Thursday, December 29, 2022

Garage Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Risks

One of the oldest dangers that garage may present is a source for carbon monoxide poisoning. A shut garage door and an operating fossil-fuel engine inside represents an incredible danger to anyone inside the garage or home. Even a larger space such as a parking garage presents a threat for trapped carbon monoxide gas.

Unfortunately, many people still overlook the potential danger of carbon monoxide in the home. And yet almost every day, especially in the winter, people are dying of exposure to this deadly gas.

Firefighters Respond to Garage Carbon Monoxide Alarm

One recent case of carbon monoxide poisoning occurred in Madison Wisconsin. Carbon monoxide alarms sounded in the La Ville Apartments late one night, resulting in the nearby emergency services fire department responding. Their investigation started in the first-floor hallway of the apartment, but the readings for carbon monoxide grew as the firefighters entered the parking garage.

What baffled firefighters at least initially was the lack of odor associated with running vehicles. There was no smell of exhaust which is the most common source of carbon monoxide. However, as the investigation continued, a garage heater was discovered to be the source of the carbon monoxide leak. It was shut off and the garage door opened to let out the carbon monoxide and let in fresh air. The concentration of gas dissipated relatively quickly.

What this incident demonstrates is that a vehicle is not always the source of carbon monoxide poisoning. The lack of such knowledge may lead to poor decision making that might result in injury or worse when dealing with carbon monoxide poisoning.

What is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

The poisoning is the inhalation of too much carbon monoxide into the lungs. The result is that the body does not receive enough oxygen and symptoms start to appear. Without quick action, a person suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning may pass out and succumb to the presence of the gas.

The gas itself has no taste or odor. It can come from any source that burns fuel such as the following.

  • Vehicles
  • Fireplaces
  • Wood Stoves
  • Space Heaters that Use Kerosene
  • Charcoal Grills
  • Gas Appliances
  • Ovens
  • Dryers
  • Water Heaters & More

Carbon monoxide is most deadly when it can build up indoors inside a room like a garage. Of course, it can also affect someone close to the source even when outdoors, such as standing behind an operating vehicle or even to a skier behind a slow-moving motorboat.

Breathing in carbon monoxide stops the flow of oxygen to the brain. The result is dizziness and confusion before the person blacks out. It is the confusion that prevents a person suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning to understand what is happening before it is too late.

Risk of CO Poisoning in the Garage?

Although carbon monoxide poisoning can happen in many different places, the garage is arguably the most common. The reason why is the operation of fuel-burning vehicles inside a closed garage, one of the most dangerous situations that can occur. It is why you should never turn on any fuel-burning engine, even a small one like a lawnmower, inside a garage or enclosed space without the garage door, man door or window being open.

Even with a source of fresh air, you should not run any fuel-burning engine inside for any length of time. If you are turning on the engine so that the vehicle or device can leave immediately, that is the only safe option. If you need to let your vehicle warm up, let it happen outside the garage on the driveway.

How to Prevent Garage CO Poisoning?

The first step is to identify all devices that can generate carbon monoxide. When such devices are shut off, ensure that all connections are solid, and no leaks are present. But it takes more than that to secure a garage from carbon monoxide leaks.

  • Install carbon monoxide monitors both in garage and around the home.
  • Install an exhaust fan in the garage.
  • Never leave a running engine on in an enclosed space such as a garage.
  • Seal all ducts so no air from the garage can get into the home.
  • Weatherstrip the door from the home to the garage.

These are just a few ways to protect you and those in your home from a potential carbon monoxide leak. By taking a few steps, you can make your garage safer from the buildup of the deadly gas. Be alert in areas that are prone to leaks and poisoning such as a parking garage, and do not operate any fuel-powered engine inside, especially when the garage door is shut.

Saturday, December 24, 2022

Does Car Insurance Cover Garage Door Repairs?

