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    • Garage Door DIY, Garage Door Maintenance, Garage Door Repair, Garage Door Safety

    Signs You Need Garage Door Repair

    Categories Garage Door DIY, Garage Door Maintenance, Garage Door Repair, Garage Door Safety

    signs you need garage door repair

    Garage door have you worried?

    We use our garage door every day, many times a day but rarely do we bother to think twice about them. 

    Your garage door requires regular monthly checks and maintenance measures. These protect you, your family, and your property. More than 13,000 garage-related injuries occur every single year.

    Waiting until disaster strikes can cost you an expensive emergency repair. Hire a licensed professional to carry out your garage door repair or routine maintenance. This can save you money and time in the long-run.

    Let’s discuss the anatomy of your garage door and what signs to look for to determine whether you need garage door repair.

    The Anatomy of Your Garage Door

    Your garage door contains one of the following types of springs: extension or torsion. 

    Extension springs run perpendicular to the door on both sides and stretch when your door moves downward. Torsion springs consist of a steel bar across the top of your garage door that operates under tension.

    When you are considering a repair, you should be careful to replace both at the same time. One broken spring indicates the other is close to needing repair.

    But why do your springs break?

    Poor installation or maintenance may be to blame. Or you may experience extreme weather fluctuations in your area.

    Knowing what to look for when you need garage door repair is essential for ensuring you and your family’s safety.

    Signs You Need Garage Door Repair

    Noise

    Garage doors are noisy. There’s no denying it. But if your garage door is making squeaking or scraping noises, it may be time to consider garage door repair.

    Also, amplified noise needs addressing by a professional. Excessive or unfamiliar garage door noise suggests loose parts or a need for lubrication. 

    Non-responsive Remote Or Door

    If your garage door refuses to open or close in response to your use of controls, you need garage door repair. 

    There are many reasons this problem occurs. These include:

    • a poor connection between the door and the remote or control panel
    • door malfunction
    • the need for battery replacement

    If the problem persists, it may mean an issue with the door itself such as damages springs, cable issues, or broken safety sensors.

    Sections of Your Door Sag

    Experts recommend you test your garage door’s balance monthly. 

    How can you do this?

    Disconnect the opener from your garage door. You will then need to higher or lower the door to about midway by hand and leave it in this position.

    If your door rises or falls, there is an issue with the tensions spring or another part of the door.

    While you can check for a problem in this way, you should not try to test or repair these parts on your own. Call a professional to perform your garage door repair.

    Shaking Or Inconsistent Movement

    Your garage door should run smooth at all times. 

    If your garage door is shaking broken parts may be the cause. A repair might solve this problem, but be aware you might need a garage door replacement.

    Slow Response Time

    A garage door should begin to open or close in response to you pressing the opener within one or two seconds. It should then move without delay and without shaking.

    Observe the length of time your door takes to respond. If there is a delay in this time there may be a problem with the opener or the door itself. 

    Door Off The Tracks

    The tracks on either side of your door are there for the safe operation of your garage door. Unfortunately, your garage door might come off these tracks. This occurs when the door undergoes damaged or in poor condition.

    Garage doors that fall off their tracks cause approximately 2,102 injuries per year.

    A professional technician can conduct your garage door repair. 

    Your Energy Bill Increased

    When we see an increased energy bill, our first course of action is to blame the air conditioner or heating systems in our homes. These systems do not always the cause your energy bill to soar.

    Older garage doors or broken garage doors often drain more energy than necessary.

    Consider replacing your door or undergoing a garage door repair for an energy efficient home. Companies design newer garage door models with energy efficiency in mind.

    Checking Your Garage Door

    There are parts of your garage door you can check on your own. You should always hire a profession technician to conduct your repair.

    Springs

    You can check the springs of the door in the same way you check to see whether or not your garage door sags. Manually open or close the door midway and monitoring if it remains still. 

    If the door moves, springs may need repair.

    Do not attempt to adjust or replace a spring on your own.

    Cables

    If worn strips or frayed cables hang from the sides of your door, you run the risk of the door breaking.

    To avoid injury or damage to your property, call a technician.

    Hinges

    Observe your hinges, looking for dents or breaks. If you find any of these signs, you will need to replace them.

    Rollers

    Inspect your rollers for noise and smooth movement. If they are noisy and the movement is uneven, your garage door may require lubrication or replacement.

     

    If your garage door exhibits any of these signs it could result in injury to you, your family, or your property. 

    Conduct monthly inspection and maintenance measures on your garage door not only as a safety precaution but as a money-saving measure.

