How to Inspect Garage Doors

How to Inspect Garage Doors

A garage door is your home’s largest moving part. Garage doors consist of different components and parts vital to proper and safe functioning. Regularly inspecting your garage doors will ensure that everything continues working as expected, and early detection can help you avoid costly repairs. 

How often you operate your garage door dictates how frequently you should check it. If your garage door sees daily use, inspecting it every six months to a year is ideal. Opening and closing the garage door multiple times a day means you should examine it closer to the six-month mark, and you should immediately take a look if you notice any odd sounds or movements. 

We’ve compiled a garage door inspection checklist on how to safely inspect your garage door, so you can prolong its lifespan and delay your next door replacement.   

Parts to Check

You should inspect 20 garage door parts to ensure their components are in good condition. Here’s an overhead door maintenance checklist you can follow.

1. Springs: Springs allow your garage door to open and close. You should visually inspect your springs for damage, rust and deterioration. You shouldn’t try to fix or move springs on your own because the tension they hold can put you in extreme danger. You can also test the door’s balance. Manually lift it and pay attention to how much effort it requires. You should be able to do so with one hand without straining too much. Your springs may need professional repair work or replacement if the door is challenging to open. Next, try opening the door halfway and leaving it there. If the door begins to close on its own, this is another sign your springs aren’t functioning well. 
2. Rollers: Garage door rollers look like small wheels, and they help guide the garage door up and down the track. You should inspect the rollers to ensure none of them are bent or broken. The rollers share the door’s load, so if even one is malfunctioning, it can cause additional damage over time. Observe the rollers as the door opens and closes to ensure they’re moving and not merely dragging along the track. 
3. Cables: Inspect the cables to ensure that there is no fraying or kinking. 
4. Drums: The drums are wheels that wind the cables to help the door operate. You should inspect the drums for cracks, chips and other signs of damage. Drums also accumulate dirt over time, so it’s helpful to have them professionally cleaned for best functionality. 
5. Center bearing: The center bearing is in the middle of the spring bar. Look for signs of damage on and around the bearing.  
6. Center bracket: You should check the bracket to ensure there is no bending or other wear and tear. 
7. End bearing plates: There are two end bearing plates to inspect — one on either side of the spring bar. The end bearings help the spring bar turn as the door moves, so they must be in good condition. 
8. Spring bar: The springs sit along the spring bar. Inspect this component for signs of rust, bends or other damage. 
9. Hinges: You can locate the hinges on the garage door’s inside panels. You should check for signs of damage and rust. 
10. Top and bottom brackets: The top and bottom brackets hold the rollers in place and need scrutiny to ensure no wear and tear impacts the functionality. 
11. Vertical and horizontal tracks: The tracks can bend over time, so you should inspect them for bends and rust. 
12. Jamb brackets: Jamb brackets form the connection between the vertical track and the jamb, which is part of the garage door’s framework. The brackets should have secure attachments at both ends and have no signs of bending.   
13. Strut: Struts are metal bars attached to the interior of the garage door to offer additional support. You should inspect them to ensure that they’re attached well and for signs of damage and rust. 
14. Weather seal: Weather seals are strips of rubber attached to the bottom of the door. They work to seal your garage door to the floor to prevent water and pests from entering your garage. Weather seals can become cracked and are susceptible to dry rot.  
15. Panels: You should check your garage door’s panels for any cracks or rust. Damaged panels can allow water to enter your garage door and cause more harm to the door over time. 
16. Opener controls: Ensure that your garage door remote is working as expected, and check any door controls you have outside or inside your garage. 
17. Opener carriage: Examine the carriage, sometimes referred to as the trolley, for any signs of rust, bending or grinding.  
18. Safety eyes: Safety eyes are sensors located near the bottom of your garage door that stop it from closing when anything crosses their path. You can test the safety eyes by closing the garage door and waving an object in front of the sensor. The door should immediately stop closing if you place something in front of the sensor. 
19. Motor gears: Check the belt and chain for any signs of rust, deterioration or other signs of damage. 
20. Wires: You should inspect all wires for wear and tear. Replace any that have frayed. 

How to Safely Evaluate Your Garage Door

While garage door inspections are essential to keep your garage functioning well, it’s also vital that you take steps to perform your routine checks safely. You should focus on visually examining your garage door when performing your review. Never try to remove or handle the garage door springs because they can fly apart violently and cause severe injuries. 

For the utmost safety, if you don’t know the purpose of any of your garage door’s parts, avoid handling them. Assume that they connect to the spring and are under tension. You should inspect your garage door when someone else is home in case anything happens and you need emergency medical attention.  

When to Call a Garage Door Expert

Many garage door components operate under high tension due to the cables and springs. You should never try to take apart or replace part of your garage door you’re unfamiliar with because it may be under tension. 

If you come across any broken or damaged parts while inspecting your garage, you should contact a professional garage door company to fix the problem. 

Contact Blankenship Garage Doors for Garage Door Maintenance

At Blankenship Garage Doors, we have over 20 years of experience repairing and replacing garage doors. If you examined your garage door and found problems or would like us to come out and inspect your garage for you, we’re here to help. We guarantee all our work, and we provide a personal, timely and cost-effective experience for any maintenance or repairs you need. 

Reach out today to have us professionally service your garage doors by filling out our online contact form or calling 541-383-2658.

How to Extend the Life of Your Garage Door

Your garage door is a reliable way to enter your home, and it should last for several decades on your property. However, over time, debris buildup and broken components can put unnecessary strain on it and cut its lifespan short. These regular garage door maintenance tips can help you inspect and clean this significant part of your house.

Inspect Your Garage Door’s Operation

Opening and closing your garage door helps you discover any faulty pieces. Over time, the various parts can wear out and eventually become damaged. When the operating system isn’t working correctly, it puts additional wear on the other components. As you open and close the door, look and listen for frequent garage door issues, such as slow operation or loud sounds. If it doesn’t open or close, or you notice other unusual activity, contact a local specialist to repair it.

Check Your Garage Door’s Balance

An unbalanced garage door tends to close more quickly, creating a safety risk for people nearby and creating unnecessary tension for the other components. Check its balance at least once a year to avoid further problems. You can conveniently inspect your door on your own by following these steps:

• Close the door completely and unplug it from the opener.
• Raise the door manually a few feet off the ground.
• Take away your hand and inspect the bottom.

A balanced door will stay in place, but an unbalanced one will shake up and down. In that case, you’d have to consult a professional specialist to replace worn-out components.

Look at the Hardware

As you check out your door’s various pieces, watch out for these frequent garage door issues:

• Detached rollers: Check your entry for disconnected, crooked or cracked rollers. Instead of replacing the rollers yourself, call a professional technician to repair them to prevent damaging the track.
• Rust in the cables: Excessively rusty or worn-out cables have difficulty moving correctly. If you notice any issues with your cables or pulley system, call an expert to replace them.
• Missing bolts in the tracks: If you notice any loose bolts around the metal track, you can conveniently tighten them with a screwdriver or wrench. However, if they’re missing, you might have to place a service call to get them replaced.
• Broken springs: You’d know if your torsion or extension spring snapped if you hear a loud noise or if your door won’t open or close. Dealing with this component can be extremely dangerous because it’s under a tremendous amount of pressure. Call a professional technician to replace your broken spring.

Clean and Lubricate All Moving Parts

Dirt and debris can get stuck inside your garage door hardware, putting extra wear and tear on the system. The metal components can also develop rust over time and slow down the door’s operation. Wipe down and lubricate all moving parts about once a season. Here are some specific tips for taking care of each metal piece:

• Springs: Put a thin layer of lubricant on the torsion springs. Wipe away any excess grease or silicone so that it doesn’t collect on the garage floor.
• Rollers and tracks: Use a cloth to remove any debris, dirt or spider webs from the rollers. Apply lubricant liberally to a clean cloth and wipe down all metal parts. Only lubricate the wheels if they’re metal.
• Hinges: Wipe a lubricating product onto your garage door’s hinges with a clean cloth. If your system has plastic hinges, clean them with a damp cloth instead of applying lubricant.

