Mar
31

Garage Door, You're Homes Biggest Energy Waster

on March 31st, 2010

Owning a home is hard to do these days. The country is in an economic crisis, property values stink, unemployment is high, and everything keeps getting more expensive. Including energy bills.

Lots of websites and magazines tell us how to reduce our expenses, like installing energy efficient light bulbs or upgrading our appliances, but they never mention the biggest energy waster.The garage door.

Garage Door = Energy Waster

The walls in your home are built to keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Wood, insulation, sheet rock; these help keep the elements out and your home more energy efficient. But what about your garage door? It’s basically a giant moving wall. But you might be suprised to learn that your door isn’t doing a good job keeping out the elements. Cheap material, poor insulation, and eroding weather seal are causing your energy bill to climb.

Ever feel like you walked into a sauna in the summer or an icebox in the winter when going in your garage? It’s because of your garage door. And while most of us don’t care about the temperature in our garage, we do care about the temperature in our house. Nearby rooms need more energy to heat or cool off as a result of the garage suckign it away. This is why energy bills are high.

Homeowner Energy Tax Credit

The US government is incenting homeowners to make energy efficient home improvements, hoping to reduce energy consumption and stimulate the economy. Any qualifing energy efficient home improvement made thru Dec 2010 you can claim a 30% tax credit on. The important thing here is that this is a tax credit, not a tax deduction. That means you get cash back. Up to $1,500.

So how do you know if a garage door qualifies? But how to know if you are buying the right kind of garage door? We put together a comprehensive list by garage door manufacturer so you know exactly what model door you need to get the credit. You’ll also need a certificate, different for each manufacturer, to prove you qualify. Don’t worry, we included these as well to keep it simple. If you aren’t sure if this is in your budget, even with the $1,500 energy tax credit, you can call Precision Garage Door Repair Cleveland for a free estimate on new doors.

Not sure if you want to make the upgrade? Don’t worry, you have until the end of 2010 to decide.

Jim Flick –
About the Author:

Jim Flick provides tips on garage door repair and improvement for homeowners.

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Mar
31

Signs That A Garage Door Should Be Replaced

on March 31st, 2010

Garage doors are designed to last many long years.  Products are available to help maintain the operation and beauty of garage entries, with a bit of annual maintenance.  Many homeowners only think to replace garage doors when something happens that makes it necessary, such as being hit with a car or lawnmower.

Even without accidental damage, garage doors do suffer wear and tear over time, especially from the elements.  Waiting too long to replace worn out doors and openers can create a serious safety hazard.  Doors and openers that are worn cease to operate properly, and accidents can occur.

Energy efficiency is yet another reason to upgrade existing garage doors.  Over time, the seals that help stop air loss around the garage doors weaken and wear out.  Once these seals become too worn, air loss begins to occur, which creates an expensive power concern.  For old doors that do not have insulation, replacing them with new, well insulated doors is an investment in energy conservation that can pay for itself in energy savings over the life of the door.

Signs to look for that a garage door is at the end of its useful life include lack of insulation and modern safety features, air seals that are torn and worn out, and dents and breaks in the door.  Fiberglass garage doors will often fracture upon impact.  If this happens, the door’s safety is compromised.  When the door is in the full overhead open position, part of the door could fall off due to the fracture and cause serious damage to nearby items, and even more serious injury to anybody standing under or near it when the break occurs.

Likewise, garage doors with considerable dents also pose a safety risk as misshapen doors can interfere with the smooth operation of automatic door openers.  If any part of a metal garage door is dented outward, or inward, in such as way that it makes contact with the ceiling or any other object or portion of the opener mechanism, malfunctions will occur.  In this event, the door should be fully closed then detached from the automatic opener until a garage door service can install a replacement.

Safety is an important consideration with garage doors.  Because they are heavy and are usually hung from overhead, the risk of a door, or part of a door, falling and causing property damage or injury to people and pets should be carefully avoided.  If an existing door’s safety features falter, it should not be used and must be replaced.  Every garage door must have bump sensors that automatically reverse and raise the door if it bumps anything on the way down.  To test that this feature is fully functional, put a block of wood under the door and attempt to close it with the automatic opener.  If the door does not reverse on its own, the bump sensors are no longer working.

