When to Consider Installing a New Garage Door Opener

No matter what steps you take to maintain your garage door opener, there will come a time that the device will have to be replaced. When to do that though can be the question. That is why you should also be on the lookout for any signs that your garage door opener is damaged or nearing the end of its lifespan.

The Motor Is Over a Decade Old

A well-maintained garage door can last for quite some time, but many of the moving parts must be replaced at regular intervals. That includes the garage door motor, a piece of equipment that typically lasts for 10 or 15 years. After a decade, the outdated garage door opener is going to become less efficient and potentially cause damage to the other components.

The Door Works Intermittently

There are a few different areas that you will need to check if your garage door occasionally doesn’t work. The sensors often become blocked or bent, and that can lead to a garage door that constantly opens back up when you close it. If the sensors are adjusted properly and the garage door is still working intermittently, then it is time to have a contractor take a look at the garage door opener.

Loud Noises

Residential garage door openers are always going to be somewhat noisy, but the noises should remain at the same level for quite a few years. When your garage door makes loud popping or screeching noises as it opens, you should contact a contractor who can inspect the entire system for any signs of damage. As long as you address the unusual noises right away, you might be able to fix the issue with nothing more than some additional lube or adjustments to the tracks.

Slow Movement

Garage doors tend to open and close slowly, but you might notice that the door becomes extremely sluggish as time goes on. Preventative maintenance should help with that problem, but there will come a point when the motor needs to be upgraded. Slow movements can be caused by a dying garage door opener that has stripped gears or other worn-out parts that are beginning to fail.

Even though it might be tempting to replace your garage door opener on your own, that type of equipment is very dangerous to work on. Homeowners should always hire a certified and insured contractor who knows how to quickly and safely install a garage door opener without damaging any of the other key components of the door, tracks, or the electrical wiring in your house overall.

The Consequences of Waiting Too Long to Call a Professional Roofer

If your roof has sustained extensive damage in any way, it’s imperative you get a professional on the scene as quickly as possible. Delaying doing so could result in higher repair or replacement costs, as the problem would be allowed to grow worse the longer it’s allowed to linger. That means what should have been an easily-fixed issue could possibly devolve into a major overhaul of different parts of your entire home. In other words, you need to address these issues ASAP. Here are some of the problems that you may encounter if you delay the inevitable:

Electrical Damage

Water can leak into your home and corrupt your interior electrical wiring. This will, of course, compromise your electrical connections and can lead to fires and other dangerous situations when trying to plug in or use appliances that require electrical input.

Mold and Mildew

Moisture that’s able to get inside your home creates the perfect environment for things such as mold and mildew to cultivate. This can weaken the structure of your home, making it highly unsafe to live in. There are also a myriad of health effects that can occur as a consequence of mold being allowed to grow where you live, proving downright fatal if allowed to go on long enough. The spores it releases can irritate your existing allergies or respiratory illnesses. Not only is mold damaging to your home’s structure because it feeds on the wood that supports it, but it is also a serious health hazard. 

Pest Infiltration

Pests like squirrels, rats, and bats love to take cover from the elements in snug, dry places that are shielded from the cold. That means any holes in your roof are always considered an open invitation to a critter in need.

Structural Issues

If you deliberately put off taking care of your roof indefinitely, you are exposing your existing roof to the heat, cold, wind, and extreme weather. That means there is a high chance that further damage can occur and you will have even more difficult repairs to make in the future.

Delaying Hiring a Roofer Increases Costs

You may think that hiring a roofer right now is an expensive endeavor, but waiting it out will only make the situation worse. However, any roofing professionals, like those at JCB Roofing / HHI, SC, can tell you that the damage will only compound over time, so it makes absolutely no financial sense to delay roof repair projects. Taking care of things immediately is the only way to minimize any further impact on your wallet.

In conclusion, the best way to remedy a damaged roof is to take care of it as soon as you can. This will mitigate any further damage from occurring. You should also be proactive when it comes to keeping your roof in tip-top shape. Routine maintenance can catch issues like leaks and mold that you may not see until it is too late. Annual checks should be performed routinely, as well as after any major weather events.