Your car insurance may cover a lot of different incidents, but does it cover garage door repair? The coverage that your car insurance provides will depend on several factors. However, there are cases in which garage door repair and replacement are covered. This includes the cost of new garage door installation depending on the insurance.

Regardless of whether you know if your car insurance covers damage to garage doors, you may believe that such instances are few and far between.

It’s Not an Uncommon Scenario for a Car to Damage Garage Doors

Cars striking overhead garage doors is more common than you might at first believe. Although sources vary, it is estimated that the number of vehicles that damage garage doors every year is roughly 50,000. Up to 60,000 are injured with as many as 500 dying in accidents involving garage doors.

These range from the most typical which is the homeowner itself hitting the garage door, or the door’s tracks and the garage frame with their vehicle while either entering or exiting the garage. But there are other types of incidents as well, most notably associated with criminal activity.
Does Car Insurance Cover Garage Door Repairs?
Does Car Insurance Cover Garage Door Repairs?

This includes cars in high-speed chases, vehicles in the process of being stolen, and other nefarious activities which result in vehicles striking garage doors. And while most instances of garage door damage is caused by the homeowner driving their own vehicle, there are plenty of cases where other drivers cause damage to the door sections and the equipment.

What Should You Do if You Damaged a Garage Door with Your Car?

If someone else has damaged your garage door, it is generally their responsibility to have it repaired or replaced. But what if you were the one who did the damage? This is not all that uncommon as people back into garage doors because of a miscalculation, becoming distracted, or simply getting into a hurry.

So, what do you do when you are the one who causes the damage? You may want to take the following steps to ensure that you understand what happened.
  • Make Sure Everyone is Alright: First things first, check yourself and everyone in the vehicle to ensure that they are fine. Most of the time such accidents are little more than bumps or a slight jarring which does no harm to anyone inside the vehicle.
  • Assess the Damage: Get out of your vehicle and look at the entire garage door, not just where you struck it. The garage door is part of a complex array of springs, tracks, rollers, and other parts that all work together. What may be a slight dent to the track caused by your vehicle, might’ve damaged the entire garage door assembly. Note areas that do not look right apart from the impact area.
  • Test the Door: If the damage appears to be slight, move the vehicle out of the way and then test the garage door. Do so manually, so you can feel with your own hands how smoothly the door slides up and down the track.
If the door does not move smoothly or you see parts that are out of place, you’ll want to call a licensed garage door repair company. The question is, will you have to pay the cost out of pocket for garage door repair that you cause?

Does Car Insurance Cover Garage Door Repairs & Replacement?

The answer will depend on the type of insurance you have, the cause of the event, and the laws governing insurance in your state.

First, your homeowner’s insurance may cover damage to your garage door. You will want to check your homeowner's insurance to see what coverage applies. Next, check your car insurance to see if it covers damage to your garage door if you run into it with your vehicle. In many situations, the insurance company pays for a complete garage door installation instead of trying to replace the section and repair the garage door.

In many cases, the liability associated with garage door repair means that your car insurance is probably not the best option. Of course, that will depend on the cause of the damage and the type of car insurance policy that you own.

If the damage was caused by another party, someone who crashed into your garage door, then you may be able to have new garage doors installed which would be paid for by their insurance. In certain liability cases however, such as ineligible or uninsured drivers your car insurance may take up the slack, if you choose to use it.

Check both your car and homeowner’s insurance to see what it covers before you work to repair or replace your garage door due to an accident.

Friday, December 23, 2022

Garage Door Repair in Orange, CA

When you're in need of garage door repair services, turn to the experts at Champion Garage Door Repair. Our qualified team serves residents, homeowners, and property managers in Orange, CA; providing efficient and robust solutions. Whether you're in need of new garage doors installation and replacement, or repair and maintain excising garage doors, our certified technicians will work with you to develop a customized plan that meets your needs and accomplishes your goals. We employ knowledgeable, trained technicians that are well-versed in the latest technological advancements and requirements, and have the capabilities to ensure that your garage doors, openers and springs work efficiently for years to come. Each of our local hometown facilities is equipped with the ability to service a wide range of garage door repair issues, including off-track repair service, roller replacements, garage door spring repair, opener repair, balance, adjustments, alignments, and installations.