While garage doors can last many years with regular maintenance, safety concerns are the number one reason to replace old doors.  Of course aesthetic style and energy efficiency are also important.  However, if a door shows signs of dangerous wear and tear, getting a replacement garage door should not be put off.

Grubb Young –
About the Author:

Mesa Garage Doors

Mesa has been setting the standard in garage door creation, installation, and service since 1989.  Everybody at Mesa understands that purchasing a garage door is a decision that affects the aesthetic beauty and comfort of a home.  Let Mesa help you design an entry that will welcome you home with warmth and style every time:

http://mesagaragedoors.com

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Mar
31

How To Choose A Garage Door Opener

on March 31st, 2010

There are many garage door openers available on the consumer market.  Many homeowners might automatically go for the least expensive option available.  However, different garage doors require different power levels of openers, and the location of the garage in relation to the home is also an important factor.

For garages that are built under the house, as is common with many ranch style homes and homes with basements that have exterior access, it is likely worth spending a bit of extra money to get a very quiet garage door opener.  While it may be less important for a garage that is under common area living spaces, such as kitchens and living rooms, garages that are underneath bedrooms can be noisy areas that can disturb people sleeping above.  Keep in mind that automatic garage door openers are most often attached to the ceiling of the bay– which is the floor of the living space above.  Spending an extra hundred dollars on a whisper quiet automatic opener can minimize noise disturbance.  This is especially important for homes with children.

Noise concerns are one thing, but before a homeowner can select from a series of whisper quiet units, the appropriate style of automatic opener must be found.  The garage door service that is performing the installation can help a homeowner figure out which style is best.  Most garage door openers are installed in an overhead fashion.  This means that the opener is mounted to the ceiling in the car bay area, and uses a pulley system to raise the door up and overhead.  For garages with particularly low ceilings, cathedral ceilings, or obstructed ceilings, jackshaft opener styles must be used.  Jackshaft openers are wall mounted, and often receive high ratings for quiet performance.

When it comes to garage door openers, size matters.  For most insulated metal and fiberglass garage doors, an opener with 1/2 horsepower is ample.  However, specialty doors are often heavier than more standard doors, and likely require more heavy duty openers.  Most carriage house style garage doors need an opener with 3/4 horsepower to handle the heavy lifting.  Likewise, solid wood doors, which are extremely heavy, need at least 3/4 horsepower to handle the weight.

It is vital for safety that automatic garage doors have the appropriate horsepower to handle the size and weight of the doors that they must lift.  Without the correct horsepower, automatic openers can easily falter and fail, creating serious safety hazards.  Because it is so important that the opener matches the door, it is a wise decision to consult with a garage door service about the power and style of opener that is needed.

Grubb Young –
About the Author:

Mesa Garage Doors

Mesa has been setting the standard in garage door creation, installation, and service since 1989.  Everybody at Mesa understands that purchasing a garage door is a decision that affects the aesthetic beauty and comfort of a home.  Let Mesa help you design an entry that will welcome you home with warmth and style every time:

http://mesagaragedoors.com

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Mar
31

Buying Downspout Extensions Made Convenient

on March 31st, 2010

Downspout extension can be used for dispersing rainwater away from the foundation. It helps in preventing erosion damage and wet basements to your flowerbeds and lawns. This extension connects to gutters so that water can run off safely away from your place, without damaging surrounding foundation and structure. You can get downspout extensions in different sizes; you can easily pick one that fits in your requirements.

Buy Downspout Extension 4 Ft that is designed for covering flowerbeds and small walkways. You can accommodate it at the places that do not have space for long extenders. It automatically unrolls for dispersing the water away from foundation and does not require any manual efforts. This also helps in reloading natural groundwater aquifers while allowing compliance with downspout disconnection program. You do not have to witness the water pollution that is caused by the sewer overflows now.

