How to Minimize Bugs and Other Pests from Entering Your Garage

How to Minimize Bugs and Other Pests from Entering Your Garage

Garages service the purpose of protecting vehicles, neatly storing items, and can even double as additional workspace.

While the garage is a practical and adaptable household area, it’s also often home to a range of bugs and other pests. During a hot summer, insects are looking for a reprieve from the heat and a reliable water source, while in the winter, they need protection and warmth. Finding critters in your garage is often unsettling and inconvenient, but there are several quick methods to remove unwanted housemates and help minimize future infestations.

Common Garage Pests

As a homeowner, you are probably accustomed to finding pests and insects on your property. These sightings can range from a minor inconvenience like flies buzzing around to major problems that can lead to property damage, such as mice and birds nesting within the walls and ceiling. Most pests seek shelter in garages because they often represent a steady source of food, water, nesting opportunities, and light.

The most common types of bugs and pests you’ll find in garages include:

• Flies
• Silverfish
• Crickets
• Spiders
• Cockroaches
• Ants
• Moths
• Mice
• Birds

How to Keep Insects and Other Pests Out of Your Garage

If you’ve recently found bugs and other critters living in your garage, it’s important to remove them quickly and take the necessary steps to prevent them from returning. You can minimize bugs and pests from getting into your garage with these solutions:

• Remove existing critters: Incorporating preventive measures throughout your garage won’t do any good if there’s already pests nesting in the space. Inspect your garage and note any signs of an infestation, then call a pest control company to remove any bugs or pests.
• Clean out the garage: Once all insects and pests have been removed, clean out your garage by sweeping the floors, removing debris and replacing boxes with plastic storage containers. Keep containers and other items on shelving to eliminate hiding spots and nesting opportunities. Remove any food and place pet food in airtight containers. Then, look for moisture sources and dry any standing water with a portable fan.
• Inspect for cracks: Prevent pests from entering your garage by checking for cracks in the foundation, walls, and ceilings as well as gaps in exterior doorways and windows. Seal any gaps or cracks with silicone caulk.
• Lay traps: For sneaky pests that still find a way into your garage, set up traps around entrances and spray pesticides around doors, windows and along walls.
• Check the garage door: Take a look at your garage door and inspect its condition — gaps between the weatherstripping and the garage floor can invite pests.

Keep Pests and Insects Away With Garage Door Maintenance From Custom Overhead Doors

If you’re battling an ongoing pest infestation, trust the experts at Custom Overhead Doors to inspect your garage door system and develop a solution so your home can be pest-free. With routine garage door maintenance, our team will assess your door for signs of wear and inspect and replace your weatherstripping as needed. To schedule garage door maintenance services, call us today at 919-457-9489 or fill out our online contact form.

The Complete Guide to Garage Door Opener Horsepower

Updating your home’s garage door is a solution for improving both the value of your house and your everyday comfort and convenience. It’s also a significant investment, so you want to choose quality components.

While it may be tempting to upgrade to a garage door opener model that’s cost-effective or simply features the latest technology and performance improvements, there are several factors to consider when purchasing a new opener machine.

Most homeowners use their garage doors every day as the primary entrance to their homes — meaning your door may cycle 1,500 times every year — and the convenience, functionality, and reliability of your door largely depend on the garage door opener and its operating capacity. By choosing the right horsepower for your garage door opener, you ensure smooth, long-term operations and dependable performance for the door and its components.

Factors to Consider When Purchasing a New Garage Door Opener

The garage door opener motor is responsible for lifting and lowering the door when prompted, and there is a range of different electrical motors and opener horsepower options available. How can you determine which opener model and size is appropriate for your garage door and household’s needs? When exploring your garage door opener options, it’s important to consider:

• Garage door size and weight: Before settling on an opener model, determine whether your door is covering a single or double opening size and evaluate the door’s construction material. These factors are crucial in determining a garage door opener’s recommended horsepower.
• Opener machine lifespan: While it’s tempting to install an opener machine that’s on sale or less expensive, it’s important to note that openers with limited operating horsepower will likely need to be replaced much sooner than a machine with the appropriate horsepower.
• Additional garage door components: If your garage door opener’s horsepower isn’t properly matched to the size and weight of the door, it can place additional strain on other moving and lifting components of your garage door system like the springs, cables, and tracks. This stress will eventually lead to excess wear and tear and require parts repair or replacement.

