Garage door horizontal tracks are commonly used of the door is of the roll-up variety. In order to make sure that the door remains in proper working order, you have to make sure of the tracks. Here are some tips to help you: 1) Make sure that the tracks are clean - any obstruction, such as accumulated dirt or grease can cause the door to get off-track. You need to make sure that the tracks are truly clean. Use concentrated household cleanser in order to do this. Spraying and a little bit of scrubbing could leave you with a longer lasting and correctly functioning track. 2) Take care of any loose parts - you should carefully inspect the tracks and the whole door for any loose parts or screws. The first things you should check are the brackets that hold the tracks in place. If any bolts are loose, tighten them carefully. You should also check the hinges which hold the panels of the roll-up door together. A common cause for damaged tracks is a loose hinge which causes the door to sag when being opened. Try to check every part that's supposed to be stationary. If there are any screws loose, replace them with bigger ones or at least move the hinges to a spot that has not yet been drilled. 3) Repair any dents -try to check the tracks for any dents or other such damage. This could lead to serious problems if the dents obstruct the path of the door rollers on the track. How exactly do you repair dents? Well, you should literally pound them out. Doing this improperly could result in more dents instead of a repair. What you need to do is be gentle. Try to make use of a rubber mallet if you have one. If not, you can improvise with a hammer and a block of wood. This allows you to limit the amount of force you exert onto the track and would help you correct the problem without adding to it. 4) Make sure the tracks are leveled - you can check this using a laser leveler or other tools. A horizontal track has to be slightly slanted as it goes towards the back of the garage. Three are certain vertical sections of the garage door horizontal track and these parts should be exactly leveled. Roll-up garage doors have tracks that actually curve from vertical to horizontal. Using the standards above, you ought to make sure that they are aligned. You also need to make a visual and quantitative check of whether the tracks reach the same height on the garage wall. This will help you determine if they are aligned with each other. 5) Lubricate the tracks - there are two types of lubricants you can use in order to make sure that the tracks are working as smoothly as possible. The most convenient one is the commercial garage door lubricant that you spray onto the track. Another option is to use powdered granite. You should also lubricate the rollers which work in tandem with the garage door horizontal tracks. For the rollers, it is recommended that you use silicone spray. As an alternative, however, you can just apply ordinary household oil. Hopefully, these few tips will help you make sure that your garage door is always in proper working order. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2957606
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A broken garage door repair company is a very inconvenient thing indeed. However, as ironic as it sounds, sometimes the repair process can be quite as inconvenient, especially if you didn't choose a respectable provider. Horror stories of botched up jobs and overpricing have led many people to try and fix their problems on their own, instead of letting a professional do it. While garage door repairs, like other types of repairs, can be quite overwhelming at first, it becomes easier to understand once you know the whole process. Quotations, assessments and inspections - this makes up the first phase of the garage door repair process. Once you've chosen a good service provider, you will be asked a few questions, either over the phone or in person about your problems. Based from your answers, they will give you a quote, so you know what to expect when it comes to costs. They will then inspect and assess the extent of the damage on your doors. The initial price might change, but it won't venture far from the initial quote, unless they discover something else that needs their attention. Once you see the assessment, it's still okay to back out and try another company. Don't let them make you believe that just because they've gone to the site already, the jobs is theirs. The actual repair phase - Once you agree to their price, it's time to start with the repairs. Companies have two policies when it comes to part replacements - others prefer to use their own parts, while some companies allow their customers to purchase their own parts. If you're with a respectable company, you should allow them to take care of the materials if your budget allows it. Since they're experts in this field, they'll get the best materials needed for your garage door. However, if you're under a tight budget, it might be better if you offer alternatives or create your own list of materials. Post-Assessment phase - After the job is done, garage door repair technicians will give your doors a once over to check if they missed another problem or if their work has been thorough. They'll usually leave you with instructions on how to maintain your garage doors. They'll also give you a number to call just in case something goes wrong even after the repair. If something happens due to their negligence or poor quality of workmanship, they'll usually fix it up free of charge. There are several companies that offer garage door repair who'll gladly guide you throughout the entire process. At any point during the repair, never be afraid to ask question or voice out any concerns you might have. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7185631 Repairing your garage door can be dangerous. If you read through this article and have any doubts about your garage door repair safety, contact a professional service. It may save you money to do it yourself and you may enjoy learning a new skill. However, the hospital bills due to injuries sustained in the attempt won't be worth those savings. Above all, educate yourself thoroughly before attempting any do-it-yourself project to be sure you can complete it safely. What Type of Door are You Dealing With? Some garage doors swing up in one piece. Some of them ease across the track in sections. Yours could operate with an electric garage door opener or it could be manual. Consider these factors at the beginning of your project. If your garage door operates with an electric opener, the problem could lay there instead of in the door itself. If you're having a problem with the door running smoothly on the track and it uses panels, there could be an issue with one of the panels instead of the track. Study your garage door. Be completely aware of how it works. Do