Marietta Garage Door Repair: Garage Door Won’t Open or Close with Remote

How long has it been since you had your garage door installed? Is it a year? A few years? Or perhaps you’re not too certain because it was there when you moved in. Well, no matter how long you have been using that garage door, you should know that your remote may give a few problems at some time or another.

When you find that you have problems with your garage door, whether it is the remote or the door itself, make sure that you give us a call at Marietta Garage Door Repair. We can handle any garage door problem that you are faced with.In fact, if you have a problem with your garage door, please do not try to fix it yourself. No matter where you are living, there should be a reputable garage door technician there that can rectify the problem for you.

Garage Doors come in all shapes and sizes. But, they are all dangerous to work with. Why, you may be wondering? Well, have you ever thought about how heavy your garage door is? It is pretty heavy. And, the bigger the door, the heavier it tends to be. It certainly may not end well if an inexperienced person tries to repair problems to that really big and heavy door. Always let the professionals handle it. After all, that’s why they are there.

 

Garage Door Problems

There are many things that can go wrong with your garage door. Whether the source of your problem is the remote or opener you use or parts on the garage door, there are ways to handle these problems. Unfortunately, some problems may be irreparable and you will have to purchase a new door. But, for the most part, most problems that you experience with your garage door can be repaired easily.

Don’t get it twisted! An easy repair does not necessarily mean an inexpensive one. Some garage door problems can be quite extensive and expensive to repair. But, let’s focus on the problem at hand- your garage door won’t open or close when you use the remote.

 

What’s Causing the Problem? Do You Know?

Several things can cause your garage door remote not to work. Figuring out the exact source or cause of the problem, may take a little work. But, if you know what to check, it may not take a very long time for you to figure it out. If you’re lucky, you may be able to fix the problem yourself, but you may not be so lucky and it could cost you some money to get your garage door remote working again.

If you notice that your remote isn’t opening or closing your garage door, here are some things that may be causing the problem.

• The garage door is locked.

This is a common oversight. You’re trying to use the remote to open or close the garage door but you have locked it manually. We all forget things at some time or another. Just double check to make sure that your manual lock is not engaged before you start panicking. If it is engaged, there is no way that you will get your garage door to open.

• Your remote batteries are dead.

One of the easiest and quickest fixes for a non-functional remote is the replacement of dead batteries. If you press the buttons on the remote and you do not see any light in it, chances are that the batteries are your problem. This is especially true if you are able to close or open the garage door otherwise. Try replacing those batteries and see if that does the trick. If not, you will have to move on and check something else. It also means that the problem may require professional help.

• Your remote needs to be replaced.

Dead batteries are not the only problem that your remote may face. If you change the batteries and the remote still doesn’t work, it may mean that there is some damage to the remote. Depending on what has gone wrong, you may be able to repair that remote. But, sometimes it will be a much cheaper option to get a new remote. Whatever the case, replacing your remote may allow you to open and close your garage door again.

• The garage door is stuck.

Okay, so your remote for the garage door isn’t working, but have you checked to see if the door will open or close without using that remote. If you haven’t, now is a great time to check for that. If you find that you cannot move the door, it may be because it is stuck. Check to see if there is any large object that is impeding the movement of the door. check the tracks too. There may be some small debris or items in there that is causing it to be stuck too.

• Your springs are broken or damaged.

The springs on a garage door are very important. If they get damaged or broken, your garage door will not be able to move. No matter how many batteries you change in that remote or how hard you press those buttons, spring damage has to be repaired before that garage door will move with any form of garage door openers. Your best bet will be to open the door manually, but this can be a very dangerous task.

 

How to Fix Your Garage Door Remote

Fixing your garage door remote problem is a very easy task. All you need to do is call a local garage door repair expert to handle it for you. Before you call, make sure you check for problems that you can easily handle on your own. You may not want to hire a technician to provide a service that you could have done yourself. Not sure which repair company to call? We know the perfect one- Marietta Garage Door Repair. We service all types and sizes of garage doors in the Marietta, GA area. Once you have a problem with your garage door, let us know. We will be there for you, but if you need a garage company in your area be sure to do your research and hire the best one!

