As the name suggests, pedestrian gates are designed with the intent of offering a thoroughfare for pedestrians to walk onto a property, home, or business in a controlled fashion. Pedestrian gates typically aren’t wide enough for automobiles to pass through but are large enough to allow access for non-motorized vehicles like bikes or scooters to pass through. 

Not only are pedestrian gates aesthetically pleasing and can be designed to add a certain allure to a home or business, but they offer business owners and homeowners the opportunity to monitor and restrict who comes onto their property. They act as a stylish way of deterring solicitors and unwanted guests. If you are considering installing one on your home or business we’ll outline some of the benefits of pedestrian gates and how they can offer you increased security and peace of mind. 

Does Your Home Need a Pedestrian Gate?

The pedestrian gate is an elegant way to allow people inside your home or gain access to your property. These gates can be positioned in fences or walls, and they usually have some form of locking mechanism or security access technology installed along with them. Here are 5 reasons why your home needs a pedestrian gate. 

1. Keep Unwanted Guests Out! – The number one reason why home and business owners install pedestrian gates on the perimeter of their properties is security. Entry gates may be one of the most effective ways to keep your home safe and secure, especially at night. These sturdy gates, when designed and installed properly, can help minimize unauthorized foot traffic while also protecting you from potential break-ins or other criminal activity. Pedestrian gates can also be installed in multiple locations throughout a property to partition off different areas and offer enhanced privacy where it is needed the most. Outfit your pedestrian gate with cameras, two-way microphones, keyless entry, or a gate code so that you can buzz visitors in upon confirming their identity. 
2. Ward Off Solicitors – Let’s be honest, an unexpected knock at the door isn’t always a welcomed sound, especially these days. But when that phantom knock happens, your pedestrian gate can save you from unwanted conversations or having to interact with annoying solicitors. Keep in mind that entry gates don’t prevent deliveries or mail from reaching you, it merely stops the occasional passersby from coming to your front door. 
3. Keep Children and Pets Inside the Perimeter – Nothing is more important than ensuring the safety and security of those you love. When it comes to young children, nothing can compare to the feeling of being able to provide a safe haven for them. With a pedestrian gate, you can keep strangers out and your loved ones inside a designated and secure area. When it comes to pets, these security gates are a godsend. Pets are great companions, but they naturally are tempted to wander off. Fencing your pet’s perimeter and outfitting it with a pedestrian gate will help ensure they stay far away from busy thoroughfares and potentially fatal traffic accidents.
4. Adds Curb Appeal – There are a wide variety of security and pedestrian gates on the market today. While their main purpose is to offer enhanced security measures, they do add value to your property or business. Most pedestrian gates are constructed of wrought iron or solid wood. These beautiful pieces of functional art can add serious curb appeal and increase the resale value of your property.
5. Reduces Your Insurance – When you keep your home safe, it’s easier to make sure that nobody will try breaking in or vandalizing your property. This means less risk and cost for insurance companies because they’ll be able to significantly decrease any potential claims on property damage or theft. Insurance companies are big fans of pedestrian gates. And when you add security cameras and intercom systems, you create an almost impenetrable perimeter around your home. 

Contact Mesa Garage Doors to Install a Pedestrian Gate

Serving Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange County, Mesa Garage Doors has over 50 installation and service teams to manage your pedestrian gate and garage door needs. Our factory-trained technicians can help install and refurbish your garage door as well as assist in mounting garage door refacing panels. Call 800-893-1107 to learn more.

 

A professional, high-quality garage door can make your home more inviting and secure. Maintaining it will help you maximize its life span, too! Proper maintenance and care are the key to ensuring that this vital piece of equipment lives up to its potential for many years to come. Invest time and care into your garage door now, and protect yourself from expensive repairs down the road.

How Long Do Garage Doors Last?

The lifetime of your garage depends heavily on how much you use it and how well you maintain it. It is true that garage door manufacturers offer warranties, but they vary, with most lasting only three years. Experts claim that the average lifespan of a quality garage door should be between 15-30 years, while garage door openers typically last 10-15 years before they need to be serviced.

There are steps you can take to get the most out of your garage door and your garage door opener. Read on to find out what you can do to ensure you are taking care of this very valuable investment.

The lifespan of your garage door is determined by a number of factors…

Usage: If you have a larger family, you’re probably using your garage door quite often. The up and down motion of your garage door and the opener can wear on the springs and offer more wear and tear, which will ultimately play a part in how long your garage door lasts before it is in need of garage door repair or replacement.

