SETTING YOUR GARAGE DOOR OPENER’S TRAVEL LIMITS

Your garage door opener’s “travel limit” switches regulate the position at which the door will stop when opening and closing. Over time, you may need to tweak the limit switches for optimal performance, especially if you are experiencing problems with your garage door. Typically, these problems include your garage door not fully closing or fully opening.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY TRAVEL LIMIT SWITCH NEEDS AN ADJUSTMENT?

If your garage door is only opening mid-way or won’t fully open, you will need to adjust the “up” travel limit switch. You will need to adjust the “down” travel limit switch when the door won’t close entirely or stops halfway. In either case, it will be necessary to measure the gap to help quickly reset the limits.

There are many different types of garage door openers, so it is best to consult your particular model’s owner’s manual when adjusting the travel limit. However, the process is generally universal for most garage doors. Just follow these simple steps to make the adjustments.

MAKE SURE AN ADJUSTMENT IS NECESSARY

Before making any adjustments, operate the door by using the opener’s push button or transmitter and allow the opener to run through a complete cycle. If the door opens and closes completely, without any unintended reversing, then no adjustment is necessary. If the door does not open or close to the desired positions, proceed with making the adjustments.

FIND THE OPENER’S TRAVEL LIMIT SWITCHES

The best way to find the travel limit switches for your model of garage door opener is to refer to the owner’s manual. If you can’t find the manual or if you don’t have one, the switches are generally easy to locate. Look for them either on the garage door tracks or on the opener unit itself. Look for two white knobs (representing the “up” and “down” travel limits).

MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SWITCH

Once you locate the limit switch that requires adjustment, use a flat head screwdriver to turn the knob. Turn it clockwise to increase travel distance and counterclockwise to decrease travel distance. One full turn of the screw typically equals approximately 2” of travel distance. So, as an example, if the garage door fails to close properly and there is a six-inch gap between where the door stops and the garage floor, you will likely have to turn the “down” knob three times clockwise to correct the problem.

You may need to test the garage door by opening, closing, and adjusting the knobs several times before getting it just right. Be aware, however, that most garage door openers have a sensor that will automatically shut off the motor if it overheats. That can occur if the garage door opens and closes multiple times in a row. If this happens, wait approximately 20 minutes and try again.

If you live in Madison, WI, or the surrounding areas, and this doesn’t fix the problem, or you are having trouble adjusting the travel limits on your own, call or contact Madison Local Garage Door Pros online to schedule your service today!

Best Ways to Remove Rust from My Garage Door?

What is the Best Way to Remove Rust from My Garage Door?

Garage doors are an important part of your home’s appearance and security. They provide your home with protection by keeping intruders out of your home and away from your automobiles. Of course, in a perfect world, your new garage door would stay new forever.

But let’s face it: rust happens.

As a result, if you have an older garage door, particularly a steel door, it’s probably starting to show signs of wear and tear. Not only does this look bad–it’s a safety hazard. Rust in the tracks can lead to a door that doesn’t open and close properly. And, unfortunately, if you have an older door, you’re probably looking at a lot of money to install a new one.

Fortunately, there are ways to make your old door look new again. In this article, we’ll discuss how.

Preventing Rust

The first thing you can do is to prevent rust in the first place. The best way to do this is to take regular care of the garage door tracks. Run a lubricant along the tracks every once in a while, which will help prevent the metal from wearing down and rusting. You can also apply a rust inhibitor to the garage door tracks. This will help prevent rust from setting in.

Remember – rust spreads, so even a small spot of rust can quickly expand to cause major damage.

Cleaning Rust

This process takes some elbow grease but it’s much easier and cheaper than replacing the entire door. If your garage door is just starting to rust, all you need to do is to clean off the rust.

Start by rubbing down the area with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. If the rust remains, try using a wire brush or steel wool.

The track can be cleaned with a wire brush and a little water. Then you can spray the door with a rust remover. Be careful when using a steel wire brush, as a wrong move can easily damage the door panels and track. The brush may also loosen bolts, allowing them to fall out and become lost.

