The Hidden Dangers of DIY Garage Door Repair

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YouTube and the internet, in general, make it super easy to believe you can fix that noisy or malfunctioning garage door problem by yourself. Nonetheless, one often overlooked danger that accompanies DIY garage door repair is the DID — the Dangers Invisibly Dwelling.

This might sound like a way to save money, but fixing your garage door yourself with no supervision can come with severe consequences. You simply take too many risks not worth it to save some money, from handling high-tension parts such as torsion springs to costly mistakes that come when you are inexperienced.

Let's delve deeper into the reasons why garage door repairs are best left for those with skill and training, as well as some of the risks you take in this context with DIY garage door repair.

The Complexity of Garage Door Systems

At first glance, garage doors seem simple – just a panel that goes up and down. However, this simple trick hides a complex network of pulleys, cables, rollers, and springs that allows the door to function correctly. Because of this complexity, DIY garage door repairs are one of the main ways that everything can go terribly wrong.

Garage doors have unique needs for repair, unlike other home repair jobs. The tension present in the springs, for instance, is something that the average person will not be able to manage safely. Even a simple-sounding process, such as fixing a misaligned track, requires exact precision to prevent more extensive damage.

This complex system creates many of the risks associated with DIY garage door repair. There are plenty of small mistakes you can make to end up with something more catastrophic, like a door that doesn't close properly and presents a security risk to your home.

There are also the hazards of garage door torsion springs and other consequences of improper garage door servicing. If you have no experience fixing garage door mechanical errors, your work might cause more damage than it solves, eventually leading to a costlier problem.

Common Mistakes in DIY Garage Door Repair

Even minor DIY garage door repairs can quickly turn into major issues. Here are some common mistakes in DIY garage repair, and perhaps also, why not DIY garage door repairs?

●     Misaligning the Garage Door Tracks: Slight misalignment can cause the door to jam or wear unevenly. Without the right knowledge, adjusting the tracks can lead to further damage or safety hazards.

●     Incorrect Cable Tension Adjustment: Improper cable tension disrupts the door’s balance and can lead to sudden door failure. DIYers often lack the tools and expertise to adjust cables safely.

●     Using the Wrong Tools: Garage door repairs require specialized tools, especially for tasks like spring adjustments. Using the wrong tools can damage components or lead to accidents.

●     Over-Lubricating Moving Parts: Too much lubricant can attract dirt, clogging the door’s moving parts. The wrong type of lubricant can also cause long-term damage.

●     Ignoring Small Signs of Bigger Problems: Small issues like strange noises are often symptoms of bigger problems. DIY fixes may miss the root cause, leading to costlier repairs or door failure.

Call a Professional for Your Garage Door Repair Today!

While DIY projects can be a rewarding way to save money and learn new skills, garage door repair is not one of them. The hidden dangers of repairing garage doors yourself—ranging from the risks of fixing garage springs to the potential for serious injuries—should not be ignored.

Garage door systems are intricate, and attempting to repair them without the proper training and tools can lead to costly mistakes or worse.

Whether you’re dealing with broken springs, misaligned tracks, or malfunctioning openers, it’s best to call a professional like RockGarageDoorRepair. The risks of attempting a DIY fix far outweigh the potential savings, and in the end, prioritizing safety and expertise is the smartest choice you can make for your home and your family.

Whether it's maintenance or a new garage door installation, it's best to leave it to the professionals who have the skills, knowledge, equipment, and tools. Having trouble with your garage door? Call a garage door contractor today!

Is Your Rooftop Ready for Solar Panels?

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Before jumping into a solar panel installation, it’s essential to check if your roof is well-suited for solar. Key factors like roof strength, orientation, material, and shading can significantly impact how much electricity your panels generate. 

Here’s a guide to understanding the necessary requirements for a successful solar installation on your rooftop.

