Which Locksmith Should I Choose For My Home?
With something as important as your home security system, it’s important to choose the most qualified technicians. Not all locksmiths bring the same level of skill and expertise to the table, and as an amateur you may have trouble distinguishing the best contractors. Here are some things to look for in excellent locksmith services. Convenient Location One thing to look at is the location of your locksmith. Depending on the fee structure of your contractor, the distance may affect your final cost in many ways. For instance, the locksmith may charge by hour for driving time, or charge a flat fee for mileage. Some locksmiths also have a set coverage area, and if you fall outside of the coverage area you may pay a flat fee for travel. Variety of Experience Another thing to look at is the amount of experience your locksmith has. For starters, think about the types of locks you wish to install and see if your contractor has solid experience working with them. While most lock companies will have expertise in mechanical locks such as knob locks and deadlocks, you may also want to consider a company that can install quality electronic locking systems. Good Insurance Coverage Locksmith services should be able to ensure you a high level of service with guarantees for any problems that you have. A lock that’s installed incorrectly can become a big liability; you will be left exposed to intruders until the lock can be fixed. Ask your locksmith about their policies on turnaround time for replacing faulty locks, and see if they have insurance to cover any damages done during the job (such as damage to the door frame). Upfront Fees Finally, you may want to take a look at the upfront fees to make sure that you’re getting a solid estimate. Be sure that you have your locksmith company give you a written and signed estimate that details the final bill; this will help you make an informed decision from the beginning. Make sure to discuss the policies of your company for additional services; you can ask to have them put it in writing if the scope of the job changes. In short, there are many things to look at besides the initial quote to determine the best locksmith for you. Aside from these tangible qualities, look for someone that you feel will provide safe and reliable in-home service. Contact a business, such as A-Dave’s Lock & Safe, for more information....
read moreTroubleshooting A Broken Garage Door
There are many causes for a garage door that isn’t functioning properly. Inspecting the garage door for yourself is a good first step to take before calling in a professional. Here are some of the things you should troubleshoot if your garage door isn’t working. The Track is Mangled Even small ripples in the track can cause your garage door to not close properly. This is one thing that you can maintain on a regular basis to prevent issues. Use a rubber hammer to gently tap any spots that are bent, so that the door can flow smoothly over the track. You might consider using a lubricant as well, such as graphite powder, to help the door roll more smoothly. Problems with the Photo Eye One problem that can arise is that your photo eye isn’t receiving a signal from the garage door. The beam between the photo eyes tells the system when the door is open or closed, and when the photo eyes are broken or dirty, the system may not get signaled properly. Be sure to keep the photo eyes clean and have them inspected if you think they are broken. The Wall Transmitter is Dead When you’re troubleshooting a broken garage door, one of the first things you may do is replace the batteries in your remote. But this only solves half of the problem, since some people forget to replace the batteries in the wall receiver too. Make sure that the power is working on your wall transmitter; your model may have an LED light to indicate that it’s working. The Programming is Off With programmable garage doors, there are a number of settings that you can choose that may make your garage door function erratically. For instance, your close limit settings can be responsible for a garage door that closes and then comes right back up. Read your owner’s manual carefully to solve any unwanted behavior from your garage door. Most of these problems are easy to correct, but when in doubt, look for an experienced garage door repair specialist to provide maintenance or replacement. There are many moving parts to a modern garage door, to the point where having regular maintenance checkups can be a good idea to keep all of the parts working smoothly. And replacement on a regular basis is a great idea too, since there are often new updates on storm-proof and attractive materials for garage...
