Certified Garage Door, Inc.

So your garage door won’t open?!

admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:05:46 +0000

You probably won’t give it any thought until it happens to you: You’re heading home from a long day at work. You manage to make it through brutal rush hour traffic, and get to the home stretch. You find yourself turning the corner of your street and clicking your garage door open, just to find the garage door won’t move. So you click it again. And again. And again. Still nothing. You pull up, get out of the car, walk into your house and try to open it from the inside, and it just doesn’t budge.

Before you pull your hair out, one of the most common reasons for garage doors to stop working, without warning, is broken torsion springs.

What is a torsion spring?

A torsion spring counterbalance system consists of one or two tightly wound up springs on a steel shaft with cable drums at both ends. When the garage door is raised, the springs unwind and the stored tension lifts the door by turning the shaft, thus turning the cable drums, wrapping the cables around the grooves on the cable drums. When the door is lowered, the cables unwrap from the drums and the springs are rewound to full tension.

How long do they typically last?

Most garage door manufacturers and dealers either produce or sell garage doors fitted with torsion springs that have a minimum of 10,000 – 15,000 cycles which is estimated to last between 3 to 7 years. What causes them to break?

Factors that can drastically shorten the lifespan of your torsion spring include: adding glass, additional insulation, or even several coats of paint to your garage door. Other factors like poor garage door maintenance, loose tracks, or components will shorten the life of torsion springs. Unfortunately, the main reason torsion springs break is daily wear and tear over the years.

Who should replace a torsion spring?

It is ill advised that you try to replace torsions springs yourself. There are several points on the springs under quite a bit of pressure, and if you are a garage door novice, replacing them on your own can result in serious injury. It’s recommended that you call your local garage door repair guys, if only for your personal safety. Replacing torsion springs typically runs anywhere between $175 and $250, which is well worth your piece of mind, but more importantly, your safety.
If you suspect your garage door may not be working because of broken torsion springs, contact Certified Garage Door Inc. today! $175 Garage Door Spring Repair

LiftMaster® introduces the MyQ™ Family of Internet Connected Garage Door Openers

admin — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 21:51:45 +0000

Through a cutting-edge, two-way communication system, the new lineup of LiftMaster openers enabled by MyQ technology has the ability to manage and activate other MyQ-enabled devices within the home. Homeowners can turn lights on or off in the home or operate the garage door with a remote or from anywhere in the world using a cell phone or computer.

By simply plugging the LiftMaster Internet Gateway into an existing router with a live internet connection, homeowners can now monitor and control their garage door opener and 15 additional devices enabled by MyQ technology from anywhere in the world using a smart phone or a personal computer. Once a homeowner or installer plugs in the LiftMaster Internet Gateway accessory to their existing internet connection they will be able to manage their Lift-Master openers and all other MyQ enabled devices on MyLiftMaster.com. In addition to this web site, homeowners can also obtain the LiftMaster app where all apps are sold, and control their MyQ registered devices from their Droid, iPhone, iPad or any other smart phone. The gateway allows access from anywhere, not just from within the home, providing a truly elevated level of freedom and control.

The LiftMaster Garage Door Monitor (Model 829LM) displays the status of the garage door from within any room of the house. This innovative base station receives an alert from the garage door opener, which has the sensor built in to the system. If the door is open, the garage door opener will alert the base station which will blink red and an audible noise will sound; if the door is closed, the garage door opener will inform the base station and the light on the monitor will illuminate green until the status of the door changes.This feature offers the homeowner added convenience and peace-of-mind that their garage door is open or closed when it should be. Now, our customers never have to enter a dark home with the LiftMaster Remote Light Control. These adaptors, enabled by MyQ technology, plug into the wall outlet or socket. By plugging any household lamp or light fixture into the Remote Light Control adaptor, our customers can easily and conveniently manage that light; switch it on or off with a simple press of a remote button or brighten up their entrance way to the home, front hallway, kitchen or living room as they pull into the driveway, providing added visibility and security.

Maintaining Your Garage Door For Optimal Performance & Lifespan

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:55:36 +0000

There are 3 important maintenance steps that you can perform on your garage door system at least once a year in order to prolong its life and functionality.

1.) Perhaps the easiest thing you can do to maintain your garage door system is to lubricate the hinges. We recommend using a heavy-duty silicone spray for the best results. If you have black plastic hinges, lubrication is not necessary.