After cleaning the rust from the garage door, you can apply a rust-inhibiting compound to prevent it from spreading.

Fill the Rust Holes

If you allowed the rust to spread for too long, you may find the door is completely rusted through. You can fill in the holes with a product such as Bondo, available at auto parts stores. The Bondo can be applied with a putty knife, and you can use a little sandpaper to smooth out any rough spots. Add additional coats of Bondo if needed until it is flush with the rest of the garage door.

Paint the Garage Door

If you have a steel garage door, you can paint the door with rust-resistant paint. Make sure to use a primer and paint specially designed for metal garage doors. This will not only make your door look nice; it will protect it from rusting in the future. You can use a spray can of rust-resistant paint, or you can take the door to a professional garage door company like Madison Local Garage Door Pros to paint it for you.

If you have any questions regarding how to remove rust from your garage door or how to repair damage from rust, please don’t hesitate to ask us!

How to Make a Garage and Garage Door More Secure: 7 Tips for Homeowners

Garage Safety Guide: 7 Tips for Homeowners

One great benefit of having a garage is using it to store items, personal belongings, power tools, vehicles, and more. It’s important to equip your garage door system with safety features to prevent accidents, burglaries, and unexpected damage. A garage door stands as the largest entryway into your home, so following these garage safety tips can help keep you and your family safe.

1. Put a Carbon Monoxide Detector in Your Garage

Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that originates from burning gasoline and other forms of fuel. Inhaling this poisonous byproduct from a vehicle’s exhaust system can lead to serious injury or death in just minutes.

If your garage is connected to your home, installing a carbon monoxide detector is a smart idea. Similar to fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors alert you when levels of the poisonous gas are present. Over 400 deaths occur in the U.S. each year due to accidental exposure to carbon monoxide. This simple device can help protect you and your family.

We recommend installing carbon monoxide detectors across shared garage walls and rooms directly above your garage. Test your detectors regularly and make sure the alarms can be heard in all bedrooms in your home.

2. Install Security Cameras in or Around Your Garage

Many times, home burglaries are planned out in advance as thieves monitor your home’s activity for days before taking action. Luckily, there are a number of affordable home security systems on the market. Consider installing cameras within your garage to deter any unwanted visitors.

Today’s modern security cameras come with apps that connect to your smartphone and tablet. Whether you’re at home or at work, you can have the satisfaction of knowing what is going on 24/7. In addition, security cameras help you make an informed decision about the next best action to take.

3. Take Remote Openers Out of Your Car

We are all familiar with smart remotes that can open and close your garage door at the push of a button. Garage door systems typically come with clips that attach to car visors and interior features. You can help prevent a garage door break-in by taking these devices out of your vehicle instead of leaving them in your car in plain sight.

Leaving automatic openers in your car creates a target for potential burglars. In the event you forget to lock your car door, anyone can take this technology without you realizing it. Keep openers in a safe place inside the house, or refrain from using these devices altogether.

4. Always Lock Connecting Doors and Entryways

Homeowners feel a sense of security after closing the garage door. It’s also crucial to lock corresponding entryways after you go inside. Deadbolt locks are a cost-friendly way to block home intruders from entering the house through the garage.

If possible, connect doors to your home security system. This way, you’ll know immediately if there is suspicious activity taking place around the perimeter of your house.

5. Use Motion Detection Lights

Thieves usually infiltrate garages when they can go unseen. Anything that interrupts their progress may prompt them to leave the premises. Consider purchasing outdoor spotlights that are triggered by movement. If a burglar tries to approach your property at night, the lights will turn on to indicate someone is home. Plus, motion detection lights help security cameras get a better look at suspects, which helps local authorities.

6. Ensure Your Garage Door Functions Correctly

Garage door systems that are outdated and show signs of deterioration make it easier for burglars to break in. Perform visual inspections at least twice a year to make sure your garage door fully closes and functions properly. Gaps between weatherstripping and unbalanced panels, for example, can be areas of concern. Have a technician on your setup to ensure sensors and calibration settings operate correctly.

