat alarm, have an electrician connect the heat alarm to the smoke alarms in your home. When the heat alarm goes off, the smoke alarms will too.

Another important protective feature is a fire-rated door leading from your garage to your home. The door should have a tight seal to stop fire from spreading into your house. It should not have a pet door, which can let in smoke and flames. It should also have self-latching and self-closing features to ensure it stays closed.

5. REINFORCE YOUR WALLS AND ATTIC
An important way to shield your home from fire is to reinforce every part of your home that touches your garage.

Reinforce the garage wall that attaches to your home with half-inch gypsum board. If you have living space above your garage, install 5/8 inch Type X gypsum board in the ceiling. If you have attic access through your garage, protect the attic with an attic hatch cover.

6. MAINTAIN YOUR CAR
If you park a car in your garage, keep an eye out for any issues. Oil or gas dripping from your car can start a fire.

If you notice a leak, take your car in for repairs right away. Having your car checked regularly can help you avoid problems that lead to fire. Cracked fuel lines, broken fuel injectors, and a malfunctioning car battery could all cause a fire.

7. FIND A NEW PLACE TO WELD
Welding involves flammable materials and presents a huge fire hazard. Many kinds of car repairs can also be dangerous to do inside your garage. Find a new place for these activities, and be sure to wear protective equipment.

8. GET A GARAGE DOOR WITH FIREPROOF FEATURES
If you’ve had the same garage door for years, it might not have modern fire-proof features. These features might include:

  • Heat-resistant materials
  • Protective resin coating
  • Fire-resistant core
  • Automatic closing feature

Make sure your garage door (and every other door in your garage) has a fire rating of 20 minutes or more. That means that it would take 20 minutes of flames to break down the door. Fire-rated doors must pass powerful fire tests to prove their effectiveness. For example, the door must remain intact when exposed to flames from a furnace.

Fireproof features don’t only protect your garage door from catching fire. They also prevent the fire from spreading outside your garage.

Keep your home and family safe from the potential of a garage fire by following these tips. If updating your garage door is in the future then contact us today and we can assist you at Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors.

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Accent Your Garage Door

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On September 21, 2023 at 6:00 am | Comments Closed

How to Accent Your Garage Door
The garage door stands out on most houses as one of the largest and most noticeable features on the building. Most times, garage doors can appear bland or have a lack of visual interest with their design, which affects the curb appeal of the house. Fortunately, there are a few ways to consider accenting your garage door to make it look contemporary and attractive.

Install Decorative Hardware
Adding decorative hardware to the exterior of your garage door is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to make a statement with the feature. Installing knobs, door pulls, and hinges will draw attention to specific areas of the door and can allow it to complement the building as a decorative feature installed. Use hardware that adds extra contrast, especially if you have a neutral garage door. Most people choose barn style hardware that is classic and won’t go out of style in future years.

Use Spotlights
Consider installing both spotlights and ambient lighting to draw more attention to the garage door to create an attractive setting at night. Instead of relying on one floodlight to illuminate garage doors, LED strip lights or recessed spotlights will look attractive and upscale in the evening. The lights can work as a decorative accent that features warm light that is used for more than only security purposes but highlights the features on the building.

Install a Scalloped Pergola
Draw more attention to your garage door and take its design up a notch by installing a scalloped pergola overhead that adds a Spanish colonial touch to the exterior of your home. The feature will frame the garage door and can also be used as an area where lights or lanterns are hung for an additional decorative accent that is used to prevent the door from appearing bare. Scalloped pergolas are affordable to install and offer a classic design that will continue to look attractive for many years to come.

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6 Things To Do This Fall To Prepare Your Garage For The Winter

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On September 18, 2023 at 6:00 am | Comments Closed

Summer 2023 is officially a thing of the past. Say goodbye to hot days by the pool and hello to brisk air, bonfires, and everything pumpkin spice. Fall is a pleasant season: Not too hot, not too cold. This moderate time of year is the perfect time to start getting your garage in order so that once those cold, snowy days arrive, you’ll be ready! Being proactive about organizing your garage space within the next few weeks is a good idea so you don’t have to deal with your fall garage storage concerns later when temperatures in your garage are less comfortable.