your best to determine the problem before you begin because it could be something simple. Check for Loose Bolts and Screws There are mounting brackets and hinges that hold the track to the wall and guide the door along the track. These have bolts and screws that secure everything in place. A loose bolt or screw most likely won't be obvious, so you'll have to go through them all to be sure that they are tight. While doing this, it's also a good idea to give the mounting brackets a good cleaning. If you screw them into dirt, that dirt can lodge itself in between the screws and the brackets and loosen them again. The Track: A Main Part of Garage Door Repair The track is the part that guides the door up along the ceiling. The track could have accumulated or hardened grease inside of it that makes the door feel rough as it comes up. It could also be misaligned, which could cause the door to stop midway on its path. Inspect the entire track for grease buildup and clean it as you go. After it is clean, check the track with a level to ensure that no areas are misaligned. Inspect the Door You know that the track is running properly and that all of the hardware is well in place but the door is still not working correctly. If this is the case, your garage door repair problem is likely with the door itself. Inspect the panels, the windows, and all of the edging on the door. The edge is the part that runs along the track, but if there are breaks in the panels that can cause issues as well. If you have wooden doors, the cracks or breaks could probably be fixed with good wood glue. With other materials, you may have to replace the door or one of the panels. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8490387 No matter the quality or how much they cost eventually your garage door will have a problem and in many cases it will be the result of a garage doors parts failure. Most people take the operation of their garage door for granted until something like a dolly wheel fails causing it to jump the track. If you are wise you will take the time to examine your garage door for problems at least once a year. Taking the time solve minor problems early will go a long way in preventing a catastrophic failure. As doors age with use tracks tend to bend, track holders become loose and dolly wheels begin to stick. If you have a properly installed garage door opener it will help keep your garage door in good operating condition. One of the best ways to check all the garage doors parts operations is to watch the various parts in operation as the automatic garage door operates. Careful scrutiny of the dolly wheels and hinges. If a dolly wobbles as it moves up or down the track then is would be wise to take the time to replace it. One thing you do not want to do is have a roller jump the track when it is in the up position. Having the weight of two panels hanging without support can damage or break a door panel. In addition it makes replacing the garage doors parts much harder. Finding and purchasing the garage doors parts you need is really quite easy. Many companies sell parts direct to consumers on-line. Garage doors part specialty companies like Garage Door Parts LLC provides a great selection of generic door parts at reasonable prices. It will pay you to call and ask questions before you order. In most cases customer support will help you find the exact part you need for your door. In some cases if you visit your local big box home improvement store that sells garage doors you will be able to find the part you need. Even if they do not sell the garage doors parts you need they can provide needed information. It is very important that you understand the proper way to replace garage door parts. Powerful and dangerous springs are part of the garage door opening operation and if you are not careful you can be hurt or even killed. Replacing the bottom panel hinge and dolly entails with dealing with the loaded cables system that can also be a problems. In all cases it is always easiest to make garage door repairs when the door is down. If you are not comfortable making the repairs yourself then call a garage door installer to make them for you. If you already have ordered the correct garage doors parts they most likely will just charge for the labor necessary to install it. Finding the garage doors parts that you need is really quite easy if you have access to the Internet. You may also find the parts you need at the local home improvement store. In most case parts are relatively cheap and easy to install. Replacing major parts such as large door panels and lift springs may require the assistance of a professional garage door installer. In most cases you will be able to purchase any of the garage doors parts you need from these installers as well but usually at higher prices. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1584661 An great garage door service is equally essential for a lot of reasons. To start with, it safeguards your own garage, and anything inside, from the components. This permits you to park your precious vehicles into your garage without needing to worry that they'll be impacted by this weather. Garage doors also help maintain your own garage insulated. Ask somebody that has a terrible garage door the way they feel about it and they'll quickly tell you about how they freeze, or get very hot, inside their garage. Among the most crucial sections of a garage door which will help to keep it secure and ideal is that the weather stripping. If yours does, it's in fact quite simple repair it. To be able to repair your weather-stripping, first you must eliminate the older weather-stripping. It's a great idea to replace all the stripping you've got in precisely the exact same time, so you don't need to always keep redoing it. Use a flat head screw driver so as to take out any principles, or to increase the claws by prying on the minds of these. Be certain you utilize your screw driver to eradicate all of the nails or staples which are maintaining your weather stripping down. If your screw driver does not appear to be working, try out the claw end of your hammer, because that tends to function really well, also. Next, visit the regional hardware store and buy a weather-stripping kit. They are relatively cheap and can be seen in just about all hardware shops. As soon as you've gotten rid of this weather stripping, be certain what's left behind is crystal clear and smooth. Use a bit of sand paper which has a minimal grit to it as a way to sand the base edge of your door. As soon as you've completed this, you are able to attach the newest weather-stripping. Only hold 1 end with one hand while extending it a little, and apply the flip side to basic down the weather stripping. As soon as you've got the entire thing stapled down, then you can return together with your roof nails and can fasten it