7. Remember to Shut the Garage Door

This safety tip for garage owners may seem obvious, but it remains important to remember. Always shut your garage door when you leave the premises to protect your home and belongings. This step also prohibits children from gaining access to any dangerous equipment that you may store in your garage.

Contact Madison Local Garage Door Pros for Repair Services in Madison, WI

Notice unusual garage door behavior? Turn to Madison Local Garage Door Pros for timely repair services. We proudly serve residents in Madison, WI, and nearby locations with a focus on spring and cable repair as well as installations.

The Importance of Preventive Garage Door Maintenance

Your garage door is the main entry point for your home and helps protect vehicles, personal belongings, tools, and more. With this in mind, do you know how often you should service your garage door?

Inspecting your garage door at least twice a year can prolong the life of your investment. Looking and listening for garage door warning signs is the key to ensuring your system will serve you year-round.

Before winter and spring, have a garage door professional perform these preventive maintenance services.

(Disclaimer): Madison Local Garage Door Pros does not recommend fixing a garage door without a professional garage door technician. Serious injury can occur.

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Garage Door Preventive Maintenance During Spring

Depending on your location, the winter months may have taken a toll on your garage door system. It’s essential to monitor your setup for imperfections that can result in garage door failure or downtime. Take these garage door preventive measures when spring arrives:

1. Test the Balance of Your Garage Door

An off-balance garage door is a danger to you and your family. Technicians can gauge the strength of your current configuration by disconnecting your automatic opener and applying force by hand. A professional will open the garage door about 3 feet off the ground, and see if your assembly stays put.

If the door slowly falls, your springs require replacement. Keep in mind that torsion and extension springs handle incredible amounts of tension, so this service should only be performed by an experienced technician.

2. Assess High-Tension Cables

Cables run across your garage door system for extra support. In the event that a spring breaks, tension cables act as a safety net to prevent potential injury. After winter, make sure the high-tension cables are still in working order. You should not attempt to change out cables yourself, but you can look for frays and signs of deterioration.

3. Clean Surfaces, Tracks, and Rollers

Cleaning your garage door helps keep dirt, grime, and debris out of tracks and rollers. Talk to a professional about the best methods for washing surfaces, as well as removing rust and paint chips.

How to Maintain a Garage Door Before Winter

Winter brings inclement weather, intense winds, and freezing temperatures. At the end of fall, have a technician inspect your garage door and prepare your system for the colder months. Take the following steps to service your garage door before the first snow:

1. Replace Exterior Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping usually consists of rubber or plastic materials. Take a look around the outside of your garage door to evaluate the condition of the weatherstripping. The garage door seals should be free from cracks, splits, and noticeable damage. Consider installing new weatherstripping to block out sleet, hail, and runoff.

2. Lubricate Moving Parts

Garage door systems include torsion springs, extension springs, pulleys, and cables.

Many times, a professional can correct noisy assemblies by applying solutions such as WD-40 3-IN-ONE Professional Garage Door Lubricant, silicone sprays, and white lithium grease to connections. Your garage door relies on lubrication for smooth operation, so this process can add years to your garage door’s lifespan.

3. Tighten Garage Door Hardware

When was the last time you looked at your garage door hardware? Loose connections can cause your setup to malfunction during the colder months. If you notice excessive rattling or vibration, call a local technician to secure rollers and structural parts.

Why Is Preventive Garage Door Maintenance Important?

Some households open and close the garage door hundreds of times throughout the year. That’s why it’s important to schedule service appointments before major changes in the forecast. Waiting for a complete system shutdown can result in costly repairs, so always stay on top of maintenance appointments.

Most preventive steps can be completed in just minutes. For best results, contact a local expert to keep your garage door in pristine condition.

Contact Us for Garage Door Tune-Up Services in Madison, Wi

Looking for preventive garage door maintenance services in Madison, WI, and the surrounding area?

Contact Madison Local Garage Door Pros. Our technicians are happy to assist with residential spring repairs, installations, and more.

