• 7 Reasons to Always Park Your Vehicle in a Garage

    garage doors

    It is said that preventive measures are always worth the investment, especially when you are protecting a valued possession such as your vehicle. Most people understand how important it is to protect their cars. Although we understand that not everyone has a garage, if you have one, it may be time to rethink using it exclusively for storage or as a workshop.

    Parking your car outside exposes it to many dangers including theft and nature. Let’s look at 7 reasons why you may want to make space for your car in the garage.

    1. Safety

    Parking the car on the street exposes it to all types of safety threats such as theft and vandalism. When you park your car in a garage, you eliminate these problems. Also, depending on the garage, you may want to invest in high-tech security cameras and an alarm system to keep your vehicle safe. 

    2. Protection from the elements

    The elements can also do great damage to your car if left outside for extended periods of time. Rain, mud, slush, wind, extreme heat from the sun, can all damage the exteriors of a car for life. Parking your car inside a garage protects it from the elements. 

    3. Protection of rubber components

    Your vehicle has many rubber components that can wear out if they get exposed to the harsh weather and fluctuating temperatures for an extended period. This can cause problems such as rattling and squeaking.

    4. Preserves car coating

    Most cars today come with a Teflon and wax coat to protect the vehicle’s paint. However, if these coatings get exposed to harsh conditions for a long period, the vehicle’s paint can start to get chalky, fade or peel. 

    5. Protection against birds and their business

    Bird feces on your car can ruin your day. Also, if this happens often, the acidity in bird feces can irreversibly damage the paint job of your car. 

    6. Longer engine life

    The temperature inside a garage stays fairly consistent. As a result, the engine stays lubricated and the engine oil remains at its optimal viscosity for engine start-up.

    7. Increased effectiveness of air-conditioning and heating

    When you park your vehicle in a garage, the air conditioner and heating system will maintain a more moderate temperature and when you start up your car, because it hasn’t been exposed to the outdoors, they will work faster and more efficiently.

    If you regularly park your vehicle outside, you expose it to many dangers. To limit these dangers and extend your vehicle’s lifespan, it is best to park it in a working garage. For more information and resources about garage doors and garages in general, browse the Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. blog.

  • How to Fix a Garage Door That’s Off Track

    garage door repair

    Professional automatic garage door opener repair service technician man working on a ladder at a home residential location making adjustments and fixing it while installing it.

    An off-track garage door is a major inconvenience and can cause enormous frustration. In addition, it can cause property damage and serious injuries. Fortunately, fixing off-track rollers is a simple DIY project. Here is our 5 step guide to fixing your off-track garage roller.

    Steps to Get Your Garage Door Back on Track

    Step 1: Disconnect the opener

    To start the process, find the string hanging from the console that controls the door opener. Pull-on this string to disengage the opener. This will allow you to manually open and close the garage door.

    Step 2: Open and secure the garage door

    Check that the door is completely released from the opener, then lift it until the track is lined up with one of the rollers. This step requires caution so use a pair of vice grips or locking pliers to hold the garage door in place or ask someone to help you. 

    Step 3: Bring wheels back to track

    Use a pair of pliers and open the track precisely at the spot where the roller has jumped out of the track. Put the rollers back inside the track and close the opening in the track. Finally, use a rubber or wooden mallet to bring the track back into the correct shape.

    Step 4: Manually check for proper alignment

    Now that all the rollers are fixed, the next step is to manually check if the rollers are operating smoothly and if the door is opening correctly. You can do this by manually opening and closing the door a few times. While you’re at it, you can test its balance as well. 

    If the track is still misaligned, repeat the steps above until the entire track is correctly aligned.

    Step 5: Check the automatic operation

    Now that you’ve made sure that the door is back on track, hanging straight and operating well manually, it is time to check the automatic operation. Use the remote control to activate the opener and allow the door to automatically open and close a few types. If this final test is successful, then consider your garage door as good as new. If you are still having trouble getting your garage door back on track, there may be more issues with your garage door system than you originally anticipated. Contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. to schedule an expert garage door repair service.

    Fixing your off-track garage door is a breeze if you have the right skills and tools. Follow the above-mentioned steps to quickly fix your garage door and make sure to hire a garage door repair company to perform regular maintenance of the garage door opener system. By doing so, your doors will stay reliable and functional for years to come.

  • COVID19 Update

    We would like to let everyone know that we are at full operation right now, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. We realize that many emergency officials and other essential functions rely on us to keep their equipment operating properly so that they can continue to service the community during this time of crisis. We are taking precautions to ensure that our employees are making every effort to maintain safe and healthy behaviors, including sanitizing and hand-washing at every opportunity. Paramount in our minds is the safety of both our customers and our employees, so please know that we will strive for excellence at every turn. Thank you and remain safe!

  • A Guide to Garage Door Insulation

    garage door specialist

    Workers are installing lifting gates of the garage.

    If you live in an area where it’s hot in the summer and cold in the winter, the efficiency of your garage door depends on insulation. For this reason, it is vital to choose the right garage door insulation to protect your garage itself as well as the items inside. An insulated garage door can also increase the overall energy efficiency and durability of your home.

    Types of Garage Door Insulation

    There are many garage door insulation products available on the market and it is often difficult to decide which is the correct fit for your home without professional expertise. We guarantee our clients genuine solutions that are suitable for their homes and don’t compromise quality.

    Each insulation material has its unique pros and cons, including cost, shape, and durability. Here is a quick guide for types of garage door insulation solutions for you:

    Reflective Foil: It is typically sold in rolls and thickness may vary.

    Polystyrene Foam: It is sold in a large sheet and they need to be cut down to the size of the garage door.

    Panel Kits: These are the easiest to install and are made from plastic laminated polystyrene or fiberglass.

    The Crucial Steps to Install Garage Door Insulation

    Handy homeowners may choose to embark on this garage door insulation journey on their own. But it always makes the job a little less cumbersome to hire some help. Hiring a reputable garage door specialist makes the job a breeze. But if you do decide to go it alone, here is are the necessary steps to install your new garage door insulation:

    • Using a quality degreaser, clean the surface of the garage door to eliminate any residual oils.
    • Apply the adhesive, even if you choose Velcro strips or the double-sided tape.
    • Make sure to test a few panels before to be confident they match the correct size of your door.
    • Always trim the excess from the panels and install the barrier panels as well.

    With the right garage door insulation, you would be able to not just control your energy bills, but it can also provide you with essential protection from harsh weather conditions. Garage door insulation is the perfect investment that will provide durability to your door and keep your belongings inside safe and protected. With unpredictable weather changes, find the time to secure your home with easy and convenient garage door insulation. Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. has been providing garage door installation and repair services since 1950. Contact us today if you have any questions or concerns about insulating your garage door.