Curb Appeal- What does your garage have to do with it?

Day in and day out people drive by our houses. What do they see? A well manicured lawn or  maybe the love thats been put into beautiful landscaping. And then…. a 20 year old garage door thats seen years of weathering and maybe a coat or two of new paint thats probably due for another coat. Maybe as your standing in front of your castle you’re thinking something just doesn’t feel right.

An average 2 car garage door takes up aprox. 30% -40% of the face of the home, so imagine if that 40% popped with a new door that fits the home decor or your personality! The cost is pretty low considering the facelift it gives the entire home!

Trying to sell? Where is the “wow!” factor?  Wouldn’t it be great if the prosective buyer saw it as soon as they pulled up to your, I mean their new home?  At Always Open & Shut we have a variety of styles and colors to choose from. Check us out at www.alwaysopenandshut.com to see for your self!

Until Next Time, Remember- Yesterday Ended Last Night And Today Is The Future!

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INOVATION IN THE GARAGE DOOR INDUSTRY

The garage door goes up, we pull out and the garage door goes down. How can that possibly be inovated? In the last 20 years, great strides have been made to make “The new front door” more safe, secure and reliable. We have gone from billion code recievers to rolling code recievers to eliminate “code grabbing”. We have added an additional entrapment feature to protect our families from injury or worse and we have introduced the belt drive for the sheer pleasure of silence!

What’s next? Let’s face it we are now an automated society. So much so that we can do just about everything from our Smart phones! Including operating our garage doors and lighting throughout the house. Gone are the days of having to be home to let a service tech in to make repairs, leaving a remote control hidden somewhere on the property or giving out the secret code to our key-less entry. LiftMaster has introduced the MYQ series of garage door openers with Internet capability. Always Open & Shut Garage Door Service customers can operated their garage door and home lighting from anywhere in the world with a touch of a button from an Android or IPhone. Pretty techie! The other features include, TTC (time to close) Your garage door will automatically close in 1 – 5 or 10 minutes if you forget to close it. The new 8350 and 8360 series DC garage door openers also has a engery saving mode that when not in use drops energy usage 75%.  Visit our website www.alwaysopenandshut.com and schedule a consultation and recieve a free battery backup just in case of a power outage. Boy they think of everything dont they?

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Garage Door Access Systems and Cold Weather

Living in Southern Arizona, it’s hard to believe that I run into this problem from homeowners. Let me tell you folks, it gets cold here too! It gets below 40 degrees and we run for cover!  As far as your garage door and garage door opener is concerned, that first cold snap is quite a shock. For most garage door companies, Autumn is spring, drive gear and adjustment  season. Here is what happens. Plastic and tempered steel changes as the weather the weather changes. Cold weather makes these items brittle and if there is a fracture to begin with, the weather will finish it off. The best case scenario and what most commonly happens, (A minor adjustment and tune- up will solve this problem), is that the wood jamb around your garage doors swell with moisture and causes your garage door to drag. If the force settings are set to low and/or the garage door track is not adjusted properly, guess what?  Yep, your stuck using the door manually until a garage door repair company can take care of the issue.

How can this be avoided? Although failure of a garage door torsion spring or garage door opener drive gear may be difficult to foresee, there are measures you as a homeowner can take to add life to your garage door and garage door opener. Most car owners I have spoken with, have their car maintained every 3000 miles like clockwork but have never shown the same courtesy to the garage door and garage door opener! Minimally this should be done once a year. Ideally, your garage door and garage door opener should be maintained twice a year or… that’s right, spring and fall when the weather changes.

Remember a well maintained car does you no good, if you can’t get out of your garage!

 

 

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Proper care and maintenance of your garage door is not only safe, but will save money in the long run.

Your garage is most likely the place that houses very valuable  items such as tools, bicycles and automobiles. You want to be able to come and go as you please but , you don’t want others to be able to do the same! With that in mind, it is very important to keep the access system in good and safe working order.  For this reason, you must keep an eye on the garage door to make sure it remains in safe and proper working condition.

The most important thing you must know is that garage doors and garage door openers are the largest moving objects in your home and need to be properly maintained like any other part of the house. It is expensive to buy a new door, thus maintaining the existing garage entry door will save you time and money. The most common part of the door that needs to be maintained on a regular basis are the springs. With time, the door springs wear out and start to make squeaking sounds whenever the door is opened or closed.
Without the door springs, the door won’t have a proper balance and eventually you will either be trapped inside your garage or locked out. Neither one makes for a great experience! In addition, the garage door springs holds the door in a stable position as it rolls up and down. When replacing broken springs, Always Open & Shut Garage Door Service Technicians  will think about the wire size, length of spring, wind of spring and its inside diameter, and replace accordingly.

