Covoid-19 Update: A1A Overhead Doors will be open during this crisis. Our technicians are taking extra precautions to keep you and themselves safe.

  • Is your Garage as Secure as you Believe? How to Ensure your Garage is Secure

    Most of us consider our garages to be safe places to store our things. That big, heavy door, solid walls and concrete floors make the garage seem like a nearly impenetrable fortress. But is your garage really secure? Perhaps not, but there are some simple ways you can make it safer.

    • First, keep the door closed. This may seem obvious, but sometimes it’s easy to forget, especially if you have several family members going in and out.
    • Next, store the garage door remote inside your house. It’s convenient to keep it in the vehicle, but it’s also easy for thieves to find. If someone breaks into your car and the remote is there, he or she has easy access to your house. A keychain remote opener may be the best solution because you can leave it on your keys and never forget it as you enter and exit the house.
    • Lock the inside door. A deadbolt on the door that leads from the garage into your house is a good deterrent for thieves. Make sure that the door to your garage is a strong as the front door of your house, and install a peephole so that you won’t have to open the door for every strange noise.
    • Choose a garage door with no windows. If that’s not a possibility at the moment, frost or cover the windows, so thieves can’t look in and see when your car is gone.
    • Secure your emergency release handle. This is easy to do, just by connecting a zip tie to a loop in the emergency latch. You could also just remove the emergency pull, being aware that in the case of an emergency it will take a few minutes more to release the garage door.
    • Maintain your door. Pay attention to all the mechanical parts of your garage door, and make sure nothing is corroded. Check the frame, lock, hinges, and any replaceable items on the door from the garage to the house, and the exterior side door, if applicable.
    • Take additional security precautions. Install a garage door alarm and motion sensor lights. If there’s a side door to the outside, use the kind of doorstop that screws into the ground and keeps the door from being compromised.
    • Install a new door if necessary. Choose a sturdy garage door, made of metal or solid wood and strong enough to stand up to anyone trying to break in. Especially on older homes, garage doors are often low-quality, and not as sturdy as the ones on newer homes.

    If you need garage door repair or maintenance, new security features for your garage door, or are ready for a new garage door, contact A1A Overhead Doors Company today. Family owned and operated, A1A Overhead Door serves the entire metro Jacksonville area. In fact, we even go up to fifty miles into the outer countries. We are licensed and insured to cover both the client’s property and ours, and we’re proud to work with our clientele and math or beat any competitor’s written estimate. For more information, you can call 904.579.1123 or contact us through our website.

  • Keeping Kids Away from Garage Door Dangers

    Parents often go to great lengths to help ensure the safety of their children, but there are some hazards that even the most vigilant of caregivers are not aware of. Whether you need garage door repairs or just installed a new garage door in Jacksonville, FL, there are a number of things to know about when it comes to keeping kids safe around this part of your home.

    One common garage door-related injury among children is injured fingers, as they can get their fingers trapped between the segments of a moving garage door. Also, kids sometimes get caught underneath garage doors as they are closing. For these reasons, you should make sure that your children are well away from the door before opening or closing it. To help protect your kids from garage door injuries, encourage them to remain away from the door at all times. Also, you should try to be a good remodel and avoid ducking under the door as it is closing. Finally, take care of any necessary garage door repairs sooner rather than later to help promote the safety of you and your family.

  • What Are the Common Signs of a Broken Garage Door Spring?

    Spring replacements are among the most common types of garage door repairs that homeowners need. Are you wondering if you’re dealing with a broken spring and need garage door repairs near Fernandina Beach ? If so, then there are several signs for you to look out for.

    If you have a broken garage door spring, then the cables may be loose or detached, you may hear loud noises when the door is in motion, or you might see a break in the torsion spring. Also, if the garage door lifts only partway, lowers too quickly, isn’t level, lifts shakily, or is bent on top, then you may be dealing with a broken spring.

    What it comes to garage door repairs that involve spring replacement, these jobs are better left in the hands of professionals, as homeowners frequently end up injuring themselves when attempting to DIY this task. If you believe that you’re dealing with a broken spring, then consider calling your local garage door repair company.

  • Recognizing Lightning Damage to Your Garage Door Opener

    For many homeowners, the effect that storms can have on their garage door opener never crosses their mind until a problem comes up. Continue reading to learn what garage door experts in Jacksonville, FL would want you to know about what lightning damage to your garage door opener may look like.

