Home Improvement

Maintaining Your Garage Door

Norman Garage Door takes a beating over time, with accidental collisions from vehicles and kids’ toys and the effects of weather elements. These dents and dings can affect the door’s functionality and overall look.

While many of these tips can be completed by a savvy do-it-yourselfer, leaving any adjustments or repairs to a qualified professional is important. These parts are under high tension and can be dangerous to handle.

Rollers and tracks are crucial for the smooth operation of a garage door. The doors can get stuck without them and cause additional damage over time. Regular inspections of these components and keeping them clean can ensure your garage door stays in good condition.

Examine the track for bends and cracks. If a track segment has been cracked, the door may have difficulty moving up and down the track. If this is the case, use pliers to straighten out the section of track manually.

The tracks should be free of any dirt and dust, which can interfere with the smooth movement of your garage door. You can use a damp cloth to wipe down the tracks. You can also use an old toothbrush to dislodge any thick dirt that has accumulated in hard-to-reach areas. For more stubborn dirt, you can use automotive brake cleaner. Once you have cleaned the tracks, lubricate them with a silicone or lithium-based lubricant.

You can also use a rubber mallet to gently tap the track into place. You should only use a light amount of force to avoid further damage to your garage door. After adjusting the track, test its alignment by closing and opening your garage door several times to make sure it operates smoothly.

If you notice that the door isn’t running smoothly, you should have your rollers and tracks professionally adjusted or replaced by an expert. The garage door repair company will be able to spot any potential issues and prevent them from worsening over time, saving you money in the long run. They will also be able to recommend the best products for your needs.

Clean the Surface

If your garage door is made of wood, you will need to regularly clean it with a wood cleaner to avoid water penetration, warping, and rot. You will also need to re-stain or re-seal every two to three years to keep it looking great and protecting your home from moisture damage.

To clean the surface of your garage door:

  1. Start by hosing it off to loosen up any dirt and debris.
  2. Use a sponge or cloth, and choose a non-abrasive cleaning solution like mild detergent, car wash soap, or a natural cleaner.
  3. Never use harsh or abrasive cleaners, as they will scratch the paint.
  4. When you’re done washing the surface of your garage door, rinse it thoroughly with a hose to remove any soap residue.

It’s a good idea to do this in the early morning or on an overcast day so that direct sunlight doesn’t heat up your garage door and break down the cleaning chemicals you used.

Be sure to get inside the corners of your garage door where dust and dirt can accumulate. Make sure you clean the hinges and rollers as well. Also, if your door has windows, be sure to clean the glazing.

After your garage door is clean, you can treat it with a wax to protect the finish. This will add a layer of protection against rust and sun damage.

While you’re at it, lubricate the moving parts of your garage door. This will keep them running smoothly and prevent them from overworking themselves and causing damage. Remember to lubricate both the springs and the hinges so that you don’t put too much pressure on one or the other.

Test the Door’s Balance

An unbalanced garage door is dangerous to those who use it. It can cause excessive strain on the springs and shorten their lifespans. In extreme cases, a garage door can even fall unexpectedly when you least expect it. Therefore, it is essential that homeowners test their doors’ balance regularly and call a professional when the balance needs to be adjusted.

The best way to test your garage door’s balance is by disengaging it from the opener using its manual release handle. Then, carefully lift it to the halfway point and hold it there. If the garage door feels light enough to move up and down with ease, it’s well balanced. If it slams shut or moves up too quickly, it’s out of balance and should be addressed immediately by a professional.

To perform a home balancing test, you will need a few tools and supplies. First, make sure the garage door is firmly disconnected from its opener. Then, loosen the adjusting collar by turning it clockwise to increase tension and counterbalance the weight of the door. Then, move the adjusting collar down to decrease tension and allow the door to open easily. Once you have the desired adjustment, tighten the screws and remove the winding bar to complete the balancing process.

It is recommended that you do a balance test monthly to ensure your garage door is operating at its optimal safety and performance levels. Performing this simple at-home test will help you identify any issues as they develop, allowing you to call a professional before they become more serious and potentially dangerous for your family. If you are interested in having a professional test your garage door’s balance, contact Precision Door to schedule an appointment.

Lubricate Moving Parts

Using store-bought specialty sprays to lubricate garage door moving parts is easy and inexpensive. However, before you begin, make sure to prep your work area and wear a pair of work gloves, protective face mask, and safety glasses. Lubricating can be a messy job, and you don’t want to disrupt dirt or grit and get your hands or eyes dirty. In addition, you should avoid standard degreasers such as WD-40 and mechanic’s grease as they can be damaging to some moving parts. Instead, opt for a lithium-based lubricant that is specifically designed for the door’s moving parts.

