Garage door break-ins are on the rise. Since videos started circulating of people using wooden blocks and coat hangers to easily reach the release mechanism of a garage door, copy cat burglars have popped up all across the country. At the Overhead Door Company of Augusta, we’re obsessed with garage security. Below, we’ve compiled five tips to help you up your garage security and put your mind at ease.
Don’t Leave It Open, Even If You’re Home
This is something we’ve all been guilty of doing. We find ourselves outside taking care of some yard work and instead of closing the garage door between trimming the hedges and mowing the lawn, we leave the door wide open. While it’s highly unlikely that someone will attempt a mid-day heist, it does give passersby the opportunity to check out the contents of your garage. Even if you live in a “nice” neighborhood, don’t take security for granted and keep your garage door closed as much as possible.
Keep Your Opener On Your Person, Not In Your Car
One burglary can lead to a second. Leaving your garage door opener clipped to your vehicle’s visor or in the sunglasses compartment combined with the personal information listed on your insurance card means anyone that breaks in now has a home address and an easy way in. Prevent this from happening by purchasing a key fob remote opener and keep it on your person at all times. Better yet, invest in a smart security system that allows you to control your door from your home — we’d recommend the OHD Anywhere app.
Turn Weaknesses Into Strengths
The most sensitive areas of your garage — the aforementioned garage door release mechanism cord, the side door, the windows — can all be protected with a quick shopping trip and a touch of elbow grease.
To protect the release cord, purchase a garage shield. These metal or plastic barriers prevent the six-second technique by making it impossible to reach your garage door release cord with a coat hanger.
To prevent an intruder from kicking your door in, install a strike plate reinforcer to shore up your door’s weak point. Finally, stay frosty.
Frosted glass is an easy upgrade that keeps unwanted eyes away from your garage’s interior, preventing thieves from checking out your vehicle and valuables.
Let There Be Light
Installing a set of lights — preferably of the motion-sense variety — is another easy way to deter any potential intruders. Additionally, it alerts you to any unwanted visitors roaming around your property.
Talk To A Garage Door Security Professional
If you are curious about other ways to upgrade your garage security, talk to the professionals at the Overhead Door Company of Augusta. They can send an expert out to assess your current setup, look for weak spots, and recommend the necessary tweaks to make your garage impenetrable.
The Overhead Door Company of Charleston is always looking to save you money when we can. The easiest way to do so is by giving you the knowledge to keep your garage door running smoothly with these six tips on preventative maintenance. Read on to find out how to save on garage door repair.
Before Your Start
Before you start working on your garage door, make sure you follow some steps to be safe. If you’re not sure how to safely do garage door preventative maintenance, please call the Overhead Door Company of [insert city], and we’ll get the job done for you.
Follow these steps for safe garage door maintenance:
- Unplug the door: Make sure to unplug your door so that it does not start moving while you’re working on it.
- Use Clamp Locking Pliers: If you are planning to work under the door, attach clamp locking pliers below the rollers to ensure the door won’t move.
- Don’t touch the torsion spring: These have enough power to seriously injure you if handled improperly. Call a professional instead.
Inspect Your Garage Door Parts
Now is your chance to look over everything. Check your rollers for chips, make sure your tracks are level, and test your sensor using the two-by-four test mentioned in last month’s blog. Now is also a prime opportunity to replace the batteries in both your outdoor keypad and your remote openers.
Checking the basic parts of your garage door goes a long way in keeping everything running smoothly. Garage door checks like the one described above make preventative maintenance an easy task, but if you’re not sure about what the individual parts should be doing, the Overhead Door Company is here to help.
Tighten Loose Ends
The natural motion of your garage door can cause nuts and bolts to become shaky. A simple twist with your wrench should keep them in place until the next check-up. If you notice a particular one becoming repeatedly loose, it could be indicative of a larger issue. If this is the case, jump on a quick call to see what we can do for you.
Grease the Tracks… and Roller… and Springs
Making sure everything on your garage door is properly lubricated is by far the easiest way to prevent wear and tear and add years to the life of its components. Before you grease, make sure to wipe down the areas to remove gunky buildup and debris. Next, be sure to know the difference between lubricants so you can coat your setup properly.
- Lithium Grease: Thick lubricant applied to the flat surfaces — like the tracks — to prevent friction.
- Silicone Spray: Applied to the rollers and hinges leads to smooth operation.
- WD-40: An alternative to silicon spray that has to be applied with more frequency because it is alcohol-based.
Replace the Weatherstripping
We’re always singing the praises of having a solid weatherstrip on the bottom of your garage door. It helps to regulate temperature, keeps out critters, and prevents water from seeping in during showers and snowstorms. For an even greater seal, consider adding similar stripping to all four sides.
For Anything Else, Call Us!
We know there are still probably a few items on this list you still might feel uncomfortable performing yourself. That’s where we come in. The Overhead Door Company of Charleston is here to help with any garage door preventative maintenance to keep you from having to spend big down the road.