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Recent Blog Posts
Winter in Illinois and How it Can Affect Garage Doors
We are only a few days into 2022, and the Chicago area has already experienced freezing temperatures and considerable snowfall. When cold temperatures meet snow and ice, there are a slew of problems that can arise with your garage door. Dealing with a damaged garage door can be frustrating, but some of the solutions may be easier than you think. Whether it is the metal contracting, grease hardening, tracks warping, weather seal freezing, or springs breaking, the timing is never ideal for your garage door to break. Knowing what to do next is imperative in order to get your garage door working again.
What To Do When Your Garage Door First Breaks
When your garage door is no longer operating properly, you can try and troubleshoot the issue yourself. First, attempt to manually lift the door and if it is too unable to fully open, check to see where the door is getting caught. You may notice a bent track or a substantial grease buildup. If the door is too heavy to open, you likely have a broken spring. This will require the help of a garage door repair technician. If the door easily raises up and down by hand, the "force setting" on the garage door opener likely needs to be adjusted. If you are still unable to identify the problem, you should consult a licensed professional.
Tips for Clearing Snow From Your Driveway and Protecting Your Garage Door
Winter is here, and snow and ice are sure to be on the way over the next few months. Most homeowners are familiar with the regular chore of shoveling snow from their driveway, cleaning off any cars that are parked outside, and making sure walkways are free of slipping hazards. However, even those who have been using snow shovels, snowblowers, and other tools for years may be unaware of some methods that can make their lives easier, and they will also want to watch out for any issues that could inadvertently damage their garage door or other parts of their property. The following tips can help homeowners clear snow effectively:
- Shovel periodically - During a snowstorm, it is often a good idea to start shoveling while snow is still falling. Clearing away a couple inches of snow at a time will be much easier than shoveling a foot of snow that has accumulated overnight and settled into a more solid mass.
- Treat your shovel - Wet snow that sticks to your shovel can make things much more difficult. You can use cooking spray on your shovel to prevent snow from sticking and make the job of clearing snow easier.
Addressing Cold Temperatures in Your Garage During the Winter
As we near the end of 2021, winter has officially begun, although here in Illinois, temperatures had already been dropping for weeks. DuPage County residents are usually prepared for the cold and weather conditions such as snow and ice. However, many people may not realize the effects that this weather will have on their garage. By understanding the appropriate temperature levels and how to maintain the proper conditions in your garage, you can prevent the possibility of damage and make sure all the equipment you use will function properly.
What Is the Right Temperature for My Garage?
If you are like most people, you probably use your garage less often than other parts of your house. Because of this, there is no need for your home's heating system to keep your garage warm. However, you should be aware of the risks that may come if your garage is too cold. Ideally, you will want to keep the temperature in your garage above the dew point. This is the temperature at which condensation will begin to form based on the overall humidity level in your area. During the winter months in Illinois, the dew point usually ranges from 15 to 30 degrees.
5 Steps You Can Take to Improve Your Garage’s Security
Everyone wants to make sure their home is safe from thieves or others who may try to break in. Unfortunately, the garage is a common entry point for those who are looking to enter a home illegally. To address this issue, prevent break-ins, and make sure your home and family are as safe as possible, you can do the following:
- Install the proper lighting - Bright lighting around a garage is one of the best ways to deter potential thieves. Installing floodlights that illuminate the area around your garage door, side doors, windows, or other potential entry points will help keep these areas secure. You may also want to use motion sensors that will shine lights on anyone who approaches your home or garage.
- Keep your garage door opener remote safe - It can be convenient to keep the remote you use to open your garage door in your car. However, when these devices are easily visible in a car that is parked in a driveway or on the street, such as when a remote is clipped to a visor, this may provide thieves with an easy way to gain entry to your home. To prevent this issue, you may want to use a key fob remote that attaches to your car keys or make sure a remote stored in a vehicle is not visible from the outside.
How to Protect Your Garage’s Roof During the Winter
In DuPage County and the Chicago area, everyone expects the winters to be cold, but people may not always be fully prepared when the temperature begins to drop. Along with getting snow gear out of storage, making sure shovels and snow blowers are easy to access, and stocking up on salt, homeowners will also want to make sure they are taking the right steps to avoid any damage to their garage and their home during winter storms and cold weather. One key issue to be aware of is how to protect a garage roof from damage due to snow and ice.
