1. Read All Installation Instructions Carefully.

Installation's a big job, and if you're not up to the task, it's a good idea to hire a professional. If you decide to do it yourself, follow the instruction manual perfectly.

2. Read All Owners' Manuals.

Whether you install or don't install, read your owner's manual from front to back. There's emergency garage door information in there that can help prevent future problems.

3. Get The Springs Changed Routinely

4. Don't Mess With The Springs Yourself

Springs require regular maintenance, but they're very dangerous. They're made up of spring coils that are wound tightly. This means they're under lots of pressure. Serious injury could occur from improper handling.

5. Check Cables

From time to time, check your cables for visible wear. Most emergency situations are easily avoided by regular maintenance. Worn cables are a major source of trouble, including injuries.

6. Pay Attention To How It Runs

If there's anything funny about how it opens or closes, you've got a problem. Don't treat it lightly. This is a potential safety issue, so take care of it immediately. Even old doors should open and close smoothly.

7. Test Its Switch Sometimes

All garage doors have an emergency switch that keeps it from crushing whatever is underneath. Occasionally, you should put a small object under it and try to close it on it. It should stop before it hits the object. If not, you need repairs.

8. Lubricate

Like all parts that move on any machine, your garage door needs routine lubrication. It depends on the make and model, so follow the instruction manuals and keep a schedule.

9. Don't Operate It When Anything (Including People) Is Near It

Even though it's supposed to catch, garage doors malfunction just like anything else. In general, keep things and people that you love away from the door when opening and closing.

10. Kid-Proof

Keep the wall switch high enough so that little hands can't reach it, and keep the remote control safe. Make sure they understand it's not a toy and they should be careful around the garage door. Don't let them play Indiana Jones, sliding under the door just in the nick of time.

Follow these safety tips, and keep your machine properly maintained. Study your owners' manuals, be safe, and enjoy this addition to your home for many years to come.

In Kissimmee, garage doors & openers suppliers can help you add beauty and class to your home by offering garage doors whose quality, durability, and warranty are superior in the industry. To know more, visit http://www.garagedoorsfl.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Stratton
http://EzineArticles.com/?Garage-Door—10-Emergency-Garage-Door-Safety-and-Security-Tips&id=3741559

This shmuck copied our name changing the spelling to ride upon our reputation. Got to give him credit. But…

You have to draw the line somewhere! Because of the company’s poor service, it has been tarnished our Sterling Reputation. We have been providing garage door service and repair in Sacramento for well over 28 years. We do have happy customers.

Just to let you know, this is a quote from YELP from one very unhappy customer:

Wendy, I wish i could say the same.

I used them a little less than a month ago when my garage door wanted to commit garage door suicide and jumped the tracks which loosened the wires.  They did their duty ($105 for putting things back on track, etc) and charged us an additional $10 for using a credit card.  Weird.

Fast forward to today.  I couldn’t close my garage.  Same thing minus the wires.  Called and someone on the other end (answering service? sounded half dead/half stoned) asked my info and what the problem was and said that someone would call me back.  Two hours later someone called me back to ask me redundant questions over and over again (like it was going to solve itself with all his questions): what was the problem? (roller not on the track) were you doing anything weird with it? (are you serious) can you close the garage door? (no, it’s off the track) Does it close at an angle (NO, it’s off the track) Is someone home now? (yes, because I CAN’T CLOSE THE GARAGE) [insert huge sigh].  The man told me that someone would be there sometime today.  I forgot to tell him that I have a job!

Two hours after that some dude showed up told me that the roller was worn and that  he “might have over looked it the last time he was over”.  Really you douche?  You were working on the SAME ONE the last time. I was thinking of fighting him if he was going to charge me, but I was so done with him I gave him $5 for the roller and he was out in less than 5 minutes.

Over all time in waiting: 4 hours 15 mins
Work time: 2 minutes
Parts: $5
Vacation time used: 5
Blood pressure rating: off the charts.

This is what happens with mistaken identity

Our response: Marcella, If you had called us this would not have happened! This is a case of mistaken identity. I have another competitor named ABLE Garage Door, located in Roseville.

This would never have happened with our company ABEL GARAGE DOOR. I personally answer all my phones. If I am unavailable, my number one technician takes over in my absence.

Another IMPORTANT point. When we work on any garage door or opener, we perform a comprehensive 18 point check of the entire system. We would have been alerted to your worn rollers and would have replaced it on our First Visit. Sorry for your ordeal.

Moral of the Story

Please don’t confuse us with that shmuck ABLE DOOR COMPANY located in Roseville, CA.

If you want the BEST QUALITY SERVICE AND AN AFFORDABLE PRICE call us!

And if you are one of our many happy customers, please write a review with your experience.

Thank you!