The majority of hinges are made of metal. With the garage door closed, spray each of the hinges on the outside of the hinge (where metal meets metal). Also, while you’re at it, you might as well inspect the other hardware components of your system for damage or wear. The parts include: rollers, cables, drums, and other brackets. Make sure that all bolts and screws are tight.

2.) The most important thing you can do is check the balance of the garage door. This refers to the ability of the springs to counter-balance the weight of the garage door. When the springs start to fatigue, they will no longer be able to completely balance the garage door. This will cause the door to become heavy, which will slowly destroy your garage door opener.

To check the balance: Disengage the garage door from the opener by pulling the red-handled emergency release cord. This will allow you to move the garage door independently from the opener (manually). Then, move it up and down by hand a few times to see if there are any obvious sources of friction. If the door feels heavy, call Certified Garage Door, Inc. To test the balance raise the door until the 2nd roller from the top is in the radius of the tracks (the bottom of the door will be about knee-high above the floor). In this position, most of the door will be in the vertical position- therefore, most of the weight will want to come down with gravity. The springs should stop this from happening! So if the door slides down, or slams down, this indicates that the springs are fatigued- and you should plan to have a trained technician come to inspect it!

3.) Checking the safety sensors might seem like a no-brainer, but many times they are the cause of a malfunctioning unit. Make sure that the sensors are pointed directly at each other and move any obstructions out of the way. If this does not work, call Certified Garage Door, Inc.

Prepare Your Garage Doors for Hurricane Season

admin — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:40:35 +0000

As summer begins, many people on Florida’s Gulf Coast prepare for the devastating storms by stocking up on essentials, checking the generator and making sure that their home is secured. While these things are important, making sure that your garage door is secure is just as necessary.

A garage door can collapse into the garage and cause major damage to a vehicle or other valuable items stored. Even worse, a door that comes loose can become an air born projectile and can cause even more damage to life and property.

You probably have a few questions about securing your garage door. If so, take a look through our Hurricane Preparedness Q & A below.

Hurricane Preparedness

How can I protect my garage door before hurricane season arrives?

According to experts, “the single most important improvement you can make to your home is to install a hurricane rated garage door”. Chances are, if your door is more than six years old, it does not meet the new Florida Building Code criteria for safety against hurricane winds.

Why do I need to replace my garage door with a Hurricane rated garage door?

“As the single largest opening on a house, the loss of a garage door during a hurricane can lead to an uncontrolled buildup of internal pressure resulting in a complete or partial blowout of the entire roof system and supporting walls,” said Mark Westerfield, manager of product development and engineering for Clopay Building Products Company, the largest U.S. manufacturer of residential garage doors. “Hurricane Andrew taught the building products industry and homeowners some valuable lessons on the importance of being prepared for the worst-case scenario.”

Can I have safety without sacrificing style?

A reinforced door doesn’t necessarily mean covering the garage opening in a solid block of steel. Certified Garage Door, Inc. also offers code compliant carriage house style doors with impact resistant windows. There are many code compliant design options available to complement most architectural styles, from Contemporary to Mediterranean. Clopay is the first manufacturer in the industry to develop decorative windows that can withstand 350-pounds of impact energy. The company is also offering its new Coachman Collection steel carriage house doors with WindCode reinforcement. The doors look like hardwood on the outside, but are actually crafted of layers of steel and insulation topped with custom designed, coped wood grain finished PVC overlays. New technology means people don’t have to sacrifice style for safety.

Is a permit required to replace my garage door?

Yes! The garage door makes up a significant portion of the outside wall of your home. As such, it is actually a structural element, whose strength is crucial to the integrity of the home in the event of hurricane force winds. It is for this reason that cities and counties require permits for the replacement of garage doors, thereby insuring the strength and safety of the door and the remaining structure.

How do I open my garage door if the power is out?