Article source here: Marietta Garage Door Repair: Garage Door Won’t Open or Close with Remote

Sectional Garage Door or Solid Garage Door Advantages and Disadvantages

You might not know what the big deal is about having a sectional garage door installed versus having a solid or single door garage installed. At Marietta Garage Door Repair, we are here to tell you that there are some significant differences that you should be aware of. Getting a new garage is about style and design preference. Most importantly it is about functionality. When you are choosing a brand new garage door, you’ll have some serious decisions to make. You may have the decision of choosing between a sectional garage door or a solid garage door. In order to make the right decision, you will need to be equipped with information about both types of doors. Our job is to provide you with this information.

 

What is a Solid Garage Door

At one point in time, there were far more solid garage doors being installed than sectional. It could be simply because people were more familiar with the solid door than they were to the sectional. Once introduced, people were not quick to make the change to the unfamiliar. The solid door is just that. It is a single slab of material (aluminum, fiberglass, etc.) that slides up or down. It goes directly above the garage door entrance. Most are installed on a hinge, attached to your door jam. Once everything is in place and the springs are attached, you can begin using your solid garage door. While both types of doors utilize roughly the same amount of space, the way they operate is very different.

Advantages of a Solid Door

There are certainly advantages and disadvantages to everything, including having a solid garage door installed. We would love to discuss the things that homeowners see as an advantage in having a solid door installed.

• Retrofit – The solid door will sit perfectly fine within an existing doors hardware and frame.
• Affordability – It is often less expensive to have a solid door installed than it is to have a sectional door. This is because they are not made with the same materials and they use different types of springs and cables. The biggest difference is due to the amount of parts that the sectional door has that the solid panel door does not. Fewer parts means less time to install your door.
• Plenty of Choices – Since this is a single slab of material, you’ll never have to worry about matching up the pieces to make your door look complete. Working with only one slab makes the installation process simpler for our installers. This also means that you are able to choose from a large selection of doors in various designs and materials. The same cannot be said of the sectional garage door. While you will have plenty of choices, it is harder to match up the pieces of the door. Making it look cohesive might be a little more of a challenge when you have a sectional garage door installed.
• Easy installation & Maintenance – Again, with fewer parts it is easier to install a solid door. You are also able to keep up with the repairs for the door as a single panel door doesn’t tend to have as many repair needs as a sectional door. When it is time to have maintenance performed on your solid door, it is usually pretty straight-forward and uncomplicated. When you have a sectional garage door installed, it takes far more time to install due to the many parts associated with the door. Unfortunately, due to the amount of parts, there is the possibility of a part being left out of the installation of the sectional door. This rarely occurs but there is still that possibility.

You may still be inclined to go with the sectional door rather than a solid door for whatever reason. You’re certainly entitled to have the type of door that you believe will be best suited for your needs. However, now that you know why some people might prefer the solid door, here is why they might prefer a sectional garage door.

• Safety – The solid panel door has had its fair share of problems. The springs used on single panel doors used to be far more dangerous than they are now. They used to break due to the lack of maintenance. The connectors begin to rust and the homeowner doesn’t do anything about it. Once they rust, it is just a matter of time before the spring breaks. Those who are aware of this might choose the sectional door for fear of this happening to them.
• Space – You are able to park your car closer to the door than if you had a solid door. This is because the way a sectional door opens; it will not damage your car. The sectional door offers you more garage space in the front and back. If you already have two or even three cars utilizing your garage door space, you might be more interested in this type of garage door due to the amount of space it affords you.
• Improved insulation – You can benefit from the insulating feature of a sectional garage door by seeing lower energy bills.
• Less expensive damage repairs – Since the door is not banging up against your car, you won’t have to worry about continuing to pay to have repairs made to your car or your garage. If you have damages to your door, keep in mind that you when you need to have repairs made, it is usually only to one section of your door.

Now that you are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of both types of doors, the choice is up to you. Consider which matters the most to you and how you can benefit the most. Don’t make your decision based on someone else’s. You are the one who has to live with your final decision. It will ultimately affect your bottom line, how much you have to spend in maintenance and repairs. Choose wisely.

 

Article source here: Sectional Garage Door or Solid Garage Door Advantages and Disadvantages

GARAGE DOOR OPENS OR CLOSES ON ITS OWN

Have you ever done this? Have you driven home and noticed to your horror that your garage door was open? A thousand thoughts go through your head; did you forget to hit the remote to close it? Is someone home and THEY forget and left it open? Is something wrong with your garage door and it opened on its own? What in the world happened?