Maintenance: Regular maintenance is a vital part of the longevity of your garage door. Most garage door repair companies offer inspections to keep the openers, springs, and any components operating in tip-top shape.

Local Climate: Weather plays another factor in the lifespan of your garage door. Colder climates, inclement weather, salty sea air, arid habitats, all contribute to the wear and tear of your garage door and its components.

Steps You Can Take To Extend the Lifespan of Your Garage Door

Apply Lubricant – Garage doors are one of the largest pieces of equipment in a household. They need attention. A light coat of lubricant every 3–6 months will work wonders. Though there’s more than one type of lubricant for different purposes (heavy oils can get dirty), a graphite compound or spray-on supplies will work best on hinges and rollers. They’re lightweight enough not to accumulate grime over time while still being durable against wear from opening the garage door regularly.

Clean Sensors – Sensors play a critical role in the safety and proper operation of your garage door. They detect when there’s an obstruction in their path, which is critical to the safety of your family, especially if you have small children. Make sure you regularly clean off any cobwebs around these important parts (a dry cloth works best). Lastly, check that both eyes on one side are working correctly by pressing each button with its corresponding number until all LEDs turn red then white again at least once a month.

Visual Inspection – Use your common sense to visually inspect each part of your garage door. Look for rust, corrosion, or any obstructions that may be occurring. It’s best to catch these issues before they become a safety hazard or wind up being an expensive repair.

Call a Professional – While you are more than capable of doing your own garage door maintenance, it is sometimes wise to contact your local garage door specialists for an inspection and maintenance. Oftentimes they may be able to spot something that you overlooked and take care of it before it becomes a larger problem.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors

Serving Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange County, Mesa Garage Doors has over 50 installation and service teams to manage your garage door needs. Our factory-trained technicians can help install and refurbish your garage door as well as assist in mounting garage door refacing panels. Call 800-893-1107 to learn more.

If your garage door needs repair, there are two options—attempt to fix it yourself or call a professional. Many repairs require experience and personal protective gear. As for the types of garage door repair you can do with the right tools and parts, here is a look at how to approach the process.

Common Garage Door Problems You Can Fix

Garage door owners will almost certainly experience these issues eventually:

• The Garage Door Won’t Fully Close: This is usually an issue with the photo eye sensor. Check the sensor and transmitter on either side of the door to make sure they’re aligned (they’re mounted about 6” from the floor). If not, adjust the pivot bracket so both components face each other. Also make sure there are no objects blocking the path of the infrared beam; if there are, remove them and any dirt, debris, or cobwebs that may be in the way. These issues usually take about five minutes to fix.
• The Garage Door Is Dirty: Excess dirt increases wear and tear and reduces curb appeal. But you can wash a garage door with a wet cloth, sponge, or soft brush and some mild dish soap. Wipe down the door and then use clean water to rinse it down. For glass garage door windows, use dish soap, vinegar and water, or other non-abrasive cleaning solution. Also, clean any debris out of the tracks and, twice a year, use a spray-on car wax to protect steel doors from corrosion.
• The Garage Door Is Noisy: Noise can mean a lot of things. If it’s caused by springs, hinges, or roller bearings that need lubrication, you can apply a lubricant. This should be done every two or three months. Lubricate lift cables as well. You can also tighten any loose nuts and bolts using a screwdriver. It also helps to clean dirty rollers and tighten loose hinges; misaligned tracks can be fixed by loosening screws or bolts, moving tracks into position, and retightening the mounting brackets and fasteners.

But if you’ve tightened and lubricated metal parts, and the garage door is still noisy, contact a garage door repair professional.

Do Not Fix Garage Door Springs on Your Own

A professional can replace a garage door spring quickly. It’s not a complex job but attempting it without the proper experience is extremely dangerous. A broken torsion spring is easy to identify; the coil will be visibly separated, leaving a gap. When a break occurs, there’s typically a loud bang. But it’s the high tension and rapid unwinding that is dangerous. A spring unwinds in less than a second and, if it breaks apart, can cause severe injuries.

If a garage door spring is broken or beginning to fail, the signs include:

• The door stops after moving just a few inches.
• The garage door is bent at the top.
• The door won’t open when the emergency release cord is pulled.

Other DIY Garage Door Repair Tips

When realigning or tightening metal tracks, check for dents, flat areas, or crimps. Minor damage can be fixed by pounding the affected area with a rubber mallet, or a hammer and block of wood. Use a level to check alignment. A horizontal track should have a slight downward slant, toward the back of the garage. If you have a roll-up door, the tracks should be plumb, or upright. Also check that each track reaches the same height on the opposing walls.