Inspect and Maintain Your Garage Door Opener

Besides the door itself, you should also pay attention to the garage door opener, which allows the system to operate automatically. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for taking care of your specific product. Here are some of the ways you can maintain this significant component:

• Carefully lubricate any metal parts and tighten loose bolts and screws.
• Test the light and change the lightbulb as needed.
• Check the remote and replace the batteries if it doesn’t open or close the garage door.
• Test your backup battery by unplugging the system and opening the door with the keypad on the wall.

Check and Fix the Weatherstripping

The weatherstripping under and around the garage door helps prevent air leaks, moisture and debris from coming inside. This protective material helps keep your door operating smoothly, regulates the indoor temperature and protects the contents of your garage. Over time, debris can affect its integrity and leave your property vulnerable to outdoor elements. Follow these tips for maintaining the weatherstripping:

• Look out for issues: At least once a season, check your weatherstripping for cracks and tears. 
• Remove debris: Clean the protective strip around the edges of your garage door with a damp rag to remove dirt and debris that can wear down the material.
• Apply silicone lubricant: Lubricate the weatherstripping with a silicone-based product to prevent it from drying out. Petroleum lubricant can make the material brittle and eventually cause it to break.
• Repair or replace dried-out weatherstripping: Replace the protective material when you notice cracks or dried-out parts. Contact a professional garage door specialist to find the appropriate weatherstripping for your unique door.

Clean the Garage Door Panels

Garage door panels can accumulate dirt and debris over time, especially during heavy storms. Cleaning your garage door at least once a year helps enhance its appearance and ensures all the parts are moving smoothly. Here are some ways you can clean the panels:

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions: Consult the manual for the safest, most efficient way to clean your garage door. Depending on your product’s materials, you may have to use special care for the panels.
• Create a homemade cleaning solution: Mix a few drops of mild detergent with warm water. Avoid using abrasive or acidic cleaners that could ruin your door’s finish.
• Wipe down the door: Dampen a soft, microfiber cloth with the solution, and wipe down the door. Make sure you clean every crevice and edge, including between the slats.
• Rinse the solution: Use a sprayer attachment on your garden hose to rinse the soap off your garage door. Avoid using a power washer because it can chip away the paint.
• Use bleach on stubborn stains: Keep in mind that you should only use bleach to spot clean tough stains. Create a bleach solution according to the product’s instructions and use a soft-bristled brush to remove difficult debris. Before applying the cleaner to your garage door, make sure you’ve completely removed all the detergent from your routine cleaning. Mixing these two substances could damage your door and present a safety hazard.

Schedule Professional Maintenance Inspections

It’s best to have a specialist inspect your garage door annually to prevent potential damage to your product. During this appointment, the expert technician will:

• Inspect the door and hardware: A garage door specialist will check the garage door’s operation and balance. They’ll make sure all moving parts are functioning correctly, tighten up loose screws and look for imperfections in the door, tracks and cables.
• Clean and lubricate: While the technician cleans the various components of your garage door, they’ll also lubricate the metal pieces so that they work smoothly.
• Repair and replace: If some parts have lost their integrity, the specialist will also recommend whether you need to get them replaced. They’ll also replace the weatherstripping to enhance your door’s energy efficiency.

Get in Touch With Blankenship Garage Doors for Garage Door Service or Repair

Our professionals at Blankenship Garage Doors provide garage door inspection and repair to residents and commercial property owners in Central Oregon. We’ll inspect your property and help you prolong the life of your garage door. Contact us online or call 541-383-2658 to request service.

Trends That Increase Home Value

Trends That Increase Home Value

Whether you want to sell your home soon or are just planning for the future, you’ll want to find ways to increase your home’s value. Over time, your home’s value may decrease as it’s used and loved and lived in, but a sturdy and well-loved house doesn’t always sell on the market. That’s when you start to wonder how to add value to your home.

How to Increase Home Value

There are several ways to increase the value of your home, and many of them come down to keeping up with regular maintenance and repairs. Others are decor tips that can help make your home seem expansive and spacious. Whichever methods you choose, you can increase your home’s overall value.

More Space

Bigger homes are more likely to sell for more money than smaller homes, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay for massive renovations. Look around your home and see if you can knock down any walls to make the area feel and look bigger. Maybe adding a small half-bathroom somewhere will add usable square footage and convenience.

Perhaps it’s just a matter of how you arrange the furniture and the color you paint the walls. There are many tips and tricks to make your home look bigger and more spacious without resorting to renovations, so if you can’t increase the literal square footage of your home, you can at least make it seem larger to potential buyers. In general, lighter colors and lots of light help a space feel more expansive.

Energy Efficiency

These days, energy efficiency can go a long way. More people are looking to change their habits to become more environmentally friendly and cost-effective, and they’re looking for energy-efficient homes as well.

If your home is already energy-efficient, you’re good to go. It’s a good idea to make sure there’s no way you could be even more efficient because energy efficiency is an excellent way to boost your home’s value.

If you’re unsure whether your home is energy efficient, you can find out by checking on several key energy-sucking features, including:

• Heating and cooling: Look at how much you spend on heating and cooling every year. Can you reduce this cost to preserve energy?
• Windows and doors: Make sure your windows and doors are installed properly so they don’t let heat out during the winter or in during the summer. Are the windows and doors insulated all over the house, or are there places where they could use the upgrade?
• Lighting: Technological advancements have made it so you can use energy-efficient lightbulbs without sacrificing brightness. The same level of brightness without the high energy cost should be reason enough to switch to energy-efficient lighting.
• Appliances: Just like lighting, there are now few reasons not to upgrade your appliances to be energy efficient. They save you money on your energy bills, and they work just as well — or better — than ones that aren’t energy efficient.

Solar panels are also an option for making your home energy efficient, but not every home is ideal for installing them. However, landscaping is another way to make your home more energy-efficient, and it’s a method many people forget. If your front or back hard has mature trees that shade your house, thus reducing your cooling costs, they will inevitably add value to your home.

Reduce Maintenance

One of the best ways to increase your house’s value is to reduce the level of maintenance it needs. A low-maintenance home is much more attractive to potential buyers, and you can offer this perk by updating the major appliances in your home.

This goes beyond a finicky stove or a refrigerator that’s reaching the end of its life cycle. If you have a leaky pipe or an air conditioner that makes awful noises, you’re better off replacing them with new items that won’t be fussy and cause the new owners any problems.

Go through your house and see what adds value to a home if updated. These can include water heaters, HVAC systems, garage doors or roofs that need repair.

It’s a good idea to walk through your home and note all the things that need repairing. Even seemingly small repairs can seem like a giant chore to new homeowners if there are many of them, so make sure they will have nothing to worry about when they move in.

Curb Appeal

You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but many potential homebuyers do judge a house by its appearance, which is why curb appeal is so important. It’s your chance to make a good first impression and encourage homebuyers to see the interior of your home.

This can be as simple as making sure your yard is landscaped neatly and even pops out a little more than your neighbors’ yards. Make sure your house doesn’t have any chipped paint or anything unsightly front and center. Do any repairs or upgrades you’ve been putting off, including painting the front door or upgrading your garage door.

Benefits of Updating Your Garage Door

Updating your garage door can really help increase the value of your home. If you’re wondering how much value a garage door adds to a house, just think of when you were buying your home. Would you have considered a home that had a garage without a door? A garage that was totally open to the world, revealing all your belongings to every passerby? Probably not.