As you drive into your garage, your suspicions increase. Is someone (crook, burglar) in your home now? Have they taken your valuables and turned your house inside out? Are your pets ok? As your mind tries to come to grips with your open garage door, you really don’t know what to think. Here at Marietta Garage Door Repair we sometimes get calls describing this type of scenario. Usually, the problem is NOT as dire as it appears. Sometimes garage doors open or close on their own. You always have the choice of calling a local Marietta, GA garage door repair technician but often, the problem is easy to fix and simple to find all on your own.

The culprit…

Take one of our customers for example. He started noticing that every day when he came home for lunch that his garage would automatically open by itself. After first thinking that his wife was had come home and was joining him for a quick sandwich, he soon discovered that he was still alone but that someone or something had opened his garage door! After a few days of this strange garage door behavior he realized that every time his garage door “acted up” that his new neighbor 2 doors down had also come home for her lunch break. They both shared the same manufacturer of garage door opener and as it turned out, she had recently reset her remote’s garage door code.

Do all opener remotes do this?

No! Newer garage door opener models deploy a rolling code sequence that eliminates this anomaly. It is the older garage door opener systems that have a set number of codes built in. Since there are fewer numbers involved, the chances are greater that one might be matched to yours and this can easily result in your garage door opening (or closing) without any assistance from you. By the way, our customer helped his new neighbor adjust her remote so that she had a different code all to her own and all the mysterious garage door activity soon came to an end.

Another possible culprit

Most mysterious garage door openings and closings are the result of matched garage door remote frequencies but sometimes, another culprit is to blame. The transmitter in your opener unit may need to be reset. Don’t worry; this is easy to do and you won’t need to call for a local Marietta, GA garage door repair expert either. You’ll need to find the learn button for your opener unit. Look for it under the light cover or over the antenna wire that hangs over the motor head. Look for the button that is red, yellow, purple or green. This learn button has two functions. One is to clear the opener’s memory, and the other is to program the opener’s accessories. Did you find it? Press down on it and hold it for a few seconds. Soon, you will notice the indicator lights have started to blink. Ok, now press the learn button again and this action will reset the transmitter. Try doing this and see if it doesn’t clear up your problem with those mysterious garage door openings and closings. If you need help, simply refer to your opener’s owner’s manual or look online for videos that show this simple process in more detail.

More possibilities

If your garage door is still opening or closing mysteriously, be sure to check the battery in your remote. A weak or run-down battery can give off random signals that might play havoc with your garage door as well as your neighbors. Check your battery at home if you have a tester. If not, you can go to most any local Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, Home Depot or Lowe’s store and have them test it. You are under no obligation to buy a new one from them but if you need one and they were kind enough to test your old one, why not? A new battery tester will run you about $20 so it might be a good investment over the long run. While you have your remote open, be sure to check on a couple of other things. Make sure that your battery is not leaking as battery fluid can also interfere with the signal sent. Loose terminals can prevent your battery from making proper contact so make sure that your remote’s terminals are tight enough to hold the battery in place firmly. If not, gently squeeze them together until they are.

It may be time

If none of these simple measures work, and your garage door is still acting erratically by opening or closing on its own, it may be time to upgrade to a new model. Whether you buy a new garage door opener from us or from another local Marietta, GA garage door repair shop, your purchase will provide you with more updated remote choices that include rolling codes with practically unlimited frequencies. New garage door opener models come in a variety of forms and price ranges. There is sure to be something ideal for your budget and garage door needs.

It might be a good idea to browse some opener models online or in stores. Read reviews and ask questions. Bear in mind that many store clerks will not have answers to all of your questions but you can call the manufacturer’s customer service number which is usually toll free. Local garage door repair shops also offer free estimates and no-cost, no-obligation details on any model that you might be interested in. You will have to upgrade sooner or later so if you are having spotty garage door performance, you should seriously consider doing so now.

Article source here: GARAGE DOOR OPENS OR CLOSES ON ITS OWN

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR GARAGE FROM EXTREME TEMPERATURES

Does your garage do more than serve as a storage place for your car? If your garage doubles as a workshop, office, or game room, then it’s important to have an insulated garage door. When you insulate your garage properly, you’ll achieve maximized thermal efficiency with optimized reduction of air infiltration. That way, in any temperature, a well-insulated garage will give you a viable space all year, keeping you fully comfortable. You’ll keep as much cold out as possible during winter, and as much heat out as possible during summer.

