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When to Have your Garage Door Serviced

Garage doors are a very important piece of equipment but, like a lot of gear, they tend to deteriorate over time and need to be replaced. So, the question to ask is if your garage door is working as well as it did when you first purchased it. A garage door is a multi-functional piece of equipment that needs to be kept as functional as it possibly can be. Aside from the obvious functions of protecting your cars and belongings from being burglarized, it can also help keep your home safe from thieves. While this depends highly on where your garage is located, if it is directly adjacent to your house then having a working door will help in blocking a potential entry point which thieves can use to get into your home.

Servicing your garage door means repairing it by performing preventative maintenance to improve functionality. But the next question is how to know when it needs this because it isn’t always as easy as looking at the door and seeing that it needs repair work done. These are some signs that you need to look for.

Opening and Closing Problems

If there are times when you have trouble with opening and closing your garage door or if the door moves extremely slowly, then those are some signs that it has issues. If your door is not promptly responding to signals from its remote control, then you may have any one of several issues which can eventually lead to the door ceasing to work entirely. Fortunately, all the issues that can cause this are fixable if you catch them early enough. So, make sure you call for a professoinal if you notice any of these issues and there shouldn’t be any more problems.

Appearance

This can be something as commonplace as rust on the door, chipped paint or worn tracks. While these problems may be cosmetic, there is no reason to risk it. Servicing the door will both improve the visuals and extend the durability of your garage door’s parts.

Even though your garage door may be in excellent shape today, it’s smart to schedule a maintenance tune-up at least once a year to make sure that no unexpected problems crop up.

But, if you need a garage door tune-up ASAP then contact us today to get started with servicing, professional repair services and more!

Signs That Your Automatic Entry Gate Needs Repairs

When you add an automatic gate to your property, you are helping to greatly boost your home’s security while still making it convenient to come and go as you please. However, while automatic gates are fairly low maintenance, they can start to break down over time due to wear and tear from constant use. You should then be aware of when your automatic gate may need servicing so that you can have it repaired before it stops working altogether. Here are a few of the signs that you can be on the lookout for indicating that your automatic entry gate may need repairs. 

Abnormal Operation
The best way to tell when there is something wrong with your automatic gate is to pay attention to how it is operating. Knowing how your gate normally moves can clue you in when something is wrong, as any usual movements such as your gate appearing to shudder or jump while it is opening/closing likely indicates a problem with its opening mechanism. There may also be one of a number of problems with your gate if it appears to be opening or closing slower than it used to. Any signs of unusual operation is a clear sign that you should have your gate inspected and repaired. 

Unusual Sounds
You should also pay attention to the noises that your gate makes when it is operating, as new and unusual sounds clearly indicate that something is wrong. The fact is that most modern gate openers are silent during operation. Thus, if your gate opener begins making a lot of noise, or if it begins making odd squealing or scraping noises, then your gate opener likely needs to be repaired. 

Worn Hinges
Of course, if you have a swinging automatic gate, certain grinding or squeaking noises could also indicate problems with your gate’s hinges. If your swinging gate starts making unusual sounds, you should first try to determine if the sounds are coming from the gate opener or from the gate itself. If it appears as though your gate’s hinges are showing signs of damage, then you will need to have your gate repaired before this damage prevents your gate from operating properly. 

Contact us to learn more about the additional signs that can indicate that your automatic gate may need repairs. 

4 Signs You Need a Garage Door Spring Repair or Replacement

If you are like most people, you probably have not put much thought into garage door maintenance. It is one of those home systems that is just expected to work. So, if you came across this article searching for signs you need garage door spring repair, then you are likely experiencing an issue – and you are not alone.

Garage doors are the hardest working system in your home. So, if you are opening and closing your garage door 4 to 5 times every day, without regular maintenance, it is reasonable to expect problems or even a sudden failure within 5 to 10 years. All that heavy lifting places a lot of wear and tear on parts. Moreover, a breaking spring is extremely dangerous.

First and foremost, if you are having issues with your garage door spring, do not attempt to replace it yourself. If done incorrectly, serious injury could occur. Below is a list to help you identify when to contact a professional for garage door spring repair or replacement.

