Author Archives: 1st United Door Technologies
Garage Doors & Raccoons
When seen in profile, a raccoon looks like a question mark laid on its side.
But then, everything about raccoons is in the realm of the questionable. What, for instance, do they think they are?
They have a fox’s snout, a monkey’s paws, a cat’s tail. They have appetites as ravenous and as indiscriminate as a dog’s. Their eyes have the pleading quality of a dog’s, too, and can be just as heart melting, if they’re in the mood. They are as cute as all get out, but have needle teeth that when bared give you the heebie-jeebies. They’re as brazen as beggars and as shy as thieves, and they believe themselves to be invisible, even in the daytime, when they do not so much as stroll to where they’re going as insinuate themselves there. (Animals cause humans to react in many ways -with fear, wonder, often love -but raccoons are one of the few that inspire suspicion. I see them slink by with that humpy gait and all I think is, “Okay, what the hell are you up to?”) They exist somewhere on the boundary between civilization and wilderness, and live easily in either.
And, they are pretty smart. There’s the story [more]
Is your garage door chipping and flaking?
When you begin to notice the paint on your garage door is chipping and flaking apart, it is time for a new paint job. If left untreated, a garage door exposed to the elements can take on rain water and become warped from the hot sun. When the wood is compromised, it deteriorates. Soon the entire door structure weakens and replacement will become necessary. Though it is a fair amount of work, repainting your garage door can save you a lot of money down the road. Plus a new paint job brightens up your garage and adds to the overall value of your home.
The first step is to wash off the dust and paint chips. Some people prefer a power washer for this part because it is quicker and very efficient. Other people prefer using a hose to keep water penetration down to a minimum. The door will need some surface preparation. There are many types of exterior cleaners available that will help remove the stains and mildew. At the very least, a 1:4 solution of bleach and water should be used. Use a wire brush to remove the chipping paint. This is probably the most labor intensive part of [more]
Easier Way to Access Your Garage
Garage door keypads are used as an easier way to access the opening and closing of your garage door. It’s easily mounted, usually near the door, to be there whenever you will need it. But don’t worry, not everyone will be able to use it. Only those that know 4 digit security code can enter garage. Garage door keypad can be changed anytime as you want. Some garage door keypads have room for more security codes, so everyone in your household can have his own unique security code.
The best garage door keypads even have a function that will allow you to set a temporary security code that can be used only for certain numbers of time or for certain period time. You can use this temporary code for your repairman or any other one who need to enter your garage while you are not at home.
If you want to add garage door keypad to your opener or your old keypad doesn’t work anymore and you need replacement, you should think about getting an universal garage door keypad. Universal garage door keypads were made to work with most of mayor garage door opener brands. But not all universal keypads will work [more]
That Annoying Garage Door Noise!
Why is my garage door so noisy? It’s so annoying!
Your garage door is made up of an intricate system of pulleys, cables, gears, and springs, so there are many parts that can cause the door to make noise. Some of these are easily fixed, and some require the services of a trained garage door technician.
First, you need to identify the type of opener you own: screw drive, chain drive, or belt drive. Chain drive doors are noisy. Period. This doesn’t make them a bad choice. Chain drive doors are relatively inexpensive, long-lasting, and reliable in extreme climates. Regular lubrication will lessen the noise, but it’s not going to go away. Screw drive doors are less noisy early but become as noisy as chain drive doors over time. A belt drive door is quiet when it’s working properly.
If the door is not balanced, it can become noisy, or it can even stop operating. You can check the balance of the door by pulling the red emergency release cord and operating the door manually. Raise the door manually about halfway, and then release it. If it is properly balanced, it will have little movement. If it is unbalanced, it will begin to [more]
Garage Door Safety Measures
How often do you think about your garage door other than to push the remote button to open or close it as you come home or head out?
Automatic garage doors are designed to be as simple for you to use as pushing a single button and the door opens or shuts. With keyless entry systems, your children can come home from school to a locked house and quickly get in the house by entering the code, rather than having to worry about taking care of a key all day long. You have the convenience of pressing the button, waiting a moment while the door opens and driving your car into the garage to unload your groceries.
You may not realize that there are safety measures built into garage doors. However, if your doors are not properly adjusted, they may not work properly and could possibly cause damage or injury. If the door were to suddenly close without the button being pressed, you can imagine the problems that it could create.
Even though we often take garage doors for granted, we should teach our children to be careful around them and never let small children play with the remote opening devices. It is [more]
Download Your Garage Door Opener Owner’s Manual
You’re sitting there in front of your computer perhaps looking for answers about your garage door opener. What better time to find your opener’s owner’s manual online and download it to your computer.
Why?
Easily Accessible When You Need It.
It is surprising how few people keep the original garage door opener owner’s manual that came with their operator.
May only be Available for a Limited Time.
The older your operator becomes, the more difficult it is to find the correct manual. You may not be able to find one anywhere.
Troubleshooting Guide.
You can solve a number of problems by referring to the owner’s manuals’ troubleshooting guide. You may be able to solve your problems without calling for help.
Illustrated Parts List.
Helps you identify parts when you need replacements.
Programming Instructions.
Your owner’s manual contains programming instructions for your remote, control panel, and keyless or wireless/keyless keypad.
Maintenance Guide.
Manufacturer’s recommended monthly maintenance can extend the life of your garage door opener.
Adjustments
Opening force, closing force: How do you make these adjustments so they do not become a danger to children, pets, and others. The door will not open if opening force is set too low (could be problems with the door itself). If closing force is not set high enough your [more]
Going Shopping
Here are some factors to consider when buying a new garage door.
• Budget. Like everything, budget dictates options. Garage doors range in price from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the size, materials and design you choose. Even if you have a small budget you can still get a great looking door that is going to enhance the look of the house.
• Design. Think of the garage as an extension of the home’s theme, not an afterthought. Let the home’s architectural style, the shape and size of the windows and entry doors, and exterior design details influence the design of the garage door.
It’s a good idea to visit dealer showrooms and review manufacturer Web sites to get a sense of the options available. Many companies offer doors pre-designed to match specific architectural styles, which can make the selection process easier.
• Insulation. Doors can be insulated or non-insulated. If the garage is attached to the house you’ll want an insulated door. This will help reduce utility bills – a popular selling point with prospective buyers. If you live in a mild climate or have a detached garage that will only be used to park the car, you can [more]
Why Didn’t It Close?
Everyone’s finally dressed and ready to leave. You back the car out, hit the remote, and you’re off. Until you realize the garage door hasn’t gone down. You reluctantly pull back into the driveway, brow furrowing in frustration. It happens to everyone. Many homeowners don’t even realize they left it open until they return home.
Why didn’t it close? Garage doors usually fail to close as a result of the safety sensors being blocked. They’re located on each side of the opening, no more than a foot or so off the ground. Typically, each will have a small light that stays lit when everything is going well. If either of the lights are out, simply move whatever is blocking the sensor (sometimes even cobwebs/small debris can cause safety sensors to malfunction) or adjust them so that they are pointing at each other again. You can move these around by hand if they’ve been knocked out of alignment.
If you’re still stuck at home, make sure nothing is blocking the path of the door. This can be a common cause for service calls on garage doors. Always use caution when operating your door, but be extra cautious when it’s not working correctly. It’s [more]