Here are some examples of how updating your garage door can add value to your house:

• Appearance: We talked about curb appeal, and the garage door plays a large part in your home’s appearance, especially if your garage is at the front of your house.
• Security: You may not keep your most valuable items in your garage, but you still want to ensure your possessions are secure. Plus, if your garage is attached to your home, you’ll want to be extra vigilant about security to ensure that your possessions and your family remain safe.
• Energy: Older garage doors that aren’t insulated will inevitably increase your utility bills. Along with the other energy-efficient methods you put into place to increase your home’s value, add an updated garage door to that as well. This is especially crucial if you have rooms above your garage.
• Value: Newer garage doors are modern and sturdy, with a higher lifespan, so they’re a great long-term investment. Plus, you can have your garage door match your home’s style to increase the curb appeal further.

Replace Your Garage Door With Blankenship Garage Door

If you’re looking to increase your home’s value, a simple upgrade of your garage door can do wonders for you. At Blankenship Garage Door, we’re proud to offer high-quality residential garage doors so you can increase your home’s value without fuss.

Get in touch to talk about your garage door update by filling out our online contact form or calling (541) 383-2658.

Benefits of Insulated Garage Doors

Benefits of Insulated Garage Doors

You do what you can to boost your home’s insulation. Quality windows, walls and doors all play a part, but have you considered your garage door? It’s a significant part of your home’s exterior, and because of that, it plays a role in your home’s thermal envelope. The thermal envelope is anything that separates the inside of your house from the outdoors. An insulated garage door improves that envelope.

Maybe you’ve never considered an insulated garage door or don’t know much about them, but you’d like to improve your home’s thermal envelope. See the benefits of insulated garage doors below and learn more about insulated versus uninsulated garage doors.

The Benefits of Insulated Garage Doors

If you’re on the fence about an insulated garage door, consider its advantages. An insulated garage door has a positive impact on everything from your garage to your home and even your day-to-day life. But how does an insulated garage door make a difference? Check out the benefits of an insulated garage door to see for yourself:

1. Saves Energy

If the temperature outside is 20 degrees, your garage could be around 42 degrees with an insulated door. With an uninsulated door, it could be just 30 degrees. If you heat your garage, that temperature difference could help save energy. If your garage is attached to your home, keeping the space insulated could also benefit your home’s temperature.

2. Helps You Control Your Garage

With temperature protection from an insulated garage door, you’ll also be able to control the environment in your garage. Whether you choose to heat or cool the space, it’ll be easier to do so and maintain it with an insulated garage door.

3. Adds Durability

A quality garage door will be durable already, but an insulated door has even more durability. You probably use your garage door every day — often more than once. You want it to withstand that use and any wear from being around your vehicle and the equipment you keep in your garage. The many layers of an insulated garage door will better protect it and make it long-lasting.

4. Protects Your Belongings

Freezing temperatures cause trouble for your car and the belongings you keep in the garage. For your vehicles, freezing weather leads to low air pressure in the tires, a shorter battery life and thickened fluids. An insulated garage door helps keep out the cold to help prevent these issues.

5. Dampens Noise

While garage doors in need of maintenance for the tracks and other components could make noise, so could lightweight doors. The door panels rattle as the door opens and closes. Insulation will dampen that noise. An insulated garage door also helps keep noises from outside the garage out. That’s useful for anyone with a garage workshop who needs a quieter environment to concentrate and work.

6. Makes a Comfortable Space

Because insulated garage doors help keep out extreme temperatures, your garage becomes more comfortable. Your garage is supposed to be your shelter from the weather and extreme temperatures. You don’t want to head out to the garage on a cold morning only to experience temperatures as cold as they are outside.

7. Makes a Convenient Space

With a comfortable garage, you’ll be happier to use it as a multi-purpose space. Many homeowners use their garage as a workshop, gym or studio. Even if you only use the space for parking your car, it serves as a convenient buffer between the indoors and outdoors. An insulated garage door lets you use your garage as you’d like.

Difference Between Insulated and Uninsulated Garage Doors

The presence of insulation is the biggest difference between insulated versus uninsulated garage doors. Insulated garage doors feature layers of polystyrene or polyurethane. In Clopay® garage doors, Intellicore® polyurethane insulation delivers the benefits of insulated doors. For the best insulated garage doors, consider Clopay and remember that the thicker the insulation is, the better. Some styles feature anywhere from 2 inches to 3 inches of insulation, but that’ll vary between options.

Insulated garage doors have more than insulation, of course. They often have steel or aluminum frames and layers of insulation between steel panels. You can even find insulated garage doors made of wood or with faux wood overlays. The various materials available mean you’ll be able to select your new garage door according to your home’s style.

An insulated garage door may also include glass windows or completely insulated glass in a metal frame. Clopay’s AVANTE® collection, for instance, features an insulation option for the glass that gives it an energy-efficient boost.

An uninsulated garage door often has an open back since it doesn’t need to sandwich insulation between two layers. It requires fewer materials to make, so certain uninsulated styles may be more affordable than their insulated counterparts. But with so many benefits to an insulated garage door, you should consider both types of doors before you get a new one.

Why You Should Use an Insulated Garage Door in Oregon

Temperatures in Oregon can go above 80 degrees and fall into the 20s. For colder weather, an insulated door will help maintain the warmth in your garage. When the temperature rises in Oregon, an insulated garage door will keep the temperature inside cool. Use an insulated garage door along with quality weather stripping for an even more weather-proofed garage door.

No matter where you live, you should use an insulated garage door if you fit into any of the following categories:

• You use the garage as a livable space. If your garage serves as livable space, an insulated garage door helps keep it comfortable. In that living space, you’re likely using heating and cooling solutions. An insulated garage door lets you maintain the temperatures you set with your heating and cooling.
• You insulated the rest of your garage. Many homeowners insulate the ceiling, walls and windows of their garage, but they neglect the door. It’s true that having your garage door open will result in a loss of insulation benefits. But it makes sense to insulate your garage door when you insulate the rest of the space, especially if the door is closed often.
• You have a room above your garage. Insulating the garage door helps the room above your garage. Since that’ll be livable space or storage, you’ll want adequate insulation to help you control the temperature in that room.
• You’re getting a new garage door. When it’s time to revamp your garage door, you should get the best. With all the benefits of an insulated garage door, getting one could provide the most value for your investment.
• Your garage door faces the sun for most of the day. A garage door that faces the east or west will experience the sun’s rays for most of the day. Oregon often has overcast weather, but a garage door with no shade or insulation can make your garage warmer when it is sunny.

Get an Insulated Garage Door From Blankenship Garage Doors

Ready to transform your garage with a new door? Blankenship Garage Doors has what you’re looking for! We’re big enough to meet your insulated garage door needs and small enough to tailor a cost-effective and personal experience to you. Our residential garage doors come in an array of styles and constructions to complement your home and your needs. With comprehensive garage door installation services from our team of professionals, you’ll get the lasting results you want from your garage door. 

Browse our residential garage doors and contact Blankenship Garage Doors today for your insulated garage door!

Should I Renovate My Garage Door?

Why Should I Renovate My Garage Door?

While a functioning garage door is essential, if you drive up to your garage and the door doesn’t look as stunning as it once did, you need a renovation. Maybe you never notice your garage door’s appearance or aren’t sure if a renovation is right for your home. In that case, you’ll need some reasons to upgrade your garage door. Find answers to why you should renovate your garage door below.

How to Upgrade a Garage Door

When it comes to renovating your garage door, you have a handful of options for what you can change and the scale of the project. You can either work with your existing door or get a new door entirely. Upgrades to your garage door will let you:

• Change the color: Choose a single neutral color to revamp the look of your garage door. You may even want to choose a color that complements your house’s exterior to make it appear larger.
• Add hardware: If you want to add to your transformed garage door or subtly change the look, add hardware in a contrasting color. Two vertical handles in the center can give the look of a carriage house door, while a horizontal handle at the bottom will add a useful detail of color and texture.
• Pick a new material: From steel and wood to a combination of aluminum and glass, the materials in a garage door can influence the overall look of the door. Certain materials suit different home styles, so consider your home’s overall look as you choose.
• Try a new style: If you want a new garage door look, why not go with something completely new? Try a sophisticated and rustic carriage house door, or break up your house’s facade with windows in your garage door.