Addressing Snow Buildup
Snow can be very heavy, placing a great deal of pressure on the roof of a garage. Light snow may weigh around five to 20 pounds per square foot, but heavy, packed snow can weigh up to 40 pounds per square foot. To prevent damage to the structure of a garage, it is a good idea to clear large amounts of snow from the roof. This can often be done with a ladder and a rake, and it will provide a homeowner with peace of mind that they will be able to avoid a roof collapse or other forms of damage.
Reasons to Consider an Electric Garage Door Opener for Your Garage
Modern technology has allowed homes and garages to continuously advance in convenience, comfort, style, and security. A small example of this is electric garage door openers, which can now also be found in the wireless variety. Keyless entry systems provide substantial advantages, making a home easier to access for members of the household, and more difficult to enter for those who are not welcome. To understand some of the most prevalent advantages of an electric garage door opener, read on.
Benefits of Installing an Electric Garage Door Opener
One of the greatest benefits of installing a garage door opener is that you will no longer have to worry about keys. Keys are extremely easy to lose for both the children and adults of the house. Keys can also be fairly inconvenient. With the addition of an opener, it will not be necessary to bring a set of keys with you when you leave the house. This is incredibly beneficial especially if you are just leaving the house for a short walk with your dog or quick errands.
Four Advantages of a Custom Garage
Homebuyers may not always prioritize the quality and features of a home garage. Even those who decide to build their own homes may not necessarily have the foresight to build a garage that will fit all of their current and future needs. For a home to reach its full potential, the garage space should be customized to fit the occupants' needs and preferences. Customizing a garage can allow for the flexibility, versatility, and functionality that a home needs.
Benefits To Enjoy After Customizing a Garage
1.) Additional Space
For those who feel like they never quite have enough space, supplementing your home with a larger garage can provide substantial benefits. A customized garage that is larger in size may allow you to add a workbench, staircase, additional windows, custom-fit cabinets, and more.
Not only will additional space help with storage needs for the household and seasonal belongings, but it will also allow you to park multiple vehicles.
Factors to Consider When Replacing a Garage Entry Door
It is not uncommon for homeowners to overlook the importance of their garage entry door. However, a high-quality entry door can provide a great first impression of your home for visitors going through that entry. Beyond the surface-level advantages of an exceptional entry door, it should also provide your home with security and energy efficiency. If your garage entry door is starting to show signs of physical deterioration such as cracks and rotting or is not providing your home with the features you require, consider pursuing one of the following options.
Which Entry Door Option is Best For Your Garage?
There are three types of entry doors that may work best for your garage. Depending on your preferences and needs, you may opt for a wooden, fiberglass, or steel garage door. While wooden doors may be the most visually appealing option, they are the least practical compared to the benefits provided by the fiberglass and steel options.
5 Indicators That You May Need a Garage Remodel
Home garages can withstand significant wear and tear for many years. However, there may come a time when issues in the space become more noticeable, making the garage less useful and less pleasant. Certain indicators may suggest that it is time for remodeling or an entirely new garage. It is important to consider the warning signs that may become evident when it is time for a new garage.
Warning Signs That it Might be Time For a New Garage
1.) Structural Defects
Structural defects in a garage that may lead to unsafe conditions include a sagging roof, rotting boards, and inadequate lighting. Not only do these defects make your garage unsafe to use, but they will also lower your property's value. An unsafe garage is typically easy to spot and will decrease the appeal of your entire home, while also making it a dangerous environment for you and your loved ones.
2.) Security Concerns
Older garages may struggle to provide adequate security to the high-priced items being stored in your garage. Old doors and windows can be difficult to lock, making for easy access to someone who may want to steal or damage expensive property. Additionally, old garages may feature more holes and gaps within their structure, allowing for rodents and other pests to venture into the space and cause damage.
An In-Depth Look At Protecting Your Garage Floors
While a garage may primarily be used for outdoor-based activities, maintaining your garage and providing your home with an additional space that is comfortable, is very important. Recently, we wrote a blog that showcased tips and options for protecting your garage from the elements of the approaching winter weather. Today, we are going to take a closer glance at how you can properly protect the floor of the garage and why you should start now.
Why Should You Protect Your Garage Floor?
Throughout the year, a garage floor is exposed to a range of elements and can suffer a significant amount of damage. This is especially true in the winter months. On any typical day, a garage may be dirty or dusty, however, it may also endure grease stains, chemical spills, road salt, and hot tires. When the temperature drops, the floor must also withstand freezing temperatures and can easily turn messy and slippery.
When an individual fails to properly maintain their garage, certain wear and tear may start to become apparent. This includes stains, uneven surface color, cracks, and spalling.
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