    No Power

    Lightning strikes can do significant damage to electronics, including your garage door opener. If your opener has been affected by lightning, then you may find that the device no longer powers on following a storm. If your garage door opener doesn’t seem to be getting any power, then rule out other possible causes, such as an unplugged power cord or a tripped circuit breaker. After ruling out other potential issues, you should consider calling a garage door repair company.

    Failing Remote

    Another warning sign of lightning damage to a garage door opener is a remote that no longer seems to work. If, after replacing the remote’s batteries, you still can’t get it to open the garage door, then the problem may be inside of the opener.

    Different Lights

    The lights that you see illuminated on your garage door opener when it is working right are indicative of properly functioning electrical wiring. If, after a storm, you notice that the illuminated LEDs on your garage door opener are different than usual, then this may indicate that lightning has damaged the device. In particular, if the device’s warning light is on, then consider calling a garage door repair company to inspect the opener for damage.

    Inconsistent Performance

    When a garage door opener is functioning as it should be, then it opens the garage door consistently when directed to by a working remote. For this reason, if your area recently received lightning and now your garage door opener is only working some of the time, then its poor function may indicate that it has been damaged. Instead of waiting for the opener to fail again when you’re busy or running late, consider scheduling garage door repairs today.

  • How to Park in the Right Spot in Your Garage

    How to Park in the Right Spot in Your Garage

    Judging when you are far enough from your new garage door in Jacksonville, FL when parking in your garage isn’t always an easy task. If you struggle to park your car exactly where you want it when you get home, then watch this video for a simple trick to try.

    Start by getting your car where you would like to park it. Next, find yourself a tennis ball, some nylon string, and two eye hooks. Then, twist one of the eye hooks into the tennis ball before tying the string to the eye hook. Lastly, twist the second eye hook into the garage ceiling and then tie the other end of the string to the eyehook so that the tennis ball rests against the windshield. Now, you will know exactly where to stop when parking your car in your garage.

  • FAQs About Garage Door Hurricane Codes in Florida

    Are you considering garage door replacement in Jacksonville, FL but aren’t sure about what specifications are required? If so, then read on to learn the answers to some common questions about Florida’s garage door hurricane codes.

    Why is garage door hurricane code compliance important?

    The wind velocities that hurricanes can produce can do significant damage to even sturdy, rigid buildings and their components, and this includes garage doors. A hurricane can destroy a garage door by pulling it outward, pushing it inward, or removing it entirely, possibly causing damage to vehicles in the process. Also, if a hurricane’s winds manage to bend the door or remove it from the home, then this can leave the building more vulnerable to hurricane damage. For these reasons, garage door replacement can be a smart option for Florida homeowners whose garage doors aren’t up to code.

    Do I need to worry about garage door replacement for hurricanes?

    If you own an older home or if your garage door is not relatively new, then you should consider investing in a newer and more durable garage door. Older garage doors are typically more vulnerable to hurricane force winds, and the damage that they can suffer may lead to additional problems such as water and roof damage.

    How do I determine the wind speed requirements for my home’s location?

    To determine what wind speed requirements your garage door replacement should meet, you should factor in the wind exposure that your home may receive in your location, as well as your home’s structural type. You can find information about the minimum wind speed that your garage door should be able to withstand by visiting windspeed.atcouncil.org .

    Why do garage doors need a hurricane code?

    Many people assume that because garage doors are so big and heavy that there is no need to worry about them suffering hurricane damage. However, the truth is very much the opposite. It is because garage doors cover such a large opening in your home that hurricane code compliance is vital for avoiding hurricane damage.

  • What You Need to Know About Garage Door Maintenance

    It’s easy to take your garage door for granted. Most of us use our garage doors every day without thinking twice about how they work or even whether they’re working as well as they should. This changes, however, when your garage door malfunctions. One of the best ways to minimize the number of repairs you’ll need to make to your garage door is to seek out professional maintenance from a garage door company in Jacksonville, FL. Here’s what you need to know about maintaining your garage door. white - garage

    Garage doors experience a lot of wear and tear

    Think of how many times a week you use your garage door. You may only be opening and closing it, but it puts a great deal of stress on the internal components of your door. The more often you use your door, the closer those components come to wearing out and breaking down. That’s why regular maintenance is so important—it can help to ensure that your garage door stays in great condition.