Protection in Cold Weather

Even if the temperature were to drop below freezing, when your garage is winterized, you’ll save a lot of money and time.

Insulate the garage walls. Proper installation of insulation in your garage requires that you closely study the installation guide. Be sure to choose the right insulation thickness for the walls of your garage. Typical mistakes people make are: not fastening the batt insulation securely; cutting it too short or too long for the location; or not properly supporting it. Keep in mind that the insulation must fit snugly; nevertheless, don’t jam it in too tightly.

Insulate the garage door. A large variety of products is available to you for insulating the garage door, including a specifically designed kit to do so. Effective insulation options include foam board, reflective barriers, and Fiberglass batt insulation.

No matter which option you choose, first you’ll have to cut the insulation to fill your garage door panels. Next, secure them with adhesive, each piece firmly in place. If your garage door doesn’t have recessed panels, the job will be easier.

 

For most folks, the prospect of insulating the garage by yourself is too overwhelming. If it’s all too much, then hire a dependable professional to install a modern-designed insulated garage door for you. If you are located anywhere in Marietta, Georgia, then consider hiring a trusty professional from a reputable garage door company such as Marietta Garage Door Repair.

Insulate the entire garage. If your garage ever becomes too cold, it can damage not only your car, but also anything else you have in storage. Are your washing machine and dryer kept in the garage? If your washer still has water left in the pump or lines, it can freeze and crack. The same risk is possible with your vehicle’s fuel gels, which can freeze in the combustion engine. Another possibility that can arise is that paint can separate and become ruined during prolonged periods of freezing temperatures.

Repair or replace your weatherstripping. Weatherstripping will create an effective seal between your garage door opening and the garage door. If you notice any cold draft leaking into the garage between the garage door frame and the garage door, then take away any of the existing weatherstripping if you see that it is cracked or brittle. Scrape off any sealant that remains, using a putty knife and pry bar or flat scraper. Make sure the surface is as clean and even as possible. After you remove the old weatherstripping completely, then measure correctly in order to apply the new weatherstripping. To align it, close the garage door and make sure the rubber flap slightly flattens against it. You will have an effective seal and the garage door will operate smoothly.

Install a unit heater in the garage. Weatherstripping and insulation will keep your garage protected from extremely cold temperatures in winter weather, but if you’d like to be extra warm, then add a unit heater. (On the other hand, if you’re located where your winters are mild, then an electric unit heater is probably all you’ll need, since you’ll need heat only once in a great while.) You can heat your garage with minimal construction costs and space requirements. Overall, gas-fired units are normally cheaper to operate, but they’re more difficult to install since they require a gas supply and exhaust venting. There’s also the electric model, which is easier to install yet more expensive to manage. A particularly efficient electric option is the mini-split heat pump, which provides efficient cooling and heating for your garage with a mere 3″ hole through an outside wall.

 

Protection in Hot Weather

During summer, your main objective is to enhance the airflow throughout the garage. Taking even just one of these measures is definitely worth considering:

 

Insulate the garage ceiling. If you use paper-backed batt insulation, ceiling wallboard isn’t needed. Install the insulation with staples, paper side down, or put the insulation in place using netting. You can also apply staples to fasten the netting. Professional garage door technicians advise you to do both.

 

Plant a tree close by. A hardwood or deciduous tree is an aesthetic and economical way to cool your garage down during summer. (And, it even keeps your garage warm during winter.) Plant the tree between the garage and the position of the sun in the warmest part of the day. The leaves will provide shade. (In winter, the bare branches will allow sunlight to come through, providing warmth.)

 

Leave the garage door open slightly, about a foot from the ground, and add a fan, too.

 

Wall insulation keeps out summer heat with desirable efficiency. Use wallboard or other paneling to encapsulate the material. You’ll prevent pets, toddlers, and teenagers from tearing things out.

 

Install a stationary vent on the roof. This is an inexpensive way to create an exit point for hot air that gets trapped in the garage’s attic. Or, if your budget allows it, install a mechanical exhaust system. Fans will draw cooler air from the garage into the attic. This will cool down the attic as well as the space below.

 

Insulate the garage overhead door. For a metal garage door, add a layer of rigid insulation that’s 2″ thick, attached to the inside of each panel with contact cement. Or, an insulated sectional overhead door is a superior alternative.

