Everything You Need to Know About Garage Door Repair

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.

The Sandstone Garage Door: Unique, Yet Chic

sandstone garage door

With so many designs to choose from, homeowners often face a long process of planning garage door installation. Sandstone is one option available with many doors, including Mesa’s steel series doors with 24-gauge steel and a 2-inch steel frame. A sandstone garage door can feature a wide array of design elements and creates a unique flair that can compliment various other colors and textures.

Where Can a Sandstone Garage Door be Used?

Steel garage doors with a wood grain finish are common. But a tan, warm brown, or similar color is used in many homes. Sandstone is in fact a very light shade of brown. If you’re looking for a tan color to complement your décor, sandstone is the way to go. It is more of a neutral choice, so can blend in or stand out with many types of facades, especially brick or stone.

Garage door options have become so flexible that you can use sandstone for practically any type. That includes:

  • Standard Garage Doors: Traditional-style doors that provide aesthetics and durability. Thermal foam insulation protects against the weather and blocks noise. Steel garage doors can often be fit with an interior reinforcement system to offer more resistance against the wind (and prevent noise too).
  • Carriage Style Garage Doors: Include the features of a standard steel model but have a more traditional wood appearance. Carriage house doors are insulated with foam. The color and style options are numerous and steel doors are also low in maintenance, contribute to energy efficiency, and can protect against break ins.
  • Raised Panel Garage Doors: Sandstone garage doors can feature a short raised panel design, which adds volume using small square or rectangular shaped planes. Many find the repeated pattern attractive. The garage door can catch the eye as a centerpiece of your home’s exterior façade. Another variation is long raised panel doors, which feature a protruding plane of rectangular shapes that repeat. There are fewer raised elements, so the pattern typically appears less cluttered.

Carriage style garage doors can have a long panel design that resembles historic two-panel hinged doors. Short panel doors have a busier pattern of short squares or rectangles. Both designs can feature windows and decorative hardware.

Choosing the Right Color

As with any color, sandstone must be selected based on various criteria. One option is to match your garage door to the color of your house. This can create a seamless blend and you can enlarge the perceived size of your house as well. It’s better not to match your garage door with the same color as your entry door. And while some may want a two-toned garage door to be unique, this doesn’t usually provide the same curb appeal as a single-colored garage door. In other words, if sandstone is the perfect match for your home, the entire garage door should be that color.

Let Mesa Garage Doors Help You Decide

Mesa Garage Doors has over 30 years’ experience installing residential garage doors in Southern California. We specialize in many different styles and can help you with a sandstone garage door if it suits your home and creates the chic vibe you long for. Our technicians can match a door style with your house and customize it in any color, window, or hardware option. Call 800-893-1107 or use our online booking system to schedule an appointment.

The Ultimate Garage Security Tip Guide

Garage Security Tips

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.

How to Insulate Garage Doors

How to Insulate Garage Doors

Insulating your garage door is an effective way to manage the temperature inside your garage. It can reduce outdoor noise as well. If your garage door is uninsulated, you don’t necessarily have to replace the entire door. The existing one can essentially be retrofit if you have the right materials and tools; here’s a look at how you can complete a DIY garage door insulation project.

What you Need to Insulate Garage Doors

 The first thing you need, not surprisingly, is insulation. Various types of insulation kits are sold at home centers. Options include vinyl-faced fiberglass batting kits or precut expanded polystyrene panel foam.

An important consideration is R-value. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulating material is at providing climate control and promoting energy efficiency; it varies based on the type, thickness, and density of the material and can be increased by stacking insulation in layers. Depending on your garage or garage door, here are some R-values you may need:

  • 0-6 for a detached, non-heated garage.
  • 7-9 for an attached, non-heated garage.
  • 10-13 for a heated garage.
  • At least 14 for a garage with living space above it.
  • Better insulation for wooden doors (steel doors are naturally insulated).

Foam board is best for insulating a wooden frame-and-panel garage door. While fiberglass insulation batts are best for metal doors, you could use any type of insulation for them. An insulation kit is convenient in that it has pre-cut materials, fasteners, or tape. Some kits even include utility knives and gloves.

