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The Importance of Properly Maintaining Commercial Garage Doors
Commercial garage doors are designed specifically to offer maximum security. Commonly made with steel, they are sturdier, stronger, and more secure than residential garage doors. Your commercial garage doors protect not only your property but also your livelihood. Your business couldn’t operate without some kind of commercial door whether it’s high speed or aluminum garage doors, rolling security gates, rolling steel garage doors, or man doors. Keeping them in safe working order protects you, your business, and your customers.
Commercial garage doors can experience problems and even create safety hazards when they are not taken care of properly. These are some common problems that commercial garage doors experience:
- Damaged or Broken Tracks – Gaps between the rollers and the tracks keep the door from operating evenly and closing completely.
- Electrical Issues – Failure of the door to open or close could be a problem with the power supply.
- Cable and Spring Damage – If torsion springs break, you won’t be able to open the door from a closed position and if it is open at the time, the door could fall dangerously.
- Damaged Panels – A damaged panel could pose a security risk.
- Wear and Tear on the Rollers – The rollers can experience heavy wear or if they aren’t regularly cleaned, it can be hard for them to operate smoothly.
Addressing these issues early through the use of a preventative maintenance program is key. Keeping your commercial garage doors in good working order is essential to:
- Keep Your Business Open – Unexpected closures drive customers away.
- Save Money – Fixing small problems before they lead to bigger ones can save you money.
- Protect You from Liability – A broken or malfunctioning door can be a danger to customers and employees.
- Protect Your Business – Make sure your business is protected against theft, burglary, or other crimes.
The biggest reason for performing commercial door maintenance is your peace of mind. The assurance that your property, employees, and customers are safe goes a long way toward making your business successful for the future. Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc., offers a commercial garage door maintenance program that can help you find and fix problems before they progress. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
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Does My Home Insurance Cover My Garage?
Insurance companies can be pretty good at throwing us curve balls. Just when we think something is covered, it might not be either because of a contingency or a point of coverage we didn’t know we needed. One example of this is our garages. It’s common to believe that our attached garages and their contents are covered by our homeowner’s insurance and for the most part, that’s true, but there are some exceptions that you should know about.
Your attached garage is covered by your insurance because it is considered to be an actual part of your home. Your insurance will pay for the damaged structure and contents, but from here on out it gets a little trickier. If you are planning to keep very valuable items such as an antique car in your attached garage, you should talk to your insurance agent about making certain that your policy is large enough to recover those costs if damage or theft should occur. Detached garages are another issue. They are usually only insured for one-tenth of the value of your home so if you will be keeping valuable or irreplaceable items in a detached garage, you should definitely contact your insurance agent for a better policy.
You will also need to contact your insurance agent if you are running a business out of an attached or detached garage. Your business will not be covered by a traditional homeowner’s policy and will likely need separate coverage.
Whether your garage is attached or detached, the following kinds of damage are covered by most homeowners’ policies:
- Burglary, theft, or vandalism
- Damage from falling objects like trees
- Lightning and fire
- Smoke damage
- Structural damage from the weight of ice or snow
- Damage from hail and windstorms.
There is also a list of things that most homeowners insurance policies won’t cover that includes:
- Some types of water damage
- Maintenance or wear and tear issues
- Equipment or mechanical breakdowns
- Power surges
- Rodent or pest infestations
- Damage from floods
- Damage from earthquakes or other uncontrollable earthly movements.
Insurance won’t pay for things like power surges that were caused by power companies, certain natural disasters without separate coverage policies, or things that occurred due to the negligence of the owner as in the case of infestations and wear and tear.
Maintaining your garage by keeping it clean and secured with strong garage doors and locks is a good way to be sure that your insurance will pay for damages if something unforeseen does occur. Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc., can help you with all your residential or commercial garage door needs. Contact us today to schedule a service or sales call.
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10 Things You Should Never Store in Your Garage
Many people use their garage as a type of storage room. They run across something they aren’t using or don’t have room for, so they store it in the garage. This gets the unneeded items out of our way, but it also falls prey to the “out of sight, out of mind” principle. Fluctuating temperatures, rodents and pests, and humidity are some of the enemies your garage harbors that can damage your belongings. Other items just pose safety hazards regardless of the conditions inside the garage.
These are some of the things that should never be stored inside a garage.
- Gasoline, Propane, or Other Combustibles – Propane should always be stored outside. You should store gasoline outside or in other outbuildings that won’t pose as great of a risk to your home.
- Paint – Leftover paint is great to have when touch ups are needed but storing it in a garage can cause it to thicken and separate due to temperature changes.