Rapid Emergency Response

When your garage door malfunctions, it can become a safety issue for your home and family. Our emergency repair team arrives quickly and offers on-site solutions that ensure your home and family stays safe and secure. We believe it is our responsibility to our customers by facilitating quick response and preventing risky conditions, which we accomplish by using proven analysis methods and work procedures. Our dedicated emergency service team comprised of experienced and talented technicians with the training to provide appropriate solutions and expertly navigate the complex challenges of even the most complicated breakdowns. When you need same-day emergency services, our team at Champion Garage Door Repair has you covered.

Prevention and Maintenance

Preventative maintenance is essential to ensuring that your garage door runs smoothly and safely. Our comprehensive garage door audits scrutinize the overhead garage door assembly and the electric openers to identify potential hazards, improperly working components, unsafe conditions, and potential problems. Our qualified service technicians perform routine maintenance, inspections, and tune-ups to help detect improperly functioning components that could lead to unexpected future breakdowns. This process allows you to stay ahead of any impending issues, saving you time and money. Our complete maintenance services include a thorough inspection of your garage doors, an inspection the tracks, springs and hinges, electrical wiring, torsion assembly, limits and switches, entrapment protection system and safety features. The technician will then collect this data and determine what further testing or repair is necessary to prolong your garage doors' life and align it with safety and efficiency operations defined by the local regulatory agencies and ANSI.

Out of The Box Solutions

We pride ourselves on thinking out of the box and going above and beyond to provide robust solutions to all your repair needs. We encourage our technicians to utilize a wide range of techniques to devise dynamic solutions that elevate customer experience. We integrate technology with industry advancements to continually adapt and evolve our procedures, encouraging creative improvements that fit the customer's specifications and budget. We collaborating and listening to the customer’s requirements to create a customized service plan that meets their needs. Whether it's replacement, garage door installation, routine maintenance, or repair, we provide effective service that add value and delivers lasting results.

Integrity and Ethically Driven

We put integrity and ethics above all else, modeling our business on this steadfast model. We promote honest and fair treatment of our employees, encouraging them to use their creativity and expertise both in the field and at our facilities. We aim to create a work environment where we respect each other and the customers we serve. We comply with applicable laws, industry regulations, and ANSI safety standards. We prioritize transparency and include our customers in the decision-making process, working together to develop strategies based on the information collected through our inspection process.

DIY Garage Door Installation Mistakes

Many homeowners and property owners find that DIY home improvement projects save them money and gives them a sense of accomplishment. While there are many different building and maintenance projects that you can easily accomplish around your home or property without the aid of a professional contractor, the overhead garage door may not be one of them. Some mistakes during a garage door installation project can result in costing more than having a licensed garage door repair company installing the garage doors and equipment to begin with. With that in mind, here are 3 common garage door installation mistakes that inexperienced installers make when they install their garage doors.

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Read This Before You Repair Garage Door Yourself

There are many repair tasks around your home that you can easily attend to on your own with a few simple tools and a little knowledge. However, repairing a garage door might not be one of those projects you take on yourself. In this article, we discuss 5 reasons why garage door repairs can be more than meets the eye and why you may want to avoid them.

How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Garage Door

The truth about how much does it cost to fix a garage door is that nobody can truly evaluate the price for garage door repair tasks and installation projects until they visit the worksite, fully consider the project’s complexities, requirements and constraints. However, in the following article you can get a better idea about how much does it costs to fix the most common garage door problems by a certified garage door company.