    Never conduct repairs on your own. Hire a professional to conduct your garage door repair. This professional will identify your problem and perform the correct repairs in the correct ways. 

    Garage, Garage Door Safety, Garage Doors, Garage Safety

    Safety First

    Categories Garage, Garage Door Safety, Garage Doors, Garage Safety

    safety-firstHow safe is your garage? You might be surprised to learn that it’s not as safe as you think. According to expert statistics, there are more than 13,000 garage door or garage-related injuries every single year. Some of the most common include:

    • Getting pinched or crushed between the sections of the garage door (7557)
    • Garage doors that fall off their tracks, typically the result of old springs (2102)
    • DIY garage door repairs or replacement (1610)
    • Lacerations from sharp edges on the door/track (805)

    And the list goes on.

    Routine garage door maintenance prevents injuries

    The good news is that making one, simple change can have a dramatic impact when it comes to improving garage safety: Observing a routine garage door maintenance plan.

    When you sign up with a licensed garage door company to inspect, tune-up and repair your garage door, you gain a partner in the mission towards garage door safety. If your door is outdated and doesn’t have many of the safety features that stop its activity at the first sign of resistance or pressure, we’ll let you know. If your springs are looking old or misshapen, we’ll replace them for you.

    Garage door techs will automatically repair or replace parts that aren’t working properly or that are showing signs of wear and can dull down, or point out, any sharp edges or danger zones that might get in the way of precious human bodies or pets. Plus, if you are part of our regular maintenance plan clientele, you get top priority when your garage malfunctions or breaks down, and you also have access to premium price savings.

    It’s easy to neglect garage door maintenance until something undesirable happens, so a proactive maintenance approach is the way to go.

    5 tips for improving garage safety

    Once your garage door is in ship-shape the following tips will also help to improve garage safety:

    1. Secure hazards up and out of the way, or in locked containers. The garage is full of tools and chemicals that are unsafe for pets and children. Make sure these items are secured up and out of the way, or lock them up in a labeled container or cabinet. Don’t forget that ladders are a danger. When propped up against the wall, they pose an irresistible temptation for little ones. Instead, install hooks in the rafters or along the wall and suspend the ladder on the horizontal plane instead.
    2. Eliminate clutter. Does your garage resemble a contemporary obstacle course? This is a recipe for disaster since the more your household members and/or guests have to navigate the clutter, the more apt they are to trip and fall on the hard garage floor. This is especially true for the senior population and those who have to maneuver around cars, toys and other items with a mobility aid. Pick a day when the weather is reasonable and perform a thorough Spring Cleaning (regardless of the season). Read, Garage Spring Cleaning, for tips on getting started.
    3. Have a fire extinguisher on hand. From fertilizer and paint thinner to pesticides and various types of fuel, the average residential garage is a much bigger fire hazard than most homeowners give it credit for. As we mentioned in #1, storing these hazardous chemicals and flammable products in well-marked, locked containers is a good first step. Even so, accidents happen so have a fire extinguisher or two in easy-to-reach locations so you can put a fire out quickly. Also, calendar the inspection date on each one and take it to a local fire protection company to trade it in or have it re-inspected so it’s ready to go when you need it.
    4. Provide adequate ventilation. Garages are notorious for having poor air quality due to the off-gassing of your vehicle when it starts and stops, as well as the various toxins that are stored inside. Make sure the door between the garage and the house is very well sealed, and then talk to your HVAC company about secure ventilation options so noxious gases have a way to escape rather than to accumulate inside.
    5. Upgrade security measures. Garages are a primary entrance for many burglars, especially if you’re in the habit of leaving a window cracked or keeping it in a slightly raised position so pets can get in and out. Read, 6 Tips on How to Make Your Garage Burglar Proof to make your garage more safe and secure.

    Ready to make garage safety a priority for your home? Contact us here at R&S. Our friendly maintenance technicians will stop by each year to ensure your garage door parts are safe, functioning properly and secure. Don’t forget to ask us about our regular specials, which allow homeowners and landlords to replace outdated garage doors for a highly competitive price.

    Dock Seals, Loading Dock, Maintainance, Warehouse

    All About Dock Seals

    Categories Dock Seals, Loading Dock, Maintainance, Warehouse

    all-about-dock-sealsFor many businesses, the loading dock is where it all happens. It’s a bustling hub of activity where packages are shipped, received and disseminated. A loading dock’s efficiency is directly related to the quality of its parts, and this includes accessories such as dock seals.

    What are loading dock seals?

    Loading dock seals are used to seal the envelope between the truck and the loading dock itself. The seal must be high-quality and durable to do its job right, and when the seal isn’t tight, the outcome will directly affect worker efficiency, product quality and can even jeopardize safety.

