Fix your garage door weather seals this winter

As is the case with any house maintenance or repair work, your garage door weather seals can degrade over time which impacts their effectiveness in securing your garage and home against winter.Inspect and replace the weather seals before winter sets in so you don’t have to worry about cold air, snow, or icy winds ruining your garage. It will also ensure that your energy costs don’t skyrocket.

Benefits of Garage Door Weather Seals

• Helps keep all your stored material as well as your garage door safethe damaging effects of snow or rain.
• Ensures your power bills don’t go too high by keeping out the bitter cold and helping regulate the temperature in your garage and across your entire home.
• Keeps your garage clean and free of debris and dirt.
• Helps absorb some of the impact or pressure of the garage door when it closes.
• Keeps troublesome home invaders such as rodents and other kinds of pests such as spiders and roaches from making a home in your garage.

Garage Door Seals – Top Tips on Winterizing your Garage Door

Extreme weather conditions are certainly going to impact the condition of your garage door weather seals. The result would be signs of wear and tear after facing the combined onslaught of freezing temperatures, rain and snow.

In addition to being affected by the harsh weather conditions, weather seals also suffer wear and tear due to pressure faced every time the garage door closes.

You can inevitably expect some amount of damage to the seals. That’s why we recommend carrying out routine inspections and maintenance before winter sets in.

What can you do?

• Check your weather stripping for wear and tear.
• If the damage is extensive it is best to have the weather stripping replaced.

When insulating your garage door don’t forget to pay attention to the gaps around the edges which if left plugged will allow the icy brittle cold air and rain to seep in.

In addition to checking for garage door weather seals, don’t forget to inspect for any other broken component or damaged parts. It is always best to get broken stuff as fast as possible to avoid costly repair or replacement later. Also, lubricate the metal moving parts; this is one task that should be carried out all year through; but it is important that you pay special attention to this task before winter or the rainy season.

A lot of homeowners like to consider weather sealing a DIY project; however, if you are not confident, it is best to consult with a garage door professional PVC stop molding is very effective when it comes to sealing the tops and sides of a garage door as it is highly durable and will last you a long time. In addition to PVC, other options include reverse-angle jamb seals and vinyl and rubber-based garage door seal retainers. These can be installed along the edges and easily replaced with new inserts if required.

Types of Garage Door Weather Seals

Garage Door Bottom Seal – is a vinyl or rubber-based seal which is flexible and is fixed at the bottom of the garage door. The seal helps in plugging the gap along the floor and can be very effective in keeping the cold out. If you notice that light seeps in even after closing the garage door, it is time to replace the seal.

Garage Door Threshold Seal – is fixed to the floor using an adhesive and is effective in keeping water or moisture out or even to plug a gap below the door. The threshold seal is most effective if used along with the door seal.

Door Stop Molding with Weatherstripping – is highly effective if your garage door has old or damaged door stops and can be easily fixed using stainless steel or galvanized siding nails.

Garage Door Panel Weatherstripping – is effective if you are looking to plug the gaps between doors that have flat-edged panels. Any time the door is closed, the weatherstripping gets compressed to effectively block out the cold and rain. These can be easily fixed by sticking them either to the bottom or to the top edge of each panel.

Garage Door Stop Weatherstripping – if the stripping along the sides and top of your garage door stops is proving to be ineffective, simply install new weatherstripping using galvanized nails.

Call Premier Overhead of Tyler for any kind of garage door repair or inspection work. Our licensed and trained technicians can help you recommend what kind of weather seals would work best for your scenario. Call us at (903) 532-0330 today!!

The problem with old garage doors is that they might put your home safety and security at risk. Old garage doors often lack the advanced safety technology that the modern doors have. Moreover, the hardware of your old garage door can become faulty and worn-out without you knowing. So, you may also find yourself spending too much money and efforts in getting repair work for worn-out components. If that is the case, it is the time to go for garage door replacement.

Installing a new garage door offers a wide range of benefits and can aesthetically and functionally improve your home. If you are still not convinced why should you replace your garage door right away, we give you some solid reasons to wave goodbye to your old garage door.

Protects your family and home

New or old, garage doors are heavy and complex pieces of machinery that if not handled with care can cause accidents. However, modern garage doors have mandatory and other safety features that go a long way in ensuring that they remain safe for your family including children and pets. Features like auto-reverse and photo sensors can help avoid tragic accidents.

In addition, old garage doors whose parts are completely worn out and are no longer functioning at their optimal levels are a safety hazard. They may cause a major accident, which can be avoided by replacing it on time.

Keeps your energy costs down

A poorly insulated garage can make your energy bills go north. And there are big chances that your old garage door is not well-insulated. If you an attached garage or one that have a room just above it, it could be difficult to keep it properly cooled in summers and warm in the winter season.

This can be easily solved by a new, properly insulated garage door. This will not only keep your energy costs within a meaningful range but also increase the market value of your house if you are planning to put it up for sale.