Our team has over 10 years of experience and can make sure your garage door stays up and running for years to come. To schedule garage door tune-up services, give us a call at (608) 515-1449, or contact us online to request service today!

3 Essential Tips to Stop Your Garage Door Freezing This Winter

How to Keep Your Garage Door From Freezing to the Ground

During the winter months, there’s nothing more annoying than trying to leave for work and having to find a way to leverage your garage door open because it’s frozen shut to the ground. That’s when we normally get the de-icer and lubricant out and go crazy to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

However, that can sometimes provide you with more issues than solutions. Here we’ve provided you with three essential tips to prevent your garage door hinges from freezing this winter.

1. Apply garage door lubrication with a silicon or lithium-based lubricant

We use grease to lubricate bike chains and door handles, so why wouldn’t you want to use it on the hinges of your garage door?

The issue is that in freezing temperatures, grease will freeze just like water, which doesn’t really help your situation at all. Instead, it’s best to find a silicone lubricant which won’t turn your hinges to ice when the weather gets colder. We’ve found that WD-40 is very effective at lubricating garage door hinges, and you’ll find it in stock pretty much anywhere.

Be sure to remove the previous application of grease before applying the new lubricant, though, otherwise, you’ll still encounter issues. You should spray some garage door lubrication to your tracks and rollers while you’re at it, to ensure that they don’t cause any issues when opening the door, too.

2. Apply salt to your garage door

Salt reduces the freezing point of water, which means that it’s really handy for warding off the ice where it’s not wanted. Although it’s difficult to apply it to the hinges of your garage door, you will be able to put it on the garage floor around the door to prevent water from getting under it and freezing the garage door to the floor. This is another common occurrence and will prevent you from getting to work on time!

To avoid any corrosion, it’s recommended that you use table salt. Also, if you’re ever inside the garage and realize that the hinges are frozen you can apply salt to them help you quickly melt the ice.

3. Move the car out of the garage straight away

We’ve all been there. It’s a cold day, so you turn the heaters on in the car before you get in, so that it’s nice and toasty when you get in so you can set off on your journey without chattering teeth.

However, it will also raise the temperature in your garage, melting any ice on your garage door, which will run to the bottom and reform to ice once you leave. This will definitely cause issues when your return, as your garage door will be frozen to the floor.

To prevent this, move your car out of the garage as soon as you start it. There’s no point applying garage door lubrication to your hinges if you’re going to freeze the door to the ground anyway!

Consider Preventive Winter Garage Door Maintenance Service

If you’re unsure what you’ll need to do to prevent your garage door from freezing to your garage floor or malfunction during the cold winter months, consider scheduling a preventive maintenance appointment.

A professional garage door technician can come perform a routine tune up and provide you with additional tips. If you’re in Madison, WI or the surrounding areas, call or contact Madison Local Garage Door Pros online to schedule your service today!

How to Replace Garage Door Springs

Your garage door’s springs make it possible to open and close the door easily. Although garage door springs are engineered to last for many cycles, they do eventually wear out.

When a garage door spring breaks, the garage door opener may strain to lift the door or fail to move it at all. When this happens, you’ll need to install a new spring.

If you have the proper tools and feel confident in your understanding of mechanical systems, you can certainly replace broken garage door springs yourself.

However, you’ll need to follow the steps carefully and take precautions to ensure safety. If installing springs on your garage door sounds a bit challenging, you can also contact the professionals at Madison Local Garage Door Pros for assistance.

How to Remove and Install Garage Door Springs

When you’re replacing garage door springs, you’ll need access to:

2 winding bars
a 7/16″ wrench
a drill with a 9/16″ bit
2 vice grips
a stepladder

You’ll also need to order the right size replacement spring.

Remember that changing garage door springs can be dangerous — use caution at all times. Once you’ve gathered your tools, you can replace your garage door springs by following five steps.

1. Remove the Broken Springs

Climb up on your stepladder and loosen the existing springs using the winding bars and 7/16″ wrench. After unwinding the springs completely, detach them from the central bracket — this is usually done using the 9/16″ drill bit.