 

Attach an adjustable rollaway awning onto the garage’s sunny side. The shade will cool things off during the summer.

Article source here: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR GARAGE FROM EXTREME TEMPERATURES

Marietta Garage Door Repair: Check These Things When Your Garage Door Is Not Working

You are just pulling into your driveway from a long road trip, and you have been longing for your bed for the past 10 minutes. You finally turn onto your street. Next, you turn into your driveway. You hit the button to open your garage door. It starts to open. You get ready to pull in, but it suddenly reverses closed. Or – the door didn’t open in the first place. Or – the door did open, you drove into the garage, but the door will not close. Whatever the issue with your garage door opener, you need to get it fixed. Depending on what kind of expensive equipment you keep in your garage, keeping the door open all night may not be an option for you. Keep reading to see some common problems that will cause your garage door not to work, and in some cases, some easy fixes you can employ.

 

Door does not respond to opener, but responds to wall switch

If you arrive home and press the opener button and nothing happens, your next step will be to go to your wall switch. If you press the wall switch and the door works correctly, you know that you are having issues with your opener. The most basic issue could be the remote or transmitter batteries. In order for the opener to work correctly it has to be receiving power. If your garage door system is not responding to your remote, change the batteries. Hopefully this fixes the issue and you will be able to move on with your day. If you have multiple transmitters in multiple vehicles, the batteries should be changed in all of them. Once the batteries are properly in place (all plus and minus signals line up), check that each remote can properly operate the door.

 

Photo eye is not aligned

In 1993 the law around garage door systems changed. All doors (manufactured after that date), must have a photo eye safety system. These photo eye sensors are located on the bottom of each side of the door. The sensors send a laser beam across to each other. Anytime this beam is interrupted, it signals the door that something is in the path and the door should stop. This was created as a safety precaution to prevent doors closing on people. If your door opens with no problem, but doesn’t want to close, this could be the issue. The photo eyes can become dirty or misaligned, which would cause the door to be unable to close. A quick fix is to clean the photo eye lenses (use a soft cloth and mild cleaner). The photo eye lens is similar to a camera lens, so it should be treated with the same care. Because of the location of the sensors, it is very easy for garbage and environmental debris to build up on or around the photo eye. Once clean, give it a try and see if the door will work correctly.

 

If not, the eyes may be misaligned. The eyes should be pointing in the same direction and at the same exact angle. They will not work if there is a misalignment. Make sure the photo eyes are standing at the same height, and you can use a laser level to ensure that they are pointing along a straight line at each other. This is important because if the beam between the two photo eyes is interrupted, the door will not work.

 

Track out of alignment

In order for your door to move, the track must be lined up properly. If the track is misaligned, this can cause your door to jam, it can cause gaps between the panels, and the track itself could become damaged. The heavy door only makes any of these issues even worse. One way to know that your door is misaligned is to listen closely. Do you hear a rubbing sound? This could indicate a track misalignment. To realign the track yourself, you would have to unscrew the screws holding the track and frame together. The next step is to take a rubber mallet and gently tap the track back into position. Use your level to make sure the track is now straight. Once you have determined the track is straight, you can tighten the screws back onto the frame. If your door will not move at all on the track – do not attempt to fix it yourself. In this case, it is best to employ the services of a professional garage door repair company.

 

Spring Issues

If your door is having spring issues – you will need expert help. Garage door springs do all the heavy lifting, and the springs are installed using a great amount of torque. If you are having trouble with your door opening or closing, or you hear a loud bang (similar to a firecracker going off), that could indicate garage door spring issues. Garage doors can come with one or two springs. If your door has two springs and one breaks, it will most likely be recommended that you change both springs. Due to safety concerns, it is best that an expert technician handles this for you. If you think you are having spring issues, do not open the door. Leave it in a closed position until a technician has had a chance to look it over.

 

In Marietta, GA locals agree that the company to call is Marietta Garage Door Repair. We offer 24/7 expert service, and our local technicians are knowledgeable and friendly. We regularly work with all the major brands (Craftsman, Wayne Dalton, Clopay, Sears, LiftMaster etc), and our staff believes in putting the customer first. If you are in the Marietta, GA area and are having trouble with your door, give us a call! We are happy to give you a free consultation. If you aren’t in the area, do a search to find a reliable garage door repair expert close to you. It is always the safest option to hire an experienced professional.