  1. It Is Making Unusual Noises – If your garage door is grinding or making any unusual sounds when opening or closing, the spring needs to be inspected. A professional technician can diagnose the problem and provide recommendations. Typically, noises are a sign that the spring is becoming worn.
  2. The Garage Is 10 Years Old – Like all mechanical parts, a garage spring has a finite lifespan. As you approach 10,000 cycles up and down, with average use, then it will last up to 10 years. The more the garage door is used, the shorter the lifespan.
  3. Slow Movement – If your garage door includes a motor and it is no longer moving at normal speed, it may be the motor, but it is also possible that a worn or broken spring is making it difficult to lift. Repairing the issue quickly may save you from a burned-out motor.
  4. Track Slipping – Track slipping is another signal that a garage spring has reached the end of its life. You can test your springs strings by opening your garage door halfway. After letting go, the garage door should stay. If it slides, this is a sign of a weakened spring.

We’re here to service all of your garage door spring repair and replacement needs, so contact us today!

Why You Need an Automatic Gate System

Times are fast changing with almost all industry sectors embracing technology. Homes are among the units where the convenience of technology and automation is benefiting the users of various facilities. The gate, which is an essential security element in a home, is one of the installations whose automation gives you the “best-of” experience. Here is why you need to get one today.

Saves You Time

Following the traditional way, you would have a watchman who will open and close the gate when you get close. It means one has to stop on the driveway and wait for the person to respond. However, with the automated system, one can activate it to open while a few meters away, which means there will be no stopping over.

Cost-Effective

Installing the automatic gate system may seem like a costly project, although it is worth it in the long run. Our dealers also recognize the value you are adding to your home or business, and may offer discounts. Also, expenses — such as hiring a guard — associated with a manual system become unnecessary, especially for companies, and even for some residential homes. 

Enhanced Security 

Nothing feels good like having full control of who gets access to your property. That is what the automatic gate does for you. Individuals can also check the number of times the system opens per day, and thus detect any irregularity. Also, most of them will have an alarm system which activates whenever an anomaly gets detected. This notifies you of attempted access, which is useful, especially during the night.

Boosts the Value of Your Home

Selling your residential home may not be in your plans now, but things change. Having an automated gate means adding a lot to the value of the entire property.

Need an automatic gate system? Contact us online or give us a call today!

Signs That Point to Broken Garage Door Springs

Your garage door’s springs are a critical component to your garage door, as these springs are responsible for raising and lowering your garage door at a steady speed. However, these springs are also one of the most common components to fail on a garage door, as regular wear-and-tear can put stress on the springs as they age. This makes it important that you are aware of the signs which can indicate that your garage door springs have failed so that you can have them replaced before you encounter issues with your garage door that render it unusable. Here are just a few of these signs that you can be on the lookout for.

Your Garage Door Won’t Open All the Way

One of the clearest signs that there is likely something wrong with your garage door’s springs is if your garage door will not open all the way. Since your door’s springs take on a vast majority of your garage door’s weight, if your springs are broken your garage door opener may not be able to handle the weight of your garage door, and your door may only open partway before going back down. In fact, many modern garage door openers have a safety feature built in that will cause the garage door to go back down if it notices that the weight is off when trying to open the garage door. 

Your Door Closes Too Fast

If your garage door opener does not have this safety built in, it still may be able to open your garage door all of the way, and it will appear as if your garage is functioning fairly normally at first even if your springs are broken. However, the excess weight of the garage door may prevent your opener from controlling the speed at which your garage door closes. Thusly, you should assume that something is wrong with one or more of your springs if your garage door closes much more forcefully than normal. 

You Hear a Loud Bang in Your Garage

Garage door springs can break suddenly even when your door isn’t being operated, and if you are home it is likely that you will hear them let loose. A lot of tension is built up in your garage door’s springs, and if they break suddenly, they will make a loud banging/snapping noise. Any unexplained loud noises coming from your garage likely indicate a failed garage door spring. 

These are just a few of the signs which can indicate that your garage door springs may need to be repaired or replaced. Contact us to learn more about how you will know if your garage door needs repairs.

When is the Best Time to Service Your Garage Door?