Next, use your 7/16” wrench to loosen the screws of both drums and slide the springs off the tube. Be sure to leave the plastic bearing on the tube next to the central bracket when you remove the springs.

2. Get the New Springs in Place

Once you’ve removed the existing springs, get your new springs into position. The red-colored spring should go on the left, and the black-colored one should go on the right when you’re facing the door from the inside. Confirm that your springs are in the right spots by checking that the end of the coil points upward when it’s on the tube. Attach the springs to the central bracket with the 9/16″ drill bit.

Next, use your 7/16” wrench to tighten the right drum to the tube, making sure it sits as close as possible to the endplate. The right drum will be marked with the letter “R.” Insert the cable into its dedicated slot on the drum and wrap it around the drum tightly. To insert the cable into the slot, press your thumb against it where it starts to bend. Ensure that the cable connects to the bottom bracket without interruption, and strum on it to make sure it has enough tension.

Lock the tube against the wall using a vice grip from an upper position and repeat the process with the left drum, except this time, you would wrap the cable around a loose drum (i.e. not yet attached to the tube). This is a crucial step — make sure that you are actively putting tension on the cable by pulling on the drum while tightening it to the tube with the 7/16” wrench.

Finally, go to the first vice grip and place another vice grip next to it, parallel to the ground. Then, with an “arm wrestle” movement, put a bit of a tension on the second vice grip by pulling it downward (~1”-2”) and while holding onto it, unlock the first vice grip (should now have space between the vice grip and the wall) and lock it back to the tube against the wall. Relock the second vice grip against the door from the bottom. Doing so will serve as a safety mechanism while you’re winding the springs.

3. Tighten the New Springs

Now, you can begin winding the new springs using the winding bars. Before you start, make sure the winding direction is consistent with the coil direction. Start with 28 quarter turns for a 7-foot door and 32 quarter turns for an 8-foot door. When you’re done, tighten each spring to the tube with the 7/16″ wrench.

4. Test the Balance of the Door

Release the top vice grip (the one leaning against the wall) and lean against the door, pushing it down while removing the bottom vice grip (the one touching the door). Slowly remove your weight from the door to ensure that it stays down. If the door rises, keep your weight on the door, reattach the vice grips and unwind the springs accordingly — one or two quarter turns will likely be enough.

Raise the door manually to test the balance. It should stay in the place where you leave it. When the door sits fully open, confirm that the cables on either side of the door are tight.

5. Tighten the Cables If Necessary

If the cables need tightening, loosen the springs one-quarter turn, leaving the winding bar against the door. Then, simply loosen the drums, spin the tube to ensure the drums aren’t retightened to the same spot as before and retighten the drums against the tube.

Reach out to Madison Local Garage Door Pros

At Madison Local Garage Door Pros, we’ve been serving residential customers in and around Madison, WI. As a family-owned and operated business, we complete garage door projects with honesty. Our staff members use their expertise and the best materials to finish jobs quickly and proficiently.

If you need to replace your garage door springs, we’ll be happy to help! Call (608) 515-1449 or contact us online today to request a service quote.

How to Choose a Garage Door?

Functional and easy to use, the overhead / sectional garage door has been the most prevalent type of garage door in the last few decades in the U.S. Composed of several panels that slide inside tracks via rollers, the door when it is actuated, is housed under the ceiling of the garage thus freeing up a maximum of storage space. This type of door has several advantages: excellent performance in thermal insulation, optimal use of the garage by saving space, good security, and a nice aesthetic appearance.

How to choose your garage door?

While taking into account your budget, you must be attentive to quality, safety, the comfort of use, and aesthetics.

Ideally, the garage door would match the architecture of your home and the rest of your exterior joinery, but also operate several times a day, it must be reliable and robust.

Here are some essential criteria to take into account to help you in your choice.

1) The choice of materials and the type of panels

There is a wide range of materials on the market, such as steel, wood, and aluminum, to name a few. The door must first be in harmony with all the exterior joinery of your home. The insulation performance and safety will also condition your choice.