    A good loading dock seal:

    Are dock seals the same thing as dock shelters?

    Sometimes, clients use the terms dock seal and dock shelter interchangeably when, in fact, they are two separate things. Loading dock shelters do not fit quite as tight and are designed to provide more flexibility in terms of truck and/or trailer size. As a result, the shelters don’t offer the same level of protection as dock seals.

    Dock seals, on the other hand, create a much tighter fit between the dock, warehouse, and trailer. Other loading dock accessories, like loading dock levelers, can be used to achieve a better fit between different size truck trailers and the dock seal as well. When loading dock accessories are installed and used correctly, dock seals provide the best protection for your products and employees.

    How do I know my loading dock seals need repair or replacement?

    Like all equipment that endures heavy-duty impact, loading dock seals require routine inspection and maintenance. You can make these routine inspections a part of your warehouse manager’s duties or you can contract it out to a local industrial door company. These inspections and routine maintenance appointments are worth the extra investment because they extend the life of your loading dock and its accessories, and they ensure equipment/parts are repaired, adjusted, and lubricated before they malfunction.

    Even so, seals will begin to show signs of wear and tear over time. If you notice gaps in between the dock seal and appropriately positioned trucks and/or the warehouse, it probably needs repair or replacement. Similarly, if you notice your dock seal is leaking, allowing cold/hot air to escape or infiltrate or that unloaded/warehoused boxes seem to be more damp than usual, there’s a chance a leaky or malfunctioning seal is the cause. Any obvious signs of breakage should be reported immediately.

    Loading dock seals improve worker safety and reduce injuries

    High-quality and routinely maintained loading dock seals improve worker safety because they minimize the impact of water, weather, and debris that can lead to slip-and-fall or forklift injuries. These accidents often cause serious or even fatal injuries, not to mention reduced productivity, missed time off work and increased workers comp costs. The large majority of loading dock injuries occur within close proximity to the trailer back, the loading dock and the warehouse entrance – and most of them are preventable.

    Another important thing to remember is that loading dock seal warranties are often void if warehouse owners can’t provide documentation proving they were maintained as per manufacturer’s instructions. In worst case scenarios, failure to prove you’ve maintained loading dock equipment that is cited as cause for a workplace injury can result in a lawsuit and serious financial penalties.

    Don’t let a simple lapse in maintenance or repairs have a negative impact on your company. Contact R&S and schedule a free, on-site consultation. We’ll be happy to provide a free quote for repair and replacement parts, and we can also discuss enrolling you in our maintenance program so your maintenance needs are taken care of automatically.

    Garage, Garage Cleaning, Garage Storage

    Garage Spring Cleaning

    Categories Garage, Garage Cleaning, Garage Storage

    garage-spring-cleaningDo you like to stick with the spring cleaning tradition? There’s something symbolic and refreshing about opening up the house on a warm spring day, airing everything out and sweeping away the last of the winter clutter so you can welcome a new season.

    While you’re at it, we recommend taking that spring cleaning energy into the garage and making sure things are safe, secure, tidy and up-to-date on maintenance.

    Spring Cleaning Checklist for Your Garage

    As with any storage area – or spaces prone to clutter – we recommend using a sunny spring day to remove everything from the garage so you can sort through it. You may find it’s finally time to donate or dump lingering items you weren’t committed to ditching last time you organized – but that haven’t been used since.

    As you put things back, ask yourself the following questions:

    Are there any lingering holiday items?

    Putting away holiday decorations is the gift that keeps on giving. A week after the last box was put up in the attic or on the storage rack, you find a latent photo or door knob cover you missed along the way. Don’t let those miscellaneous items junk up your garage. Instead, make sure you have ample storage space and put it where it belongs. Feel like decorations could be stored better? Read our post on, Solutions for Storing Holiday Decorations in the Garage.

    What’s the status on your landscape and gardening tools?

    Are the lawn mower blades sharp? Have pruning tools been cleaned and oiled? Landscape season is upon us, so early-spring is a great time to go through your mple gardening tools to give them a once-over. The better maintained they are, the longer they will last. Replace the string on your weedeater, de-rust any rusted metal, sharpen blades and oil any moving parts. You can also bring your tools to most hardware centers or garden supply stores and they can do the tool maintenance for you.

    Do the family’s bikes or toys need any attention?

    Unless you’re an avid biker, odds are the family bicycles and other toys can use a little attention as well. Clean and oil chains, check brakes, fill up tires and repair or replace tires that look worn or are punctured. Have the kids come outside and make sure their bike seats and handlebars are at the right height for newly acquired inches, and verify helmets still fit.