To start lubricating, stand inside the garage and look up at all the overhead track areas. Wipe away any grime, cobwebs, or dust that may be present in the moving parts. Next, apply a thin coat of lubricant with a silicone spray. These solutions are available in a variety of formulas, with aerosol sprays being the best for injecting the lubricant into small spaces.

Hinges are a big problem when it comes to squeaky garage doors, so you’ll want to carefully spray each hinge at the point where it bends to help the door move smoothly up and down. Then, you can lubricate the rollers, which are cylindrical pieces that sit in the door tracks next to each hinge. Be sure to lubricate the small spheres that are inside each roller as well. Lastly, spray lubricant on the springs and the bearing plates located on each side of them.

Don’t forget to spray the arm bar and lock, too. Ideally, you should open and close the garage door several times to spread out the lubricant and ensure it’s evenly distributed.

Maintain Safety Features

A garage door is one of the largest moving components on a home or commercial property, so it must be properly maintained to avoid accidents, damage and injuries. Following the nationwide requirements outlined in UL 325 can help ensure that your garage door operates safely and reliably, protecting family members, pets, visitors and employees.

Ideally, you should inspect and test your garage door on a monthly basis to ensure that it is functioning correctly. Using the procedures detailed in your manual, you can check to see if the safety mechanisms are working correctly by placing an object (like a stuffed animal or rolled-up paper towel) in the path of the door and activating the opener. The system should automatically reverse direction upon contact with the object to prevent damage and injury.

Other important maintenance steps include regularly lubricating the moving parts of your garage door to reduce friction and wear, which can extend their lifespan. Use a high-quality, non-greasy lubricant that is designed specifically for garage doors to minimize the risk of malfunctions and promote smooth operation.

You should also visually inspect the cables that connect your garage door to its spring system for signs of wear or frays, which can create a serious safety hazard if not repaired immediately. These cables are under a great deal of tension, so they can snap and exert sudden force when the garage door is activated. They should only be professionally inspected, lubricated and adjusted by a trained technician to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

It is important to teach your family about proper garage door maintenance and how to identify potential problems with the system. Serious issues like a broken torsion spring or a door that isn’t opening at all require professional assistance rather than DIY fixes, which could lead to more costly repairs or even severe injuries.

Home Improvement

Eco-Friendly Insulation

Insulation Perth reduces heat transfer between areas in your home. It can be installed anywhere but is best suited to long, unobstructed areas such as attics.

Insulating materials have low thermal conductivity and emissivity. They trap air molecules, which move slowly, preventing heat transfer through convection.

Insulation can be made from a variety of recycled materials. These green building materials can help reduce the amount of petrochemicals needed to manufacture synthetic insulation, such as polystyrene (EPS and XPS) and mineral wool. Using these environmentally friendly materials for your home or office can also help earn you points toward LEED and other green certifications.

Some of the best green building insulation is made from recycled paper products. One such material is cellulose insulation, which is manufactured from old newspapers, cardboard, and other paper products that have been ground to produce a loose-fill material that can be easily installed in building cavities. The cellulose is treated with boric acid or ammonium phosphate to make it fire retardant and to keep mold and pests out. Cellulose has an R-value similar to fiberglass and can retain its insulating qualities even in sudden temperature changes. It also has low embodied energy, an important factor when comparing insulating materials.

Other recycling materials used in insulation include rock and slag wool, which is created by grinding up mineral waste from blast furnaces. This natural mineral product is mixed with other artificial products, such as plastics and glass, and can be shaped into blanket insulation or rolled into batts. It has an R-value comparable to that of fiberglass and is available in different thicknesses. Rock and slag wool requires little to no chemical treatment and is resistant to insects and mold.

Another green option is sheep wool insulation which can be bought in a number of types including blanket and rolled batts. It has a high R-value compared to fiberglass and is non-flammable and moisture resistant. It is a good choice for cooler climates as it keeps cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter.

Finally, recycled glass is an excellent insulation material that is easy to handle and a cost effective alternative to other more traditional materials. It is ground into a powder, mixed with binding agents and heated to create a foam glass ballast which is easily shaped into blanket insulation or poured into open cavities in a home. When distributed over the roof of a house, research has shown that this material showed the highest improvement in reducing indoor temperatures and increasing the period of comfort hours compared to straw bale and sheep wool materials.

Man-Made Materials

Insulation is a material that slows down the transfer of heat from warm things to cold objects. It keeps the warmth from escaping out of the walls, roof and floors of a building and it also stops cool air from entering the home. Insulation is made from a variety of materials, both natural and man-made. Natural materials are sourced from the environment, while man-made materials are crafted by chemists and engineers using industrial processes.