Another aspect of garage doors that need frequent checking are the door hinges. Garage gate hinges provides support to the door’s panels and springs. To make sure they are in proper working condition, they need to be checked at least once each year. When checking the door hinges, look out for any sign of cracking or wear and whether the garage entry doors hinges are in proper alignment.

The garage door rollers used on garage doors ought to be free from cracks and the bearings in the rollers should be rolling free and true  because without them the whole garage door will fail to work.
The garage door rollers are responsible for how smooth the garage door travels through the track . These rollers are simple to repair and besides, the rollers will perfectly work with various types of garage doors ranging from steel, vinyl and aluminum. The advantage of rollers is that with proper care and lubrication they will last a very  long time.

All the movable parts of garage doors need to be lubricated every six months. Pay special attention to the springs and rollers. However, there are door parts that should not be lubricated but should be checked such as the door tracks. Remember, the rollers are doing all the work, the track just gives them a place to do it! Lubricating the track just makes a mess and serves no purpose. The other is the door sections themselves. Look for cracks or separations. If this is occurring, it can be a safety hazard and may need to be replaced. Remember to have your garage door and garage door opener inspected and lubricated twice a year by a qualified technician. Thats all for now. You keep reading and we will continue to “Create Customer Loyalty, One Garage Door At A Time”

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The future of garage door technology is here!

What if you could have a garage door open, lights in home turn on or off and have your dog walked from your smartphone or laptop from 300 miles away! (I’m just kidding about the dog walker) LiftMasters new MyQ technology can make that happen. What if you forgot to close your garage door when you when you went to work. Problem solved! This revolutionary GDO will close automatically after you leave in 1 5 or 10 minutes. You decide! I know this sounds like a pitch… it is! I am so excited about this I wanted to share it with my readers. The LiftMaster Premium series 8360 DC chain drive and the 8550 Elite Series DC belt drive with a battery backup is here.  Along with the battery back up feature that never leaves you locked out of your garage in a power outage you also have access to new features like a light switch that when you open you garage door Your entry light in your house will turn on as well. Never walk into a dark house again.

Remeber your garage door is the largest moving aplliance in your home, keep it safe and keep it secure!

 

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Service and Repair for Your Garage Door

As one of the first things people  see in your home, your garage door is one of the most important pieces  of your property. And the biggest piece of moving electrical equipment  at your residence, the safety and efficiency of your garage door is  extremely important. Like any electrical aspect of your home, however,  there are problems that can occur. Due to this, it is essential that  when these situations arise, as a homeowner you are prepared. Our  professional Always Open & Shut Garage Door specialists can offer you additional information on what to do when garage door problems persist.

Assess the Issue Correctly

There are many parts that make up your garage door. Because of this, there  are many possible causes of problems within your garage door system.  Whether it is a problem with the springs of your system, the rollers,  struts, drums, hinges, cables, tracks, or even your garage door opener, a reputable garage door company can assess and diagnose your issue in a timely and efficient manner. Often times a simple repair may suffice  and your garage door will be back to working order in no time. In other  instances, a replacement piece may be necessary, allowing you to start  from scratch with a new component in your garage door system. A reliable garage door technician can assess your issue, devise the best plan of  action, and alleviate the problem effectively.

 

Ensure Peak Performance with Garage Door Maintenance

After a professional garage door specialist diagnoses your issue, preventative garage door maintenance can ensure it does not occur again. Like any other major appliance in  your home, your garage door requires routine maintenance to ensure peak  performance. These routine check-ups and services can ensure safety and  efficiency, as when it comes to large electrical devices such as these,  nothing is more important than their safe and effective performance. By  relying on regular services for your garage door system, you are saving  yourself the time and worry of a sudden breakdown. Regular maintenance  also lessens the chances of requiring a costly replacement for your  system, meaning you’ll save money down the line.

 

With any questions, comments, or to learn more about Always Open & Shut Garage Door Service , give us a call at 520-808-4641 or contact us online today

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Garage Doors are the new front door! Secure it!