Steps to Insulating Garage Doors

To get started, you’ll need some pencils, pens, or other marking implements as well as a tape measure, utility knife, safety glasses, and work gloves. The materials you’ll need include adhesives and tape, fasteners, a garage door seal, and the insulation itself. Next…

  1. Mark where you’re going to place the fasteners for the insulation. Two marks, about 12 inches from each side, should be made on each door panel; make sure each mark is centered vertically.
  2. Apply double-sided tape to the pre-marked spots and attach the retainer clips to the tape by pressing them firmly onto each piece. Each panel should have two retainer pins installed when you are done.
  3. Measure each door panel and write down the size of each panel (there may be differences between panels). Next, cut pieces of insulation individually. Each piece should be 1- to 2-inches longer than the measurements for the door panel. If there’s any excess material, peel it off.
  4. If using vinyl batting, roll it out with the vinyl side down. Mark lines for cutting and then place the batting on plywood. Using a straightedge, compress the door panel and make your cuts with a utility knife.
    • Fiberglass and other insulating materials can be irritating to the skin and eyes; wear gloves and safety glasses for protection.
  1. Attach the insulation by tucking it into the door panels, with the vinyl side facing outward; for material with a reflective radiant barrier, face the reflective side outward. Line up the insulation until it’s centered. Push it against the retaining pin; when the pin punctures the vinyl facing, push the retaining cap to secure it to the pin.

If using retention clips, push the insulation flat against the door. Note the location of the clips and cut ½ inch slits through the insulation. When the clips pass through, secure the front pieces of the retention clips to the back parts to hold the insulation panels in place.

  1. Install the doorstop weather stripping. It should be temporarily secured against the top and side jambs by hammering in nails partway. Next, push against the door to simulate strong winds and move the doorstop inward. If the gap along the sides differs from one place to another, readjust the doorstop.

When you’re sure there is a good seal, tack the weather stripping to the top jam, then the sides, and hammer the nails in all the way. Install spring-loaded hinges if there’s too much play in the door to adjust the doorstop or you see light through the weather stripping.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors

Serving customers across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties, Mesa Garage Doors can help you select and install a new garage door. Our installers and repair technicians are factory trained and we never use subcontractors. Whether you need advice or assistance regarding garage door insulation or prefer to replace your old system with a brand new insulated garage door, book service online or call 800-893-1107 today!

What to Do When Your Garage Door Won’t Close

Garage Door Won't Close

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.

How to Match Your Garage Door to Your Homes’ Style

Match Garage Door to House Style

A garage door has a major impact on curb appeal. It can take up a third of the front façade, so therefore has a profound influence on aesthetics. For this reason, you want to choose a garage door carefully based on style. But matching it to your house improves ease of operation as well.

To start, here are the most common types of garage doors on the market:

  • Raised Panel: This is pretty much the standard and what most people associate garage doors with. Modern raised panel doors are typically solid. They’re molded into the classic shape rather than having floating panels in a rail-type frame, and can feature wood, aluminum, steel, or fiberglass.
  • Traditional: Most traditional-style garage doors feature the standard roll-up configuration. Horizontal, hinged panels bend at the seams, but at the same time create a seamless design. The door easily rolls up on overhead tracks, while most can be ordered in your choice of materials and colors to match the style of your home.
  • Carriage: Suiting many different house styles, carriage-style doors replicate the look of older garage doors but can be made to match the look of contemporary homes. While traditional carriage doors swing open manually from the middle, modern units can fold open and incorporate automatic garage door openers.
  • Contemporary Slab: Match a home that has clean lines and high-tech materials. You may want to go with materials such as tempered glass and painted aluminum frames if such a design works with your home. Doors that fold up as a single-panel are increasing in popularity again, but require a specialized opener to operate.

What Material Should I Choose?

If you are going for a contemporary look, a glass-paneled garage door works, while vinyl is fade-, dent-, and rust-resistant, which makes it suitable for coastal homes. Wood is still preferred for classic styles. However, your options are always open to make a statement. Specialty garage doors are available in practically limitless combinations; some have scrollwork and unique finishes that can enhance the look of your home. Steel is common with classic carriage house doors, which are often multi-layered and coated with a composite material to increase durability and efficiency.