In addition, an old garage door can make a loud noise when you open and close it. Street noise can get into your home if your garage door is non-insulated. An insulated and tight-fitting garage door, on the other hand, can significantly reduce this noise pollution.

Protects your stored valuables

Most homeowners use their garage as a storage space to keep their personal stuff. But your old garage door may not be able to keep the weather elements out, like moisture and rain, which can ruin your stored items in the long run. Garage door replacement means you will have a new, well-fitted garage door with no gaps and one that is insulated. This will protect your valuables from weather onslaught in the long run

In addition, you can also create a climate-controlled space by replacing your old garage door with a new one. You can build a perfect home gym or set up a home office in your garage if you want.

Get cost effective

As with all machines, especially the ones that are used many times a day, you can expect wear and tear and break-downs with your old garage door. Sometimes it is creaking noise when you open or close the door, or it could be a malfunctioning door due to damaged garage door springs or safety cables. If yourwallet is bearing the brunt of frequent repairs, it is not worth it.

Invest in a new garage door if you want to get rid of escalating repair bills, not to mention the frustration of having to call your local garage door repair company every once in a while. New garage doors are stronger, safer and need less maintenance. Plus, they come in a variety of materials, designs, and styles to match your home exterior and aesthetics.

Improves your curb appeal

Your garage door makes up more than 40% of your home’s facade. Improve your home’s exterior look and make your home stand out by installing a new garage door.

Increase the market value of your home

A rickety garage door is the last thing a potential homebuyer would like to see. It is a sign that they have to spend a bomb in repair and maintenance. They may also see it as an added burden that they might need to replace, which means more money and efforts for them. Garage door replacement is a home improvement project that will not only bring personal safety and security benefits but will also help increase the market vale of your home if you are planning to sell it sometime soon.

If your think you are now ready to invest in a brand-new garage door, call Premier Overhead of Tyler at (903) 532-0330 We offer high quality garage door installation, garage door repair and maintenance services. Our experts will look into your specific requirements to recommend the best door in terms of material, color, style and other parameters. Our technical expertise and experience means you will have a garage door running smoothly over years and years to come.

Like many other things in life, a smooth functioning garage door is something all of us take for granted. In most machinery, it is the motor that does all the work. But in a garage door assembly, the heavy load and pressure is handled by the spring. And you can trace most of your garage door woes to a faulty or damaged spring, which can not only cause loud noises, or out of balance looking door but can also result in garage door related accidents. If you think there is something wrong, don’t hesitate to call a professional for garage door springs repair. Why? Let’s find out.

First, let’s look at the signs that should indicate your garage door spring is broken or damaged.

• The garage door that not respond to the automatic or manual opening mechanism; or stops suddenly through it.
• Loud noises and squeaks coming from the door assembly
• Jerky upward motion of the doors, or sudden stops in mid-motion
• The door looks out of balance, hanging to one side.
• When you are using an automatic opener, the door appears to go down too fast.
• You can’t move up the door even with the emergency release cord.
• Safety cables look out of the place

Springs are designed to last for three-five years. So, you will eventually encounter these problems in your garage door after continuous use.

DIY Is Not Really a Good Idea

Faulty or malfunctioning garage doors are more than a minor inconvenience. They can be a major danger to your life and property. So, you need to get them fixed as soon as possible. DIY might be the trend these days, and in many instances, you can actually savea lot of money by going that route in regular home improvement and maintenance.

But you should think twice before attempting a garage door springs repair project on your own. Here are five compelling reasons:

1. Your Health and Safety

You may not realize it when you use your garage door every day, but the sheet of metal that hangs above your garage entrance is responsible for thousands of injuries each year in the US alone! On an average, they lead to 12,000 injuries per year, with DIY projects accounting for 1600 of those. And of these, torsion springs directly contribute to over 300 visits to the emergency room. That in itself should be reason enough not to attempt a garage door springs repair on your own.

Whether it is a torsion spring or an extension spring, both remain under a lot of stress and tension. It is hardly surprising as springs get to bear the burden of supporting a heavy garage door. What happens if the springs snap all of a sudden? The garage door would come down with a vicious force, a force so powerful that it has the potential to even kill a person in the way. It is important to understand that garage door springs are not only an important part but also perhaps the most dangerous of all parts. Repairing r fixing them without any experience or right tools can lead to accidents, which can be totally avoided by seeking professional help.

2. Complexity

Garage door mechanisms do not have a single universal design. There are at least two different types of torsion spring designs commonly used in modern garage doors. If you are not familiar with them, you will have a hard time picking the right replacement parts. Use of improper parts may lead to future failure of the system, with the risk of property damage or personal injuries. Professionals like Premier Overhead of Tylercome with the right tools, parts, and skills and can get the job done safely and effectively, without any risk.

3. Long Term Costs

A DIY garage door springs repair is often an attractive short-term fix that looks light on your pocket. But if you think long term, it is the opposite. Unless you know exactly what you are doing, a half-baked garage door repair can lead to more severe damage to the system in the long run. This along with any damage caused by malfunctions will certainly cost you more than the amount you saved by not calling in the experts.