Property Crime Happens Every 15 Seconds…Lock Your Garage!Posted by admin on Monday, August 15th 2011     

For garages that are attached directly to your house, the overhead garage door does perform an important role for home defense. Most police departments will confirm that most burglars enter the home through the garage, therefore keeping it functioning properly should be every homeowners priority. If you’re considering a new garage door, make sure it comes with some sort of locking mechanism. For existing garage doors, keep in mind a garage door that doesn’t shut completely and is easily seen by passers by may attract would-be intruders. Don’t risk it…get your garage door repaired as soon as possible.

Most garage door repairs aren’t repairs to the door itself but to garage door openers, rail systems or electrical components that make the system work. Although it may seem like a do it yourself kind of project, garage door openers and rail systems that carry the door up and down can be more complicated than some people realize. Some can actually be dangerous to disassemble without following proper safety guidelines. Again, don’t risk injury at this point…call a professional garage door repair service.

Most people know that when times get tough, desperate people tend to increase the frequency of their daring ways. It doesn’t really matter to homeowners who know, first and foremost that people are, by nature, good or bad…and when you add in the number of vacant properties within a neighborhood…crime will always be lurking. Property crime accounts for three-quarters of all crime in the USA. According to the FBI, property crimes occur every 15 seconds. Of course, most of the property crime is motor vehicle theft, but garages also have the distinction of being the one place where motor vehicle and in-home property theft intersect, making your garage a security risk unless you take precautions.

Creating a secure garage door can’t be accomplished by any one thing. The door itself must be sturdy, the garage door opener must resist tampering, and the surrounding area should be well-lit, preferably with motion-sensor lights. Finally, tie your alarm system not just to your front and back door, but your garage door as well which can make the difference between catching/deterring a would-be intruder. 

Besides providing an entrance and exit for your car, it’s just as important to install and maintain a garage door that won’t hurt anyone, especially your own family. Most garage door service contractors can come and provide a safety inspection of your door, opener and even offer you safety ideas that will help you sleep better at night knowing the largest door in your house has been and is providing you with good functionality and peace of mind.

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Choose Wisely

Finding a reputable garage door opener repair service can be challenging, but it is well worth the effort. No matter how simple or complicated the needed repairs are, the company that will perform this service should be reputable.

One thing people should keep in mind when choosing a garage door repair company is that the employees of that company will have access to the homes and security systems of their clients. Word of mouth from current clients is an excellent way to locate a trustworthy business in the local area.

Another popular method of locating a good garage door repairman is by searching on the internet. There are many benefits to conducting an internet search, such as being able to access a great deal of information about the company quickly through their website .

Some of the disadvantages of locating a service on the internet, however, include the possibility of finding websites for companies who are no longer in service or are located further away than would be reasonable to travel. Another problem can be that it is difficult to get to know the workers of a business through a website and these employees will have access to not only the home of a person, but many times their security system as well.

There are several different types of garage doors, and even more various brands. One of the first questions that should be asked of a garage door professional is whether or not they work on that particular type or brand. It can be very frustrating to be charged for a house call just to be told that the problem is not able to be solved by that company.

Most repair services will ask what type of garage door and garage door opener is in the home and will be able to deduce from the answers they received whether or not they will be able to assist. If no questions are asked at the time of the phone call, caution should be taken. An excellent question before the appointment is confirmed would be whether or not there is a charge for coming out if the repairman cannot fix the problem.

Many people are tempted to attempt a repair themselves prior to contacting a professional. While this is certainly an option for those who have knowledge of their garage door access system, in some cases it may void a manufacture warranty. There is also the matter of the experience a professional repair service has over a layman. Sometimes the problem has a very simple solution that most people would not notice, but can be solved over the telephone saving the customer a service visit.

While research is paramount when seeking a garage door opener repair service, most people are pleased with the results they get from using a professional. When residents have broken garage door in Tucson they trust the professionals at Always Open & Shut Garage Door Service to provide the highest quality garage door and garage door  services available.

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June Is Garage Door Safety Month

June is Garage Door Safety Month

Increasing garage door safety awareness
The International Door Association and the Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association have designated June as Garage Door Safety Month. Both associations and their affiliated manufacturers and dealers will be working to increase awareness of the possible hazards of garage doors and automatic opener systems, and the need for periodic inspection and maintenance to keep them safe.

Give your garage door a safety check to insure it’s in proper working order by using these ten garage door safety and security tips.