Most doors are made of steel panels insulated with polyurethane foam. Be careful that there are non-insulated sectional doors on the market which are not advisable when your garage door is integrated into your home. The thickness and insulation of the panel is a very important criterion.

As for the design of these sandwich panels, know that there are many models that can match the style of your home.

There are also sectional wooden doors. However, it must be taken into account that the wood requires maintenance.

2) The color

Our Clopay garage doors can be painted in any of the Sherwin-Williams color schemes.

3) The motorization

For your comfort and safety, do not hesitate to choose a garage door with an integrated motor / electric opener. This will allow you to close or open your door remotely with remote control, and even from far away using your cell phone.

The openers vary according to the type of garage door and they do not have the same speed, nor the same sound. You can read about the different types of openers here.

4) Security

Check if your garage door has an anti-lift lock for burglary protection. An electric opener should do the job of locking a door even if it doesn’t have a lock on. However, to ensure the safety of your home, a lock would give ease of mind.

5) The budget

Before you find out about what the market has to offer, you should first determine your budget according to your requirements and needs, knowing that prices vary depending on the material and the model.

In summary, the installation of a garage door is an important investment that requires a good reflection on certain criteria, so do not hesitate to inquire with the approved suppliers.

Prepare a Garage Door for Winter

Winter in Wisconsin can hit us, and it can hit us hard, especially when we’re not prepared for it. Thus, we should always aim to prepare your most valued possessions in time for winter. Obviously, we want to prepare our house, including the garage for it. So how do we prepare a garage door for winter?

Make sure the hardware is in place

Your garage door has a lot of moving parts and movement to do, so the hardware can become a bit loose. To prevent this from causing problems it would be smart to tighten them all up. All you need to do is get a socket wrench and use it to tighten all the roller brackets and the bolts. This will keep your garage door in a better shape during the cold winter times.

Keep the springs lubricated

The springs can get quite stiff when the cold hits, and if you don’t want them to break, it would be smart to lubricate them about once a month. You can easily do this yourself and it can save you from having to replace the springs, which is one of the most common repairs for garage doors.

Get a new weather stripping

When it starts getting colder and even starts snowing, the last thing you want is to have a bad weather stripping that will allow the cold air and perhaps snow to enter the garage. Therefore, it is smart to get a new weather stripping, if yours is old, to prepare your garage door for the winter. You don’t want any snow entering your house in the midst of winter.

Prepare your outdoor faucets

You don’t want your pipes to freeze during winter, so it’s important to prepare your outdoor faucets. First, you want to disconnect and drain all hoses. You also want to drain the exterior faucets and apply all the shut-off valves to protect your pipes from the cold winter temperatures.

Check if both cables are in good condition

The cables that get your garage door up and down should be in good condition, so it is smart to check for damage or any broken strands or rust are showing. If something does turn out to be out of place it is best to get this fixed before it becomes really cold.

Check the condition of your rollers

Rollers need to be inspected regularly, and they also need to be replaced every 5-10 years on average, or sooner when they’re in a bad condition. When you do notice that they’re chipped, cracked, or just worn out, you should replace them as soon as possible and prevent the door from coming off the tracks.

Clean up the garage

You may be dreading to do this, especially when you’ve put it off for a long time, but it’s probably the smartest thing to do. Not only will your garage be a lot cleaner, you will also be able to pull out the tools you might need for winter, like a shovel.

When you’ve done all this, your garage door should be completely ready for the winter and your car and any of the appliances in your garage should be safe. We recommend you prepare this well before winter. It’s no fun trying to prepare a garage door in the cold snow.

Summer Garage Door Maintenance

Garage doors today are built to last 15 to 20 years. If you want to maximize the use of your door, you will need to give it a periodic summer garage door maintenance, to ensure that you catch any problems early. And with the summer months, comes summer maintenance for your home. There are important summer maintenance tasks to be done. The heat and humidity of the summer can make a garage extremely uncomfortable and this could be dangerous if combustible supplies are stored in a garage. Here are some of the ways we would help in maintaining your garage doors during the summer.