- Canned Food – Temperatures that exceed 85 degrees will cause spoilage while dampness and humidity cause cans to rust.
- Paper Documents – Paper attracts chewing pests like mice and silverfish and varying temperatures can make books and paper curl and crack.
- Photographs – Humidity and high temperatures can make photographs stick together causing irreversible damage.
- Clothing and Bedding – Even though they may be tightly wrapped up, tiny insects, moisture, and exhaust fumes and other odors can still creep into and ruin fabrics.
- Unused Electronics – Moisture from condensation or other pests can destroy circuit boards and other components.
- Wood Furniture – Wood swells and contracts in response to changes in temperature and moisture can cause veneers to warp.
- Spare Refrigerators – Higher temperatures make refrigerators work harder to keep food at lower temperatures. This extra effort causes an increase in your energy bill.
- Firewood – While it would be convenient to only have to go out to the garage to get a few pieces of firewood, a stack of firewood can also harbor insects and mice that can invade other areas of your garage.
Regularly declutter your garage to avoid causing damage to your belongings. Removing debris and food particles from your garage will prevent rodents and other invaders from being drawn in.
A great way to protect your car, your belongings, and the rest of your house is to have a secure garage door that has been installed properly. If you need garage door repair or are interested in reviewing options for a new garage door, contact the experienced professionals at Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc.
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4 Benefits of Upgrading to an Insulated Garage Door
Garage doors serve many purposes. They secure our homes by locking out intruders, they keep animals out, and they create a protected space for our vehicles and other belongings by sheltering them from the weather. While just about any kind of a garage door can suffice, there are things that insulated garage doors do that go beyond protecting our homes and the possessions inside.
Here are some reasons to consider upgrading to an insulated garage door.
- Insulated Garage Doors Make Less Noise – Non-insulated lightweight doors often make the most noise. This can be an issue for people trying to sleep or work in rooms located directly over the garage or next to it. Insulated doors are heavier and the panels are made of tightly bonded materials, so they vibrate less when moving up or down along the track. They can also help to block more noise from the area surrounding your home.
- Insulated Garage Doors Last Longer – Since the panels are constructed from layered materials, they are stronger and more durable than non-insulated doors. Older style garage door panels are made by wrapping thin sheets of steel over the panel frames, which makes them essentially hollow. They can be easily dented or damaged when hit by a car, a bicycle, or even a basketball or football. A dented garage door takes away from your home’s curb appeal and value. With an insulated garage door, you can ensure the value of that garage door for years to come.
- Insulated Garage Doors Save You Money – An insulated garage door will hold more heat inside your garage and therefore, your home. This means that less heat is lost from your home through the garage and your furnace won’t have to work harder to compensate for it. Your insulated garage door will save you money on your heating bills each month.
- Insulated Garage Doors Protect Your Car – Cold weather affects cars in adverse ways, such as decreasing the air pressure in tires, thickening engine and brake fluids, and causing the battery to have a harder time starting the vehicle. An insulated door can raise the temperature inside the garage to about 42° F when the temperature outside is 20°F. Car batteries work best at temperatures between 30 and 90° F. Upgrading to an insulated garage door protects some of your biggest investments, your home and your vehicle.
Choosing the right insulated garage door for your home involves knowing which materials would provide the best value and style. An experienced garage door installation company like Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc., can show you the available options and help you make an excellent choice.
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Preparing Your Garage Door for Winter
Four Tips for Getting Your Garage Door Ready for Winter
Wintertime can be a rough season for your garage door. Battering winds and freezing temperatures are examples of things that can damage this important segment of your home. Here are four ways to protect and reinforce your garage door before the temperatures start to drop.
Perform a Thorough Inspection
Look for any existing damage on your door and its tracks. Stand outside and open and close the door a few times. Is it producing any abnormal sounds like clanking or screeching? Observe how smoothly the door moves up and down and if it gets caught up on the tracks at any given time. For a more comprehensive assessment, consider bringing in a garage door maintenance and installation company, like Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc.
Grease Your Door’s Moving Mechanical Parts
This is a simple maintenance tip that you can do yourself without needing to hire a professional garage door technician. Purchase a quality lubricant solution, usually in spray form, and apply a fresh coat to any of the door’s moving components. These include the rollers, springs, and hinges.
Fully Seal Your Garage Doors
At nighttime, stand outside of your garage door and close it. Check the bottom of the door to see if there is any light seeping out from inside the garage. If so, the garage door does not fully seal. And although that doesn’t cause any structural damage, a garage door that isn’t fully sealed allows hot air to escape to the outside. You may need to call a garage door specialist to help you fix this issue.