1. Make sure garage door opener control button is out of the reach of small children.

2. Do not let children play with garage door remote controls.

3. Consult the owner’s manual and learn how to use the garage door’s emergency release feature.

4. Visually inspect the garage door each month. Look at springs, cables, rollers and pulleys for signs of wear. Do not attempt to remove, adjust or repair these parts or anything attached to them. A trained door repairman must make adjustments to these parts, which are under high tension.

5. Test the garage door opener’s reversing mechanism monthly by placing a 2 x 4 board or a roll of paper towels in the door’s path. If the door does not reverse after contacting the object, call a qualified garage door professional for repair. If the opener has not been replaced since 1993, seriously consider a new one with auto-reverse as a standard feature.

6. Never place fingers between door sections and explain the dangers to children. If you have small children, consider a door with panels that can’t pinch.

7. Do not leave the garage door partially open. When activated again, it may travel downward and come in contact with an object in its path. This also impacts your home’s security as well.

8. While on vacation, unplug the garage door opener unit or use a wall vacation lock console security switch, which renders remotes unusable and is an optional accessory to most openers.

9. If the opener does not have rolling-code technology, which changes the access codes each time the opener is used to prevent code grabbing, be sure to change the manufacturer’s standard access codes on the opener and remote control, or consider investing in a newer model with more safety and security features that are now standard.

10. A new trend in home invasion is gaining access to the home by stealing the opener or car. Never leave the remote control in the car or with a parking attendant. Consider using a key chain remote and always lock the entry to the inside of your home – especially if your opener is programmed to your vehicle. It is a small inconvenience for safety and security.

Although you should provide monthly safety checks and maintenance to your garage door system, an annual visit from a trained door systems technician can keep your door operating safely and smoothly for a long time.

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Broken springs – a common problem explained

Broken Torsion Spring

Broken Torsion Spring

When the door won’t open by hand or with the garage door opener, the problem more than likely is a broken garage door spring. Look up or to the side and check your springs!
There are different types of springs, some doors use only one. Garage door springs are under enormous pressure and you can get seriously injured or even killed working on them.

Always have a professional garage door technician replace the torsion spring for you, check everything with the technician after the repair is complete.
According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, garage overhead door related accidents account for thousands of injuries every year (average of 30,000 per year), including fractures, crushing and amputations.
Some garage overhead doors have safety mechanisms that prevent it from falling down when the supporting spring fails. Check with your local garage door service company to verify if your garage door is equipped with this feature.
There are three types of the garage door spring systems utilizing tracks / side rails in the US:
1. garage door torsion spring(s) on a torsion tube above the garage door opening
2. garage door extension springs that are attached on either side of the door and stretch along the horizontal part of the track when the door is closed
3. A Torque Master torsion spring system where the torsion spring is above the garage door inside a galvanized tube.
You might also have an old, one piece door that swings outward as it goes up and overhead. This particular design will have springs mounted on the sides of the door opening – at about your waist height, secured to a lever bracket system that extends the springs toward the ceiling at the door closing. This is an old and dangerous type of system that is no longer manufactured. If you have this type of system in the garage, replacement parts may be very difficult to obtain and garage door replacement may be your only option.
Garage door torsion springs are either single or double spring designs. The spring will usually break while under the maximum stress which is when the overhead garage door closes or is closed. If you’re closing it manually and it happens during this operation, don’t try to prevent it from crashing down, let it go.
When one of the two garage door springs breaks, it is beneficial to have them both replaced at the same time.
Having an old and new spring installed will:
 Save money in the long run eliminating a future service call when the old spring breaks sooner than later.
 the door will lose proper balance
 It is much safer for the technician since the original springs were installed as a set, so when one breaks the other is probably not far behind.
Torsion springs for residential overhead garage doors have anywhere between 5,000 – 30,000 uses before anticipating garage door spring replacement.
Wayne Dalton Torque Master springs – Now are equipped with a drop safe system so if your springs lose tension on the way down, the door will stop instead of coming to the floor.
Garage door extension spring systems will include one or two on each side of your overhead garage door. A critical issue with those springs is to have a safety cable installed inside of each single spring and secured properly, so when the door opens and closes, the spring can freely slide on this cable!
When the garage door spring snaps without the cable inside, broken ends might severely injure anyone standing within their range. The cables should be included with the overhead garage doors hardware (assuming that they came equipped with extension springs), but A LOT OF PEOPLE either forget to install them, or don’t read instructions and maybe assume that they are not required.
So remember to be safe and give us a call to service your garage door!
Call or click now to receive a free tune-up with a paid service call! ($40.00 value)

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