    Could you be using more overhead storage space?

    If the garage floor seems cluttered to you, look upwards and see if overhead storage is being used the way it could. Read, Stretching Your Garage Space to the Max, for ideas on how you can safely and accessibly store items up and over, rather than on the floor. With newly acquired square footage, you may have room to convert a corner of the garage into a man cave or hobby area.

    When’s the last time your automatic garage door was tended to?

    Most people neglect their garage doors but, like any machine, they require routine maintenance in order to run smoothly, quietly, efficiently and reliably. There are plenty of maintenance and DIY fixes you can do on your own, but some tasks should be tackled by the professionals. If you like to save a little money by performing maintenance tasks yourself, read, Four Garage Door Fixes You Should Do on Your Own. If not, schedule a maintenance appointment with a local, licensed garage door company. In many cases, your garage door’s warranty will depend on proof that you’ve maintained it as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

    Is it time for a garage door replacement?

    If you have a manual garage door, it’s absolutely time to replace it. Those heavy, cumbersome and spring loaded doors are very dangerous – especially when it comes to children and pets. The same is true if your automatic door is more than 15-years old or if it’s seriously damaged or dented. A new garage door will reward you with impeccable performance and comes equipped with all the safety features your family deserves.

    Would you benefit from a garage door screen?

    How often do you like to hang out in your garage during the warmer months? If it’s a space where you or your children spend time, we highly recommend installing a garage door screen. They will make it feel as if you gained an instant home addition – and make garage life more comfortable – less wind, no pests or flying insects, fewer leaves to sweep up and a little more privacy – while still gaining a view of the outdoors and enjoying the fresh air.

    One weekend day tending to some garage spring cleaning will pay off in a neat, organized and pleasant garage space – and a freshly maintained door that will perform as it was intended. If you need professional assistance with garage door maintenance, repairs or replacement – give us a call here at R&S – (925) 671-7606 – or contact us directly online.

    Garage, Garage Door Maintenance, Garage Door Repair, Garage Door Safety, Garage Doors, Garage Safety, Maintainance

    The Benefits of Professional Maintenance

    Categories Garage, Garage Door Maintenance, Garage Door Repair, Garage Door Safety, Garage Doors, Garage Safety, Maintainance

    the-benefits-professional-maintenanceIn a perfect world, all of us would schedule routine maintenance for our mechanical appliances, accessories, and vehicles. The reality, however, is that we don’t. As a result, these hard-working machines wind up in a bind from time to time, often requiring a costly repair or replacement in order to make it right again. Your automatic garage door is no exception.

    The downfall to this wait-until-disaster-strikes approach is that those expensive emergency repairs and big-time malfunctions are largely avoided with a little, cost-effective maintenance along the way. When you add to that the fact that many manufacturers make “proof of professional maintenance” a requirement for any warranty obligations, it makes, even more, sense to hire a licensed professional to maintain your garage doors.

    Benefits of Hiring a Professional to Maintain Your Garage Door

    Here are some of the benefits of establishing a routine, professional maintenance schedule with a professional garage door company.

    More reliable operation

    First and foremost, routine maintenance proactively addresses any latent issues and ensures everything is functioning as it should. This means your garage door will work more reliably, quietly and efficiently day in and day out. An annual or bi-annual inspections mean your sensors are less likely to get out of whack, the door will remain balanced and on track, tracks will be clean and all moving parts will be adequately lubricated.

    Catch small issues before they grow into bigger ones

    Nothing lasts forever and that’s true for garage doors, too. However, annual maintenance means catching small issues you might not notice on a daily basis before they turn into big issues that lead to expensive repairs, replacement parts or an avoidable replacement of the entire kit-and-caboodle. While maintenance appointments will cost a nominal amount here and there, those big-ticket – often avoidable – repairs and replacements cost a whole lot more.

    Enhance garage door function

    While the licensed professional goes about his business, he’ll be looking at your garage with an objective eye. If it seems like the insulation could be beefed up, he’ll make recommendations and even tell you how to do it if you prefer to handle the job yourself. Perhaps the weather stripping is shot, in which case he’ll recommend replacing that as well. These may seem like small things, but they make a big difference – especially if you spend time in the garage working on hobbies or watching the game with neighbors.

    Keep you and your family safe

    Garage doors are dangerous – they’re heavy, cumbersome and can cause accidents if they’re in a state of disrepair. This is especially true for manual garage doors or outdated models that don’t have built-in safety features. The technician tests the door’s safety mechanisms to make sure they’re functioning properly. He will also let you know when it’s time to replace your garage door and can make recommendations for the right make and model for your taste and budget.