1. Is Your Roof Strong Enough for Solar Panels?

Solar panels add weight to your roof, so ensuring that your roof is structurally sound is the first step. Generally, roofs that are in good condition can easily support solar panels, but if your roof is old or has any signs of damage, repairs or reinforcements may be needed first.

Most roofs last around 25-30 years, which is similar to the lifespan of solar panels. If your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, it’s best to replace it before installing solar panels. A well-maintained roof can support the weight of solar panels, which, in some cases, even helps protect it from harsh weather elements, reducing natural wear and tear over time.

A professional solar installer can assess your roof’s structural condition, estimate how much weight it can bear, and make recommendations about any necessary repairs before moving forward with installation.

2. Is Your Roof the Right Size for Solar Panels?

Solar panels require adequate space to generate sufficient energy for a household or farm. If your goal is to reduce most or all of your electricity use, you’ll need to install enough panels to produce that amount of energy.

For an average home, around 300-500 square feet of roof space is ideal for a standard-sized solar panel array, although the exact space needed will depend on the efficiency and wattage of the panels chosen. Solar panel installers can measure your rooftop area and help you calculate how many panels will fit and whether they will meet your energy goals.

3. Best Roof Orientation and Angle for Solar Panels

The orientation and angle of your roof play a crucial role in determining the efficiency of solar panels. South-facing roofs in the U.S. are optimal for capturing the most sunlight throughout the day. East- or west-facing roofs are also viable options but may generate around 15-20% less energy compared to a south-facing installation. In these cases, adding a few extra panels can help make up the difference.

The pitch or angle of your roof also affects sunlight exposure. Ideally, solar panels should be positioned at an angle of about 30-40 degrees to the sun. However, flat roofs can still be suitable for solar panels; mounting systems can tilt the panels at the optimal angle, ensuring they receive as much sunlight as possible.

4. Assessing Shading on Your Roof

For even the most efficient solar panels to work optimally, they need as much direct sunlight as possible. Shading from trees, chimneys, or nearby buildings can reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches your panels, which in turn reduces energy production.

If your roof experiences partial shading, solar installers may suggest microinverters or power optimizers to help maximize energy production. Alternatively, selective trimming of nearby trees or slightly repositioning the panels can help minimize shading. Installers will typically conduct a shading analysis to give you an accurate idea of your roof’s solar potential.

5. Roof Material: What Works Best with Solar Panels?

Different roofing materials have different levels of compatibility with solar panels, and some types are easier to work with than others. Here are a few common roofing materials and how they pair with solar:

• Asphalt Shingles: As one of the most common roofing materials in the U.S., asphalt shingles are well-suited for solar installations. Installers can securely attach solar mounts by drilling into the shingles, making installation straightforward and cost-effective.

• Metal: Metal roofs, especially those with standing seams, are ideal for solar panels. Brackets can be clamped directly to the seams without drilling holes, reducing the risk of leaks and making installation quicker and more affordable.

• Clay or Concrete Tiles: These materials are durable but can be more challenging to work with since they’re brittle and prone to cracking. Installers may need to remove and replace individual tiles, which adds complexity and cost to the installation.

• Tar and Gravel (Flat Roofs): Flat roofs often use tar and gravel, providing a solid foundation for solar panels. Mounting systems can angle the panels appropriately for sunlight exposure, though additional support may be required.

If your roof material is unsuitable (like wood shake or slate, which are more fragile), a ground-mounted system could be an alternative.

6. Climate and Seasonal Changes

Your local climate can impact how much energy solar panels produce. In sunnier states, like California or Arizona, solar panels will naturally produce more electricity. However, solar energy can still be effective in areas with seasonal changes, like the Midwest or Northeast, as long as they receive adequate sunlight during peak hours.

Final Thoughts: Preparing Your Roof for Solar

Going solar is a smart investment, but only if your roof is well-prepared. Checking your roof’s structure, orientation, shading, and material are crucial steps that can ensure you get the best energy output and longevity from your panels. Consulting with a local solar installer can provide a customized assessment, ensuring your home is solar-ready.