Is your garage door working as well as it did when it was new? If not, it may be time to service it. The garage door is a multi-functional structure in your home. Besides protecting your vehicles and belongings, it also keeps your home safe from theft. When the garage door is in excellent physical condition, it protects your home from burglary and associated property losses.

Servicing your garage door involves repairing and performing preventative maintenance to improve its functionality and appearance. But how do you know it’s time to call in the experts for garage door service? Here are the signs to look out for!

Problems Opening and Closing the Garage Door

Are there times when your garage door fails to open and close? Or when it does, it moves in slowly? If so, it’s time to service the door. Your garage door should immediately respond to the automatic or manual opener when you activate it. If it fails to move or does so in rather slow motion, it may be having the following issues:

  • Broken torsion or extension springs
  • Snapped cables
  • Misaligned tracks
  • Faulty motor
  • Stripped gear in the door opener

All these issues can eventually cause the garage door to fail. Broken springs are a safety hazard for overhead doors. Contact a specialist for garage door servicing and repairs to restore the functionality of the door. 

Unusual Noises During Operation

While the garage door is a mechanical structure, this does not mean that it should operate noisily. However, if it produces unusual squeaking, squealing, slapping, or humming noises while in operation, it’s time to service it. These noises can result from any of the following issues:

  • Loose nuts and bolts in the door
  • Lack of or inadequate lubrication on the moving parts
  • Bent tracks
  • Balance problems

If your garage door is waking everyone up at night when you arrive home, you need to service it.

Deteriorating Physical Appearance

Your garage door significantly impacts the curb appeal of your home. If it is worn with chipped paint, rusted metal parts, and worn tracks, it can decrease the appeal of your exterior space. Thus, servicing it can be an excellent way of restoring its appearance and that of your exterior space.

Conduct a visual inspection of the door parts. Do you notice any rust on the metal? Is the weather-stripping still intact? Is the paint chipping and exposing the metal to the elements? Servicing the door does more than improving its look — it also ensures the parts are working properly and extends their durability.

Service Your Garage Door Today!

Even though your garage door is in excellent condition, it’s appropriate to conduct preventative maintenance at least once a year. This not only extends the lifespan of the door but also saves you much in repairs. Do you need garage door service? Contact us today for servicing, professional repairs, and scheduled tune-ups.

8 Benefits of Replacing Garage Door Equipment

Garage doors often last around three decades, but automatic openers and various other components need replacement more often. There are many benefits to be gained from installing modern equipment:

Mechanism:

1.) New parts will help your garage door function reliably and smoothly. After replacing old bent, rusted and worn components, you won’t have to struggle to open or shut it.

2.) A new track boosts the safety of a replacement door. Doors can fall or become stuck when people reuse old tracks. Cables may also snap and badly injure bystanders.

Doors:

3.) If you replace a door, it will increase your garage’s resale value and make the building more attractive. You could switch to an appealing, up-to-date color or style.

4.) Replacement will eliminate any rotten wood or rusted metal before this decay spreads to other surfaces. Consider switching to a lighter material that requires less maintenance.

5.) If you want to shield your building from hot or cold temperatures, this project provides an excellent opportunity to add insulation. Choose a thick, sturdy unit that comes pre-insulated.

Opener:

6.) A new opener may enhance safety. Older units are more likely to hurt people or damage belongings. Many older models lack sensors that cause them to reverse direction before striking obstacles.

7.) The latest openers improve security. It’s harder for criminals to gain access without permission, and you can integrate the equipment with a home security system.

8.)Many modern openers allow people to activate them with smartphones and/or vehicle-based controls. If you use these methods instead of separate remotes, you’ll have fewer devices and batteries to carry.

The bottom line is that new equipment enhances security, convenience, safety and dependability. If you’d like to benefit from the latest technology at competitive prices, please contact us today!

Why You Should Always Leave Broken Garage Door Spring Repair to the Pros

Broken garage door springs are a major issue for your door. They keep it from raising and lowering correctly. And worse, they can leave you locked out of your garage entirely. While they seem simple to repair or replace on your own, it’s always best to leave the job to the pros. Here are a few reasons why you should never DIY a broken spring repair.