Matching a Garage Door with Your Home

There are many styles of homes and not every type of garage door will work for each one. Here’s a look at different home types and what doors you might consider:

  • Ranch: A popular home style with a modest façade that usually demands a classic, subtly designed garage door. A Planks door can add dimension to a more contemporary-style home, while carriage house and raised panel doors often suffice.
  • Contemporary: Eye-catching and often asymmetrical, contemporary homes can allow for creativity, so you can choose from industrial-style aluminum, sleek/minimalist Sterling, or textured Planks to customize your garage door.
  • Tudor: The late Medieval and early Renaissance stylings of Tudor homes, with stucco exteriors and numerous decorative elements, are best complemented by overlay garage doors. Faux or natural wood, or steel, are often preferred, generally in the form of carriage house or recessed panel models.
  • Craftsman: Often featuring stone and brick exteriors, tapered columns, and a front porch, craftsman homes are quite versatile when it comes to garage door styles. Raised panel, stamped carriage house, and recessed panel doors can provide the look that you need.
  • Modern Farmhouse: Is usually all-white and has abundant windows. Carriage house doors most suit this architecture, but some homeowners prefer solid-color, steel garage doors or natural wood. Aluminum-glass doors have been installed as well.
  • Colonial: Symmetrical and rectangular, colonial homes are best accompanied by a garage door that reflects these traits. A classic style is best, with raised panel, steel overlay, or stamped carriage house doors the most common for colonial residences.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors

There are many variables to consider when choosing a style of garage door for your home. At Mesa Garage Doors, we specialize in a wide range of styles, and can customize residential garage door installation just for you, based on your vision and the architecture of your home. Call 800-893-1107 for help choosing a new garage door or to receive a free estimate.

How Much Does a New Garage Door Cost?

cost new garage door

While garage door costs can vary greatly, the national average for replacing a garage door is $1,134, according to HomeAdvisor. Typically, the price range is between $757 and $1,562. On the high end, you may spend up to $2,300 or more for garage door replacement.

There are many factors to consider in terms of cost, beyond the garage door itself. A basic garage door model may cost a few hundred dollars, but replacing the one you have can easily come with additional costs. Upgrading from a manual to an automatic garage door is a situation in which you’ll likely pay extra for the work.

Here is a look at other factors that may determine the final price:

  • Removing/Disposing Materials: The price may be included in the initial quote, but this step can cost up to $100.
  • Structural Modifications: If you need to resize the opening, even just add height, key structural elements may need to be removed, braced, and replaced, costing anywhere from $500 to $5,000.
  • Hardware: Garage door springs, nuts and bolts, hinges, pulleys, wires, and other hardware can cost up to $350, which is usually part of your estimate.
  • Locks: A lock helps protect any valuables you keep in the garage, but it can cost anywhere from $100 to up to $350 to install a specific brand lock for your garage door opener.
  • Location: Garage door installation tends to be higher where the cost of living in a particular area is higher. Geographic location is a factor too, as there are price differences from one region to another and local building codes, such as those requiring reinforcement against high winds.
  • Labor: Replacing a garage door can cost you up to $500 in labor, per HomeAdvisor estimates.
  • Customization: You can spend anywhere from $800 to up to $10,000 to customize your garage door with windows, trim and panels, and shatterproof glass; add multiple colors; or install a barn style door. 1

Garage Door Type and Cost

While labor costs are generally the same between different garage door types (a wooden, steel, or aluminum door is installed in the same amount of time), the design is a factor. For example, a manual single-panel garage door can cost from $400 to $1,200, while a sectional model costs anywhere from $750 to $2,500. Space-saving roll-up doors cost $400 to $1,500 on average. A tilt-up canopy door can cost up to $1,500 while a tilt-up retractable door ranges up to $2,000 for installation.

As for garage door material type, expect to spend up to $2,000 for steel, $1,800 for wood, $3,700 for wood composite, or $4,100 for faux wood, on average. Aluminum doors can cost a few hundred to up to $2,000, while fiberglass can cost up to $2,100. A vinyl garage door can go as high as $2,600 but if you’re investing in a high-end wood or composite installation, it can go as high as $10,000.

Trimming the Cost of Garage Door Replacement

You can avoid overspending on garage door replacement by:

  • Installing a standard model door without customization.
  • Purchasing directly from the manufacturer and hiring an independent contractor for installation.
  • Choosing only add-on features that you absolutely need.
  • Ensuring the door comes with a warranty to cover potential defects later.
  • Maintaining the door properly to avoid unnecessary repairs or replacements.

Request a New Garage Door Estimate Today

Mesa Garage Doors offers a range of garage doors, garage door openers, and other products in Southern California. We specialize in many types of doors and all kinds of repairs. Contact us 24/7 at 800-893-1107 for more information or to request a free estimate.