1. Rotate and Clean Seasonal Items
Start by pushing summer items such as the lawn mower, garden tools, and hoses to the back of the garage, and pulling winter items such as shovels and salt to a spot that’s easier to get to. Move sports gear such as bats, basketballs, and roller skates to the back and sleds, ice skates, and snowboards forward.

According to Garage Living, you should be sure to clean all of your summer tools off before stowing them away for the winter:

Lawn and garden tools like wheelbarrows, rakes, shovels, tillers, and edgers can be hosed down, which should remove most dirt. To remove stubborn caked-on soil and dirt, hose the tools down and use a light wire brush for cleaning (this can also be used to remove light rust). Make sure to dry all washed items before storing them.
Your pruners, loppers, shears, saws, and hedge trimmer blade will likely have sap on them. Use a cutting tool cleaner (or turpentine, which is also effective) to remove any sticky residue.

2. Clean your garage floor
During the Spring and Summer months, your garage gets a lot of foot traffic. People track dirt in from their yards on shoes, boots, and tools. Because of this, it’s recommended that you clean your garage floor before the weather gets too chilly. Once you’ve pulled all of your items out of the garage, sweep or use a shop vacuum to remove all of the extra dirt and debris. If your garage has seen a lot of action this summer, take a hose and spray down areas that need a little extra TLC. Be careful not to spray any electrical outlets when you’re doing this! Then take a squeegee and remove the extra water from the garage. Presto! You have a floor that is prepped and ready to face the elements. Also, inspect the sharpness of the tools’ blades.
Powered yard equipment needs even more care before storing them for the winter to maximize their life. Clean any grass clippings and residue from lawn mowers and grass trimmers. For gas-powered equipment, drain all gas, oil, and other additives from the tools and dispose of the fluids properly. Consider an end-of-season tune-up for your lawn mower so you’ll have one less thing to deal with when spring comes.

3. Make sure certain items aren’t kept in the garage
Yes, garages are used to store items. However, if your garage isn’t temperature controlled, there are a few items that you should consider moving from the garage to a basement, out of the reach of children and pets:

  • Paint, weed killer, wood stain, cleaning products, and household chemicals – frigid temperatures affect their consistency, color, and effectiveness
  • Grass seed and birdseed – Rodents love feasting on different types of seed throughout the winter
  • Electronics you plan to donate – condensation can damage solder joints and cause circuit boards to rust or crack
  • Clothing or linens – make sure if these items will remain in the garage, they are in vacuum-sealed storage bags
  • Propane tanks – store them in a shed or covered outdoor area
  • Paper – attractive to rodents and other pests

4. Make better use of your garage’s storage space
Having a clear garage floor will be much appreciated when the cold weather arrives. You won’t need to brush snow off vehicles and they will also warm up quicker when started. A few ways to reclaim your valuable garage floor space during the winter are:

  • Garage walls can be used for hanging a variety of items during the winter months.
  • Adding a slatwall storage system or hooks to your garage walls will give you space to hang ladders, shovels, rakes, helmets, brooms, and bikes. Hanging these items on the wall will reduce clutter on the ground and make more room for your car
  • Along with a garage’s walls, its vertical space is rarely used to the best of its abilities for storage. Consider adding specialty overhead racking to store your bulkier and seasonal items. Or install a bike lift to get larger ride-ons out of your way until the weather gets warmer
  • Shelves and cabinets can help you maximize storage space and can be extremely valuable when it comes to finding extra fall garage storage space for all your belongings

5. Inspect Your Garage Door
Look and listen – Observe your door every time that you use it. Does it jerk a little when it opens and closes? Is it loud?
Wipe down the weather stripping and check for cracks – If you notice that it’s cracked, have it fixed right away to prevent cold air from entering and weather stripping from freezing to the pavement.
Clean dirt from the door, track, and rollers – Dirt will trap in moisture and this moisture will freeze, which could leave you with frozen areas in your garage door opener.
Lubricate all moving parts – During the winter months, they can get cold and stick. After lubrication, make sure to wipe off any excess oil.

Call Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors for help with inspecting and lubricating your garage doors effectively today!

6. Get Ready for Ice and Snow
Don’t wait until the snowy weather arrives to get all of your winter tools ready to go! Check all of those winter supplies to make sure that they still work and are conveniently located. You don’t want to get stuck with a broken shovel the day of that first big snowstorm

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