in position permanently. This easy-to-do project could be completed in only a couple of hours and may add insulation to your own garage door to produce the garage temperature cozy during all seasons. Garage door opener installation is easy when you take the time to read and follow the manual. And it doesn't take all day, you can have it done in a few hours in an afternoon. The kits all include everything you need unless you encounter the need to reinforce the door. But the instructions for assembly and installation and the parts are all there. Garage door openers come in three basic types, with a few others that are more sophisticated and harder to install. But the basic three include the most popular 'chain drive', which is cheaper but makes a bit more noise than the others. And the 'screw drive' that costs a little more than the chain drive, but it quieter. And lastly the 'belt drive' which costs the most and is even more quiet than the first two. You need to start off by reading all the instructions in the manual. Get familiar with the pieces involved in the assembly and installation. It's not complicated, but as with any job, there can be that one simple step that wasn't done correctly that causes you to have to backtrack and redo it, and takes up more of your time. It's better done properly on the first try. The garage door opener installation guide will go over a lot of information and will take you from step one all the way to a finished job. Along the way you'll go through topics like 'assembly', 'installation', 'adjustment', programming', 'repairing and parts', and 'operation'. It will also include accessories and the warranty. This guide should be kept readily available at all times for consultation. After the opener is set in place, then comes the adjusting. You check it by pulling up your door about a foot off the ground and then turn it loose. It should close 'slowly', not fast, and it shouldn't hang still either. The next test is halfway up. At this point it should hang still. And the next test is 3/4 of the way up, where it should slowly make its way to full open. When it comes to adjusting the 'tension' springs, if you think you can do it yourself then by all means do it. But when it comes to the 'torsion' springs, it's best left to a professional. These can be very dangerous and you should steer clear of making adjustments to them on your own. Now you can remove any ropes and undo any locks on the door. Step progression should proceed something like this: Mark off the exact center of the door opening. Measure the exact height of your door, and mount your bracket 2 to 3 inches higher than that. The manual usually has exact specs on this. Next, assemble your rail by following the instructions, and then place it by connecting it to your bracket located over the opening of the door at center. A ladder can be handy for laying your motor on while you attach the straps to rafters. You want your motor to be at center of your door tracks. Then attach your bracket to your door and put the connecting arm in its proper place. Now you can connect the motor wires to your switch. Garage door opener installation is easy as long as you can follow the manual instructions. Now we're at the last step, which is hooking up the infrared sensors. You want these to be about six inches high off the ground on both sides. They need to be hooked up to a GFCI outlet if you have one. If you don't have one, a professional electrician should be called to install one. Now you simply test if for opening and closing and make necessary adjustments, and you're in business. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2619932 Modern garage doors make it easier to keep our vehicles within the safety of an enclosed structure. Innovations in garage door technology and design have made this more appropriate to operate via remote control. This saves us the trouble of getting out of our vehicles in the middle of a rainstorm just to open the garage manually. Today's garage door openers use a spring that provides the powerful tension needed for it to operate smoothly. However, continual use will surely wear down the spring, causing it to gradually lose that vital tension. When the garage door spring gets broken, it jeopardizes the safety of the door as well as the security of the garage and your entire home. So if you observe deterioration in the quality and performance of your spring, observe the mechanism thoroughly to see if you will need to wind the spring or replace it. Torsion springs are critical parts of a home garage door opener that needs to be regularly lubricated and inspected. However, many people fail to check their garage door torsion springs and cables routinely. If you are starting to have problems closing or opening your door, your torsion springs could be worn down or broken. Torsion springs are subject to corrosion and 'wear and tear' as time passes by. These springs are tightly wound and are keep under very high tension to ensure quiet and smooth operation of the opener. Even the highest quality steel springs will eventually wear out over time and snap because of this extreme tension. Sudden breakage of the door spring is very dangerous. That's why the garage door springs are contained within a steel tube to avoid serious injury or damage to property. It is advised to have your garage door opener torsion springs examined by a professional to check its condition. If necessary the springs should be replaced. Some of the signs of defective springs are chattering and squeaking sounds when opening or shutting the door and the appearance of worn or shredded strips of chafed cable. When you begin to see these symptoms and signs, call up your professional installer and have your garage door opener examined thoroughly. You should also schedule a yearly maintenance inspection of your garage door by a certified service technician to assure that your garage mechanism is in top shape. Nevertheless, more experienced homeowners can install and replace torsion springs by following these steps: o Keep safe. Always assume that the spring is going to break and the cone is going to explode or slip as you wind and unwind the spring and take precautions. o Cut the power of the opener and disengage it from the door. o Measure new and old springs. Never touch the winding cones and don't grab the spring. o Mark torsion shaft. To level the door after the new springs are installed these marks will help. o Unwind old spring that is not broken. Never touch a set screw without properly inserting a fitting bar into the winding cone. o Loosen and remove the bolts that secure the torsion cones to the spring bracket. o Replace the torsion springs. o Install the torsion hardware back again. o Wind new springs. o Check and lube garage door. o Reconnect opener. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2989764 |