Different Garage Door Opener Horsepower Capacities

There are several different motor sizes to provide the horsepower needed for garage door openers. The most popular horsepower capacities for residential garage door systems include:

• 1/3 HP: This horsepower option is best suited for lightweight steel garage doors for a single car garage. While it can lift any type of door with evenly distributed weight, it will require regular and frequent replacement.
• 1/2 HP: A 1/2-horsepower garage door opener is the most popular capacity for single and double garage doors between eight and 12 feet wide. This opener horsepower can manage many types of door materials, including aluminum, steel and composites.
• 3/4 HP: For larger and heavier doors — like those crafted from wood — a 3/4 horsepower opener is the best option for maintaining long-term functionality.

Streamline Garage Door Performance With a New Opener From Custom Overhead Doors

For help selecting and installing a new garage door opener for your home, reach out to the experienced and helpful garage door experts at Custom Overhead Doors. We proudly install LiftMaster openers in a variety of horsepower options and types with the latest improvements for better convenience and long-term performance. Call us today at 919-457-9489 or complete our online contact form to request services — we happily provide garage door opener horsepower recommendations throughout Raleigh, NC, and beyond.

Ideas For Converting Your Garage

Like many homeowners, you’ve probably found yourself wishing you had more space in your home.

Unfortunately, home renovations and expansions can be very costly. The good news? You may be overlooking a space in your home that can be easily converted: your garage.

Garage Room Ideas

Need some inspiration to envision your garage as a living space? We’ve put together a few garage room ideas to get you started:

• Game room: Add a pool or air hockey table to take your next get-together up a notch. Or maybe video games are more your style — either way, your garage can be the perfect gaming space.
• Home office: If you’re one of the many Americans who work from home or have a side hustle, you know how important it is to have an office space.
• Reading nook: Wishing you had a special place to curl up with a good book and relax? Make it happen! Or if you unwind in a different way, adjust accordingly. You can easily add a bar cart and some comfy seating, for example.
• Craft room: Maybe your craft is woodworking, ceramics, scrapbooking or knitting. Whatever it is, a dedicated space can make it that much more enjoyable — and free up space elsewhere.

Of course, these are only a few ideas. You could also change your garage into a living room, a laundry room, a guest bedroom or even a home gym. This is an opportunity to get creative and turn your house into the home of your dreams!

Think about it — your garage is already an extension of your home. Converted properly, garages can easily function as living spaces. Of course, you should always consider the pros and cons before making any significant updates to your home. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Adding livable space can increase the value of your home.
• Converting a garage into a room is a budget-friendly house extension.
• Since the structure is already built, you can do most of the work yourself without hiring a professional.

Some of the downside factors to consider before converting your garage include the following:

• You’ll lose the dedicated space for your car.
• While it’s less costly than an expansion, converting your garage can still be pricey depending on its current state.
• ou may need a permit for a garage conversion. Double-check before beginning your project!

How to Convert a Garage Into a Living Space

Do you have your heart set on converting a garage into a room? Following are the first steps you’ll need to take to ensure a functional living space:

1. Insulate the walls and ceiling if you haven’t already, but don’t stop there. A properly insulated garage door will have a profound effect on temperature control.
2. Install drywall and flooring.
3. Upgrade the electrical wiring. You’ll want plenty of lighting in your new space.
4. Connect to your home’s HVAC unit or install an independent system to regulate temperature.

Your next steps might vary depending on the type of room you have in mind. You may want to paint, measure the room for new furniture and/or finish up any carpentry. The sky’s the limit — just have fun customizing your new room!

Finish Your Renovation With a New Garage Door

Top off your brand new garage room with an updated garage door! A new door will ensure that your room is properly insulated and protected from the elements. Plus, it will add curb appeal and style.