Fiberglass is one of the most common types of insulation, and it is available in a wide range of R-values. It can be applied as batts or pressed between studs. It does not absorb water, and it is highly fire resistant. However, there are a number of health and environmental concerns associated with the manufacture of fiberglass.

Cellulose is a type of thermal insulation that is made from recycled newspapers, cardboard and magazines. This material is not as common as fiberglass but it offers a number of benefits over other insulation materials. It does not itch during installation and it is moisture and mold resistant. It is available in a variety of R-values and it is also a cost effective choice.

Polyisocyanurate is a type of closed-cell foam that is used in a variety of insulation applications. It is very energy efficient, and it can be shaped and cut to fit the space in which it is installed. It is also less expensive than most other forms of insulation, and it can be installed with minimal disruption to the existing structure.

Mineral wool is a classification for two different kinds of man-made insulation: rock wool, which consists of natural minerals like basalt or diabase, and slag wool, which is created from the scum that collects on molten metal. On average, rock and slag wool contain 75% post-industrial recycled content. They do not require additional chemicals to make them fire resistant and they can be produced as blanket (batts and rolls) or loose-fill insulation. They are subject to 16 CFR Part 1209, a Consumer Products Safety Commission regulation that covers settled density, corrosiveness, critical radiant flux and smoldering combustion.

Eco-Friendly Materials

Eco-friendly insulation materials are made from natural or recycled sources and don’t impose harm to the environment during their production process. They also have minimal environmental impact once installed in a home or business, reducing energy consumption and lowering utility costs.

One of the most common types of eco-friendly insulation is cellulose. Cellulose is made from recycled newsprint and other paper products that would otherwise decompose in landfills and release harmful greenhouse gases. When it is produced, cellulose insulation requires up to ten times less embodied energy than other traditional insulating materials.

Another option is cotton insulation, which uses recycled denim to create a sustainable alternative to fiberglass batts and rolled foam board. While it may not be as dense as other options, cotton insulation is safe to handle and doesn’t contain formaldehyde. Another popular option is mineral wool, which can be found in homes built or remodeled in the 1800s. Mineral wool is a great choice for cold climates because it can prevent heat loss more effectively than other insulation materials.

Many of these eco-friendly insulation materials are available in a variety of R-values. As a general rule, opt for higher R-values because they offer more energy efficiency. This means that you’ll be able to reduce your home’s overall energy use without having to sacrifice comfort.

In addition to reducing the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling, eco-friendly insulation materials can help minimize other environmental impacts. For example, by blocking the transfer of heat through walls and ceilings, they can help keep the air in a home or office warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

A relatively new option on the market is Icynene, a spray foam that expands to up to 100x its natural volume when applied to a wall or roof cavity. This allows it to seal air leaks and drafts as well as buffer sound levels in a building. While the material does require special equipment to install, it is considered to be a good choice for homeowners who want to limit toxic products in their home.

Insulation Installation

Insulation is a quick and relatively inexpensive home improvement that saves energy, makes your house more comfortable, and may add value to your property. It also helps limit the flow of air from outside to inside, reducing your heating and cooling costs. It can keep noise from traveling from room to room and limit the transmission of environmental toxins.

Choosing the best insulation type and R-value will depend on your location, climate, and construction. A higher R-value indicates greater insulating capability. The different types of insulation vary in the size of its pockets, which slows the flow of heat; how thick it is; and whether it is faced or unfaced. Insulation facings prevent condensation that can rob the R-value of the material and encourage mold growth.

Some of the most common types of insulation include fiberglass, cellulose, and foam. Fiberglass insulation is available in rolls and batts that fit between wall studs, and can be cut to size around doors, windows, electrical outlets, and plumbing pipes. It cuts easily with a utility knife and is not as prone to exterior damage as some other insulation types.

Cellulose insulation is typically blown in place and requires a two man job. It can be dry blown or wet blown, and is usually installed in attics. It is effective at preventing downward heat flow, and can be in a bubble-form to provide resistance to upward heat flow if needed.

Foam insulation can be sprayed in an open cavity such as attics, crawl spaces, and rim joists, or injection injected in walls. It is a great choice for retrofit insulation, and can eliminate the need for other weatherizing tasks such as caulking and applying a housewrap and vapor barrier.

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are prefabricated insulated structural elements for use in the walls, roof and floor of a new house or addition. They offer superior and more uniform insulation compared to traditional wood-frame construction, and can reduce energy bills by up to 14%. They can be installed quickly and are more resistant to moisture than other insulating materials.