    Get in on great deals and offers

    We take pride in our commitment to superior customer service with each and every customer. Even so, long-term relationships matter. When you establish a routine maintenance schedule with a local garage door company, it’s inevitable that you’ll be the first to know about great deals and offers as they’re available, and many companies pass down discounts to regular customers when the garage door needs to be replaced or requires an expensive repair. This all adds up to major savings over the lifetime of your garage door(s).

    Interested in establishing an on-going relationship with Bay Area garage door professionals? Contact us here at R&S and we’ll get you on the books. We’ve provided decades of reliable, customer-centric garage door and commercial door maintenance and repairs. (925) 671-7606.

    Folding Scissor Gates

    Folding Scissor Gates 101

    Categories Folding Scissor Gates

    folding-scissor-gates-101Folding scissor gates are a compact, easy and affordable solution for residential and commercial properties interested in upgrading their security or that want to have greater control over entrance and egress.

    Made from durable metals – and constructed using interlocking lattice of steel, polycarbonate or aluminum – folding scissor doors come in a range of sizes, colors and installation options depending on the doorway or entrance in question.

    We have installed folding scissor gates in a myriad of applications, including open-air malls, office buildings, schools, storefronts and the exterior framework of residential garages.

    Benefits of Folding Scissor Gates

    There are multiple benefits of using folding scissor gates as a part of your home or business security system.

    Ease of operation and access

    The folding mechanism means there is no extra space to accommodate for, as there is for most swinging security gates. Once unlocked, scissor gates are easy for anyone to operate. They are low maintenance and when kept clean and properly maintained, they slide fluidly open and closed without any significant amount of force required. Your business transitions from closed to open in a matter of minutes.

    Once they’re opened, some gate styles pivot up to 180°, ensuring the bulk of the apparatus is moved out of the way for passersby, forklifts and other mechanical or equipment passage.

    See-through security

    Blocking a storefront means blocking visual access from potential customers who drive or walk by. With folding scissor gates, brick-and-mortar storefront owners know their windows and business contents are safe from the average thief or vandal, but that the storefront still contributes to the neighborhood’s curbside appeal and that potential customers will be tantalized by the business interiors through the windows.

    Unobstructed airflow and lighting

    Most commercial HVAC systems are designed with the assumption that airflow is consistent and continual throughout the building. Solid rolling or sliding doors that weren’t accounted for in the system design can stymie forced air systems, resulting in higher energy bills and heavier wear-and-tear on the HVAC system. Blocked airflow overnight, or for significant portions of the day, also make it more difficult to restore blocked off spaces to a comfortable interior temperature once the business or blocked off areas are opened back up.

    Because scissor gates are designed with a latticework pattern, air can move effortlessly between the two spaces, and the same holds true for security, task and ambient lighting as well.

    Cost efficiency

    Folding scissor gates are exceptionally cost efficient when compared with standard steel rolling door options, which makes them a smart choice for smaller business owners, or business owners on a budget, allowing them to spend valuable liquidity elsewhere in their business.

    Versatile colors and designs

    You can select from a range of styles and colors. Scissor gates come in standard sizes to fit both single and double-door entryways. They are also offered in standard commercial sizes for taller and wider doorways. Business owners have control over which side of the gates open, close and lock and pivot, if necessary. While the gates are often seen in a standard silver or black, but they can be ordered and finished in a range of colors that fit your building’s architectural palette and/or your branding.

    Folding scissor gates also come in portable options, most often used in schools, medical facilities and other public buildings. These portable options are easy to roll up and store easily when not in use but can be assembled within minutes, anytime and anywhere inside the building. They allow employees to block particular hallways, annexes or offices, and 6-foot extensions are available to extend the main gate if needed.

    Interested in purchasing or replacing folding scissor gates for your Bay Area business or garage? Contact us here at R&S and we’ll be happy to drop by and provide a FREE, on-site estimate. We also perform professional maintenance and repairs for existing scissor gates to maintain your warranty and ensure your gate delivers on its multiple promises. (925) 671-7606.

    Air Curtain

    The Benefits of an Air Curtain

    Categories Air Curtain

    the-benefits-of-an-air-curtainThe air curtain is an ingenious invention, creating a completely transparent, seamless and mostly penetrable barrier between two spaces. Originally invented and patented at the turn of the century, they moved into more wide scale use in Europe throughout the 1940s and 50s and entered the American market in the 1960s.