Monday, December 19, 2022

Expert Garage Door Repair in Laguna Beach, CA

At Champion Garage Door Repair, we have a comprehensive understanding of the complex mechanical systems that make up a garage door. Our professional and certified technicians are trained to perform maintenance and installation on all garage door brands, delivering garage door repair in Laguna Beach and providing local homeowners with peace of mind and the confidence to know we will do the job right the first time. Our technical knowledge goes beyond the superficial to the inner workings of every chain and pulley, showcasing each technician's proficiency in understanding the most complex mechanical processes. We don't stop there; we specialize in implementing that knowledge into an efficient and affordable customized service plan, working with the homeowner to provide effective garage door repair and installation solutions. Our specialized services add value and produce tangible benefits for the residents of Laguna Beach, CA.


Garage Door Repair in Laguna Beach


Emergency Repair Service

Emergencies happen, which is why we provide expedited emergency services you can trust. We specialize in readiness, response, and recovery actions that can minimize disruptions to your daily schedule and operational downtime. Our technicians undergo extensive emergency response training, enabling them to make split-second decisions and develop a safety action plan that will keep your family safe. We possess the necessary skills to identify existing and potential hazards, make on-the-spot repairs like spring replacement and opener repair, and ensure your garage door is fully functional and operating safely. Once complete, every garage door we service complies with industry-standard regulations and receives a comprehensive safety inspection to ensure proper functionality.

Garage Door Maintenance Service

Regular maintenance is the best way to ensure the garage door functions properly for years to come, and at Champion Garage Door Repair, we provide residents of Laguna Beach, CA, with comprehensive and thorough maintenance services. We work with homeowners to develop a customized service plan that addresses any pre-existing issues and works to prevent future problems from developing down the line. Our signature maintenance service is one of a kind, examining and inspecting every aspect of the garage door, including all moving parts, cables, pulleys, and more. Our proactive measures are an essential part of maintaining a safe garage door and are effective at preventing emergency situations.

Personalized Repair and Installation Services

At Champion Garage Door Repair, we go the extra mile to take care of our customers and provide them with quality service they can trust. We understand the complex nature of the industry and navigate residents through every technicality. During our visit, we will conduct a thorough inspection of the garage door, including all mechanical components, pulleys, openers, springs and rollers. Using the information obtained, we develop a fully customized service or installation plan, working with the customer to ensure we meet every objective. We strive to create a professional work environment, utilizing lawful practices through integrity-based services with a customer-centric mindset. Prioritizing sustainability and affordability, every certified technician seeks to set the gold standard for garage door repair and installation. When the residents of Laguna Beach choose Champion Garage Door, they receive unmatched customer care combined with expert service, creating an experience that surpasses expectations.

Company Shared Values

We are dedicated to providing our technicians with enjoyable and safe working conditions built upon mutual respect and appreciation. We are guided by the principles of integrity, trust, inclusion, and accountability, which we implement into every service we perform. We maintain a productive and positive work environment, implementing safe work procedures and hazard prevention practices, ensuring the safety of the residents in Laguna Beach. We are continuously improving our skill sets by staying up to date on emerging technological advancements and undergoing a constant refining process that allows us to streamline our services. We believe in transparency, which is why we actively engage residents in developing customized service plans that clearly outline the plan of action and all associated costs. As members of the community, we understand the importance of providing affordable and trustworthy repairs and installations, which is why we are committed to delivering incomparable service to all residents in Laguna Beach, CA.

Saving Up For Garage Door Repair & Home Improvement Projects

Buying a home is a great accomplishment but also a great responsibility. One of those responsibilities is maintaining the condition of your home and garage door and being responsible for any necessary repairs they may need. As a renter, when something goes wrong, like the roof leaking or a garage door that suddenly won’t open, you can call up the landlord or the property management, and they will take care of the repairs and cover the repair costs. However, as a homeowner, this responsibility falls on your shoulders. Paying for expensive garage door repairs and projects around the house is often a financial burden and a source of stress.