How to Minimize Pest Activity in Your Home

It is common for pests like cockroaches, rodents, and ants to multiply rapidly in your home, especially during the frigid winter months. They usually feast on the food they find in your kitchen, around your dining room table, or between the cushions of your couch if you snack while watching TV.

Pest activity is a part of life, but it can be minimized by removing them as soon as possible. They can infest your home quicker than you can imagine if left unchecked. Here are a few simple steps to minimize the threat of pest activity in your home.

Keep Your House Clean

Regularly cleaning your home keeps pests and rodents at bay. Exterminators recommend dusting, wiping down kitchen cabinets, vacuuming, and mopping every room once a week.

Use Traps to Catch Pests

When used properly, traps and bait are an effective option. Put them in places where mice, roaches, and other hard-to-spot pests lurk when looking for food. For instance, lay trap and bait at the bottoms of kitchen cabinets, between the refrigerator and the back wall, and other hidden places.

Hire Professional Exterminators

A professional pest control service can help you minimize pest activity around your home. Companies like this know how to eliminate pests the right way. Such exterminating services are a cost-effective way to get rid of pests from your home and prevent them from returning.

Remove Open Food Sources

Various open food sources, from crumbs to open containers around the kitchen or other parts of the house, can attract pests and increase the risk of infestation. By removing uneaten leftovers, cleaning up after cooking, and tightly sealing food containers in cabinet shelves and pantries, food sources can be eliminated. This is a simple but effective approach to reducing the presence of pests in your home.

Seal Off Entry Points

Preventing pests from entering your home is best accomplished by sealing off any entry points. Pest- and bug-proof seals can be installed on doors and windows, traps can be used, and repellents are also effective. Also, at night, many insects are attracted to light coming through cracks in windows and doors.

Try One or More of These Techniques

Pests and insects are a big problem today. Follow these tips to keep them out. Pests like termites, roaches and mice can cause damage to our homes, leading to hard-to-remove infestations. 

Reasons to Upgrade Your Home's AC System This Spring

Spring is the perfect time to upgrade your home's AC system. Here are some reasons why you should switch out your old heating and cooling system for a new one this year.

Enjoy Improved Power Management

Modern HVAC systems are designed with an improved power management system that will allow you to set up automatic settings for your home's cooling and heating. This way, you won't have to worry about adjusting your thermostat every time you turn on your heating or cooling system. You'll be able to adjust the settings once and have your new system follow those changes until it's shut off.

Reduce Your Home's Energy Consumption

With the improved power management system that comes with a new HVAC system, you'll also see an improvement in overall energy efficiency. Most new heating and cooling systems are over 80% more energy efficient than the models they replace. That's a huge difference, and it could mean big savings on your energy bills each month.

Save on Maintenance Costs

A new HVAC system can help reduce overall maintenance costs for your home. Most older heaters and air conditioners require you to hire a professional to perform standard maintenance on them at least once per year. If you didn't schedule regular maintenance or if you didn't catch any issues in time, you could end up having to pay for expensive repairs – or replacement altogether – down the road. Therefore, you could save up to 60% by just upgrading your AC.

Save on Fuel Costs

If you have your heating and cooling system serviced with a new HVAC system, you'll also save on the cost of fuel. New heating and cooling systems use less energy and produce less carbon dioxide than their old counterparts. So, if you're thinking about switching over to a new heating and cooling system, take advantage of those savings now instead of putting it off until spring.

Reduce Your Heating Costs Later

As we all know, setting up a new heating and cooling system is pretty expensive. If you have your home's heating and cooling system installed before the warm spring weather hits, you could save money by not having to heat your home as much later in the year.

If you're looking for a way to upgrade your home this spring, consider taking advantage of a new HVAC system. You'll enjoy more efficiency, improved power management and security, reduced maintenance costs, and lower carbon dioxide emissions. That sure sounds like a win-win situation. Talk to a local HVAC repair company, like MES, for options on upgrading your AC system.