Article source here: Marietta Garage Door Repair: Check These Things When Your Garage Door Is Not Working

Fees Associated with Installing a New Garage Door

If you are considering having a new garage door installed but haven’t sat down with a service professional from Marietta Garage Door Repair in Marietta, GA yet, you likely are not aware of all of the expenses associated with having a garage door installed. We’re here to let you know what you can expect so that you are not caught off guard by the expenses incurred. A garage door is a major investment and the cost should always be considered prior to having one installed. Anytime you are considering making a major purchase, you count the cost. Why wouldn’t you do the same when you are considering a new garage door? We are not able to provide you with exact figures because this will vary depending on where you live; we are able to give you a general idea of the cost you can expect to pay.

 

Things to Consider Prior to Garage Door Installation

 

Type of Door: You will have to decide which type of garage door will be best for your situation. You’ll be able to choose from various types of garage doors, steel, aluminum, wood, glass, fiberglass, etc. The least expensive type of garage door (good quality) will typically start at around $500 and go up from there. By consulting with a garage door professional prior to installation, you’ll be able to gather information about each type of door. Take the time to make sure you know what you’re getting before you buy it.

 

Style of Door: There are types of doors and within the type of door you like there are various types of styles. The style you choose may have windows, panels, various color options and more. Some styles even help save you money in energy expenses due to their level of insulation. The style of door you choose will also impact the price of the door. The standard, single panel door will cost the least amount of money. The more decorative the door is, the more the door will cost.

 

Automatic Garage Door Opener: There are not as many garage door openers offered, as there are types and styles of doors. This is good news because deciding on which type you’ll use won’t be as complicated. You can expect your garage door opener to range in price from $150 to approximately $350. This price may even include the cost of installation. If you select certain features, it could increase the cost by $50 for each additional feature.

 

Garage Door Lighting: We often have homeowners that request exterior lights at the same time we are installing their door. This helps minimize the cost when the job that the electrician has to do is combined with what they are already onsite to do. Save yourself a little money by considering having this job performed at the same time we are installing your garage door.

 

 

When you are about to have a new garage door installed, you should be familiar with the cost of the job upfront. You should know what you are being quoted for and what you are not. Some parts of the installation process are just standard and may not be listed in your estimate. We feel that as the homeowner, you should be aware of all that goes into creating an estimate for your garage door installation. A little research, in the beginning, will save you money and give you peace-of-mind in knowing that you can cover the expenses prior to the start of the job. There is nothing worse than starting a project and then realizing that you can’t complete it due to lack of money. We make sure that you know everything you need to before we step foot on your property to handle your installation.

 

Here are some of the fees that you may find included in your garage door installation estimate:

 

Equipment fees and materials delivered to your home. Transportation or courier fees may be charged to get the equipment and materials from one place to another.

 

Pre-installation preparation. This involves preparing the area where the installation is to be performed. The technician may need to do something to protect the existing structure so as not to damage any other areas of your home.

 

Cleanup cost once the job has been wrapped up and your garage is now ready for use.

 

Installation fees include the labor fees associated with the actual garage door installation. Some services may charge you an hourly fee while another one might charge per job. All installation fees are generally discussed prior to final payment.

 

Homeowners pay for the inspection and permit fees. This is something that you may be required to pay for in whole or in part.

 

You may also be charged sales taxes based on the supplies used in the job.

 

 

While we can’t be certain that some service providers will not be willing to negotiate with you, we are pretty sure that most of the aforementioned services will be administered and paid for by the customer. In addition to the aforementioned services, you may be required to pay for some things that we have not mentioned. Every service provider will have specific fees and are able to charge you according to what is customary in the area you live. No matter the cost is; you should always have a good idea of what you will be expected to pay. Make sure you know what percentage of the fees you will have to pay for certain and how many you may need to add an additional percentage on top of. The most important thing that you can do is to make sure you receive a written estimate with a signature on it. Just remember that most estimates are only good for a specified length of time. Refer to the date before you hire someone to install your garage door. The fees may have gone up since you first received your estimate.

Article source here: Fees Associated with Installing a New Garage Door

Garage door maintenance; spores!