Contact Custom Overhead Doors for installations and repairs. We have more than 25 years of experience making homes like yours beautiful.

How To Properly Clean Your Garage Door

Your garage door needs to be cleaned periodically, as it’s constantly exposed to the elements. A clean garage door can go a long way toward increasing the curb appeal of your home — after all, your garage door makes up a significant part of the visible exterior of your home.

If that’s not enough to convince you, keep in mind that many newer garage doors come with a warranty, and some warranties can be voided by failure to keep your garage door clean. A buildup of dirt or oil on the tracks can lead to mechanical breakdowns that may not be covered. You can save yourself money — and a few headaches — by making sure your garage door is in good shape.

But how often should you clean your garage door? What kind of tools should you use? We’ve put together this guide to help you get started on washing your garage door.

When to Clean Your Garage Door

In general, homeowners should clean their garage doors at least twice a year — in spring and again in autumn. But if you live in an area where your home is exposed to more extreme elements — such as a coastal region — you might notice that your garage door needs to be cleaned more often. If you notice a buildup of pollen, oil or any visible dust or dirt on your door, you should take the time to clean it as soon as you get a chance.

What Tools to Have on Hand

The tools you’ll need include:

• A bucket filled with water
• A hose
• A soft rag
• Gentle soap

Here’s an additional tip: Wear rubber gloves and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!

The Best Way to Clean Garage Doors

Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning your garage door:

1. Mix a gentle soap or cleaning solution with water.
2. Wet the surface of the door with a garden hose.
3. Working in sections, start scrubbing with a soft rag or bristle brush and your cleaning solution mixture.
4. Use the hose to rinse the section you’ve just washed.
5. Move to the next section and repeat until you’re finished!

If you find any stubborn oil stains, you can remove them with a mixture of bleach diluted with water. Be sure to wear gloves, and rinse the area thoroughly before using bleach — mixing bleach with household cleaners is dangerous.

How to Clean Garage Door Windows

If your garage door has windows, you can clean them the same way you clean any other window in your home. A gentle cleaner is always best. Make sure to be extra careful around any seals or weather stripping.

What Not to Do When Washing Garage Doors

Here are a few things you should avoid when cleaning your garage door to avoid damaging it:

1. Don’t use a pressure washer.
2. Never mix the cleaner with bleach.
3. Avoid using abrasive sponges or scouring products that can damage the finish of your door.

Time for a Repair? Call Custom Overhead Doors

Cleaning your garage door regularly is one of the things you can do to keep it in working order. Taking the time to clean also gives you a chance to do a quick inspection of any issues. For more significant repairs and services, don’t hesitate to contact Custom Overhead Doors.

Garage Door Security Tips

Garage doors are incredibly convenient, but they can also be a target for thieves if they’re not properly secured. After all, the last thing any homeowner wants is a burglar using a garage door to gain access to a house.

But what are the best garage door security measures? To help keep your home safe, here’s a look at some tips for securing your garage.

Hide Your Opener

Always keep your garage door opener out of sight. Thieves often break into cars to get garage door remote controls. They can snag a remote control and take one look at an insurance slip sitting in the glove box to find out exactly where you live. When you’re parked at work, the grocery store, or elsewhere, always keep your garage door hidden in an effort to discourage thieves from targeting your vehicle.

Choose a New Code

Keep your garage door codes safe and secure by changing them on a rotating basis. Add a calendar reminder to switch things up every six months (or on a schedule that meets your needs), and you’ll greatly enhance the overall security of your garage door and your home.

Inspect Your Door

Closely inspect your garage door from time to time. Check for cracked windows and gaps in the weather-stripping. Burglars might target these small vulnerabilities to break into your home through the garage. It’s always a good idea to inspect your garage door during transitions from season to season. For example, check for vulnerabilities when the cold winter months turn into spring. You may find that ice, snow, and winter weather have worn down weather-stripping or other portions of the door.