Clean the Sensors
Modern garage doors typically come with safety sensors that keep them from closing on a person or object passing below them. This is especially important for households with children, pets, and elderly tenants. Dirt and debris can accumulate and cover or damage the sensors, preventing them from doing their job. Clean these regularly to protect yourself and your loved ones.
One of the easiest ways to prepare your garage door for the cold months is to schedule regular garage door maintenance at least once a year.
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Common Garage Door Repairs
Common Garage Door Problems and Their Solutions
An average garage door’s life expectancy is about 15 years. If you schedule maintenance for your door, it could stay in good shape for up to 30 years. Although regular maintenance prevents the need for repairs, a good garage door can still malfunction or break down.
There are a few very common garage door repair situations. Read below to learn more about what they are and how a trained garage door technician can help.
Broken Wheels
When a garage door has broken wheels, it will fail to roll smoothly on the horizontal and vertical tracks. If you keep your rollers properly lubricated, you’ll protect them.
The Solution
This type of repair job has phases. You’ll need to know how to disconnect the power and how to align the door. An experienced technician can perform these tasks quickly and effectively.
Broken Springs
The springs pull a garage door up. If they’re damaged, a garage door won’t open correctly. Typically, garage door springs are extremely durable. On average, they can withstand up to 10,000 cycles.
When your garage door’s springs require maintenance or repair, you’ll notice some signs. If your door isn’t balanced, the springs are probably failing. Also, listen closely as the garage door opens. If you can hear a squeaking sound, the springs may need repairs or lubricant.
The Solution
To replace a broken garage door spring, you’ll need to know how to identify specific extension or torsion springs. As knowledgeable technicians, we work with these springs every day. We can replace:
Clipped-end extension springs
Double-looped extension springs
Open-looped extension springs
Torque-master torsion springs
Steel-rolling door torsion springs
Early-set torsion springs
Standard torsion springs
Broken Automatic Opener
A garage door opener has many components that work together. If a garage door opener fails, it probably has a defective part or a wiring problem.
The Solution
You should hire a trained garage door technician for this job. This isn’t a DIY project because a garage door opener has many electrical hazards.
Garage door repairs require a certain level of expertise. If you’re not certified, it is best to turn to Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. whenever your garage door needs repairs.
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Benefits of Installing a New Garage Door
6 Advantages of Getting a New Garage Door
If you’re not already keeping up with the latest developments in garage door technology, then it might be time to take a look at your options. There are plenty of benefits that come with having a new garage door installed.
Comfort and Ease
Your garage door is a source of comfort for you and your family. The features and designs that come with a new garage door today will provide you with a sense of peace that comes from knowing your home is secure.
Energy Efficiency
Mirrors, lights, and other accessories used to keep your garage door closed are very energy-intensive. Replacing them with more efficient designs will save you money on utility bills every month.
Security
A new design garage door will not only make your home more inviting, but it will also help ensure the security of the people inside. The new designs and features come with added protection against crime. Contact Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. today for more information about how these new features protect your home and your family.
Convenience
Your garage door is a source of convenience for you and your family. The latest designs of this type come with state-of-the-art features that will make it easy for everyone to get inside or leave the house quickly and efficiently.
Durability and Reliability
Currently, these new designs of garage doors come with several features that make them robust and reliable in even the harshest weather conditions. The new designs will ensure the longevity of your garage door for years to come.
Color
Today’s garage doors come in a wide range of colors. You won’t have to settle for the color that was installed when you built your home. You can now choose from various colors and materials that will increase your home’s value.
There are many benefits of installing a new garage door, such as better energy efficiency, protection, durability, and more. Homeowners should consider the benefits of the upgraded features of newer models. Reach out to Giel Garage Doors to learn more about installing a new garage door.
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4 Steps for When Your Garage Door Gets Stuck
When a garage door gets stuck, it creates a major annoyance as well as a safety hazard. Homeowners ought to be able to open and close the door whenever they please. On occasion, however, the garage door simply won’t cooperate. Here are some steps you can take when your garage door gets stuck.
Confirm Power
A lack of power is typically the easiest issue to fix, so start there. Ensure the garage door opener is plugged into an outlet. If it is, test the outlet by plugging in another device (such as a nightlight) and seeing whether or not the new device is receiving power. If the car remote or keypad will not open the door but the interior button will, try a new set of batteries in either the remote or keypad as needed.
Check the Lock
The locking feature may have been inadvertently activated. Check the interior panel to make sure it is not “locked.” In lock mode, the door will not respond to remotes. The interior button will usually be lit to some degree. A steady light indicates that the door is unlocked while a flashing light usually means the door is locked. To lock or unlock a door, press and hold the “lock” button until the light pattern changes.
