Overhead Door of Permian Basin Blog!

Though West Texas has been experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures for this time of year, it's never too early to start planning for winter. Your garage can end up as the source of a significant amount of cold air; if you aren't careful, can end up inside your home. Follow our tips on ways to insulate your garage to keep the cold where it should be - outside.

Insulate Your Garage and See Savings

Garage Doors

Metal doors absorb cold and heat easily. If you don't have an insulated garage door from Overhead Door, that doesn't mean you can't add insulation later. While not as durable or high quality as pre-insulated doors, you can purchase a kit with foam insulation from many major retailers. If you're using your garage as a workspace, insulating the door is worth the time and money. If it's time to replace your garage door, ask one of our friendly technicians about a genuine Overhead Door insulated product.

Entry Doors

Make sure that other doors coming off of your garage are well-insulated, especially  you've got an entry door into home. Consider switching out older doors that may not seal well after your house had settled. Opt for a steel or solid wood door without windows. If you can't spend the money on a new door, you can always drape plastic sheeting from inside your garage to prevent cold air from slipping into your home.

Windows

Use caulk and weatherstripping to seal off drafty windows. If there are air leaks, you could also be unintentionally creating an environment for water or insects to enter your garage, as well.

Walls

If you're currently building your home, consider adding insulation and sheet rock in your garage. Not only will it help keep it warmer in winter and cooler in summer, it can make your garage a much more pleasant workspace. If your home is older and you use it frequently as a shop, you might consider a renovation to add insulation for a more comfortable environment.

Thresholds

Along each door, including garage doors, it's important to add weatherstripping along the floors to block drafts from underneath the door. Measure your doors to find out what you need. Most hardware stores carry these supplies on-hand. However, worst case scenario, you can always purchase the items online. 

Not sure where to start with insulating your garage? Speak with an experienced member of the Overhead Door team today - we offer helpful, efficient service for your garage door needs.

Scrubbing out your garage may not be at the top of your resolution list for the new year. However, home improvement should definitely make it on your agenda, because cleaning your garage can save you space, headache, and time. Check out our eight favorite garage cleaning tips for 2018.

2018 Resolutions: Garage Cleaning Tips

1. Remove the junk. Our garages become a catch-all for just about anything - including empty boxes, almost-empty products, and project garbage. Take the time to clean up debris to save space, and reduce fire hazards.
2. Combine where you can. Do you have multiple containers of the same thing open? If you can combine open packages of the same product, mix then together and save space!
3. Toss what you don't need.. Have you heard of the Marie Kondo method, which employs a decluttering tactic of "if it doesn't bring you joy, toss it?" Though many common garage items won't necessarily bring "joy," it's important to get rid of things you never use. There's no sense in letting them take up space.
4. Create groups. Make piles for items you want to keep, trash, or donate. Often, you might stumble upon items you can sell, such as old bicycles or tools. Consider a sales forum, like Craigslist.
5. Organization is key. Garage storage is premium, but...if it's out of sight, it's out of mind. Consider a DIY project or two by creating a storage hub for tools, gardening equipment, and parts. When you're organized, you can find things easier - and they're less likely to get strewn in your garage.
6. Give it a scrub. Though it's been a bit cool lately, giving your garage floors, walls, and windows a good scrubbing will start your 2018 off squeaky clean. A degreasing agent can break up tough or slippery floor stains to reduce hazards.
7. Protect your garage. Inspect extry doors, windows, and your garage doors for damage. An annual garage cleanout is a perfect opportunity to create a barrier from the elements.
8. Get a professional service. Before moving stuff back into the garage, schedule a service appointment with Overhead Door. When your garage is free of debris, it's easier for us to assess any issues with your door and the parts. You can schedule yours here.

Wishing you a wonderful and prosperous 2018 from Overhead Door!

Spring is here and West Texas is already feeling the heat! These temperatures may have you wondering how you can cut cooling costs and save money this season. Follow these steps (and build the habits) to cut cooling costs once and for all.

Cut Cooling Costs With These Tips:

1. When you aren’t at home or when everyone is asleep at night, increase the temperature of your air conditioner’s thermostat more than you would when everyone is at home. Keeping your home at a comfortable 78 degrees and increasing it at night (and when you’re away) can save 5-15% on your air conditioner bills, according to the Department of Energy.
2. Don't forget to regularly replace your AC filter. Keeping your air filter clean allows for good air movement through your home. 
3. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you could boost your AC’s efficiency by up to 10% by planting trees or shrubs that will shade your outdoor air conditioner unit.
4. Avoid using the oven and stovetop during the day (the best time to use them is at night). The heat from these appliances increases the heat in your home. During and after cooking, be sure to turn on the exhaust fans. The same rule goes for taking a hot shower. To decrease the heat put off from the shower, turn on your bathroom fan.
5. According to the Department of Energy, if you replace your old air conditioner with a new unit, you can cut your cooling costs by up to half (depending on the age of your old unit). When shopping, look for a high-energy-efficiency ratio or EER (or Energy Star). A higher ratio means higher efficiency.
6. Set your AC fan on “high,” except for humid days, where your fan should be set on “low.”

There you have it! 6 easy steps that can cut your cooling costs. At Overhead Door, we are here to help with all kinds of helpful tips for your home!  to stay up-to-date on all the latest tips & tricks!