4. Insurance & Liability

If you want to make your insurance company pay for the repairs, you better have paperwork from certified professional garage repair services. Amateur DIY and freelancer work istypically viewed as a liability by all insurance companies. They will cite this as a reason to deny any coverage for your garage door expenses now and in the future as well. And if you sell the house, future owners may claim liability if the garage doors fail due to your DIY repairs.

5. Convenience

Garage door springs repairs can take a lot of time and effort if you are not trained and certified to handle them. And most of us simply do not have the time or energy to spare. And a faulty garage door is not something that you can leave as is until the weekend or something. If it stays shut, how will you take the kids to school or drive to your office? Seeking expert help is the best option any day.

If you are looking for a professional expert to repair your garage door spring or any other part, call Premier Overhead of Tyler at (903) 532-0330. We offer a range of garage door repair services in Tyler and neighboring areas. For ore details on our services, give us a call today!!

Why is it important to ensure your garage door safety? The home garage is a crucial space in any home. A typical garage is as much a parking area for your car as it is a storage space for tools and home repair devices, a play area for your kids during rainy season, a resting space for your pets, and the perfect workshop for all your DIY projects.

Yes, your garage indeed is a versatile space. However, what most homeowners tend to overlook is the fact that your garage is also one of the most vulnerable and potentially dangerous places in a home. They typically set up their security systems to secure their garage against external threats such as burglaries and intruders. However, homeowners can be sometimes laidback when it comes to ensuring their garage door safety.

Without regular maintenance and inspections, a garage door can malfunction making it a safety risk for you and your family.

Why a Malfunctioning Garage Door is a Serious Safety Hazard?

In spite of having robust safety features, thousands of cases of serious injuries and even death due to faulty garage doors are reported each year. The leading cause in most of these cases is a poorly maintained or poorly installed garage door.

A door can fall due to a number of reasons including the following;

• Old, broken, or relaxed springs with weak tension.
• Improper installation of the garage door.
• External damage to the garage door either due to harsh weather conditions or because of a vehicle either while parking or while backing up.
• Emergency propping up of the garage door while in a hurry; the door could fall on an unsuspecting family member any time.
• Little of no maintenance and inspection of the various mechanical moving parts of the door.

Educate your kids

It is extremely extremely important to educate and speak with your children about dangers of actions such as riding the garage door and keeping safe while operating or when playing near the garage door.

Riding the garage door can be a thrilling experience for children and young teenagers. However, this could turn into a disaster. If the door malfunctions for some reason, it can really come down with a crashing force. Fingers getting caught in the moving parts is another danger parents need to consider.

Keep in mind that the average weight of a garage door is around 400 pounds. When that weight comes crashing down, it carries with it a bone crushing force. While the danger to life can be for anyone, the risks and potential dangers of a faulty garage door are magnified if you are a parent and if you have pets. For this reason, it is important to take certain preventive measures to avoid any life-threatening injury to self and loved ones.

• Talk to your kids about the perils of riding a garage door or playing around in that vicinity.
• Teach your kids to never hang from the garage door or touch the moving parts.
• Be extremely careful with your garage door remote and make sure kids don’t have access to it.
• Inspect the garage door every month or two for damage or repairs.
• Install pre-set timers – it is easy to forget to lock the garage door in the morning rush. Set the timers to automatically close the garage door.

Regular Maintenance of the Garage Door  Safety Features is Crucial

Most garage doors have safety protocols such as the automatic reversal system and motion detectors which ensure that the door stops immediately and returns to the open position if the door comes across any obstruction.

Another mechanism is the manual release system for emergency situations such as when someone is trapped inside or if there is a power outage. However, for these safety features to work, regular maintenance and inspections are necessary.

Preventive Measures to Keep your Garage Door Safe

• Check the safety measures once every month to ensure it works.
• Don’t ignore any creaking noises coming from the door or if the movement of the door is not smooth. Problems like these could indicate damage or problems with the mechanical parts.
• Check for signs of rust or any kind of damage such as water leaks which could lead to rust and weakening of garage door components
• Track, rollers, bearings, plates, hinges, and springs should be lubricated once every six months.
• Always use a lubricant that is specifically meant for garage doors
• Replace springs every ten years, or immediately when you notice any damage.
• Lastly, have your garage door inspected by a garage door repair professional at least once a year.

 Store items safely

If you have kids and pets, safeguarding your garage becomes very important. Stuff such as tools and home repair devices, potentially toxic items such as old paint, lubricants for the car, or broken furniture and electrical items can prove to be extremely hazardous if they are not properly stored.

• Organize your garage, making sure all heavy and sharp or dangerous items are stored away safely and never leave any of your power tools plugged in!
• Fireproof your garage because toxic and flammable items such as paints and cleaners can be lethal in a fire.
• Protect from nature’s fury – if you live in a hurricane or flood prone zone, take necessary precautions to limit damage from flood waters and high velocity winds.

Routine maintenance and inspections of the various mechanical and moving parts of the garage door is a crucial aspect of ensuring garage door safety.