    Broken garage doors make noise

    It isn’t always easy to tell when it’s time to call for professional maintenance of your garage door, but one way is to listen for any unusual noises when you open or close your door. If the door creaks, it could mean that you simply need to oil the hinges—or it could indicate a more serious problem. To be on the safe side, you should have it checked out by a professional right away.

    Garage door malfunctions can be subtle

    It’s easy to overlook many of the most common garage door malfunctions. If your garage door is refusing to open or close, it could be because the rollers have gone off-track, because of a broken sensor, or even because of changes in the humidity level. Calling for a quick repair will help to ensure that your door continues to operate reliably and safely.

  • Why Broken Garage Doors Are Dangerous and What You Can Do About It

    A functional garage door isn’t just a must for your garage—it’s also important for your safety. If there are any issues with your garage door, it can easily lead to a safety hazard and put you and others at risk of injury. If your garage door is in need of repair, you should call a garage door repair company that serves Jacksonville, FL, as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Here’s what you need to know about the potential hazards of a broken garage door: opening - garage

    Falling doors can cause injuries

    Have you ever stopped to think about how heavy your garage door is? Most garage doors weigh at least a half-ton or more. This means that the components keeping your garage door up, such as the springs, are under constant pressure whenever you have your door open. If the springs give out, it could result in the door suddenly slamming down and injuring anyone standing there.

    Doors that won’t close don’t provide security

    The other major hazard of a broken garage door is that it will not close all the way. If your door won’t securely shut, it means that your garage can easily be breached by thieves, who can steal your personal property or even put you in danger. Repairing a broken garage door as quickly as possible is a must if you want to keep your home safe from would-be intruders.

    Early repairs can help keep you safe

    It’s easy to assume that you can put off necessary garage door repairs, but it’s not a good idea. The sooner you have your garage door repaired, the less likely it is that an existing problem will evolve into a worse one. Fast repairs also help ensure that your door doesn’t cause any accidents or provide a convenient entrance for burglars. In addition to repairing your door, a repair company can also repair or replace your garage door opener when necessary.

  • What to Do When Your Garage Door Creaks

    A persistent creaking sound is one of the most common signs that your garage door is in need of professional repair. If your garage door emits a noticeable creaking noise when you open or close it, you may be uncertain whether or not it merits an immediate response. Garage doors creak for a number of reasons, and not all of them are emergency situations. Some types of garage door openers, such as chain drive openers, naturally make more noise than others. A creaking noise may also be the result of an unbalanced door. In some cases, the creaking may be caused by defective rollers and hinges, which need to be replaced. Your door’s rollers may also simply need to be lubricated. Whatever the reason your garage door is creaking, you should have it inspected by a garage door professional in Jacksonville, FL, to identify the underlying issue and fix it as soon as possible.

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  • Preparing Your Garage Door for Severe Weather

    The state of Florida has been hit hard by hurricane season this year. With more storms on the horizon, it is more important than ever to make sure that your property is ready for high winds and heavy rains. With services from a garage door company near Jacksonville , you can upgrade your current garage door or purchase a new garage door that has been engineered to withstand hurricane conditions. Here is a quick overview on how you can prepare your garage door for severe weather. green - garage

    Seal Out Wind and Rain

    When a hurricane makes landfall, it will bring extreme winds and punishing rains to the surrounding areas. To ensure that your garage door is ready for a hurricane, take the time to make sure that it has been properly sealed against the elements. A trained technician can provide you with special weather stripping that has been specifically engineered to keep the elements out of your indoor spaces.

    Consider Strengthening Services

    Your garage door company may be able to provide you with improvements that will make your existing door stronger and sturdier. During a strengthening service, your technician will identify any points of weakness around your garage door. These areas will be bolstered using brackets or support bars. Depending on the building codes in your area, having a properly strengthened and secured garage door may be a requirement for your home.

    Purchase a New Door

    In some cases, strengthening and weather stripping may not be effective enough to ensure that your garage door is hurricane-ready. If you are concerned that your existing garage door is not durable enough to remain intact during a hurricane, it may be time to purchase a brand new unit. New garage doors come with hurricane-proof equipment, such as reinforcement bars and thick weather stripping. Purchasing a brand new garage door will provide you with better peace of mind during hurricane season.