Pest Proofing Your Garage Doors

pest proof garage door

Pest proofing your garage doors is an absolute must. Your garage is the gateway the cleanness of your humble abode to the outside world, it’s a heavily utilized space and it functions best when pest free. If you’re like most homeowners, you use garage space for storage rather than only storing a car. According to a Home Innovation Research Labs study: of 900 homeowners surveyed, 93% used their garage for storage and 84% used it for their vehicle, while on average 30% of garage space is utilized for something other than parking.1

Therefore, you probably cringe at the idea rats, mice, roaches, and other pests may have no problem seeking harborage in your garage space.

Small pests need little space to get in. Rats, for example, need only a finger width of space in the garage door to get inside. If you can slide your finger under the gap near the ground, it’s time to take preventative action. But rats and other bests can also get in through vents, openings around pipes and wires, and drains. They can also dig under the foundation or climb up to the roof, into the eaves, and in your house.

Why Do Pests Love Garages?

Rats, and most pests, are animals looking for shelter where they can find protection. A garage protects them from the elements and predators. There typically aren’t any birds or other creatures to fear in a garage. As people tend to use their garage as an impromptu food pantry, rats can often find a multitude of store pet foods, snacks, and other edible items in packages that are easily chewed or clawed through.

How to Keep Them Out

Effective ways to pest-proof your garage door include:

Establish a Perimeter

Start outside your garage door and move any plants, firewood, and other pest-friendly items away from your garage door. Tree branches should be trimmed back so small pests don’t have easy access. Also, consider hiring an exterminator to treat your lawn and/or yard.

Organize Your Garage

Behind your garage door, cleaning up a cluttered space can make it less hospitable to pests. Try to store items above the floor. Cabinets, shelving, and baskets provide storage and organization. It’s less of an advantage for pests to settle in when items are stored in tightly sealed plastic totes rather than chewable cardboard boxes. Ceiling storage racks help move things off the floor as well.

Replace the Weather Seal

A worn weather seal at the bottom of your garage door is the easiest entry point. Install a rubber seal if you don’t have one. Bottom seals are often made of foam, vinyl, or felt, which rats and other rodents can chew through. Some seals melt if the pavement gets too hot and most simply wear out with regular use. One type of durable seal is made of metal and another is made of rubber reinforced by steel wool in the middle.

Also install seals at the junction of brick and siding, around doors, and windows. Consider vent covers as well if you don’t have them and/or replace plastic vents with metal ones.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors

Homeowners throughout Southern California rely on Mesa Garage Doors for installation, repair, and sealing services. We service all types of garage doors and have an extensive product line representing single- and double-car models and numerous styles, materials, and finishes. In addition, numerous colors and window options are available. To book service or request an estimate, contact us online or call 800-893-1107. We are available 24/7.

Can Garage Doors Actually Increase Your Home Value?

garage door curb appeal

The exterior of your home has an impact on its value. A clean, inviting décor has a positive effect; and since a garage door can take up a third of your façade, an aesthetic door that’s in good condition can boost value. High curb appeal alone can increase the market value of your home 7%. In slower markets, it can rise as high as 14%.

What Does Curb Appeal Mean?

What exactly is curb appeal? It is not a quantifiable aspect of your home, but rather an observable and often subjective aspect. Broken pavement, chipped paint, and dented garage doors are just a few examples of issues that can reduce curb appeal. Real estate listings often highlight a home’s square footage, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, and whether recent home improvements have been made. However, the look of your home from the street shapes a buyer’s/investor’s first impression before they even go inside.

Curb appeal combines all standout design elements used for your home’s exterior. Before real estate listing websites, buyers would use it to pick which properties to see. They’d have to physically travel to the house after calling their real estate agent to set up a showing. Nowadays, photographs of multiple properties can be viewed simultaneously, virtual tours can be taken online and the housing market place is now much more competitive.