Install a Side Lock

Consider installing a manual garage door side lock to be used for when you’re away from the home for longer periods of time. This type of lock cannot be unlocked with a remote and requires you to manually unlock with your hand, making this an inconvenient task if you are opening and closing the garage door on a daily basis.

Add Lighting

Choose to install motion-activated flood lights just above your garage door. If a thief is planning to gain access to your home through the garage door, these motion-activated lights can help deter unwarranted entry.

Keep It Closed

Always keep your garage door closed. Garage doors that are left open make it incredibly easy for anybody to steal your things or gain access to your home. Wi-Fi-enabled garage door openers make it possible to check whether your door is open from anywhere in the world. Take advantage of them to keep your home safe and secure.

Need products to help keep your garage and your home safe? At Custom Overhead Doors, we provide a range of garage door products and services for home and business owners in Raleigh, Greenville, Greensboro, Fayetteville, and the surrounding communities. Contact us today to learn more about how we can improve your home’s security.

How To Fix A Slow-Opening Garage Door

Garage doors do a lot of heavy lifting on a day-to-day basis, which means that they will eventually need maintenance and repairs to stay in full working condition. How do you know when your garage door needs service? One of the telltale signs is that it takes longer to open and close.

Here’s a look at some of the reasons why your garage door opener is slow and how to fix a slow garage door.

How Long Should It Take for My Garage Door to Open and Close?

How long should it normally take for a garage door to open and close? The average is between 12 to 15 seconds. Most garage doors will be able to fully complete opening and closing cycles within that range. If you find that your garage door is taking closer to 20 seconds (or longer) to open or close, it’s time to get the door checked.

Service When Your Garage Door Slows Down

The most common slow opening garage door fix is lubrication. Without proper lubrication, your garage door’s many parts have to work overtime during opening and closing cycles, which makes those processes take longer than normal. Also, as your garage door is used day-in and day-out, over time, pulleys can also become worn and springs can lose tension — which also slows down operating speed.

If you’re wondering how to fix a slow garage door, start by lubricating all tracks, brackets and hinges. Once you’ve fully lubricated those parts, test the door to see if it’s moving faster. Some garage door models have speed setting controls. If your door has these controls, make sure they haven’t been adjusted in a way that noticeably slows your garage door.

If neither lubrication nor speed control settings fix the problem, it’s time to call a professional. A professional garage door service provider can check your door’s pulleys and springs to see if there’s a more complex issue that needs repair. It’s never a good idea for a homeowner to get into these more intensive maintenance and repair tasks. Garage doors operate under a massive amount of tension, and it requires specialized knowledge and expertise to safely and effectively provide maintenance and repairs.

Get Your Garage Door Serviced Regularly

At Custom Overhead Doors, we the best garage door products as well as maintenance and repair services. We know just how important your garage door and its operation is to your day-to-day lifestyle. Our technicians can quickly identify the reasons your garage door opener is slow — and then make recommendations for how to correct the issue.

Since 1989, we have proudly served home and business owners in Raleigh, Greenville, Greensboro, and Fayetteville. For all your garage door needs, trust the team and the experience you’ll find at Custom Overhead Doors.

Contact us today about maintenance and repairs for slow garage doors.

Everything You Can Do With Wi-Fi-Connected Garage Doors

Garage door openers bring incredible convenience to our lives. Just think about the last time you pulled into your driveway in a rainstorm and opened your garage door at the press of a button. But just when you thought garage door openers couldn’t get any more convenient, Wi-Fi-connected garage doors hit the market.

Today, smart garage door openers unlock a number of benefits and great conveniences for homeowners. What types of benefits and conveniences? Here’s a look at everything you can do with a Wi-Fi garage door opener.

Open and Close Your Garage Door From Anywhere

No matter where you are in the world, you can open and close your garage door. All you need is a Wi-Fi connection. Sometimes you leave for vacation and stress the whole time that you forgot to close your garage door in the rush to get to the airport. Sometimes you need to open the garage door for a service provider or delivery when you are not home. Sometimes you need to give family or friends access to your home. And sometimes you forget your keys and just need to use your Wi-Fi-enabled garage door opener as a “spare set.”