Reasons to Upgrade a Garage Door

With various ways to upgrade your garage door, there also are plenty of reasons to do so. The benefits of a new or renovated garage door include the ability to:

1. Improve Curb Appeal

A garage door can take up about 30% of a home’s facade. With such a large space on your home to work with, a renovation can have dramatic results for your curb appeal. Improving the curb appeal of your home can make you happier with the look of your house. You can feel a sense of pride with your transformed garage door, falling in love with your home all over again.

Improving your curb appeal is also a great solution for homeowners looking to sell in the future. While what’s inside your house will also matter, the first impression your home makes to potential buyers is the view from the street. If you have a garage door with broken windows, chipped paint or other unsightly issues, a potential buyer may not feel welcomed. They want a home that’s beautiful and ready to go, and a refreshed or renovated garage door can do the trick.

2. Change the Style of Your Home

Because your garage door is such a significant component of your home’s exterior, it influences the overall style of your house. If you’re looking to make a change in how your home looks on the outside, don’t forget about your garage. Whether you want to restore your home to its previous classic style, upgrade it into the modern age or refresh it with new colors, including the garage door in your renovation is a must.

Some style changes may call for an entirely new garage door, especially if you’re going from a traditional to modern look or vice versa. If you’re altering the color of your home’s exterior, renovating your garage door can help it change with your home and emphasize your new intended aesthetic.

3. Increase the Value of Your Home

Potential buyers will love the look of your renovated garage door and exterior, and that means they may pay more. When you get a new garage door or repair and renovate yours, you bring these benefits to the value of your home:

• An insulated garage door makes your home more energy efficient, and green initiatives and money-saving upgrades are important for many home buyers.
• A new garage door or refurbishing your door shows your care and attention to detail for your home.
• You solve safety and security problems when you repair your garage door, which makes potential home buyers feel safe.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report, a garage door replacement delivers the highest return on investment in terms of home projects and resale value. In 2019, the national average for the recovered cost of a garage door replacement was 97.5%, the highest of 22 home remodeling projects.

Remodeling Magazine also measures regional data, and in the Pacific, the average recovered cost was 123.8%. That means homeowners in the Pacific region with new garage doors made their money back and then some.

4. Get a Better Quality Door

Here’s one of the biggest benefits of a new garage door. An older door may be visually unappealing and unsafe. If you upgrade your door with a replacement, you can eliminate the issues that come with an older door, like:

• Unevenness
• A faulty opening system
• Poor insulating abilities

Some of those fixes will come with a total replacement that includes your garage door and the opener system. Your needs may not be that extreme. When an expert inspects and replaces your garage door, they’ll have insight into whether you need a total replacement.

Repairing or Renovating vs. Replacing Your Door

You may not have severe issues with your current garage door. Maybe you just want it to have a new or refreshed style. In that case, you may save on cost with renovations if you’re content with the material and look of your current door.

An older or damaged door may present more problems. There may be aesthetic and functional components that aren’t looking and working as they should. Professional garage door repairs and services are an option, but a professional can evaluate whether the right choice for you would be a repair or an entirely new door.

Replace Your Garage Door With Blankenship Garage Doors

If seeing the benefits of a new garage door has you envisioning a renovation for your home, we at Blankenship Garage Doors can help. We transform customers’ homes in Central Oregon with high-quality residential garage doors in a wide array of styles. For more than 20 years, we’ve brought durability, performance and stylish products to our customers, and we’d be delighted to transform your home with the same level of quality.

Contact us today for your garage door estimate!

7 Tips for Choosing the Right Garage Door Company

7 Tips for Choosing the Right Garage Door Company

If it’s time to replace or repair your garage door, you might be sifting through several garage door companies looking for the one that’s right for you. Choosing a garage door company takes careful consideration. While you don’t often think about it, a garage door makes up a significant portion of your home’s exterior. You need one that makes you happy every time you come home and can stand up to wind and weather. You also want to work with a company experienced in the delicate machinery that makes a garage door run smoothly.

This guide will teach you how to choose a garage door company that’s committed to quality service and superior products.

1. Read Reviews and Testimonials

2. Consider the Local Service Range

When considering companies, one of the first steps is to determine if a company serves your area. A good rule of thumb is to look at companies with a service range that’s not too narrow and not too vast. You want a trusted company local to your community, with a small enough service range that you can get the attention you deserve. If you ever experience an issue with your garage door, you want a team that can arrive quickly to get your door working again soon.

Blankenship Garage Doors is located in Bend, Oregon, and services Central Oregon — including Bend, La Pine, Madras and Redmond.

3. Look at Certifications

A company’s certifications and memberships act as independent verification of quality service. Several certifications and associations mark a garage door dealer in good standing.

International Door Association Membership (IDA)

The IDA is the premier association for the door and access system industry. Garage door dealers, branches, suppliers and service technicians can each join the organization. Belonging to an industry association shows commitment to responsible business practices. Industry associations seek to benefit the entire industry by promoting honesty and fairness.

Members of the IDA follow the IDA Code of Business Conduct, which ensures the best of customer service and accountability. The code has eight tenets:

1. Customer Satisfaction
2. Truth in Selling
3. Responsible Conduct
4. Truth in Advertising
5. Safety Compliance
6. Contracts and Product Services
7. Sealed Bid Procedures
8. Regulatory Compliance

Manufacturer Certification or Authorization

Most garage door dealerships specialize in particular brands of garage doors. Blankenship Garage Doors, for example, is a Clopay® Authorized Dealer™. Authorization from the manufacturer means a dealer will install your garage door correctly. They will always use the right tools and procedures. An authorized dealer also upholds a manufacturer’s warranty and knows how to maintain and repair the door. So, you get peace of mind knowing your garage door will always be taken care of.

Local Associations

A local association, such as the Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA), shows commitment to your local community. Like the IDA, local associations promote ethical business practices. They also commit to providing education to their members, so you know your dealership is well-informed in their trade.

4. Ask for Proof of Insurance

All garage door installers and contractor businesses need insurance to work on your home. It’s the law, and it protects you in the unlikely event something goes wrong. While an established garage door dealer has plenty of expertise, proof of insurance gives you peace of mind. A reputable garage door company will happily provide this information for you.

5. Compare Quotes

Every household has a different budget and set of needs for installation, repair and maintenance services. By collecting quotes from a few different companies, you can learn about the pricing of several companies and also how they conduct business. 

Does the company call you back quickly and ask about your unique needs before drawing up a quote? Do they offer free quotes and allow you to look at quotes for all the models you are considering? Do they discuss the quality of each of their models, or push you toward options with deep discounts? After getting quotes from the companies you’re interested in, you have a much better idea of the price you’ll pay as well as the quality you’ll receive.

6. Evaluate Services Offered

Not every garage door company will offer all the services and products you want. Every home has a unique set of needs, and it’s vital to find a company that meets those needs.

• Emergency services: A broken garage door can interrupt your day and cause a safety hazard. If a broken door or opener leaves you unable to move your car, you need a company that can be on the scene quickly. Blankenship Garage Doors prides itself in before- and after-hours repairs for these situations.
• Services for your model: If you’re looking for repairs, you’ll need a company with expertise in your model. Many companies will service any brand of door. A Clopay dealer will provide premium care and excel at repair services for Clopay models.
• Quality and affordability: Every garage door company will have a range of quality and prices. Consider if a company pushes their doors at the lowest price possible, or if they focus on quality first. A quality door will have durable construction and an attractive appearance that enhances curb appeal. Look for a company that recommends the best doors within your budget.

7. Look for Guarantees and Manufacturer Warranty

The best contractors and home services companies stand behind their work. Working with a manufacturer-approved dealer will ensure you can take advantage of a manufacturer’s warranty on the products you install. The best companies will go beyond that warranty, offering a complete satisfaction guarantee. At Blankenship Garage Doors, we want you to be happy with your new garage door, installation, repairs and maintenance. We guarantee our work and will complete every job to your satisfaction.