read moreTips For Keeping Your Garage Door Safe
Your garage door is made of a complex set of components to allow a small electric motor to raise and lower a door hundreds of pounds in weight. It includes a number of features to prevent serious injury should something malfunction. Periodic inspection of the mechanism by a residential garage door repair company is important, but there are some safety checks you should do in between visits. Here are the three areas you should check regularly to make sure that they are keeping you and your family safe. Garage Door Springs Safety Cables Critical to the garage door mechanism are the two high-tension coiled springs that counterbalance the weight of the door. They allow the electric motor or you to open and close the heavy door. Should one of the springs break or become disconnected at either end, it could fly across the room and do serious damage to the garage, car or anyone in its way. To prevent this, safety cables keep the springs from going anywhere in case of a failure. Check these cables to make sure they are safely in place: Locate the two springs running parallel to the ceiling. Look for the braided steel cable running through each spring. Check that one end of the cable is attached to the bracket on the ceiling and the other to the metal track running along side of the door. Check that the safety cable is not frayed, bent or kinked. If you spot any issues, call the garage door company to replace the defective cable. Motion Sensors Near the floor on either side of the garage door are two small infrared sensors pointed at each other. When working properly, an invisible infrared beam runs between the two sensors. While the garage door is opening or closing, should something or someone interrupt the beam, the door should stop moving and automatically raise. This prevents the door from closing on something, such as a child playing in the garage. Check the sensors to make sure they are working correctly. Raise the garage door. Lower the door and, while it is still moving down, roll a ball across the infrared beam. The door should stop immediately and raise. If the door does not stop immediately and raise, check that the infrared sensors are pointed at each other. Check that the wires are connected at the back of the sensors. Follow the wires as they go to the back of the garage door motor. Bend the brackets slightly to aim the sensors at each other or reattach the wires if these are the problems, and try the door again. If the sensors still fail, contact the garage door company to service them. Pressure Sensor An additional safety mechanism to prevent the door from closing on something is the pressure sensor. This is built into the motor. As the door lowers, the motor detects when the it meets resistance. When it does, the door should stop immediately and raise. Raise the garage door. Place a chair in the way of the door closing, being careful to straddle the infrared beam so it doesn’t trigger the motion sensor. Lower the garage door. It should stop and reverse the moment it touches the chair. If the door continues down slightly before reversing when it...
read moreSpruce Up The Downstairs: Tips For Replacing Your Basement Windows With New Vinyl Units
When you’re ready to get rid of your old cast-in-place or other type basement windows, you need to have a plan for framing in new windows and for meeting modern building codes. Here’s what you need to know: Vinyl windows work well in a basement setting. Because of the tendency of basements to be damp, vinyl windows are a good choice as replacements for older-style metal units. Vinyl-framed windows don’t rot, aren’t prone to insect damage, and stand up to snowdrifts or drenching rain. However, many old metal basement window frames leave much to be desired as material on which to fasten new vinyl windows. It’s possible to squirt out a layer of sealant and stick a vinyl window in an old metal frame, but you’ll need shims to make it square, and you’ll have nothing on which to attach interior trim. Instead, take the time to remove the old metal components and reframe the window openings with wood. You’ll need the right tools to do the job well. This video shows the basic steps involved in replacing old basement windows with new vinyl ones. You’ll want to have the following tools handy if you plan to DIY: Metal-cutting saw Reciprocating saw Table saw Angle grinder Drill with bits for wood and concrete Concrete chisel and smoothing tools Caulking gun Mallet Sanding tools Paintbrush or rags for sealant You’ll need to cut into the metal frame, pry it loose, and then smooth down the concrete where the metal was attached. You’ll seal the exposed concrete and allow it to dry. Then you will start fashioning the parts for the wood frames. The wood components of the new frame will depend on the location and size of your new vinyl windows. A skilled carpenter can help with this part, or call in professional window installers to help you finish your basement improvements. A professional installer will have the quality tools necessary to replace your old, rusting metal windows with new vinyl units that are square and attractive. Special considerations for basement windows. Using flanged vinyl windows takes a bit more care, but they will give you an additional barrier against moisture and pests. Flashing is sometimes necessary if there are flooding issues or a nearby downspout can’t be relocated. If your basement will have living quarters, your local code may require you to have an egress window installed in the basement. Each ordinance is different, but most require you to have an easy-to-open, easy-to-locate door that serves as an escape hatch in the case of fire, flooding, or other emergency. Your local window installation contractors will help you build the right frames and install the right egress windows in your basement to improve the look and safety of your...
read moreAbout Me
The front door to your home should be more than an attractive piece of architecture—it should be secure and efficient. If a potential burglar was to kick on your front door, would it be able to withstand the force? Would it break right off of the hinges and grant the intruder access to your family, your home, and all of your belongings? When you are looking for a new exterior door for your home, you must consider many more things than just the looks. This blog will show you what to look for in the replacement exterior door for your home.
