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Don't Take Your Garage Door For Granted

By: Nick Messe


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If you have a garage you know how nice it is to have your car sheltered from the elements. You probably also use some of it for storage, whether it's your tool boxes, golf clubs or your portable barbecue. Some of us even store boxes of books or dishes on shelves, or use the space as a workout area.

When you think about everything you use your garage space for, you realize how valuable all that stuff is, and how important it is to keep it safe and secure. And the best way to make sure your car and possessions don't fall into the wrong hands is to be sure your garage door is in good working order.

If you ever occasionally take a closer look at your garage door you'll realize that what looks simple at first glance is actually fairly complicated with a number of important moving parts. Your garage door is exposed to all kinds of weather and stress and investing in some regular garage door service will save you time and trouble later.

One of the more common problems with garage doors is that from time to time they will not raise and lower smoothly. If you have an power garage door opener, disconnect it by pulling the release cord and have a second person help it fall gently, making sure it doesn't crash down. It is important to let it down slowly because letting it fall can damage your garage floor as well as the door. If it works well manually then there is likely a problem with the motor that drives the electric garage door opener. Be sure to read your owner's manual and follow the instructions for repair but if that doesn't work you'll have to call a garage door repair service.

When you have a manual garage door and it's hard to lift you may have a broken garage door spring or have a problem with spring tension. Since they have to lift such heavy loads, your garage door springs are under tremendous tension and are very dangerous to try to adjust yourself. In this case it's much safer to call a garage door service and much less expensive than a hospital bill. The same thing applies when you have a broken spring and it has to be replaced with a new one and then adjusted properly.

Your garage door lock can also be a problem. Sometimes they simply don't work properly. This is usually because of a lock bar that is out of alignment. You won't need help for this one; just loosen a few screws and re-align the mechanism. Be sure to test it out a few times to make sure it is working correctly.

Just like your car or any other mechanical device around your home, because it is subjected to wear and tear your garage door needs regular lubrication and minor adjustment. It's a good idea to take a few minutes once a year to inspect your door and oil the moving parts, rollers and hinges. Look for loose bolts or screws and tighten them up. Make sure the tracks are aligned so that they properly guide the rollers.

Your garage is an important addition to your home. In many cases your garage is the first place burglars or intruders will try to enter your home. Keeping up with garage door repair and maintenance ensures that this entrance to your home is as secure as you can make it.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

For the best garage door installation and repair service in the Portland Oregon area call Dave's Garage Doors at 503-641-8987 - Portland Oregon Garage Door Service and Vancouver WA Garage Door Service - www.davesgaragedoors.com

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