Lubricate Moving Metal Parts
Most hardware stores sell lubricants designed specifically for garage door openers. Use this type or another silicone-based lubricant. Spray a small amount of lubricant on top of the rails, at metal hinges, and along metal springs. During this step, also ensure bolts and other fasteners are secure. Lubrication is an important step in door maintenance and should be performed at least once every six months.
Test the Alignment
When a garage door becomes misaligned,it often struggles to open or close. If the door is stuck, try using the manual release to slide the door open or closed by hand. When properly lubricated, the door should glide easily and smoothly. If not, the door is likely misaligned, which will require professional attention.
Some home maintenance concerns can be handled without professional help. In the event of a garage door getting stuck, several steps can be taken at home before reaching out to a professional repair team. Follow these steps to diagnose and remedy the stuck garage door.
If your garage door is causing your problems, schedule a service call with Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. experts. For more helpful information about maintaining your garage door, browse the Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. blog.
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How to Prevent Garage Fires
Owners and renters invest a great amount of time and money to prevent or minimize fire damage. Local building codes set a number of standards to reduce fire hazards. Fires can spread quite rapidly from one area to another, including the garage. Within the home, we take several precautions, and we should do so in the garage as well. Here are some tips on how to prevent garage fires.
Take Care of Your Chargers
Many individuals store power tools or other electronics in the garage. If a charger or other device is plugged into a garage outlet, take care to reduce the associated risk of fire. Since electronics emit warmth, allow plenty of space between devices. This will prevent too much heat from building up. Ensure that each device has adequate airflow to its ventilation fan. Proper ventilation will also reduce the risk of fire.
Store Flammables Responsibly
A garage can be home to a number of highly-flammable materials, including gasoline, kerosene, turpentine, and more. Store such items in a fireproof metal cabinet. Make sure that the cabinet door closes securely. By securing the flammables apart from other garage items, you will significantly reduce the amount of fuel for any potential fires. In the event of a fire, the closed metal door can minimize the temperature within the cabinet.
Eliminate Clutter
Garages are commonly intended for storing outdoor items such as garden tools, snow blowers, and bicycles. Over time, many unplanned items take up residence in the garage. Experts recommend that occupants maintain the garage at a “home-like” level of clutter. Each item is flammable to some degree, so clutter removal is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of fire.
Each year, Americans spend billions of dollars on home fire insurance and fire prevention methods. A number of house fires begin in the garage. The garage is usually attached to or close to the home, so it is important to prevent fires in the garage as well as the home. By limiting the potential fire hazards as listed above, an owner or renter can help prevent garage fires. For more helpful information about keeping your home safe and secure, browse the Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. blog.
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Common Winter Door Problems and How to Fix Them
For people living in colder climates, winter can be harsh and destructive. Icy winters can produce a number of troubles. Car batteries are strained, walkways become slippery, and garage doors can start having problems. Many of these issues can be resolved without enlisting a professional. Check out these common winter door problems and how to fix them.
Ineffective Lubricant
In warm temperatures, lubricants are more runny and can move around easily. During the winter, lubricants become more dense, and heavy grease may not move easily enough to properly lubricate the garage door opener. Lubrication reduces the amount of work a motor must perform in order to open the garage door. If a heavy grease has been used, apply an even coat of a silicone-based lubricant. A local hardware store will most likely carry a product designed specifically for garage doors.
Frozen Garage Door
During periods of prolonged freezing, garage doors may become frozen and refuse to budge. Frozen garage doors are highly inconvenient, and they can cause further damage to the garage door opener. An immobile door strains the motor, and pieces of the door itself can break if the door is forced open. Where the door meets the ground, remove any existing ice with hot water and a snow shovel. Once the area is clear and dry-ish, apply ice melt as needed. Regular snow removal can prevent future icing.
Fatigued Metal Parts
Metal parts (such as springs) often face additional strain during winter months. More force is often required to open the door in the cold, due to less lubrication and other issues. The increased work can advance a metal part from being strained to outright fatigued. Cold temperatures often render moving parts brittle, and more likely to snap. To avoid potential damages, replace worn parts before they have a chance to break.
Winter can be a festive time for visits and winter sports. The cold season, however, is a time when extra precautions must be taken. Preventative measures can improve the lifespan of the door opener while preventing lockouts. If you run into any of these common garage door problems this winter, the solution may be rather simple.
If your garage door is causing your problems, schedule a service call with Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. experts. For more helpful information about maintaining your garage door, browse the Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. blog.