Monday, January 11, 2010

Choosing The Right Garage Door Technician

Denver Garage doors are very important in protecting your vehicles and other stored items from the elements. They are also convenient, especially if you have an electric opener. You can keep them in proper working order by performing routine annual maintenance.

But, sometimes things happen that are beyond your capabilities and the repair is more complex than you can handle. It is time to call in the garage door repair man. And what are things you should remember while hiring one? What qualifications should you look for in finding the right person for the job? Here are some key things to look for:

1. Certified - This tells you that the person is actually trained in this specific job which should give you some confidence that he knows what he is doing and not just a high school kid working a part-time job.
2. Bonded and Insured - This covers you and the garage repair technician in the event of further damage to the door, your home or to the technician.
3. Experienced - Years of experience and years in business means that the company is reputable and have repaired a lot of doors over the years. Businesses simply can't last if they don't have the support of the community.
4. Knowledgeable - When you interview a potential garage door repair technician, can he tell you the prices of parts and what he has on hand. When you describe the problem, can he offer you a possible solution as well as give you a tentative estimate of cost?
5. Trustworthy - You don't want someone who wants to sell you more than you need. A good garage door repair man will give you options and offer suggestions for fixing the problem. He may make additional suggestions that would further improve the function of the gate.

But, if he tries to talk you into anything that isn't related to the problem, make sure he can back it up with a good reason. If you are at all unsure about what he suggests, do your own research to see if it is a necessary fix.

You can find a reputable garage door repair technician by looking through the yellow pages. The ads will tell you years in business and look for a Better Business Bureau seal of approval and maybe even a Chamber of Commerce membership.

If you are still unsure, talk to friends, family and co-workers for references. Don't forget to check with installers. They know the doors inside and out because their job is to put them in. They also may provide Denver garage repair services as well.

Yes, you want it fixed because of the convenience it offers, but it is also important for the safety of your family, pets and belongings. A malfunctioning door can quickly become a dangerous and even deadly part of your home so choosing the right person to fix is important.

Repairing Garage Doors Cost Effectively

Denver garage doors can make a homeowner's life easier. It goes up and down on command with the simple flick of a remote. Family vehicles, landscaping tools and other items are stored away within the four protective walls of the garage.

It is also quite frequently the main entrance into the family home. The way it looks reflects on the entire appearance of the home and adds to its curb appeal. Its parts require a bit of upkeep in order to operate smoothly. The basic working parts include:

-Springs: coiled pieces of metal which allow bounce and flexible movement.

-Hinges: joints between the moving parts.

-Rollers: which allow movement into the open and closed positions.

-Tracks: metal railways that the rollers travel along in order to move the door upward and downward.

-Brackets: metal supports which hold up the weight of the garage door.

-Exterior Surface: the outer portion of the door which can be made of steel, wood, vinyl or aluminum.

-Interior Surface: the part which can only be seen from within the garage. It is often insulated to provide energy efficiency.

-Remote Control: a hand held device that causes the garage door to function via airwave frequencies set to a specific code in conjunction with the mechanism inside the garage that is designed to do this.

-The three hoisting systems: Chain Loop Drive, Screw Drive or Belt Drive.

In order to keep everything running smoothly, one of the most important things to do would be to regularly inspect all moving parts. Have household lubricating oil and a screwdriver within reach in order to tighten all screws and to lubricate the components of your Aurora Garage Door during your inspection.

The garage door opener will need a new battery on occasion, so it is often wise to buy an econo-pack in order to have them on hand. Buying in bulk often saves money.

You may often find sales and good prices on components at your local warehouse building supply source. Online sites usually offer better prices on repair parts than you can find locally. Used components can be found either online or at your local household resale store, such as Habitat for Humanity.

Doors, windows and hardware are all available at a fraction of the cost because someone who has purchased a new one has donated their old functional components.

Stock up on exterior paint when it's on sale and have it tinted to a complementary shade. Paint annually before waiting for chipping and warping to occur and you won't have to replace boards and panels. Be proactive with maintenance in order to spend less. Pay a little now or a lot later.