The Connection Between Garage Doors and Curb Appeal

The garage door is a large, prominent feature that deserves a lot of attention. It can easily increase home value because of its ability to:

  • Provide Balance: The design of the door should compliment that of your front door and the overall appearance of your home’s architecture. For example, if your home has large windows, a garage door with built-in windows may be a good idea.
  • Add Contrast: Using the same color scheme, the door can blend in, but the overall impact can be boring. Warmth and contrast can be provided by contrasting colors, unique panel designs, custom finishes, and windows and other decorative options.
  • Restore Your Home’s Original Charm: If your home was built in the middle of the last century, it’s probably been renovated a few times. Some of its charm may have been lost in the process. To restore the charm, garage door manufacturers and dealers today offer many options to update your door to suit your home’s style.
  • Improve Safety: New garage doors are fit with technologies such as auto reverse systems and photosensors, rotating security codes, and Wi-Fi access so you can check on its status or close the door if you forgot to. Modern doors better resist intruders and can update you instantly if something is suspicious.
  • Increase Efficiency: Manufacturers have been more diligent at sealing and insulating garage doors. Weather sealing and layers of insulation can stabilize the temperature both in the garage and in the living space of your home. Additionally, an insulated garage door can cut energy costs and block outside noise.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors

Mesa Garage Doors understands the true value that garage doors can add to your home. As the largest garage door installation company in America, and serving Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange County, we know how to find the best products at the lowest prices. We employ factory trained installers and repair techs and never use any subcontractors. You can therefore depend on our high quality standards every time. Schedule a free evaluation and no obligation estimate by calling 800-893-1107 today.

5 Essential Tips for Maintaining Your Garage Doors

garage door maintenance

Garage doors consist of large moving parts and complex mechanisms that wear out over time. Without maintenance, your garage door can become a safety risk and eventually break down. Since you use garage doors daily and even several times a day, here are five essential garage door maintenance tips:

1. Inspecting a Garage Door

Inspect your garage door for operational issues or damage at least twice a year. First listen for loud/unusual noise while it is running and then look at various parts on each side. Here are a few warning signs to look for:

  • Misalignment of parts
  • Asymmetry of apposing cables and pulleys
  • Rust and deterioration on cables/springs
  • Smooth vs. jerky movement
  • Worn, chipped, or cracked rollers
  • Brittle, cracked weatherstripping
  • Tighten hinges, loose bolts, and fasteners

If you notice there is debris in the tracks, clear it out. Objects stuck in a garage door track can cause damage or increase the rate of wear. Use a level to inspect the tracks; if adjustments are needed, contact a professional technician.

2. Service Components

With the garage door opener turned off, adjust the chain or belt drive mechanism. The nut on the bolt securing the mechanism can be adjusted using a wrench. Turn the nut clockwise to tighten, until the chain/belt is separated from the rail by about ¼ inch.

You can also adjust track brackets by loosening the nuts that secure them to the track. This reduces friction between the door and door stop. Other types of service you can do include adjusting door opening and closing speed, fixing stuck wheels by ensuring there’s sufficient room between the door and tracks, and replacing the batteries and bulbs of your garage door opener.

3. Safety Test

To determine if your garage door needs professional service, test its:

  • Balance: Disconnect the garage door opener and lift the door manually about halfway. Then let it go. The door should not slip. If so, it’s out of balance and requires professional service.
  • Automatic Reverse: Place an object directly below the door and turn it on. The door should instantly reverse when it touches the item; call a technician immediately if not.

Also test the photo sensors on either side of the garage door base. LED lights will indicate if they are properly aligned. If you see no light or a red indicator, the sensors need to be adjusted. Sensor tests should be performed in at least three different locations on the beam’s path.

4. Lubrication

In just 10 minutes, you can lubricate garage door parts to add years to their life. The garage door opener’s chain or screw should be lubricated with white lithium grease. Overhead springs should be coated with a spray lubricant. A garage door lubricant can be used (lithium or silicone based) on hinges, rollers (especially metal with sealed bearings), bearing plates, pulleys, torsion springs, and rail bottoms. Tracks don’t need lubrication but should be cleaned regularly.

5. Cleaning

Don’t forget to maintain the garage door itself; including making sure it’s clean. Wood doors should be wiped clean with a dry cloth, and check for warping and water damage. If necessary, repaint or stain the surface, or use a wood filler to patch any holes; then sand it lightly and add paint or stain.

For vinyl and other synthetic materials, use a soft cloth and recommended cleaner. The door can be rinsed with a hose and dried with a microfiber cloth. Clean the inside with a soft dry cloth.

Rust spots on steel doors should be sanded, primed, and painted. A mild all-purpose cleaner should be used for regular cleaning.

Schedule Garage Door Repair or Installation

If you have additional questions about maintenance, or want to schedule repair service or new garage door installation in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County, Riverside County, or San Bernardino County, call 800-893-1107. Mesa Garage Doors can be reached 24/7.