    Today air curtains are a staple for many commercial business owners who have a vested interest in protecting temperature fluctuations, energy efficiency or quality control inside or between two spaces. They are also more visually appealing and customer-friendly than plastic strip doors, which may be fine in B2B locations, but are cumbersome and unsightly when curb-appeal and easy customer access is desired.

    How do air curtains work?

    The conceptual workings of an air curtain are quite simple. In most cases, the equipment is mounted at the top of an entry or opening between two spaces. For a recirculating unit, an air intake systems draw air in, accelerates the air via a fan unit, and then delivers a consistent stream of continuously flowing air across the width of the opening. The distribution nozzle is adjustable within a certain number of degrees to direct the flow of air inward or outward. The effect is an efficient jet stream, where roughly 80% of the air is returned to the intake and the other 20% moves in the opposite direction.

    There are also non-recirculating systems, typically mounted vertically along the sides of the opening. If the opening is wide enough, it requires more than one system to work correctly. Also, it’s worth noting that side-mounted, horizontal air curtains are more prone to damage so protective measures should be taken.

    When you’re selecting the right air curtain for your business, the installer will review:

    • The type of door or opening
    • How the door is used, i.e. a loading dock, deliveries, shipments, entrance or egress of employees and/or customers, between freezer or cooling units, etc.
    • Physical dimensions of the opening
    • Climate control issues, such as the addition of heat at the interior side of the door
    • Drafts or air pressure differences existing at the opening

    The results of this review will determine which type, size and power rating will be best for your particular use.

    Air Curtains Save Time, Money and Energy Expenses

    Installation of an air curtain saves business owners time, money and energy.

    Time is money, and air curtains save time

    First, the air curtain provides unobstructed movement between spaces – no waiting for doors to open and close. This saves time for employees and makes your business more appealing from the curb. In fact, studies show that business increases in response to the open door effect. Open doors draw people in – so your air curtain allows your brick-and-mortar front door to remain open without the typical risks of heating/cooling loss or excessive energy bills. Also, your business will be more appealing to those with mobility issues or disabilities because there is no cumbersome door to manage.

    Increase comfort and energy savings

    The air curtain will preserve the temperature differentiations between two spaces, keeping the warm air on one side and cooler air on the other. In addition to increasing both staff and customer comfort, you’ll also notice a distinct improvement in energy savings.

    Energy savings come indirectly as well, via less wear-and-tear on your HVAC system since the blowers and air handlers kick on/off less often. Also, regular cleaning and minor maintenance of the air curtain on a regular basis minimizes overall maintenance, repair, and replacement costs.

    Improve quality control and safety

    The same high-pressure air flow that prevents temperature exchanges is a deterrent for insects and pests. Air curtains also prevent the migration of dust, contaminants, odors and pollutants between two spaces, increasing quality control.

    Company safety is also enhanced. For example, air curtains used in cold room doorways prevents misting, which reduces icy and or slippery surfaces that put employees at risk for injury. The lack of obstructions also reduces the chance of employee and/or equipment collisions. In fire situations, the air curtain forms a barrier, preventing smoke from infiltrating the space and also provides a clearer path for employee and customer evacuation.

    If you’re considering installing air curtains at your place of business, select a reputable and experience air curtain installer. Failure to select the correct unit can be a costly mistake. The airflow from the air curtain won’t be adequate enough to provide the advertised benefits, and you’ll wind up with an expensive lesson and extra expenditures returning and replacing it. Better to have the right unit(s) selected the first time around.

    Contact R&S for a free on-site consultation so we can determine which air curtain units would be best for your business.

    Garage, Garage Doors

    What Your Garage Door Says About You?

    Categories Garage, Garage Doors

    You wouldn’t think that a garage door says a whole lot about the people who live inside, but it does. After more than 50 years in the garage installation and repair business, you’d be surprised what we know by examining a garage door.

    5 Things We Can Learn About You Through Your Garage Door

    Here are some of the things your garage blabs to the world about you and other house occupants.