Choose Blankenship Garage Doors as Your Central Oregon Garage Door Dealer

If you’re in the market for a new garage door or are looking for repair and maintenance services, trust Blankenship Garage Doors. As an Authorized Clopay Dealer, we’re the best garage door company to outfit your home with a quality, long-lasting garage door. Browse our collections or use our Clopay Door Imagination System to see how an attractive door can boost your curb appeal. We also provide timely, quality-guaranteed repairs, even when it’s outside regular business hours.

As a member of the IDA and COBA, we’re committed to leading the garage door industry and bettering our local community. Let us find the garage door that’s right for your home, and be your dependable repair and maintenance partner. Request a free estimate today.

Contact Us for a New Garage Door

Improve the Look of Your Home With Your Garage Door

How to Improve the Look of Your Home With Your Garage Door

To many of us, a garage door is a utilitarian fixture we’d never think to replace unless it was damaged. However, updating your garage door, which can comprise up to 30% of your exterior facade, is an outstanding way to boost your home’s curb appeal. This investment, in turn, will enhance the resale value of your home, as it’s one of the first things potential buyers notice.

Whether you’re trying to bring a cohesive quality to the exterior of your home, accent an existing feature or totally transform your facade, changing your garage door is an excellent place to start. In this article, we’ll provide tips on how to improve the curb appeal of your house, which includes choosing the right color, style and surrounding decor for your garage door.

How Changing Your Garage Door Can Make Your House More Attractive

Updating your garage door — whether you’re giving it a fresh coat of paint or replacing it completely — can boost the curb appeal of your home in the following ways.

• Completing the design of your home: If you’re trying to finish or revamp the entire exterior design of your home, a new garage door could be the perfect finishing touch you’re looking for. Whether it’s a new color, design or material, it can tie the whole look of your home together or give the front of your home that extra something it needs.
• Upgrading the style of your home: If you purchased your home a long time ago, and you want to make it look a bit more modern, a new door can provide that refreshing touch you’re looking for with its material, color, texture, style and design. You can pick something that reflects your current tastes.
• Restore the original look of your home: Perhaps your home has experienced a lot of wear over the years, and you’d like to restore it to its former glory. Updating your old, worn-out garage door along with your front door can make your older home look as good as new.

As a garage door relates intrinsically to a home’s curb appeal and functionality, it has a high return on investment.

Choosing the Right Garage Door Color

Below are the five most common colors for garage doors.

• White: This is a popular, go-to shade for many homeowners and makes a door look crisp and bright. Keep in mind, however, that white will show marks much more noticeably than a darker color.
• Soft gray: In the decorating world, gray is the new neutral color. This pale, soft shade is the perfect color for various reasons — it blends with the background with many colors of bricks and keeps the focal point on your home and front door. 
• Dark gray or black: Black has always been a popular option for garage doors. While dark gray and deep black-blue have recently become trendier alternatives to jet black, the best choice for your home will depend on various factors, including the style of your home and the color of your brick. To achieve a contemporary look, paint your garage door and window trim the same color. Black window trim is particularly fashionable at the moment, and it hides dirt better than lighter doors. If not done correctly, though, it can make your home look stark.
• Taupe or beige: The color of your bricks will often determine the right color for your garage door. If the color of your brick is in the taupe/beige family, picking the same color for your garage door will help it blend in well.
• Walnut brown: If you like warmer tones in general, but are considering a darker color for your garage door, deep walnut brown is an excellent choice. When done right, walnut brown can make your door look like it’s expensive wood.

If choosing a dark brown color, be careful, as many shades of brown can make a house look dated. It is crucial to pick the right “walnut brown” color. Here are some other useful tips for choosing the right color.

• You don’t need to match the color of your garage door and front door. In most cases, it’s best to keep the front door the focal point. This statement is especially true if your front door is a bold color like yellow, blue or red. In this situation, matching white or gray is the best option.
• Choosing a garage door color that’s the same as your house can be a good idea. It can make your home look bigger and doesn’t make the garage door the focal point.
• Avoid multiple colors. This look is dated and will detract from its curb appeal.
• Get inspiration. Browse sites like Pinterest and Houzz to get ideas for how to dress up garage doors. You can also take a drive around some neighborhoods.

Choosing the Best Garage Door Style For Your Home

If you’re planning to buy a brand-new garage door, you’ll have lots of choices in terms of designs and material, and the one that’s best comes down to your preferences and tastes. If you’d like a rustic appearance, for instance, wood panels can give your home a classier, warmer look. If you’d like something more modern, on the other hand, geometric cuts and clean lines can give your home a minimalist, sleek appearance. The style you choose may also depend on how you’d like to use your garage.

To help you out with your decision, we’ll cover the most common garage door styles and the impressions each type tends to make.

• Glass and aluminum: This sturdy, high-quality choice features a sleek surface and is a great option for those looking for a simple and modern look. Your door can be all aluminum or incorporate glass as well — certain modern doors feature an aluminum frame and a center of glass crossed by beams of aluminum. This choice is excellent for modern, simple tastes and, if you intend to use your garage as a workspace, keep in mind these doors allow in natural light. But even if you’re going to use your garage to park your car and keep out the elements, this garage door style will give your home a geometric and sleek appearance.
• Steel: Like aluminum, steel garage doors are sleek and modern-looking, but they’re also remarkably durable. Insulated steel is among the strongest, sturdiest materials you can pick to keep your garage safe. What’s more, it has the added benefit of efficiency. Unlike most other types of garage doors, steel garage doors help insulate your home and keep temperatures inside comfortable.
• Wood: This classy, traditional choice offers the unique benefit of authenticity and provides a rustic, rich feel other materials can’t duplicate. If your home is in a rural area and you’re looking to give it a rustic, traditional feel, a wood garage door could be a great choice. Choose a wood material and stain you like and that suits your home — just be sure to protect the doors with a waterproof adhesive sealant.
• Carriage house: This style of garage door provides your home with a look that is both sophisticated and rustic and will help it stand out in the neighborhood. You can make these doors especially attractive with side detailing, windows, handles and other accessories.
• With windows: If you’ve never had a garage door with windows, this may seem like a strange feature. However, windows can transform your home’s appearance and significantly improve your curb appeal. While windows may not be the best choice for every home, if your garage door takes up a large portion of your home’s front facade, windows can help break up the surface and add some variety. Base the location and design of your windows on those of your front windows or the windows in your front door — this will help draw the design together.

Choosing The Right Decor & Accessories To Complete Your Garage Makeover

Once you’ve decided on the color and style of your garage door, you can continue your garage entry makeover with some other customization options.

• Greenery: You can add topiaries or potted plants on either side of your garage door. Shrubs, tall plants and other types of greenery are great ways to add an additional flourish, and you can customize the plants for each season or change them whenever you feel like it.
• Architectural features: Trim, trellises, pillars and porticos above and around your garage door will enhance its design, making it stand out. Stonework in the driveway or walls can also go a long way.
• Lighting: Lights are one of the final touches to enhance your door’s curb appeal. Not only do lights illuminate the design of your garage, but they also make the space safer and more functional — they’ll provide light for when you return home after dark and will also deter intruders. You can install lights over the garage, build them into the garage door, put them on either side or even along your driveway. A wide variety of colors, designs and materials are available as well. Just like all the other features and accessories of your garage door, the lighting you choose should complement the style and colors of the rest of your home.

Why Choose Blankenship Garage Door as Your Garage Door Installer?

If you’re a homeowner in Central Oregon, and need a new garage door, you’ve come to the right place. For over 20 years, Blankenship Garage Doors has been helping customers throughout Central Oregon pick out high-quality residential garage doors that combine durability, performance and stunning modern curb appeal ideas.

We’re a proud Master Authorized Dealer of Clopay garage doors, a brand that has been leading the industry for the past 50 years. We offer a wide range of these high-quality, award-winning doors at competitive prices, and they’re available in many designs and material options.

