Since their conception in the 1920’s, garage doors have come a long way. On top of the multiple styles and materials – such as single wide, double wide, carriage house, contemporary…wood, aluminum, steel – garage doors have also found new ways of operating. Before, garage doors had to be open and shut by hand. Then along came belt drives, chain drives, and finally – smart drive. So, what are the latest gadgets for garage doors and where is the industry heading? Let’s see the latest in garage door gadgets.

Smart Garage Door Opener

Ah, the smart garage door opener. A total game changer for those of us who have often come home to discover we left the garage door open all day. Again. In comes the smart garage door opener, where controlling one of your home’s entry points is as simple as checking an app!  With the press of a button, your garage door can be open, closed, illuminated, or turned off. From anywhere!

Integrated Home Monitoring Systems

Home monitoring systems allow you to connect video cameras and/or motion-activated sensors to entry and exit points of your home. Including your garage! Enjoy the peace of mind of knowing your home is safe while you are on vacation, running errands, or any other time you are away from your house. Should a curious animal or an intruder try tampering with your garage door, you will receive an alert on your smartphone.

Eco-Friendly Garage Doors

It is becoming increasingly important to consider the environmental impact our choices and consumption have. Including what the items we use every day are made of. Luckily, manufacturers have begun considering the same thing. And now, garage doors with a lower carbon footprint are becoming easier to access. From sustainably sourced materials such as recycled steel, to well insulated doors that require less energy for temperature control. 

Accessibility and gadgets available for garage doors today have come a long way. There are so many options available, it can become a bit overwhelming to learn all the types of doors and features available. Especially with the ever changing world of technology! How do you choose? That’s where Adam’s Door Systems can help. Don’t hesitate to call us at 1-888-602-6550.

Your garage door is an essential part of your home. Used every day, it serves as a shelter, recreational area, extra layer of security, and even an accessory to your homes overall facade. Unfortunately, the wear and tear on this important gadget often gets overlooked. If you want to ensure the warning signs don’t get missed, check out our top indicators that something is wrong with your garage door! 

DELAYED OPERATION WHEN USING THE REMOTE

Once you have pressed the button on your garage opener, the door itself should begin opening within a few seconds. If there is a delay – or worse, no response at all – there could be an issue with your garage door. First, change the batteries on the remote. If there is still a delayed response, your garage’s opening mechanism likely needs repair. 

THE GARAGE DOOR OPENS VEEEEERY SLOWLY

All things take time…but if your garage door is taking too much time to open, it could indicate the need for repair to the torsion springs. Because of the high tension these springs are under, it’s best to let the pros handle this problem! 

YOUR GARAGE DOOR IS MAKING A RUCKUS

Has your garage door suddenly become vocal? While some level of noise is normal, it’s important to keep an ear out for sounds such as squeaking, scraping, and rattling. These noises could mean that some of the various moving parts of your garage door need a tune up. If your garage door is rattling, be sure to have the screws and rollers repaired immediately.  

THE GARAGE DOOR IS SAGGING

Little by little, day by day, your garage door relaxes a little more. Until one day, it’s suddenly sagging to one side and you have no idea how it got this far. Sagging garage doors happen gradually, but are often overlooked until they’re obvious! This is typically caused by worn springs or dull tracks. But you should try to have the door checked by a professional before attempting to tighten bolts or other maintenance on your own.

Don’t miss the signs! When it comes to catching problems ahead of time, four eyes are better than two. Hire a professional to help with a garage door inspection, and together we can ensure your garage door is operating smoothly and safely. Contact our reliable and professional repairman at 905-602-6550 (Mississauga) or 416-502-2212 (Toronto).

Despite garages being one of the most used spaces in homes, they are also commonly the most cluttered. A detailed spring cleaning can help to declutter what has become a dumping ground for junk that limits your ability to both park, store, and work inside your garage. We’ve put together a Garage Spring Cleaning Checklist to help you cultivate a tidier, more functional garage.

Have A Plan

Have a game plan of what you want to accomplish with this garage spring cleaning project. A checklist can help with this. Assign tasks to family members, take your time, maintain a sense of purpose, and eye towards finishing your goal. You can listen to your favorite music, podcast, or sports game to add a little more excitement to the experience.

Declutter your garage

Remove everything from the garage that’s not permanently placed there. You can sort everything into three piles: keep, donate, discard. A good question to ask yourself as you go through items is whether you have used it in the past year. If it no longer sparks joy and is simply gathering dust – toss or donate it! For discarded items, be sure to check product labels for pesticides, motor oil, solvents and other chemicals to determine best disposal methods.

Wipe down and sweep out the garage

Wipe down any shelving or flat surfaces (aside from the floor). Garage slatwall panels are very easy to clean with just a rag, but perhaps the material on your garage wall is drywall or brick. If so, just giving the walls a downward sweep with a broom will remove some of the dirt and dust that’s accumulated. Use the broom to remove any cobwebs you see as well.

Hose out your garage

Now it’s time to wash your garage floor with your garden hose and a gentle cleaner! After you’ve given everything a good scrub, you can use a clean broom to sweep the excess water out of the garage interior. Wait for all the surfaces to completely dry before putting your newly sorted items back inside.  

Clean and inspect your garage doors and opener

Next, it’s time to clean your garage door. Rinse it off with a hose and then wipe it down using a sponge, dish detergent, and water. For any window panels or inserts on the garage door, see the next garage spring cleaning tip. Be sure to attend to both sides of your garage door. If you happen to notice any damage or extreme rust to the mechanisms of your garage door opener, it’s a good idea to have the entire system inspected by a professional. Don’t hesitate to call us at 1-888-602-6550.

Ah, the garage door! A beneficial piece of hardware most of us use every day. Whether we are going to work or storing the kids’ bicycles; we expect the garage to work day in and day out. What many of us often overlook is just how complex these mechanisms actually are! Especially when you consider how much daily use they endure. Eventually, wear and tear will rear its head. At which time you will need to decide: call a professional or do it yourself?

To make your decision a little easier, below you will find incidents in which you should 100% call in the pro’s:

• Broken Springs: Your garage door springs face constant pressure. When one breaks, it is imperative to have a professional replace them to ensure they are installed correctly using the proper safety precautions.
• Broken Hardware: One hinge may be doable. But replacing multiple hinges or other pieces of hardware requires the practiced eye of a pro!
• Broken or Cracked Door Panels: Doors weigh a lot more than you may think. Any door repair will require at least two people who are familiar with safely replacing panels.
• Broken Wheels: Replacing wheels can be a tedious job. This is because the door track can easily be bent if not done correctly.
• Weather Stripping Between Panels: Weather stripping located along the sides or bottom of your garage door is an easy DIY job. Weather stripping between panels, however, is an entirely different ball game. You should call your local garage repair technician for help.
• Dents and Dings: While a good ole fashioned plunger may relieve some dents and dings, deeper damages require replacement. Perhaps even an entirely new garage door!
• Broken Automatic Opener: Automatic openers have many different moving parts and components, as well as electrical wiring. Due to electrical hazards, it is best to have a garage door technician complete the work.

As with all complex hardware, it is essential to know when things are just beyond your skills. There can be certain risks and hazards of attempting certain garage door repairs on your own that could lead to additional door damages and personal injuries. In other instances, it may be more beneficial and cost-effective to have a new door installed rather than repair your existing one.

Family owned and operated since 1946, Adams Door Systems can provide you with the leading array of residential garage door solutions in the Greater Toronto Area. Whether you’re looking for repairs or replacements, we are here to help.