    1. You like to draw attention to yourself. If you have a fresh and brightly colored garage door, odds are you’re feeling pretty bold and confident. In fact, you feel so good about yourself – and your home’s garage door – that you don’t mind if the whole world takes a look. In fact, your boldly painted red, blue or yellow garage door is more like your way of saying, “Look at me, world!” as you boldly stare back.Helpful Tip: Just make sure you keep that paint well-sealed and/or refreshed because while a dilapidated neutral-colored door is always a bit of an eyesore, your peeling red paint is a much more garish display of decay.
    2. You’re not overly observant. Sometimes, our garage door maintenance routes take us back and forth through the same neighborhoods. The first time we see the garage door up, we figure it’s a fluke or perhaps a homeowner is busy working outside. The next time, and the next – we realize that the homeowner is driving away, clicking the remote access closer, and not paying attention to the fact that the door isn’t closing. Whoops!Helpful Tip: First, we highly recommend waiting until your garage door is all the way closed before driving off. Second, if the door won’t close, odds are there is something in the way and/or that the laser eyes are a tad bit off – both of which are easy fixes.
    3. You’re a neat Nelly. It’s not just the garage door that says this about you; it’s your house, the window trimmings, the landscape design and everything else. The paint is fresh and the lawn and shrubs are tidy. When the garage door is up, the neighbors are in awe at the organization they see on display – there’s a place for everything and everything in its place. Yours is the garage that everyone wants to have – but hardly anybody does.Helpful Tip: We applaud the time you spend keeping things in order, but we recommend giving yourself a break once in a while and letting the professionals take over. A licenses garage door company will be happy to perform routine garage door maintenance at a very reasonable price, leaving you more free to get out there and have fun once in a while.
    4. You’re a renter. When the yard is verdant and well-maintained, and the house is in good shape – but the garage door is outdated and a bit dilapidated, we figure you must be a renter. While you’re doing a great job of maintaining what you can, there’s a point where an outdated garage door gives you away. Replacing a garage door isn’t something most landlords volunteer to do, and it isn’t an expense most renters volunteer to take on. Thus, rental homes often have garage doors that are seriously out of date.Helpful tip: Contact a licensed garage door company and have them give you a free estimate for an automatic garage door replacement. Even bottom-end units are attractive and reliable, and they sure beat the look and (dys)function of an outdated door. Then, staple it to a copy of our post, Garage Door Safety 101. It will serve as a reminder that the outdated garage door on your home is actually a bit of a safety hazard.
    5. You know your stuff when it comes to garage doors. If you’re paying attention to the world of garage doors, you’ll show it off by replacing weather stripping or seals before winter weather strikes, or upgrading the insulation before you turn it into a hobby shop or man cave. You may even have certain luxuries, like a garage door screen, the converts your garage into more of an indoor/outdoor living space when the weather gets warm.Helpful tip: While we applaud your DIY ability, there are some garage door repairs you shouldn’t do yourself. Know when to contact the professionals so you don’t make a regrettable error.

    Feel like your garage door isn’t saying the right thing about you? Contact us here at R&S and we’ll see if we can help.

    Strip Door, Strip Doors, Warehouse

    Benefits of a Strip Door

    Categories Strip Door, Strip Doors, Warehouse

    benefits-of-a-strip-door

    Is your company looking for ways to cut costs, provide a comfortable and safe environment for warehouse employees, regulate temperatures or protect valuable products from the elements and other forms of contamination? Sounds like it would benefit from a strip door.

    Strip doors assist warehouse function and business owners in a variety of ways. Typically made from durable, PVC plastic, the tough strips provide a barrier between two spaces that are normally separated by a solid door. The difference is that unlike a door that is opened and closed to gain entrance or egress, the strip doors can be passed through via foot, vehicle or forklift.

    Give Your Rolling Metal Doors a Break and Install a Strip Door

    Even the highest quality rolling metal doors need a break once in a while since overuse causes wear and tear that leads to more frequent maintenance, repair and/or replacement. Also, any time wasted waiting for a door to go up or descend is time employees could use being more productive. Strip doors provide all of the same benefits of a closed steel door (sans off-hours security, of course), which makes them an ideal solution during working hours.

    Here are some of the benefits of installing strip doors in the right locations.

    Strip doors save on energy costs

    Have a busy loading or shipping bay? Odds are employees prefer to have the door open at all times so they can keep working. This makes it impossible to maintain consistent – not to mention comfortable – interior temperatures, especially during the hottest and coldest times of year.

    Your PVC strip door will provide impressive insulation value, as well as protection from the elements. The strips part easily when people or vehicles pass through and then fall back into place, creating an insulating barrier between exterior and interior spaces. The result is less wear and tear on your HVAC system and higher annual energy savings.

    Protect the integrity of your products

    Just as people are susceptible to the elements, so are products, machinery and equipment. Strip doors make excellent barriers to improve quality control for your products. In cases where they’re installed between indoor and outdoor locations, strip doors provide improved regularity in regards to temperature, weather and humidity fluctuations. In interior locations, they can provide a more clean and sanitary environment for products that are particularly sensitive to dirt, dust or exposure to environmental particulate matter.