If you’re searching for something with a contemporary look, for instance, you can check out our selection of modern doors manufactured from hot-dipped, galvanized steels that combine subtle, distinct beauty with rugged efficiency. If you’d like a wood-look garage door, we also sell beautiful Clopay faux wood doors that emulate the warmth and beauty of authentic wood, eliminating worries about rotting or warping. These doors can also be insulated, which will keep your garage a more comfortable temperature throughout the year. We also sell garage doors made from authentic wood, doors made of glass and aluminum and many others.

If you would like a customized garage door that suits your unique style and functional needs, Clopay offers the opportunity to create a made-to-order residential garage door products. We recommend you first take a little time to browse Clopay’s Imagine FlipBooks to get some inspiration, then use the online Door Imagination System to play around with some customization options and features.

Here are some other reasons to come to Blankenship Garage Doors.

• We’ll take care of your installation. Once you’ve picked out your new garage door, we can perform a quick, flawless installation for you. Since we are a Clopay Master Authorized Dealer, we are able to install any Clopay residential garage door — and guarantee that we’ll complete the job to your satisfaction.
• You can see our garage doors in person. In addition to browsing our online galleries, you can also get a closer look at our products by visiting our showroom. Our showroom is completely stocked and allows you to browse the complete collection of Clopay products. There will also be knowledgeable staff on hand to answer any questions you might have and provide expert guidance. You can contact us to schedule an appointment.
• We sell LiftMaster garage door openers to suit your budget and needs. Blankenship Garage Doors boasts a comprehensive selection of LiftMaster belt-drive and chain door openers that feature the cutting-edge MyQ technology, which allows users to monitor and control the openers using a smartphone, tablet or computer, regardless of their location. They also come with useful features like efficient, powerful P3 motors, battery backup for power outages and several other security and safety innovations. Our LiftMaster garage door openers are compatible with all Clopay products.
• We install garage door openers. For your garage door opener to function properly and not pose a safety hazard, proper installation is a must. Our team consists of experienced, knowledgeable garage door technicians who can install every garage door opener product from LiftMaster. We also guarantee all the projects we install, so you can use your opener with complete confidence.
• We offer timely maintenance and repair services. Even products as high-quality as LiftMaster’s garage door openers require an occasional tune-up to keep them working at maximum efficiency. As your Central Oregon LiftMaster dealer, we can perform routine maintenance on your opener and also handle any repair tasks. If it’s an emergency, we can even come to your location before or after hours.

Visit our site to browse our vast selection of residential doors.

What is Wrong With My Garage Door?

What Could Be Wrong With My Garage Door?

When your garage door isn’t working properly, it can be a major frustration for everyone in the household. Doors that won’t open at all, open and close at the wrong times or won’t close all the way — many different garage door issues can cause these problems. Sometimes there are easy fixes you can perform yourself at home if you know what to look for. Other times, it’s best to call in the pros. Let’s go through some simple garage door troubleshooting, so you know when to call for professional help and get your garage door up and running again.

How to Detect Common Garage Issues

If your garage door isn’t working, it could be due to a wide variety of causes. Often, the cause is something simple, so it’s best to start by checking over a few important parts of the garage door to try to determine the problem.

Check to make sure that the unit is plugged in to a power source in the garage. Sometimes, the power cord will accidentally get unplugged, cutting off the power to the whole setup. Next, check your remote and batteries — fresh batteries installed the right way might make all the difference. You can also check to make sure the disconnect switch is not enabled. This is the knob or pull cord you can use to manually open the door when the power goes out, and it sometimes may accidentally get pulled.

Some garage doors, especially older models, have manual locks as an added safety feature. Check to see if your door has a manual lock and if it was accidentally locked. Look for a metal bar about halfway up the garage door.

It may also be that when using your remote transmitter, you may be too far out of range. Many people try to open their garage door from too far away. Try pressing the button right in your driveway to see if it works closer up. Another issue related to the remote is the frequency. If you somehow are on the same frequency as your neighbor’s garage door opener, your door could be opening and closing when they push their remote button. If you suspect this is the case, check your manual for instructions on resetting the frequency.

If the problem is not related to the power source, take a look at the photo eyes. These are the sensors on either side of the door used for detecting if anything is in the way of the garage door — an excellent safety feature when working correctly. However, if the photo eyes are out of alignment or if the lenses are blocked or clogged, they won’t work effectively. Make sure nothing is in the way of the sensors.

Look at the tracks for the garage door and check for any bends or gaps between the rails and rollers, as this can signify a serious issue. Also, check the torsion springs or tension springs and cables. Broken springs often make a loud noise when they break and can be dangerous to work with. If you notice broken springs or cables, call a professional garage door repair company right away. Keep kids away from the broken garage door and park outside until the problem is fixed.

Reasons Why Your Garage Door Might Not Work

Now that you know some common signs to look for to determine what might be wrong with your garage door, let’s cover some common reasons why the door might not work.

1. Problems With the Remote

One of the most common garage door problems — and easiest fixes — has to do with the remote, or transmitter. The remote may be out of battery power or have improperly installed batteries. It also could be out of range of the main unit or on the wrong frequency. If you and your neighbor have accidentally used the same frequency for your garage door transmitters, it could cause problems for you both. Luckily this is a fairly easy fix — check your manual for instructions on changing the frequency or call a pro for help.

If the issue isn’t batteries or frequency, something could be obstructing the signal between the remote and the main unit. The antenna might need cleaning if too much dust or debris has collected. Make sure the antenna is pointed in the right direction and isn’t broken. Also, check around the garage for new growth on trees. Sometimes, branches or other obstructions can get in the way of the garage door signal. You might need to trim some branches to get a clear signal.

2. Out-of-Alignment or Blocked Photo Eyes

Any garage door installed after the early 90s has small photo eyes on both sides of the door entrance. These sensors were developed as a safety feature and may have tiny green flashing lights that indicate they’re working. The photo eyes send an invisible beam to each other to check for anything in the way of the door when it’s closing. If anything is in the way, the sensors will send the garage door back up.

Over time, the sensors can become dirty or clogged, insects could build a nest or web over them or a small item from the garage could simply be in their way. Any of these obstructions keep the photo eyes — and garage door — from doing their jobs. Even if the sensors are clean, the alignment could be off. If they are not aligned correctly, the sensors can’t send signals to each other, and the garage door likely will not be able to close. The photo eyes need to be aimed at each other and placed at the same height and angle.

3. Incorrect Limit Settings

Similar to the photo eyes, the limit settings tell the garage door how far to go down before being fully closed. If these settings are off, when the garage door closes fully, the opener may think it’s hitting something that’s in the way, causing it to send the door back up. If the settings are too far in the opposite direction, the door may not close all the way.

The limit settings are usually adjusted by turning knobs or dials on the garage door motor, and it may take several adjustments before the settings are correct. It’s a good idea to make small adjustments and check again as you go. An experienced garage door professional can make these adjustments quickly and easily.

4. Misaligned Tracks

If the garage door is completely off of its track, it may be obvious that’s the problem. However, sometimes the track is just slightly misaligned, which can still cause issues. Tracks that are bent or misaligned will prevent the door from opening and closing properly. This issue may cause the door to get stuck along the way or make squeaking noises while moving. A damaged track on one side will put pressure on the other side, likely leading to damage on the opposite track too. Once the tracks are damaged, the heavy weight of the door can cause the problem to rapidly get worse, making for a dangerous situation that you shouldn’t try to repair by yourself.

5. Broken Springs

Your door may have extension springs or torsion springs, both of which can break and need repair. A broken torsion spring will stay in place in the shaft but will make a loud noise when it breaks. Extension springs can break apart or fly off from the garage door, causing severe damage or injury if they hit anything or anyone. Whichever type you have, these springs do the heavy lifting required to move the door and eventually wear out.

