Overhead Door of Permian Basin Blog!

It's something most homeowners don't think of during the holidays…garage safety. But think about it! You are in and out of your garage more during the holidays (getting out decorations, storing gifts, countless shopping trips to the grocery store and mall…). It's exhausting just thinking about it! We're here to make sure you stay safe during the holidays.

Keeping the garage door shut at all times
Did you know the garage is a burglars favorite point of entry? Especially during the holidays! Make sure you keep your garage closed while you are there AND away. An easy way for you to avoid leaving the garage open with children around is having a keypad installed. This will allow the children to type in the code without have to use a car clicker. Also, make sure to keep the door connected to the garage locked. If for some reason someone does enter your garage, the worst thing that could happen is they enter your house as well. 
 
Lighting
Install automatic lighting around your garage door to keep unwanted visitors away. This is also a safety precaution for your family members trying to enter in the garage in the dark.
 
Animals
A garage can be an easy “mud room” for your pets (especially with colder temperatures). Do not lock them in the garage without a way to enter the house or venture into the yard. Leave plenty of water out. A great way to give your pet access to the garage area is to install a doggy door, that way they may come and go as they please. If you do bring them in during the winter weather, be sure to set out blankets…but say no to space heaters!
 
Storage
Keep your garage clean and organized. Objects can cause someone to trip and fall if they are just cluttered around. Ladders need to be hung horizontally so a child will no try to climb it. Robes and wires need to be placed along the wall to avoid tangling. And when it rains, sweep up afterwards, the smooth concrete can create quite the ice rink.
 
Cautious
A garage door is the heaviest and biggest machinery in your home. Watch for children, animals, and objects before you choose to close the garage. We suggest walking along the door line to insure nothing will be hit once the door comes down. Make sure your garage door has an automated system to stop the door when it reaches an unfamiliar object.
 
Fire hazards
Garages aren’t exempt from the rules of fire safety. With all the fertilizer, chemicals, paints, and gasoline, make sure you have a fire extinguisher on hand just in case. We suggest using a Class B/C fire extinguisher.

Enjoy your holiday season and stay safe! For all of your garage door needs, contact Overhead Door. We are always happy to help!

Can you believe it?! This next weekend is the last one before Thanksgiving! If it's your year to host Thanksgiving and your house isn't exactly "Thanksgiving-ready," don't panic! Here are 4 quick ways to get your home Thanksgiving-ready.

1. Balance Your Heating System-Chances are, even if the weather is cool, your home will feel warm enough with all the cooking and family activity. However, to make sure your home is a comfortable temperature, balance your heating system. Not only will this increase airflow, but it will maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your home. First, close all vents in rooms that you don't use often. Next, see where the airflow is the heaviest (and lightest) and adjust vents accordingly. This is not only good for Thanksgiving purposes, but for the upcoming winter season!

2. Clean Silverware (Naturally)-Rather than using chemical cleaners, clean your silverware the natural way! Fill an aluminum pot with water, salt, and baking soda. Bring the water to a boil for 3 minutes, then rinse the pieces with warm, soapy water.

3. Clean Your Oven-Do NOT self-clean your oven before preparing Thanksgiving dinner. It increases the likelihood of it breaking. Instead, make a cleaner out of baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar. First, use dish soap and a sponge to clean grease. Then, squeeze two lemons into a baking dish filled with an inch of water and toss in what remains of the lemons. Place the dish in the oven and bake it for 30 minutes at 250 degrees. Next, sprinkle baking soda over burnt-on food and let it soak overnight. Scrub up the soaked places with a sponge. If necessary, add vinegar for those stubborn remains.

4. Dust Fan Blades-Unless it's something you check regularly, chances are your ceiling fans have collected a layer of dust. Make a mix of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Next, spray this mixture into an old pillowcase. Slip each fan blade into the pillowcase and wipe clean. This traps the dust in the pillowcase instead of pushing it into the air.

Now you're ready to be "Thanksgiving-ready!" For more tips on making your home as "homey" as possible, check out our blog section. And for all your garage door needs, think Overhead Door!

Can you feel it?

Cold weather is approaching! This is the perfect time to discuss garage maintenance. Preparing for inclement weather and freezing temperatures is just as important for the garage and garage door operating system as it is for the rest of the home. Take the preventative steps below to save you money, time, and altogether effort!

1. Insulate

• Consider investing in an insulated garage door. Insulated doors can help improve the thermal efficiency of your garage space and block unwanted street noise from entering living areas that adjoin the garage. Not only that, insulated doors are quieter and stronger than their non-insulated counterparts.
• Cover or insulate any exposed pipes in the garage to protect them from bursting during cold or below-freezing temperatures.
• Check the seals and weather stripping around your garage door to help keep cold air out of the garage and prevent water and moisture from entering.

2. Organize

• Make necessary winter items like snow shovels and blowers more easily accessible.
• Clear out and organize the contents of the garage. This is an excellent time to check for concrete damage, mold or any other issues.
• Remove any summertime items that are no longer in use, as well as anything that could be damaged by cold or freezing temperatures.
• Empty unused fuel from gas-powered equipment stored in the garage.

3. Take Precautionary Action

• Wash the garage door. This not only keeps it looking great, but it also increases its lifespan by removing dirt and debris that can affect operation.
•  Inspect the operating system for bent or loose hinges, along with broken wheels or worn-out bearings. These should be serviced by a professional.

By taking a few proactive steps this fall, you will be prepared for whatever winter brings. But be sure you take these steps soon! If not, you may be doing them in cold weather. If you do need a professional to service your garage door or operating system, give us a call! Or, request service online.

This November, we're THANKFUL…

…thankful for our customers, that is!

We want to thank you for making Overhead Door the industry's number one garage door brand!

According to Builder Magazine's 2015 Builder Brand Use Study, Overhead Door has once again earned the distinction of being the industry's number one garage door brand. The study is a survey of the nation's largest homebuilders, asking participants to rank garage door brands in the following categories:

• Brand familiarity
• Brand use during the last 2 years
• Quality of product
• Brand most used

Number One

Overhead Door took the number one spot in brand familiarity, quality of product and brand most used. These results were announced in Builder Magazine's Buyer's Guide. This publication is distributed across 10,800 builders in the United States, measuring product categories from windows to appliances.

We are honored to know that Builder Magazine readers voted us number one garage door brand. This only continues to motivate us to provide a quality product with reliable service to not only our consumers, but for homebuilders as well. We are committed to providing best-in-class products for many years to come.

Free Design Consultation

We would love to have the opportunity to show you the "Overhead Door difference." We were voted number one garage door brand for a reason, let us show you. Start by requesting a FREE design consultation today. We will discuss which door/style is right for your home, as well as pricing and ROI. Contact us today!