In each case listed above, a Wi-Fi garage door opener is essential for securing your home and allowing access when needed.

Get Push Notifications

Smart Wi-Fi garage door openers can be used to monitor access to your home. In fact, you can configure your devices to receive push notifications whenever your garage door opens and closes.

This can be helpful if you want to know when your kids get home from school or you want to confirm that you did not, in fact, leave your garage door open before heading out for vacation. Most importantly, push notifications from a Wi-Fi garage door opener can let you know if someone gains access to your home who shouldn’t have.

Set Up In-Garage Delivery

In select cities, Amazon now offers in-garage delivery. Key by Amazon is available to select Prime members, and it allows for one of the safest and most secure delivery methods you can find. All you have to do is sync your myQ® account within the free-to-download Key app. Once it’s up and running, you can have your Amazon packages delivered using the power of your Wi-Fi garage door opener.

Schedule Garage Lights

Garage lighting is incredibly helpful at certain times of the day. Using smart garage door openers, you can set a schedule for when your garage door lights turn off and on. This is also helpful when you’re traveling and want to put your home’s lights on timers.

Find Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Openers at Custom Overhead Doors

Since 1989, Custom Overhead Doors has provided garage door products and services to home and business owners in Raleigh, Greenville, Greensboro, Fayetteville, and the surrounding communities. If you’re interested in unlocking the benefits of smart garage door openers, contact us today.

Top Things to Look for When Purchasing Garage Door Opener

Buying a garage door opener is not as simple as it sounds. With many different openers to choose from, the best choice for your home may not be so obvious.

Read on to learn more about how to select the best garage door opener.

Tips for Buying a Garage Door Opener

The best way to learn how to buy a garage door opener is to first know all available options. You can choose from the following:

• • Chain Drive: This is the most classic version. It’s dependable and packs a solid value. Although it’s known to be on the noisy side, it’s less expensive than a belt drive. We recommend a chain drive door opener for detached garage doors because the noise will not bother anyone in a room beside or above the garage.

• • Belt Drive: Belt drives are a quieter choice. They’re ideal if a bedroom is above your garage. They open with a rubber belt and are very low maintenance. Belt drives also come with longer warranties.

• • Wall Buttons: Wall buttons are perfect for those who prefer outdoor keypads. It also locks all outside radio signals when programmed. Another feature of wall buttons is that are available with a timer and motion sensor. This way you can set your garage door to open and close automatically.

• • Smart Technology: Did you know you can connect to your garage door opener via Wi-Fi? It’s true! You can control the opening and closing of the door through your smartphone. This option is excellent because you’ll never have to ask yourself “Did I close the garage door?” again.

• • Battery Backup: In case the power goes out, you will still be able to use your garage door opener. If you experience a loss of power frequently in your area, then consider investing in a battery backup.

   

  • LED Lighting: Garage door openers with LED lighting can provide a daylight-like feel to your entire garage.

   

  Garage Door Opener Brand Buying Guide

  When it comes to the best brands, we recommend LiftMaster because of the brand’s quality and variety of options. Parts are also easy to obtain if repairs are ever needed. When you purchase a LiftMaster garage door opener from Custom Door & Gate, our professionals can install it to ensure it works properly.

  One way to choose the right opener is to read online reviews before purchasing. In addition, you can contact a professional garage company, like Custom Door & Gate, for advice on what model suits your home best.

  Need More Tips for Buying a Garage Door Opener?

  Ready to purchase your new garage door opener? At Custom Door & Gate, we’ll discuss your garage door opener needs and help you select the right options. Contact us today to get started with your garage door opener’s installation.

Benefits Of A Side Mount Garage Door Opener

Side mount garage door openers, also known as jackshafts, come with many advantages, such as space efficiency and low maintenance. But those two features are just the beginning. If you’re looking to take your garage experience to the next level, this is the door opener for you. It’s affordable, durable, reliable and easy to take care of.