With the right setup, you can start enjoying lower energy bills, reduce your environmental impact, and make a sustainable choice that benefits both your home and the planet.

What is a Hybrid Heat Pump & Will it Benefit Your Home?

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There are a number of different types of heat pumps on the market, each with their own particular benefits and modes of operation. While ground, air, and water-source heat pumps are often on people’s minds, hybrid heat pumps are often left out of the discussion. Let’s look at what they are, what they do best, and which homes they can be best suitable to.

Hybrid Heat Pumps

A hybrid heat pump is a type of HVAC system comprised of two heating technologies (electric heat pumps and gas furnaces) working in conjunction. Using two types of technologies in tandem, it can provide a balance of fuel usage and low-cost operation. 

As a heating system, hybrid heat pumps alternate between using an electric heat pump and a gas furnace. They switch between them depending on factors such as the outdoor temperature, 

indoor temperature requirements, and energy consumption. It automatically selects the most efficient and cost-effective heating method based on these conditions.

An electric heat pump generally functions as the primary heating and cooling source when the temperature is milder (typically above 4°C). Like any heat pump, it extracts heat from the outdoor air, filters it out through using a refrigerant, and uses it to warm the home. In the  summer, the hybrid system works as a central air conditioner, removing heat using a reverse of the same process. It can provide up to 75% of its energy from renewable sources, making it highly efficient in moderate weather.

What changes here is that it also has a furnace system, where the gas boiler can take over, generally when the outdoor temperatures drop significantly (usually below 32°F/0°C). This is most effective when rapid heating is required. Using both the heat pump and boiler functions, the hybrid operation saves on energy consumption and is better for the environment than a standalone boiler.

Pros & Cons of Hybrid Heat Pumps

Here are some of the main advantages of hybrid heating systems.

• Energy Efficiency: By alternating between two different heating systems based on various conditions, hybrid systems can save up to 35% more energy.

• Cost Savings: Switching between electricity and gas allows homeowners to take advantage of the most economical energy source. 

• Versatility: Hybrid systems work best for regions with varying temperatures and sudden fluctuations throughout the year.

• Relatively Eco-friendly: The heat pump mode uses renewable heating processes thanks to a refrigerant system.

• Longer Lifespan Than Heat Pumps: The primary reason they last longer is that they use two systems. When each component works only under optimal conditions and splits operations between different processes. Therefore, hybrid heat systems can last between 20 and 25 years, as compared to the 15 to 20 years for a regular heat pump.

However, hybrid heat pumps also come with some disadvantages. These include:

• Only semi-renewable: Since it also relied on a boiler running that utilises fossil fuels, it often sidelines the renewable heating process for standard gas usage.

• Expensive: Boiler replacement can be cheaper for a like-to-like change, whereas hybridising a system can be more expensive to add to the home. These can make the break-even point longer.

Installation Considerations

So, what types of homes are hybrid heat pumps best suited for? One of the most common applications of the hybrid system was in renovations and replacing old boilers. This is fairly easy to do since a boiler is probably already in place for most existing homes. Attaching both systems can be expensive, but having one or the other might be better for saving on costs.

Similarly, attaching a hybridised system can be beneficial for properties that aren't fully optimized for standalone heat pumps. These properties may have insulation issues or might be in an area that occasionally dips below temperatures that heat pumps might be able to handle. 

Homes with existing radiators and piping systems can also benefit from a hybrid system. This way the heat pump can make use of the existing infrastructure within the house and the distribution system can remain the same. In this way, the radiators can continue to function rather than being taken out.

It's important to note that while hybrid systems offer significant advantages, they may not be the best choice for every situation. Homes with very good insulation might benefit more from a full electric heat pump system. This is especially true if temperature differences are not the widest between summer and winter, as most heat pumps will work fine in these conditions.