Long lasting and simple to install downspout extensions will not fail to add to your delight. The self-cleaning designs expel debris, leaves, and dirt automatically. Components of extension is made of strong weather resistant plastics without any metals that can rust or worn down.

For getting rid of the runoff water, you can also purchase Downspout Extension 6 Ft. This extension economically prevents water damage to your place while dispersing the water away. You can easily protect your yard becoming muddy mess by using this downspout extension. It also offers almost the same features as the 4ft downspout extension but is bigger in size. If you want bigger extension then you can go for Downspout Extension 9 Ft.

Stormwater Specials are designed specially for expelling the leaves, dirt, and debris. You can find the stormwater management specials in various circumferences to fit in standard downspout shapes and sizes. Easy and fast installation will help you getting away from any kind of hassles. UV protection, weather resistant plastic offers a smart solution for use.

By looking online, you can also find gutter seals for fixing the gutter leaks on your own. Whether you have a vinyl or metal gutter, installation of the gutter seals is dependable, easy, and quick. You do not have to damage the gutter by using patching system. Gutter seals help in forming watertight and a powerful bond with existing gutter to avoid leakage. You can conveniently paint these seals to match the color of environment. All you have to do is clean the gutter and stick seal to it. Use scissors or knife for cutting the seal in the right shape.

If your house is located on larger lot, you will need a better drainage to let the water run off farther. In this case, you can buy gutter extension tubing 25 Ft and 50 Ft according to your need. This type of tubing easily is attached to standard downspout and helps in expelling water far away. For the distant drainage, this type of tubing is designed without any sprinkler holes. By a few mouse clicks, you can now get the finest products online.

RobinJackman –
About the Author:

Robin Jackman fits Rainguard Better than metal gutters Downspout Extension 4 Ft , automatically rolls out to disperse rainwater from your gutters, Stormwater Specials downspouts rewinds on its spool when the rain stops .

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Mar
31

Buying Topsoil In West Chester: Do You Really Have To

on March 31st, 2010

The buying of shrubbery is what most of the persons think is ideal to start with. Despite taking sufficient care most of the plant do not survive more than a few weeks. The cause: Unhealthy topsoil. If you also one of the homeowners blaming the inability to grow good plants on the soil variety then try to test a good topsoil before letting go.

Is topsoil of any use in the home garden? And will you, as a gardening enthusiast, be able to grow plants easily once you have installed quality topsoil in your yard? These are but some of the questions that most homeowners ask vendors of topsoil in West Chester. Yes certainly? Getting a quality topsoil in West Chester isn’t that economical. In fact, most homeowners probably start to not care for their lawn simply because growing and maintaining shrubs, flowers, and other greeneries can be quite expensive. You will be able to acquire a topsoil in West Chester for as much as $29 per cubic yard other than the charges for carrying and putting in place.

If only funds are not bothering you then make sure to have the finest topsoil in preparing for harvesting green vegetables. And because of the demand for this landscaping must-have, there are vendors supplying the demand for topsoil in West Chester who are mainly after profit. You must get the topsoil checked by a person having knowledge of the topsoil conditions.

Acquiring quality topsoil is not easy. Even the best of persons find it difficult to distinguish a good one from a one of doubtful origin. In West Chester there are multiple types of topsoil found in river bottom and from industrial and construction waste. The topsoil should be free from any herbicides to allow you to grow an organic garden.

Go for buying topsoil in West Chester PA only from a wholesaler who permits checking on the stock. Try to check the topsoil thoroughly when you are making a mass purchase. The dealer if honest will not hesitate in any manner to give a sample for investigation. You may get the sample of the soil tested for any herbicides or chemicals in a laboratory. Go in for the lighter varieties of crops like beans, tomatoes, or cucumbers to test the topsoil for sensitivity when you have very less resources for allocation.

Rayner Chandler –
About the Author:

Author is an expert on home improvement topics like Topsoil West Chester and Topsoil West Chester Pa

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