• How Often Should My Garage Door Be Serviced?

    Pittsburgh garage

    Most people in Pittsburgh will only service their garage door when it shows signs of weakness or when something breaks. Unfortunately, this is a dangerous approach that can end up costing more money in the long run. Garage doors just like other mechanical devices can experience wear and tear, therefore it is pertinent to regularly check and/or service your garage door. 

    How often does my garage door require professional service?

    The Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, Inc. professional Pittsburgh garage door technicians say it is best to service your garage door at least twice a year. However, you can also incorporate your own simple preventive maintenance routine that includes lubricating areas of the door, and tightening bolts and screws. Still, it is imperative to have a Pittsburgh garage professional check your garage door semi-annually. When servicing your garage door, consider the following:

     When to Service

    For complete assurance, service your garage door system at least twice a year. Ensure that one of those services occur in the fall season to prepare for the cold winter temperatures and snow. Check the door again in early spring when temperatures and moisture levels have changed. 

    Rollers & Hinges

    Rollers and hinges must always be in perfect condition. These parts are prone to splitting and cracking, therefore they should be checked, and repaired regularly to ensure they are secure. 

    Balance the Door

    If your garage door is halfway open and you notice it moving up and down, it is a clear sign that the torsion needs to be adjusted. Springs tend to break when they are old or in the winter during cold temperatures. Request the help of a professional repair technician to fix this as soon as possible. 

    Lubricate

    Hearing an unusual squeaking sound when you open or close your garage door? This means that it needs to be lubricated. Lubricate all metallic moving parts with a non-greasy, non-silicone-based garage door lubricant. Don’t forget to open up the motor and lubricate all of the nylon parts with grease – especially the drive gear. Pay special attention to hinges, rollers, and springs, especially during the wintertime as these objects require more lubrication during cold months. 

    Bottom Seal & Weatherseal

    Depending on the condition of the weather seal and bottom seal, it might need to be replaced. The garage door should not have gaps that allow air and light to enter. If you notice these occurrences, it might mean the bottom seal is experiencing wear from animals or shrinkage from moisture, or both. 

    It is of utmost importance to have your garage door serviced by a professional twice a year. Yet it is also great if you routinely do your own check-up. By doing this, you’ll immediately become aware of the problems your garage door may have and if the help of one of Thomas V. Giel Garage Door’s Pittsburgh garage repair professionals is needed immediately.

  • 4 Things to Consider Before Hiring a Pittsburgh Garage Door Dealer

    pittsburgh garage

    Having a Pittsburgh garage door that opens and closes on command is a luxury that many people take for granted. It isn’t until your garage door needs to be repaired or replaced that many begin to look into finding a reputable garage door dealer. But how do you ensure the dealer you are considering hiring is reputable and professional? Here are a few things to help you ensure that you entrust your garage door needs to a reputable dealer.

    Experience

    One of the easiest ways to determine if a dealer knows what they are doing and can help you with your garage door needs is to look at how much experience they have. Garage door dealers that have been in the business for decades will have all of the technical knowledge and experience necessary to install your garage door properly. If you’re considering a new company, find out if the owners and/or management have experience in the door and operator industry. How much experience do they have?

    Workmanship

    Another aspect to consider that is equally as important and easily verifiable is the satisfaction of previous customers. Can they provide letters of recommendation from other customers? What do online reviews have to say about the company? If possible, try to talk to multiple previous customers to hear about their experience firsthand. Find out if they were satisfied with the workmanship and overall quality of work that was completed. You should be cautious when a dealer is unable to put you in touch with any satisfied customers—take that as an indication that you should look at other options.