That said, hybrid heat pumps offer a viable heating solution for many types of homes, combining the benefits of electric heat pumps and gas furnaces. They can be more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than boilers, while also operating effectively and quickly in wider temperature ranges than standard heat pumps. While they can be more expensive, they provide a sense of security knowing that the benefits of both types of heating are present.

Freeing Up Space At Home With a New Heating System

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Do you have an old home and are looking to see what improvements could help air out your home. Creating new space in your home can also be an opportunity to modernise it and get rid of inefficiencies. You can kiss those bulky boilers goodbye and make a great energy-saving upgrade to your home.

So let’s look at some options that can give you more space in your home.

When Are Space-saving Boilers Worth it?

Boilers can be bulky and can take up unnecessary space in your home, but they don’t necessarily have to be a spacious prospect. Out of the 3 types of boilers (combi, system, and conventional/regular), combis can be the most compact and self-contained. They can, in the right conditions, also allow for savings on heating.

However, before you rush out to buy one, there are some things you need to consider and keep in mind. Firstly, if you’re looking to replace your system or conventional boiler, you need to make sure you buy a combi that can match the original boiler’s output. Combis tend to be effective for smaller homes. The general rule is that they are best for single-bathroom homes that don’t expect to be using multiple faucets simultaneously for an extended period of time.

Another thing to consider is whether the change in hot water suits your home. Combi boilers provide heat on demand, meaning that they heat water as it is needed by a faucet rather than storing it in a tank or cylinder. This has definite advantages, such as not wasting water and delivering the exact amount of hot water required.

However, on-demand water also means that homes that use a lot more hot water may see increases in their heating bills. This may not be appropriate for homes that use a lot of water or need multiple sources of hot water to keep their homes warm.

Underfloor Heating

Boilers aren’t the only game in town, which is why there are other novel options that might come to the rescue (if they apply to your home and living situation). 

Maybe switching your central heating device isn’t the right way to go. You may want to instead alter your home’s heat distribution system. If financially viable, a smaller home can benefit greatly from underfloor heating as it allows homeowners to ditch radiators.

With the radiators out of the way, your room may be able to breathe and the possibilities can open up. Aside from the space that radiators take up, there are many types of appliances that cannot be placed next to them (heating-adjacency issues, placement issues, etc.), which opens up a lot of arrangement possibilities for your room.

Along with saving space, there are fewer maintenance concerns with underfloor heating since there are no major moving parts as long as the pipes work. It can also distribute heat evenly, allowing for a more uniform temperature control throughout the various areas of your home. 

That said, underfloor heating does have requirements. The first is that you have permission to alter your home and have removable floorboards for easy installation. Another issue is that the cost can vary based on the size of your floor, so larger homes will incur more costs per square metre as a result.

Electric underfloor heating mats generally have a maximum thickness of only 2 mm. You may need insulation boards advised to minimize heat loss, otherwise it won’t be as efficient and may run up the heating costs. Adding these boards can increase the thickness to about 6mm, which is very thin. Most floors can easily manage that, so it may be worth considering.

Can a Heat Pump Save Space?

Heat pumps are a complex topic in terms of space saving. The air conditioners that come with heat pumps can definitely save floor space as they are often located on the upper section of a wall or other surface. However, some homes employ a hybrid system which often means that they work alongside boilers, which won’t free up any more room.

Another thing worth considering is that heat pumps often save indoor space by taking up a bit of outdoor space. These systems have a heating unit that is located outside the main heating and cooling unit and may use up external space. Air source heat pumps use the least amount of outdoor space, while ground source heat pumps can take up significant room in the form of boreholes and trenches.

However, if you have outdoor space, you can benefit from heat pumps. Additionally, if you have the space, a heat pump with solar panels can make your heating entirely free from the gas grid while providing the highest level of energy performance. This allows for better savings on both heating and energy consumption while allowing you to free up potential gas-based appliances.