Having mold in your garage is a bad thing! Unfortunately, in Marietta, GA we often have damp, humid weather that can foster mold spores in any part of your house or business, including your garage! Most folks associate mold growth with bathrooms, basements, or even kitchens, but garages? If you think about it, garages are ideal for mold to grow in. They are often unventilated, dark, and contain damp or wet spots at times. Marietta Garage Door Repair offers these tips on discovering and removing mold spores in your residential or commercial garage so that you can live a healthier and more productive home or business lifestyle.

New garage mold proofing

Is your garage just now being built? Whether you are a home builder or it’s a do-it-yourself project, you can greatly reduce the possibility of mold spores forming by doing these things. Start by using building materials that mold avoids. For example use metal studs instead of wooden ones. Choose vinyl or aluminum siding for your garage walls instead of wood, and specify to your builder what you are trying to do so that he or she can offer other spore proofing methods. Wood is beautiful and can do a great job but here in Marietta, GA we often entertain wet and humid weather that can foster both mold and wood eating pests.

Mold proofing your already built garage

Is your already built garage made of wood or other non-metal materials? Try keeping mold spores out of there by ensuring that your garage is well ventilated and not air tight. Mold loves damp, dank air and having a well ventilated area can go a long way towards preventing its growth. If you need to, use air dehumidifiers to extract excess moisture out of your residential or commercial garage space.

Fix any leaks

This should be done anyway, but you really need to fix that leaky garage roof if you want to keep mold spores out of your garage! You already know that moisture, darkness and wet environments are perfect spawning grounds for mold and what could be more conducive to its growth than rain leaking through roof cracks or worn roofing tiles?

Wipe your feet!

Just kidding! You do that in the main part of the home, but in the garage; be sure to mop up any snow, water, or other wetness that can be tracked in on your tires. Liquid tends to drip off of your vehicle’s body, tires or radiator and accumulate in small pools where the moisture has the same effect as your leaky roof – enhancing mold growth.

How to eliminate mold spores

As soon as you notice that mold is growing in your garage, you need to work diligently to remove it. You can equate mold with cancer; leave a little bit of it and it will be back in full force! Remove EVERY bit of mold that you find – this is no time for doing a mediocre job!

Mold LOVES porous material. It grows and thrives on concrete walls and floors. Drywall is another porous material that is commonly found in garages. If you have mold growing on any of these surfaces, be sure to clean them well with bleach. Check your walls, floors and garage corners for any growth and use a mixture of one part bleach to four parts water to do it. Be sure to wear gloves and you can scrub the areas with a sponge or brush to remove the spores. If your garage walls are made of unfinished drywall you can just spray the bleach mixture solution directly on it and let it soak in. Don’t forget to clean the actual garage door itself, and not just the floors and walls. Be double sure to open the garage door so that the fumes don’t get to you. In fact, our Marietta Garage Door Repair crew recommends that you not only work in a well ventilated garage, you also should wear a respirator while you clean.

Vinegar works too!

That’s right; vinegar can replace the bleach if you wish to use it instead. Just be sure to use more if it; use one part vinegar to one part water for maximum cleaning strength. Add a tablespoon of dishwashing detergent for every quart of solution and use the white vinegar as opposed to the apple cider one! You can also clean effectively with denatured alcohol. Dab it on full strength with a sponge or spray it – either way works just fine. Let your cleaned garage air out and dry by leaving the door open or using a humidifier or space heater in the winter to remove any moisture.

Warning!

A word of advice; NEVER use ammonia with your bleach mixture. Another “no-no” is mixing white vinegar with hydrogen peroxide. These combinations can be very toxic and should be avoided at all costs. Stick to the above formulas and you’ll be safe and mold free in no time!

Other things to consider…

Many people store items in their garage like boxes of clothes, books and memorabilia. While these things are wonderful to put into storage, avoid cardboard boxes if possible. Use plastic containers that are air tight and stackable instead. Not only do mold spores love cardboard, insects of all kinds do, too. Even the glue holding the cardboard together is a favorite of both mold and bugs. Try and avoid storing rags, fabric and any cloth items as these are also places where mold accumulates and thrives in. You can buy storage containers made of sturdy plastic at Home Depot, Lowes, Best Buy and Target. If you like shopping online; try Amazon, Wal-Mart, and even your local Craigslist for container sources.

Mold removal caught early doesn’t have to be a huge problem but it can be! Please be diligent in its removal and you should be able to lead a mold free life. There are many professional mold remediation companies in the greater Marietta, GA area but you shouldn’t need them if you take proper action now!

Article source here: Garage door maintenance; spores!