You’ll have one spring on each side of the door, and if even one is broken, you’ll need a repair. Replacing both springs at the same time will save you money in the long run, reducing the chances of a second repair shortly after repairing the first spring. If you have a broken spring, stop using the garage door immediately and call in the pros to help. A garage door with broken springs can be incredibly dangerous.

6. Broken Cables

Garage door cables can wear out and break on their own, but more frequently, they break around the same time as the springs. Just as with the springs, when a cable snaps, it’s dangerous to be in the way. When a spring breaks, the cable is the only thing holding the door up, so it can snap quite easily. A broken cable is also a serious issue that requires you to stop using the garage door and contact an experienced garage door repair service.

7. Stripped Gears in the Opener

If the gears inside the opener are stripped, the door may make a humming sound and fail to open when you press the button on your remote. You can still use the door, but you’ll need to open it manually. It’s possible to find replacement gears, but you’ll often need to replace the entire opener. Replacing the opener is a job for the professionals.

8. Power Loss

If your garage door isn’t connected to its power source, it won’t open and close unless you move it manually. The same is true if the power source is off or damaged.

You may have accidentally activated the disconnect switch, cord or knob, which disconnects the door from the motor. If when you press the button to open or close your garage door, you hear the motor running, but the door doesn’t move, the disconnect switch may be activated. To reconnect your door to your motor, open the garage door all the way, and reattach the hook to the motor. If you can’t safely figure out how to reconnect the door and motor, call a garage door repair professional.

If you press the button and the motor doesn’t run at all, it may have lost power. This could be because a cord is unplugged, the outlet broke, the power in your house went out or a widespread power outage occurred. To fix this issue, follow the same process you would when any other device loses power. You may need to plug a cord back in, replace an outlet, flip a circuit breaker, call an electrician or notify your power company of an outage.

Why You Should Trust Blankenship Garage Doors to Repair Your Garage Door

Any of the above garage door problems can cause major frustration. As a preventative measure, you should perform an annual inspection to identify any potential issues before they get worse. Start with a visual inspection of the whole garage door system, looking for anything that may need a closer look, cleaning or repair. Next, open the door, watching and listening for any strange noises or imbalances in the way the door goes up.

During your inspection, if you notice anything out of the ordinary, contact a professional like Blankenship Garage Doors. Some fixes are easy — like new batteries for the remote door opener — but many garage door repair jobs are best left to experienced professionals.

Online videos and how-to articles make home repair look easy, but these resources are often made by seasoned experts. In reality, repairing a garage door is often no easy task and can be downright dangerous if you don’t have the right experience. Professional garage door technicians know how to complete repairs correctly and safely. They can also complete quickly, saving you loads of time as well as frustration.

Professional garage door repair technicians know how to check all power sources and secure garage door parts before proceeding with any repairs to ensure the safety of everyone around. Garage doors have many complicated parts that can be difficult to repair and pose unique safety hazards. It’s also important to note that if your garage door is under warranty, the warranty may be voided if you attempt some of the repairs yourself. It’s best to keep your warranty and save yourself the hassle by having your garage door repaired professionally.

At Blankenship Garage Door, our team of highly trained technicians have years of experience, so you know they’ll do the job right. We guarantee all of our work and even schedule repairs outside of normal business hours to provide the most flexibility and convenience for our customers. Schedule an appointment that works for you, and our technicians will arrive on time and fix your broken springs, rollers or cables or other problems. We’ll get to the bottom of your garage door issue and fix it right the first time.

Request Service With Blankenship Garage Door

When your garage door needs maintenance or repairs, hire the very best. The experienced staff at Blankenship Garage Door are ready to take your service request and schedule a repair appointment that works for you. We’ve been providing premium service to both residential and commercial clients in Central Oregon for more than 20 years. Just fill out our quick and easy online service request form, and we’ll get back to you to schedule a convenient appointment to get your garage door back on track.

How to Keep Your Children Safe Around Your Garage

How to Keep Your Children Safe Around Your Garage

When your child was born, you probably went a little crazy covering electrical outlets, locking kitchen cabinets and placing cleaning products high out of reach. Every parent knows the basics of childproofing their house, but when was the last time you thought about childproofing the garage?

It’s easy to overlook garage safety when you’re thinking about child safety. After all, it’s not like they play in there every day, right? If you haven’t considered your garage door to be a safety hazard, you aren’t alone. In fact, 82% of Americans admit that they tend to neglect maintenance and safety when it comes to their garage door.

The truth is that your garage — especially the garage door — presents a number of potential dangers for children. Just because their toys aren’t out there or their playroom is on the other side of the house doesn’t mean that their curious minds won’t lead them into the garage when you aren’t looking.

Just as you childproof your house, it’s important to take a few minutes to find and eliminate dangers your children may face in the garage.

Where should you start?

Checking If Your Garage Door Is Safe for Your Child

One of the biggest dangers in the garage is the door itself. These days, garage doors are equipped with sensors designed to prevent the door from coming down on top of a child, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to let your guard down when kids are around. Routine checks of your garage door and opener are critical to keeping the door — and your child — safe. So how can you practice good garage door safety?

1. Make Sure Garage Door Remotes Are out of Reach

Many homeowners have a wall panel to open their garage door when they’re coming out of the house, as well as remotes in their vehicles to open and close their garage door when they’re pulling in or out of the driveway. All of these remotes should always be kept out of reach of children.

Why?

Children love anything with buttons. They love anything that controls movement. To them, a garage door remote will probably seem like a toy. If you allow them to play with the remotes just to push buttons and watch the door go up and down, you teach them that the remotes — and the door itself — are toys. This doesn’t mean your child should never be allowed to open or close the garage door. As they get older, teach them the proper way and time to use the remotes. Allow them to open the door as you pull into the driveway, then put the remote back on your visor or wherever you keep it in the car.

The other reason to keep garage door remotes out of reach of young children is that they can open the garage door without your knowledge and end up out in the yard or, even worse, wander away from your home. Keeping remotes out of reach of young children is the equivalent to putting childproof handles on doorknobs around your home. In other words, it keeps your child contained to the areas of your home where they can safely play under your supervision.

2. Perform Regular Garage Door Maintenance

Perhaps you’ve heard that the best way to remember to change the batteries in your smoke alarm is to do it twice a year when you change your clocks over for daylight savings time. This is also a good rule of thumb when it comes to performing regular checks on your garage door. Twice a year, give your garage door and opener a thorough going over. Check the spring, the cable, the hinges, the tracks — anything that moves when the door opens or closes. Clear away any dirt or debris that has built up around the door and grease some of the moving parts if needed. Also, look closely for cracks or dents in the door itself. While a small crack may not seem like a big deal, it can expand over time and compromise the quality of the door.

3. Buy a High-Quality Garage Door

The saying “you get what you pay for” applies here. If you’re in the market for a new garage door, it’s tempting to choose the cheapest option. You’re on a budget after all. But cheaper garage doors are made from cheaper materials, which means they may be more likely to break or malfunction. The last thing you want is to purchase a door that’s going to fail and put your family at risk.

4. Check Auto-Reverse and Sensors

While you’re performing maintenance on the door and openers, take a close look at the sensors on either side of your door. These sensors are designed to sense an object or person in the path of the door so it won’t close on top of something — or someone. This feature comes standard with garage door openers today, which can provide peace of mind for homeowners with young children. However, it also requires regular maintenance checks to make sure it works when you need it.

Also, take a few minutes to test the auto-reverse feature by sticking a box or another object in the path of the door and then set it to close. If the door starts to come down and then reverses when it senses the box, you can be confident it’s still working. If the door crushes the box, then you may have a problem with the auto-reverse feature.

If your garage door doesn’t have an automatic opener, then you won’t have an auto-reverse feature to rely on in an emergency. Consider having a garage door opener with auto-reverse installed for your child’s safety and your own peace of mind.

How to Check Garage Door Safety Sensors

If you test the auto-reverse feature with a box, and the door fails to reverse when it detects an object underneath, then there may be an issue with the door’s safety sensors. To narrow down the source of the problem, there are a few things you can check on your own.