    Code and Regulatory Compliance

    When it comes to installing garage door systems, there are numerous requirements in place that pertain to the safety and installation of garage doors. As a result, all federal, state, and local codes and regulations must be strictly followed. When interviewing potential dealers, ask how they comply with codes for your location. If they cannot adequately explain how they adhere to codes, be wary, this may be a major warning sign. All federal, state, and local codes and regulations are in place for the safety and protection of homeowners. Therefore, they should be followed at all times. If a potential dealer cannot demonstrate that they are aware of regulations and are in compliance at all times, you should immediately walk away and continue to search for a dealer that is.

    Insurance Coverage

    Another important feature to consider is that a dealer should carry the proper insurance, not only for their business but for their employees as well. Start by asking for a copy of the company’s certificate of insurance to verify that they do in fact have insurance. This will also help you to know when their coverage is up to guarantee that they will be covered for the duration of your installation. Be wary of companies that hesitate to provide you with a copy of their insurance, as it can be a warning sign. In the event that a dealer attempts to explain that they do not need to carry insurance, it will be in your best interest to walk away and continue to search for a dealer who is more than happy to provide proof of insurance. As a general rule, you can expect that a reputable garage door dealer will carry the proper insurance and won’t hesitate to provide you with proof of insurance per your request.

    Being able to find a reputable garage door dealer for your Pittsburgh garage door repairs and replacement needs don’t have to be a daunting or a seemingly impossible task. In fact, by asking a few important questions you can find a trustworthy and safety-conscious dealer, such as Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors. Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors has been in business since 1950. We’ve been able to provide quality garage door services that our customers have come to know and expect from us. Don’t trust your garage door needs to just anyone, trust them to Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors, a licensed and insured garage door dealer with years of experience.

     

  • How to Find a Reputable Garage Door Dealer

    pittsburgh garage

    Replacing a Pittsburgh garage door is not something you have to do often. So you likely don’t have someone in mind when the situation arises. For many, the first step to hiring a garage door technician is getting recommendations for garage door dealers from friends and family members. Another great resource is to search for reviews online and learn more about prospective dealers. Ultimately, you will need to contact the company directly. When talking to a dealer, you can learn more about their skill level and trustworthiness when you ask the right questions. Here are a few things you should ask to ensure you find a reputable garage door dealer.

    Learn About the Company

    Researching the company should give you a good indication of their experience and qualifications. It is a good idea to learn about their history. How long have they been in business? If they are a new business, what experience and knowledge do the owners have? Are they a legal business? Do they have all the necessary licenses and permits required to perform work in your area? What kind of insurance do they have? It is going to be imperative that they be fully insured. Do they have a showroom where you can see and touch the products they offer? What brands do they carry? Knowing this type of information will help you know if you’re interested in doing business with them.

    Learn About Past Customers

    The most reputable companies will gladly provide a list of previous customers who were satisfied with their services. These customers will provide their feedback and opinions about their experience with the company. Ideally, these customers will be in or near your neighborhood. You can also ask companies to provide details, including pictures of past completed projects.

    How Well do They Communicate?

    If you are going to be working with a company, knowing how they communicate before the process will be a good indication of how they communicate throughout the process. In their correspondence with you, they should gather information to accurately advise you on how to choose a door that meets your needs.

    Information that they will need to provide you with an expert opinion should include:

    • Size requirements
    • Budget
    • Design and style of your home
    • Functions, features, and traits you can’t live without
    • Other unique requirements

    With the answers to these questions, they will be able to provide you with different options that fit within your established budget. Additionally, knowing your budget will enable them to provide you with a detailed quote that includes labor and equipment. They can also provide a written warranty in detail that includes the opener, the labor, and all other aspects of the garage door.

    You want a company that will communicate openly with you during the initial planning phases of bidding and selecting a new garage door. You also want a garage door dealer that will be there for you after the installation is complete and will continue to communicate with you if warranty issues arise.

    Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors is the premier Pittsburgh garage door dealer, with years of experience and knowledge. Whether you are looking for a new garage door or garage door repairs, Thomas V. Giel Garage Doors is the best garage door expert serving the greater Pittsburgh area.