They’re Wound Tight

Garage door springs are under a lot of pressure and broken ones are no exception. Even when they’re stretched out or broken, parts of them are still under tension. Unless you’re extremely familiar with removing them, you put yourself at risk of injury. Springs can snap or rebound back at you if they’re handled incorrectly. Pros know how to safely remove them and can make sure those broken springs won’t injure you or do damage to the door itself.

Broken Springs Can Be a Symptom of the Problem

Broken garage door springs are often a sign of other issues. And repairing or replacing them won’t keep your garage door working properly. You need to diagnose the cause of the problem to make sure that your new springs continue to work properly. An experienced professional will be able to assess the entire door system to find any potential issues. And once they find them, they’ll be able to fix them so you can use your door without worry.

There’s More Than One Type of Spring

Garage door springs perform the same task—helping lift and support the weight of the door. But there’s more than one type on the market and choosing the wrong type can keep your door from working at all. Pros know what spring your door and your motor need to work properly. This means they’ll choose the right size, tension, and weight spring for your model every time.

If you’re worried about broken garage door springs, don’t try to handle the repairs yourself. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and let our experienced technicians handle the repair for you.

Garage Door Installation Increases Your Home’s Value

You might be considering having a new garage door installed because the existing one isn’t functioning properly. Or maybe you’re having some remodeling done, and the old door needs to be updated. But did you know that having a new garage door installed will increase the overall value of your home?

Security

A new garage door with up-to-date technology, such as sensors and a security garage door opener helps protect some of your most important investments: your home and your vehicles. With systems like LiftMaster, you can check on the status of your garage door at any time, from anywhere in the world, with an app on your phone. You also have complete remote control of your door. Who doesn’t want more security and control?

Curb Appeal

Depending on the home, the garage door takes up about thirty percent of that front wall of your house — the part people see from the curb. Occupying such a large percentage means it’s a big part of the overall curb appeal. The wow factor is important to prospective home buyers, and a new garage door helps contribute to that.

Energy Efficiency

Opting for an insulated garage door is even better because of its energy efficiency. Especially in a large home, the cumulative cost of losing energy through the garage can add up.

Safety

Sometimes it’s easy to take safety for granted. After all, just because your old garage door is rickety and sticks occasionally doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, right? Not necessarily. The garage door opener uses a high-tension spring system which has a lifespan of about seven years. When it’s working correctly, it lifts a single door weighing about one hundred and forty pounds with no problem, but when it isn’t, that’s a lot of weight to be taking chances with. Naturally, having a safe, properly functioning garage door increases your home’s value.   

Whether you’re ready to replace your garage door with the latest design or upgrade the opener on your existing one, contact R & S Erection of Concord

Installing Loading Dock Bumpers

If you have a loading dock, you probably have heard about loading dock bumpers.  When properly installed, they will protect your facility’s walls and foundation. They will also minimize damage to trailers. Loading dock bumpers will save you money and protect workers from injury. 

There is no “one size fits all” way to install loading dock bumpers. Loading dock bumpers come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They also come in several different types of materials, such as laminate, rubber, or steel. To work effectively, they need to be customized to your facility’s needs. 

To figure out the right loading dock bumpers for your facility and your budget, there are several things to consider… 

What are the physical dimensions your facility?  Is your loading dock level with the ground or is there an incline or decline leading to the loading dock? How high or low is your loading dock? How much space is around your loading dock? Are there side walls or other surfaces you want to protect when loading or unloading trailers?   

What type of trailers do you service?  How many trailers do you service a year? Are they all the same size or are they many different sizes?        

What is your existing dock set up?  What loading dock equipment has already been installed? Do you have a dock leveler or dock seal? Are you planning to install any new equipment in the future?  

Are there places that trailers are more likely to hit?  Is there a wall that trailers often hit or get close to hitting? Are there any other parts of your facility you want to protect?

These are some of the things to think about when choosing loading dock bumpers. If you are looking to install loading dock bumpers or have any other questions about loading dock bumpers, contact us today. Our experienced technicians can provide you with the best options for your facility.  

R&S Erection of Concord, Inc.

2424 Bates Ave. Concord , CA 94520
(925) 671-7606 Fax: (925) 671-7621
License # 667038

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925-671-7606

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