Check the Hardware for wear and tear: during summer, it is important to check for signs of broken or bent hinges, wear or tear, rusty rollers, rusty springs and other hardware that needs to be tightened well. You need to check for all the lifting cables that are not operating properly and fix them. Regardless of the number of years you have been using your garage door, it should open and close smoothly. If yours doesn’t, the springs may need some adjustment or greasing. We would check the brackets at the bottom, the pulley and cable system to change the ball bearings of the pulleys that might have worn out with constant usage.
Clean and lubricate the hardware: it is advisable to inspect all the parts of the door every weekend during the summer months. The hardware of the door should be free from debris or build-up caused by lack of proper lubrication. If you find out that there is dirt in this area, use an old toothbrush or paint brush to remove the dirt build-up and lubricate the door if necessary. All the other parts of the door should be well lubricated always in order to prevent a noisy door when it is been opened or closed. It is advisable to use a grease based lubricant such as a lithium or silicon spray.
Test the Garage door balance: if your garage door is not properly balanced, the garage door opener will have to work harder, this won’t make the door last as long as required. You can check your garage door balance by disconnecting the door opener by pulling the release handle (which is usually a red cord), manually move the door about halfway up. If it doesn’t stay put, the counterweight system is improperly balanced. We can help in repairing this particular problem.
Remove rust: if you can see any visual signs of rusting on any part of your unit, then it is time to do some work. After using sandpaper to remove the rust, a coat of exterior latex is added to prevent further rusting
Painting: it is the idea to wash and paint your garage door during summer months. Steel and aluminum door can be washed easily with household detergent. Steel doors should be painted with 100 percent acrylic latex exterior paint, no oil based paint. Make sure you clean the door first so that it is free of dirt or oil.

Proper summer time maintenance can help keep your items away from extreme temperature changes and also extend the life of your garage door.

How to Avoid a Garage Door Scam

To avoid a garage door scam, you need to ensure that you choose a service provider very carefully when upgrading, or opting for a new garage door installation. Simply put, there are “scammers” on every corner nowadays, and many unsuspecting victims fall prey to their devious ploys without even realizing until afterward, when it’s too late.

Homeowners, in particular, are susceptible to a garage door scam because they tend to accept quotations at face-value but thankfully there are many ways that you can ensure that the chosen service provider is legitimate, and it is certainly well worth the effort to validate credentials for the business in question.

Remember, you need to get this right from the beginning because if you make these decisions without checking the bare essentials, there is very little to no chance of you recovering your money paid.

Verifying Garage Door Service Providers

Don’t just call the first business that comes up on a Google Search or is listed in your local classified ads. Instead, make a list of all of the businesses and then do some research. Does the business have a website with a full street address listed, as well as a contact number other than a mobile phone? If not, move on to the next business because it is easy to create a website from free templates to make a business look credible.

If the website looks credible, call in and establish if they will come out to discuss your requirements and quote you at no charge. Continue your research until you have at least three garage door service providers who will come out to see you to discuss your requirements and give you a detailed quote.

When the representatives come to see you, look for company branding on their vehicles or clothing. Most reputable companies will invest in that type of branding for marketing and credibility.

Comparing quotations

With your three quotes in hand, your research is not yet done if you are to avoid a garage door scam. Compare the quotes and regard any major difference in price (much higher or lower) as a potential red-flag. Check the quotes for written guarantees on work done for a specific period after completion. If the quote contains a clause which accepts no responsibility for any ‘damage or loss’ while on your premises, discard the quote.

Once you have decided on one or two of the quotes, call the company and ask for customers they have previously worked for where you can get references. If their website lists testimonials, ask if you can contact those customers. No company who prides themselves on their quality and service will deny you this information. If they do, the testimonials are possibly fake and certainly questionable.

Choosing the Right Garage Door Company

You are now well informed to avoid a garage door scam, and you can contact the service provider who has business premises, a contact number with staff to take your call, offers a guarantee on work done, and all this confirmed by previous customers who assured you of their satisfaction. For the small bit of time and research you put in, you now know that your garage door work will not only be safe and to your satisfaction, but also that your money will be well spent.