Dirty tracks should be immediately cleaned to prevent excess wear and tear. A household cleaner can be used to remove dirt and grease. Then wipe the tracks and rollers dry before operating the garage door again.

When tightening loose hardware, check the hinges of your roll-up door to make sure they are tight and can hold the door together. Tighten any loose screws and, if any hinges are damaged, replace them. And when you find any enlarged screw holes, find a longer screw of the same diameter; dip a hollow fiber plug in carpenter’s glue and insert it with the new screw.

If you have a wood garage door and it cracks at the hinge, this can be fixed. Just remove the hinge, fill the crack with wood filler (including the screw holes), and replace the hinge after the filler dries. You can also move the hinge onto solid wood if there’s another place to secure it to.

Contact Us for Garage Door Repair

Mesa Garage Doors can fix any issue with your garage door and we’re available 24/7. For most other issues than the ones mentioned above, you should not try to fix them yourself. It can risk serious injury, damage, and avoidable expenses. For garage door repair service in Anaheim, Los Angeles, and Southern California, book online or call 800-893-1107 today.

Often overlooked, garage security is paramount when seeking to secure the home. Burglars and thieves often look for easy points of entry, and your garage provides more than one. Garage break ins are common, up to 9% of burglars will use the garage while 34% will use any unlocked door. Power tools, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and other high-ticket items in your garage are often very appealing to criminals. A great start is to get into the mindset of a burglar, which can help identify the most vulnerable spots. Then follow these tips to secure your garage:

Secure Your Garage Door

We’ll start with perhaps the most obvious access point. Your garage door is a prominent feature and the largest moving part of your home. Crooks can find many opportunities to get in through an overhead garage door, and gain entry to your home. To make it more difficult:

• Keep the Garage Door Closed: All-too-often, people leave their garage doors open while at home. Dong so for just a few seconds can result in theft. Keep the door closed or install a sensor that alerts you if it’s left open or an automatic closer that triggers after a certain amount of time.
• Prevent Probing: A common means of entry is to push the door inward, insert a wire hook through the gap, and trigger the garage door opener release. To avoid this, purchase a mechanism that’ll only work if it’s pulled straight down, or place garage door windows such that there’s no clear view of the release cord. You can zip tie or cover the cord as well.
• Repair/Replace Your Garage Door: If your garage door is in disrepair, refurbish it to resist entry or replace it with a modern, more secure model. Older doors tend to have a poorer seal and be less resistant to forced entry. Steel garage doors are common because they’re extremely durable and are easily customizable.

Also, many people simply unplug the garage door opener when they go on vacation. But someone could still open the garage door after breaking into your home, and load your belongings into a van. They can also fish for your release cord. A physical lock will make it more difficult to access the garage door from any side.

Update Your Garage Door Opener

With older garage door openers, burglars can gain entry with scanners that help them find the system’s access code. They can even get in with a neighbor’s remote if it uses the same code. Newer models use rolling codes, so a new code is created every time you use the remote. Smart garage door openers are also a wise investment, and include the latest security features, such as:

• Monitoring System: A monitor for your garage door can be placed anywhere in the home; you can close the door remotely and know instantly whether it is open or closed.
• Smartphone App: Lets you track whether the door is open or closed. If it opens suddenly, you’ll get an alert on your smartphone, and you can close it remotely if you’re forgetful.
• Self-Closing: The opener closes automatically, while you can override the self-closing feature any time or set the increment of time after which the system closes the garage door.

Don’t Leave the Remote in the Car

Thieves often break into cars to steal garage door remotes, which are often kept on the visor or other visible location. And they know your address is on the registration card in the glove compartment. A keychain remote is the safest option as you can always keep it with you. These remotes are affordable and easy to find.

Protect Your Other Doors

The side door is a place where a burglar can remain unseen. A standard lock won’t do because a precise kick can break it loose. If you don’t have one, install a deadbolt lock and replace the strike plate with a reinforced part secured with at least 3-inch screws. The entry door to your home must be secured as well; to start, make sure it’s always locked, and update the locks if necessary.

Light Up the Exterior

Exterior lighting is one of the most effective deterrents. If all entry points are well-lit, burglars are less likely to take the risk of being seen. Motion-activated lighting is best as it saves energy and can immediately startle a thief. Lighting components should be installed at least 10 to 12 feet above the ground so a burglar can’t tamper with them.