If the power goes out, homeowners may need to disconnect their electric openers to manually open the garage door. That can be easier said than done so we suggest homeowners learn how to do it before an emergency arises. To prevent having to search frantically for a garage door instruction manual in the dark, here are some helpful tips:

Disconnect the garage door opener when the garage is in the closed position, not when it’s open. Otherwise, if the springs aren’t balanced, the door could suddenly drop to the ground and cause injury.
If the springs are properly balanced, the door will open easily with the lift handles. If it is difficult to open, have a Professional garage door service technician check the door as soon as possible to avoid further damage or safety risks.
Lock the door. When the automatic opener is disconnected the door is not securely shut until you manually slide the lock bar.
Reconnect the opener when the power comes back on. Make sure the door is unlocked when the opener is reconnected. Electrically opening the garage door while the lock bar is still in place can cause major damage.
Invest in an automatic door opener that includes a battery back-up feature. That way, when the power goes out, the garage door will still function using the opener, as will the entry keypad and the safety sensors, and the garage door will be locked and secured.

What do I do after the storm to open my garage door?

Post-High Wind Event Door Operation By A Building Occupant

Building occupants should not attempt to remove, adjust or repair doors, springs, or any other door system components, or anything to which they are fastened. Doors are large, heavy objects that move with the help of springs under extreme tension, and can cause serious injury or death. Only trained door systems technicians should remove, repair or adjust doors.
If a building occupant is unsure of the condition of the framing surrounding the door to which the door is attached, a building contractor or design professional should be contacted.
If any problem is observed during visual inspection, visual inspection should immediately cease, the door should not be operationally inspected and a trained door systems technician should be contacted to resolve the problem.
If any problem is encountered during operational inspection, the door should be immediately and carefully lowered to the closed position and a trained door systems technician should be contacted to correct the problem.
Any deformation of panels, tracks or hardware can make a door questionable with regard to withstanding another high wind event. A professional door installer should be contacted in this case.

Visual Inspection

Begin inside the garage. The door should remain closed during this activity. A flashlight and a step stool or ladder should be kept handy.
Door alignment. Check for misalignment of door or door components, or evidence of damage including broken or cracked glass.
Opening frame. Visually inspect jambs and header for proper attachment to the structure including any loose or improperly attached connections.
Door track system. Visually inspect for any looseness of fasteners or misalignment of the track. If OK, continue with the inspection.

Build Your Dream Garage With CloPay’s Online Simulator

admin — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:27:11 +0000

CloPay, a preferred residential and commercial garage door manufacturer, recently updated their Garage Door Imagination System. The Garage Door Imagination System was developed to help customers visualize what a new garage door from CloPay would look like on their home.

The new update enables customers to see the garage door from an exterior point of view as well as interior. The exterior view shows the door from a long distance point of view as well as close up. The interior analysis helps customers to specify one-, two- or three-layer construction during the design process. This helps buyers understand how the door is constructed and also educate consumers as to why one may choose a three-layer door instead of a two-layer.

Click here to visit CloPay’s Garage Door Imagination System

Quick | Prompt | Professional

admin — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:18:27 +0000

May 10th, 2011

I support family-run businesses if I can. This one is. Thanks for fixing the torsion springs for our garage on Monday, 9am. God Bless you richly. The phone # listed on the front page is so much easier to contact.

Great professional service

admin — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:17:04 +0000

May 6th, 2011

Replaced both torsion springs; Certified Garage Door Inc. did the work in a timely manner. Great professional service and fairly priced. Ian and Kevin, you have earned my business.

Truly Affordable

admin — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:15:28 +0000

May 6th, 2011

I was surprise that what was advertised is what I received. It is usually a low quote, but when the techs arrives the amount is double. Thanks again for being honest.

Garage Door Repair / Springs And Rollers Replaced

admin — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:14:15 +0000

April 20th, 2011

Hello Everyone,
I just want to let everyone know what a great job Kevin did replacing my broken garage door springs and rollers. What a great company, the pricing matched their website, so there were no hidden charges. He was in and out in less then 1 hour and that included replacing my rollers. Now my garage door opens really smooth and Very Very Quiet. I highly recommend Certified Garage Door Inc

Paul
Safety Harbor

2 Car Hurricane Wind Loaded Garage Doors

admin — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:14:36 +0000

Named Consumers Digest “Best Buy” 2008

Single-layer heavy-duty steel residential garage door provides an attractive, affordable and reliable residential garage door solution. 16′ x 7′ Hurricane Wind Loaded Door, 25 Gauge Steel. Free Onsite Estimates / $0 Down Payment

One-layer steel frame construction
Non-insulated
Two panel designs with optional windows
Five factory fresh paint colors