This garage door opener can also be placed out of sight, so when you pull in to your garage, you’ll be greeted by clean lines and an unobstructed ceiling.

Benefits of Side Mount Garage Door Openers

In each home, two things remain important: space and maintenance. In a perfect world, you would be able to maximize the square footage in your home and keep all appliances and fixtures down to zero maintenance. The jackshaft garage door opener fits that description. Here is a list of some of the advantages of side mount garage door openers:

• Does Not Obstruct the Ceiling: Side mount garage door openers are mounted on the side wall of the garage door, hence their name. If you have a large vehicle parked in the garage, this is an excellent option. Mounting your opener on the side will also open up more overhead storage space in your garage.
• No Need for Rails: With a side mount, you don’t need rails to hang your opener from.
• Easy to Maintain: The main benefit of lubricating a jackshaft is that it will not drip on your floor or car. You also won’t need to adjust your door due to cable stretch. Since this opener does not require rails, there’s also one less part that needs cleaning.
• Saves Space: Unlike trolley bar installations, that take up space in the headroom of a garage, jackshaft openers are mounted on the side and create more space in your garage.

It is important to mention that in order to have a jackshaft installed, your garage can’t have low headroom. A high lift ceiling is necessary for this kind of opener. Your garage also needs to have an outlet at the head of the garage near the door. Lastly, you must have space on the sides of the door to install side mount garage door openers.

Why Work With Custom Door & Gate?

We have been repairing and installing commercial and residential garage doors for over 30 years — which means we have experience installing and repairing garage doors of all models, sizes, and types. When it comes time for you to purchase a jackshaft garage door opener, we’ll be here to help ensure a smooth installation. We also offer services in gate security, access control systems, and more.

If you’re looking for a partner to deliver quality and expertise for your garage door needs, trust Custom Door & Gate. Contact us today.

How To Properly Lubricate A Garage Door

If you ever notice an awful screeching noise coming from your garage door, it’s a sign your door needs a health check-up.

Since the screws, springs, hinges, and tracks are all made of metal, they need to stay lubricated. Knowing how to lubricate a garage door will help increase its longevity and give your ears a break.

How to Lubricate a Garage Door

The proper way to lubricate your garage door starts with using the right solution. We recommend using a non-silicone lubricant such as LPS 2.

Always avoid spraying WD-40 on any part of your garage door. People often mistake this product, which contains anti-rust and degreasing properties, with a lubricant because the bottle states it helps parts move more smoothly. But WD-40 is a cleaning solvent, not a lubricant. It’s also important to avoid using grease at all costs. Grease will create a stickiness that’s hard to clean, so it can lead to a faster buildup of damaging debris.

Parts of Garage Door to Lubricate

Many parts of a garage door require frequent lubrication for smooth opening and closing operation, which should be part of your self-designed garage door preventive maintenance. Before lubricating, be sure to clean all parts with a dry cloth to remove any dust or debris. As you begin the lubrication process, use another dry cloth to clean as you go, avoiding excessive dripping on the garage floor.

Once you’re all set, you can begin to lubricate the following parts:

• Hinges: Lubricate the hinges at their pivot points. Only do this for metal hinges, though. Avoid applying anything to plastic parts. Some lubricants can cause the plastic to break down over time.
• Rollers: Metal rollers are how your garage door travels up and down. If your rollers feature nylon wheels, be sure to lubricate the rollers without getting any lubricant on the nylon material. While metal rollers require less precision, it’s a good idea to protect your floor and your car from any drips along the way.
• Springs: Locate the torsion springs that lift and lower your garage door. This is one of the most important parts of a garage door to lubricate because lubricating the springs can increase their efficiency as well as their lifespan. Apply just enough to make them move better.

It’s crucial that you do not apply any solution to the bearings or tracks of your door. You can clean them to ensure they are functioning at their best, but lubricant will not help these parts perform better.

Get in Touch With Us at Custom Door & Gate for Your Garage Door Needs

If your garage door isn’t working as it should or you have any questions about how to lubricate your garage door, contact us today. We’re here to help.