Don’t Provide the Advantage of Cover

Shaded areas should be addressed too, including overgrown foliage that can become hiding places. A strategic tree or bush can provide cover even in broad daylight. If there are large trees or shrubs near your garage, consider clearing them away. Another great deterrent is a thorny shrub near garage windows.

Keep Tools Hidden and Locked

For whatever reason, thieves love tools. It’s therefore best not to leave your tool set visible. Tools should be kept in locked cabinets. There are many types of cabinet systems designed for garages.

Install an Alarm System for Your Garage

An alarm system for a garage is just as effective as one for your home. It helps if the security system is visible. This is a great deterrent, and you’ll want to have security cameras over each entry point and a means to monitor video feeds on your smartphone. If there is suspicious activity, you can spot it from anywhere and alert the authorities.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors

Serving residential customers across Southern California, we offer many types of garage doors to match the style, character, and functional needs of your home. Our custom garage doors can accommodate single-car and multi-car garages. Numerous options are available as well, including a choice of colors, stains, and finishes as well as windows and other decorative elements. Book a free estimate online or call 800-893-1107 to learn more.

Garage doors are designed to do one of two things—open or close. So, it can be quite frustrating when your garage door seemingly refuses to close, whether it won’t respond to your commands or reverses midway. There are many reasons this can happen. Sometimes the solution is simple, such as replacing a battery or cleaning a sensor. Here are a few troubleshooting tips to help you fix the problem or determine whether professional repair is necessary. While the causes can be varied, here’s what to do when your garage door won’t close.

Look for Garage Door Safety Sensor Issues

Modern garage doors have two sensors near the bottom. Located six inches above the ground, these devices are located on either side and detect when something, whether a child, ball, container, or pet, is in the way. The door will not close if the signal is broken. Sometimes, it may not be an object causing this, but a misalignment of the sensors or dirt on the lens or transmitter.

Therefore, you can fix the problem by wiping the sensors with a clean, soft, cloth. Even dust or a spider web can block the signal. If a sensor isn’t aligned properly, loosen it and adjust its position until the blinking light becomes steady.

Adjust the Limit Setting

If the sensors seem okay, check the limit settings, or travel limits, which tell the opener how far the door must travel before fully closing. This is a safety feature to ensure it doesn’t crush anything. Too high a setting fools the door into thinking the floor is an obstruction, causing it to open. Fortunately, the issue can be easily fixed with a screwdriver, the limit settings knob on the garage door motor, or other means indicated by the instruction manual. Just be careful not to over-adjust the limit, as this could cause the door to slam the ground or move too quickly.

Check the Garage Door Opener’s Remote Battery

A common reason the garage door won’t open or even respond to the remote is a dead battery. Replacing the batteries is an obvious first step. If this doesn’t work, the remote might need to be reprogrammed. To do this, press the “learn” button on the opener, using a ladder to access the unit. When the light flashes, press a button on the remote; it should then work normally again. The garage door transmitter battery may need to be replaced as well.

Check Track Alignment

If the garage door tracks are misaligned, the door won’t be able to run normally. It can get stuck in position or reverse automatically. Gaps between the rails and rollers, or bent rails, should be fixed by a professional. Also check for damage such as warped tracks or even obstacles blocking them. Garage door tracks wear over time and can also be damaged by the weight of the garage door.

Look for Broken Springs or Cables

Tension springs and cables help your garage door move slowly and evenly. They are a major safety feature. If a spring fails or a cable snaps, it can be an extremely dangerous situation. The door can break loose and hit the ground hard, or broken pieces can be flung at high speeds and hurt someone. So, if a cable looks frayed or a spring is rusted or has a gap, call a repair technician right away.

Refer to the Manual

The garage door is indicating a problem if it won’t close and there’s a blinking light. The color or number of times it blinks is telling you something. Check the manual’s troubleshooting guide or find trouble codes for your door model online, for reference to what the problem may be.

Get to the Root of the Problem

Once your garage door won’t close, take a visual look at what may be wrong. Then you can decide to fix a simple issue on your own. When you’ve addressed the problem, place a box or board underneath and close the door. If you can’t resolve the situation, call a professional as moving forward on your own can be dangerous. A garage door repair professional at Mesa Garage Doors is trained and equipped to correct any problem quickly. To get started, book service online or call 800-893-1107 today, or contact us for a free no obligation estimate.