1. Lower your Labor Costs – Fire your high priced technicians and replace them with less experienced and lower skilled employees. Or just, reduce the number of people you have working for you.
2. Reduce your materials cost – Look for cheaper sources of materials. And if you’re really desperate, find sources of used parts and use them in your repairs.
3. Reduce your margins – It’s one thing to make a little less, knowing that your customers are less willing to spend money. It is a totally different story, when you reduce your price to break even! Companies that do this are on the brink of going out of business.

There are no SECRETS! And the old adage remains the same: “If it sounds too good to be true, it is.”

Frankly, I’m a little pissed off at what some of my competitors are doing out there. I find it totally unacceptable when companies make promises they don’t back up. For example, many offer a coupon advertising a service call for $29.95  This is ridiculous! On average, in any given market, it takes a minimum of 30 minutes travel time to get to a customer. Round trip that’s an hour. Combine that with fuel cost and wear and tear on the vehicle cost. The break even amount of a service call is on average $20  THAT DOES NOT include the time it takes once you are on the job.

Bottom line: Consumers Beware - You are GUARANTEED you will be pressured once the technician arrives with additional fees and services.

Another trick used quite frequently by less than desirable companies: Being too greedy or incompetent by telling customers that the only way to fix their door is to replace it with a new one.

In servicing thousands of garage doors over our 28 years, most doors can be repaired for less money than it takes for a replacement. We have the ability to replace the hinges, springs, and cables on a door for less than a couple of hundred dollars. And if through our inspection of the door, we find that the costs will exceed $200, then we have a choice to make.

Important rule of thumb: If the repair on the garage door costs more than $200, you are $200 away from a new door(A new door installed is about $400)

Now I realize this is a blanket statement, but for most doors, repairs are typically limited to replacing a couple of hinges, the cable and maybe even a bearing or two. And if you really had to, replacing a panel on the door. The costs here are still less than a couple of hundred dollars.

I also understand, replacing an old door with a new one is always better, but let’s get real! Repairs almost always cost half of what a new door costs. When we’re all trying to save money, we get the most out of our money with a repair and a can of paint.

Here’s the last tip: Most garage door openers can be repaired to function like new. All too often, other companies are looking for the quick buck. If the opener is broken…sell them a new one! I personally, don’t like to buy a new one if I can fix it!  If I had money to burn, sure I’d buy a new one but times are tough. We are here to help!

These are just a couple of the ways to save money on garage door and opener repair. We believe in educating our customers to make informed decisions to get the most for their hard earned money.

Abel Garage Door has been servicing the Sacramento Metropolitan market for over 28 years. We know what it is like to struggle in tough economic times. We’ve done it before and we are doing it now. We strive to provide the most cost effective and value for every service we provide. We know survival is guaranteed to those that provide top quality service at an affordable price.

We place our customers first.

We are fully licensed, bonded and insured. We are open 7 days a week from 7am to 7pm with emergency service available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

This is so important, let’s say it again: have your garage door installed and serviced by a professional. This is not a job for a DiY-er with minimal knowledge of the task at hand.

Why?

One word – safety.

For most Americans, a garage door is the largest moving object in the home. Garage doors are both large and extremely heavy. This means that not only are they incredibly difficult to lift, but install it wrong and it can come crashing down with unbelievable force.

The garage door springs that help the doors open are under extreme pressure and can release enough power to severely injure or even kill someone. Specific tools and training are needed when dealing with these springs.

“Installing a garage door system is complicated, and can be a dangerous task if not done properly. A professional door dealer will help you find the perfect door for your home, and install it correctly and safely,” said Chris Long, Managing Director, International Door Association.

There are plenty of other jobs around your place that are perfect for the weekend warrior, but installing a new garage door is not one of them. You want it installed correctly, functioning safely and smoothly, and you want it up right the first time. When deciding on a professional installer for your new garage door, here are some questions to ask:

1.    How much experience does the installer have? 
How long has the company been in business? If it’s a new company, do the owners have experience working in the door and operator industry? As a general rule, the more years, the better.
2.    Does the dealer have satisfied customers or reviews available? 
This may be the most important checkpoint. Does the door dealer have satisfied customers? Are you willingly given phone numbers so you can talk directly to past customers, or do you have access to letters of recommendation from customers?
3.    What type of insurance coverage does the dealer have? 
It is important that door dealers carry the proper insurance on their business and employees. Ask for a copy of the company’s certificate of insurance. If it doesn’t have one or hesitates to provide it, this could be a red flag.
4.    Does the dealer comply with codes and regulations? 
There are many requirements that apply to safety and the installation of a garage door system. Federal, state and local codes and regulations must be followed. Ask the dealer about how he or she complies with the codes in your city. Selecting the right door dealer is as simple as asking a few questions. Don’t hesitate to call two dealers and ask these same questions. They take only moments to answer, and yet they can help you find an honest, competent professional who can solve your garage door problem.