1. Sensor Alignment

Both sensors have an LED light on their exterior. If one or both of them is blinking, this means their alignment needs to be adjusted. You can do this by tightening the screw that holds the sensor to the metal bracket attached to the wall or, in some cases, bending the bracket back into place. Once the sensors are realigned, the LED light should go off.

2. Clean the Lenses

If the sensors are aligned but the doors are not engaging the auto-reverse feature — or they refuse to go down when there’s nothing in the way — then try cleaning off the lenses on each sensor. Use a soft, dry cloth to do this. Never apply water or any cleaners to the lenses.

3. Move Debris

If the sensors are still not working, look around. Are there leaves piled up near the sensors? Perhaps someone stacked boxes too close to the lenses. If there are piles or objects near the sensors, move them and then test the door to see if the objects were simply interfering with their function.

4. Dry the Sensors

If all of those things still aren’t working, stop and think. Did you wash the car in the driveway or leave the garage door open during a downpour? If so, the sensors may be wet. Give them an hour or two to dry and then try closing the door again.

If you try all of these steps and your auto-reverse feature isn’t working — or your garage door won’t go down — contact a reputable garage door repair company for help!

How to Keep Your Garage Safe

Maintaining the integrity of your garage door and its opener is only half the battle. Your garage provides a lot of opportunities for little hands to find their way into things that can hurt them. So how can a parent keep their child safe?

1. Set Boundaries and Educate Your Children

It’s never too early to teach children to respect your garage. Don’t allow them to play with remotes or run under the door as it’s opening or closing. Don’t let them hang off of the garage door, its springs or any other mechanical parts. Set boundaries about what they can or can’t touch inside the garage. If possible, keep all of their toys, bikes and other playthings out of the garage to demonstrate to them that the garage is not a place to play. If it’s necessary to store bikes or other outdoor playthings in the garage, keep them away from the door or other potentially dangerous items in the garage.

It’s also a good idea to establish rules about being in the garage. For example, set the rule that your child is not allowed in the garage unless Mom or Dad is present.

2. Keep Paint, Chemicals and Tools out of Reach

If you’re like most people, your garage also doubles as a storage area for paint, cleaning products, gasoline for the mower and a wide variety of tools. There are a lot of things in the average garage that can draw the attention of little eyes and hands, and many of them can spell danger if you aren’t careful. So how can you keep these items away from your children?

Take a close look around your garage to determine what’s there and what could pose a problem for your child. Depending on the age of the children in your house, this may vary, but, as a general rule of thumb, keep anything toxic or sharp high enough that a child can’t reach it. If you don’t already have storage bins or shelving in the garage, this is a great opportunity to clean up and clean out!

3. Avoid Clutter

Speaking of cleaning out the garage, keeping your space free of clutter is also important to protect children. When there’s a lot of clutter in the garage, your child could trip or stumble over stuff that’s in their way. Or, they may injure themselves hunting around for a bike or football hidden under cords or tools that can cause harm. By taking some time to organize your garage — and get rid of what you don’t need — you remove potentially dangerous items and keep your child safe.

4. Keep Vehicles Locked

If you park your car in the garage, it’s tempting to leave it unlocked. After all, who’s going to break into your car inside of the garage? Kids, that’s who! All it takes is 10 seconds for your child to walk out to the garage, climb into your unlocked car and use the remote to open the garage door. And don’t underestimate your child — even a 3-year-old can open the car door and push a button. No one wants their toddler opening the garage door and heading out into the yard or down the sidewalk to explore the neighborhood. By keeping your car locked, you eliminate the ability for your child to help themselves.

5. Keep All Doors Locked

Pay close attention to the door between the interior of your home and the garage. Make it a point to keep it locked to limit access to the garage. If your child is young, consider adding a child-proof handle or lock on the door as an extra measure of prevention as well. Or, if your child is tall enough — or smart enough — to get through a child-proof knob, install a heavy-duty swing bar at the top of the door to keep the door closed.

If your garage also has an exterior door, make sure to keep that door locked whenever you aren’t in the garage. That way, even if your child makes their way into the garage, they won’t be able to let themselves out of the house without you knowing.

If you have a home security system, activate the feature that alerts you any time the door between your house and your garage is opened. If all other preventative measures fail, at least you’ll have immediate notice if your little one escapes!

Trust Blankenship Garage Doors

As a parent, your number one priority is your child’s safety. There are plenty of ways to limit access to the garage and keep your child safe when they’re inside of it. But sometimes, you might need the help of a professional garage door sales and service company to correct a problem or replace an older garage door that has become a safety hazard. Blankenship Garage Doors has been installing and repairing garage doors since 1996 and is committed to helping families in the Pacific Northwest stay safe.

Blankenship Garage Doors offers the personalized customer service of a small repair shop, but our wide network of local contractors means you get the speed and knowledge of a large company each time you call. As a member of the International Door Association and the Central Oregon Builders Association, our goal is to provide high-quality, cost-effective service when you need it most.

When it comes to keeping your child safe around your garage, our experienced team is ready to help you identify potential danger spots and develop solutions that will protect your family. In some cases, you may need to replace a garage door or automatic opener to make this happen. If you’re in the market for a new garage door, our sales team is ready and waiting to help you choose the right door. If you’re ready to purchase a new door, you can get a free estimate today!

Have an existing garage door that needs to be repaired? We can help with that too. Contact us today to schedule service.

Do It Yourself Garage Door Repair – Bad Idea

Why DIY Garage Door Repair Is a Bad Idea

Many homeowners enjoy the challenge of do-it-yourself home improvement projects. Taking on the right job independently can save you money and provide entertainment, as well as a sense of accomplishment. However, some projects are best left to professionals — garage door repair is one of these.

When your garage door stops working, you might be tempted to try and fix it yourself, but DIY garage door repairs can be both difficult and dangerous. Here are four serious reasons you should call a professional instead of trying this project on your own.

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1. You Could Make the Problem Worse

Garage door openers are complex mechanisms. Unless you’re trained as a garage door repair technician, you likely don’t have the knowledge and experience necessary to tackle this type of project.

If you try to repair your garage door yourself and accidentally use the wrong parts or methods, you could end up making the problem worse. Some mistakes could even ruin your garage door and require you to buy a new one. It’s best to hire a professional with the experience necessary to get the job done right the first time.

2. You Might Not Have the Proper Tools

Repairing a garage door takes specialized tools and components. If you try to fix the door with what you have on hand, you risk damaging the door, as well as your own tools.

Without the proper tools, garage door repair will be difficult, if not impossible. A good technician can provide all the tools necessary to fix the problem without hassle or risk.

3. You Could Lose Your Warranty

When you first purchased your garage door, you were likely given a warranty for a certain amount of time. That warranty can help you pay for repairs and replacement if something goes wrong before the specified time has passed.

When you attempt do-it-yourself repairs on your garage door, you give up any warranty you may have had. This is because warranties are not meant to cover any modifications consumers make to the product after it’s installed. To keep your warranty — and maybe even make use of it — you should only allow a professional repair company to work on your garage door.

4. You Could Get Hurt

The biggest reason you shouldn’t try to DIY repair your garage door is that it’s dangerous. Garage doors weigh several hundred pounds, and it can come down with enough force to cause serious injury. Technicians know how to work with these heavy doors carefully, but most homeowners don’t.

The springs used in garage door systems also pose a significant danger. To hold up such a heavy door, overhead springs hold a lot of tension. If these springs break during repair, they release that tension and send pieces flying with a force that could be fatal. So, you should never try to fix or replace a torsion spring on your garage door by yourself.

Get Help From a Repair Professional

Because repairing a garage door can be difficult and dangerous, it’s a good idea to get help from a professional instead of tackling the project yourself.

At Blankenship Garage Doors, we’re dedicated to providing our clientele with excellent service. Our experienced team can repair your garage door safely and quickly. Call Blankenship today to learn how.

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