Spring is less than a month away! Pretty soon, birds will be chirping, flowers will be blooming and the sunshine will be shining! Is your home ready for the season change? Take a look at our 5 tips to prepare your home for spring! 

1. Fill The Low Spots
Find the low spots in your yard and fill them with compacted soil. Spring rains can cause yard flooding which can lead to foundation damage. Also, when water collects in these low areas, it creates a breeding ground for insects (and no one wants those mosquitos swarming around!)

2. Move Firewood
If you stored firewood near your home during winter, you need to remove it. Firewood should always be stored at least 2 feet away and 18 inches off the ground.

3. Inspect Concrete
Inspect exterior concrete slabs for cracks. All exterior slabs (with the exception of pool decks) should drain away from the home’s foundation. Fill cracks with concrete crack filler or silicone caulk, power wash, and seal.

4. Check Faucets
Check the exterior hose faucets for freeze damage. Turn the faucet on and place your thumb under the spout. If you can stop the flow of water with your thumb, that means that the pipe inside is damaged.

5. Check The Roof
From the ground, examine your roof for missing/damaged shingles. Snow and ice can really do a number to your roof. If you do notice significant damage, you may want to contact your insurance company and consider replacement before the start of spring/summer.

There you have it, 5 easy ways to prepare your home for spring! Happy (almost) spring!

It is important to prepare your home for winter conditions (especially after all that ice last year) to protect your home. The following easy steps will help to reduce the risk of damage to your home due to harsh weather conditions.

Ways To Prepare Your Home For Winter 

1. Insulate Exterior Pipes

Do you have water lines that run along the outside of your home? If so, be sure to insulate those lines to decrease the chance of them freezing.

2. Weatherproof Your Home

When purchasing a home, you will learn a lot about your future home with a home inspection. For example, you will find out more about the amount of insulation, the condition of the windows, if the doors are insulated, etc. It is important to know this kind of information for the winter season. If it’s necessary, you may want to consider adding insulation, weather-stripping, or redoing some ductwork in order to keep your home warmer during the winter months.

3. Have Your Flue Inspected

If you plan to use your wood-burning fireplace, make sure to have the flue inspected before doing so. This should be something you do annually to prevent damage to your home.

4. Detectors

Especially if you will be using your fireplace, make sure that both your smoke detector(s) and carbon monoxide detector(s) are functioning properly. These detectors should be tested monthly and batteries need to be replaced twice a year.

We hope these winter prep tips will protect your home this season! And don't forget...for all of your garage door needs, Overhead Door is here! Contact us anytime online!

The weather is changing and pretty soon those chilly fall temps will be here to stay! Which means you need to insure your heater is working optimally and your house needs to be aligned for the dropping temperatures, BUT what about your garage? Normally the garage is forgotten about, but it can really make a difference in the temperature of your home (as well as your heating bill!)

Here are a few things you can do to get your garage ready for fall!

Check your remote batteries: Cold temperatures can drain the batteries in your garage door opening remote. Make sure to replace your old remote batteries. No one wants to be stuck outside in the winter!

Use your garage door: Using your garage door daily keeps it from freezing shut, and ultimately everything will work better. If those temperatures do get below freezing, add a little salt to the ground to provide sure footing.

Grease it up: Most mechanical devices need a little grease every now and then. The cold causes metal to contract and will place an added strain to all working parts on the door. Be sure to apply a generous amount of lubrication to the hinges, bushings, and roller.

Check your seals: Last, but not least, your seals need to be tight and trim. This will affect the insulation in your garage as well as your heating bill. If the seals are not installed correctly or are starting to erode, cold air will start to seep in and cool your house.

All of these checks can be do-it-yourself, but if you need our professional help, don't hesitate to contact us! Or, if you think fall is the perfect time for a new garage door look, you can request a FREE design consultation. Our garage door experts will come out and give you an idea on cost and what look is best for your home.

It's that time again, folks. The kids are going back to school and summer is coming to an end...

It goes by so fast doesn't it? It seems like just yesterday we were giving you "Spring Cleaning Tips" and now it's time to clean out your garage from those summertime activities. We're sure you have pool toys, bikes, luggage, and various other summer items laying around your garage...but not to worry! We're giving you some tips for a summer garage clean out!

Tips For A Summer Garage Clean Out:

Utilize wall space-Any hardware or storage supply store will carry specific racks meant for certain "toys" (i.e. bikes, scooters, skateboards, golf clubs) that can be hung on your garage wall. This gets those toys off the floor and out of your way!

Bins & buckets-Invest in several clear bins to store all that summer fun. Some of those summer toys, however, won't fit in a bin. If that's the case, purchase a plastic bucket with rope handles. This stores the item and makes it easy to find, too!

Tip: Consider color coding your bins/buckets according to season (green for spring, yellow for summer, orange for fall, blue for winter) to easily organize toys, equipment, decorations, etc.

Garage sale-Now is a great time to do an "end of summer" garage sale. If you need some tips, we've got ya covered! Take a look at our Garage Sale Tips.

Decor-Keep in mind as you put those summer toys away that you will soon be getting out Fall/Winter holiday decorations (yep, that will be here before we know it, too)! You may want to bring those decorations towards the front of you attic or storage space to keep you from having to search and drag them around.

Good luck with your summer garage clean out!

For all your garage and overhead door needs, remember your local Overhead Door! We are always here for our customers. You can contact us or request service here!