    Keep fridge and freezer temps more consistent

    Dealing with the cumbersome cooler and freezer room doors is difficult for employees in busy kitchens or food production and storage facilities. Yet, keeping a door propped open can raise temperatures to a level that compromises the inventory or violates food safety regulations. Strip doors are the answer. Simply choose a strip door model that provides the level of insulation you need and employees will notice a drastic difference.

    Contain odors and noise

    The good news about wide-span metal buildings is that production equipment and materials sizing is a non-issue. The bad part is that any building where design and manufacturing take place in the same area, or where office personnel need to do their jobs amidst noising construction, makes employees susceptible to noise volumes or odor levels that are intolerable.

    You can use PVC strip doors to better contain sound and certain odors to a smaller area, providing peace of mind to employees elsewhere in the space. There are plenty of other uses for strip doors, including:

    Strip doors are easy to clean and maintain, and will also save maintenance costs for the steel doors that take their place during the off hours. Contact R&S to learn more about strip doors and to choose the right version for your business’s needs.

    Garage, Garage Storage, Storage

    Solutions for Storing Holiday Decorations in the Garage

    Categories Garage, Garage Storage, Storage

    solutions-for-storing-holiday-decorations-in-the-garage

    Feel like holiday decorations are exploding from every nook and cranny in your garage and closets? Perhaps it’s time to re-think your storage solutions. These days, garage storage is as much of a science as it is an art form, and there are plenty of tricks at your disposal.

    We assure you that if you work out the storage kinks ahead of time, putting away your holiday decorations will be much less depressing than it already is. Before you get started, we recommend using a clear weather day to de-clutter and clean out your garage if you haven’t done it in a while. It will make it that much easier to design a new storage system for your holiday items.

    7 Solutions to Organize Holiday Storage in Your Garage

    Here are some of the ideas, gadgets, and tricks we’ve learned over the years, and much of the advice holds true for any seasonal or themed furnishings, accents and toys.

    1. Install ceiling-to-floor shelving. In truth, this first tip is one we’d advise to just about everyone. Stainless steel storage shelving systems abound and you can often find them used. They are affordable, require virtually zero cleaning or maintenance once installed and will help to get things up and off the floor, with items stored vertically to reduce the impact on your garage square footage. Once installed, you can make an entire section the “holiday décor” station, or you can use the top- or top-two levels to store holiday and other seasonal items that are rarely used during the rest of the year.
    2. Use a rafter- or ceiling-suspended storage options. One of the best things you can do to store items you don’t use that often is to get them up and out of the way. There are several different rafter- or ceiling suspended storage systems available for this purpose. The higher-end options can be hand or electrically raised and lowered, making it pain-free to load and unload them when you need to.
    3. Bag up the tree. Does your family use an artificial tree? Go online or to your local hardware store and invest in a high-quality roller bag designated to store a tree of your size. That saves the hassle of setting it up and breaking it down each year. When everything is zippered up tight, storage bags are the easiest way to keep your tree looking its best, free from dust, debris or pests. If you have a small tree and/or you’re small enough, the tree can be stored on a piece of plywood resting on the rafters. Otherwise, find a designated corner where it can be stored upright.
    4. Get holiday lights under control. If you use multiple strings of lights to decorate the exterior and/or interior of your home we have several recommendations for you. The first is cheap and easy – use a length of masking tape, folded back on itself to form a tag, and write down how long the string of lights is and where you use(d) it. That makes next year’s decorating that much easier. When it’s time to take them down, carefully wind the lights into a round and store string one in its own plastic bag, then lay those flat in a clear plastic storage bin (more on those next).
    5. Buy clear, plastic storage bins. When it comes to holiday decorations, it’s all about clear plastic bins so you can see what’s in there. In truth, we’re fans of clear storage bins for everything because we’re tired of scratching out and re-writing labels as our items come and go. Again, it’s worth it to invest in quality – and buy the type that snap-and-lock to keep your items pest- and debris-free for the other 46+ weeks they’re being stored each year. Plus, they make it easy to stack and stack without having to worry about collapsing cardboard.
    6. Divide decorations by location. Try organizing your decorations in a way that makes sense, like differentiating storage bins by indoor/outdoor, the floor of the home and/or specific rooms. This helps you with both set up and break down.
    7. Weatherproof your garage. Weatherproofing your garage, by upgrading insulation and ensure your garage is properly sealed, will protect the decorations from significant temperature fluctuations and/or direct weather and moisture contact that can destroy the contents.

    When your holiday decorations are sorted, organized and safely stored, it makes decorating and de-decorating a breeze.

    R&S Erection of Concord, Inc.

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

    CALL US TODAY!

    925-671-7606

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