Many garages are attached directly to homes, but there are instances when a garage is a stand-alone structure with no second access. Typically found in some of Portland’s classic older homes or for multi-unit condos or apartments, these garages can pose a big challenge when the power goes out, leaving you unable to access your car. And it may not always be a power outage that leaves you stuck. Remotes can get lost, passcodes can be forgotten, and sometimes faulty equipment can leave you on the opposite side of the door from your car.
Fortunately, Overhead Door of Portland offers a solution with our vault release. A vault release is similar in concept to the manual release that can be accessed from the inside of your garage, allowing you to lift and close your door by hand. But when you can’t get into the garage, a vault release is an essential backup.
A garage door vault release disengages the door from the automatic opener from the exterior, allowing access during power outages or if the garage door system malfunctions. A key is used to disconnect the release cable inside the garage. Unlocking the unit disengages the door from the opener. Once disengaged, the door can be opened manually and move freely. When power returns, the garage door trolley can be reconnected to the opener mechanism. It sounds a bit complicated, but if you can use a key, you can be sure your door works with or without power. Our technicians are happy to walk you through the process until you’re comfortable with how it works.
While we can’t prevent unforeseen power outages, the technicians at Overhead Door Company of Portland can perform regular garage door system maintenance to ensure your garage door functions correctly so you never get locked out.
Our maintenance visits cover every aspect of your garage door system:
Parts Inspection – We will examine rollers, hinges, springs, and the chain or belt for signs of damage, rust, or wear and tear. The door will also be thoroughly checked for dents, dings, and moisture damage.
Routine Care – All moving parts of your garage door will be cleaned and treated with a mineral-based lubricant to keep them operating smoothly. The garage door will also be cleaned, and we’ll be sure to recommend needed painting or staining to help prevent moisture penetration and prolong the life of the door.
Hardware Adjustment – for as many times as your garage door opens and closes, it’s common for the bolts, nuts, and screws that hold it together to loosen. Our technicians will tighten loose hardware right down to the smallest screw.
Balance Test – An out-of-balance garage door can lead to further damage down the road. We’ll manually lift the door to the halfway point and ensure it stays put. An out-of-balance door will fall or rise and require an adjustment.
Auto-Reverse Test – We’ll place an object under the door as it closes, to determine if the door reverses to avoid colliding. This is a critical safety feature, making routine maintenance essential.
Remote and Keypad – Batteries in the remote control and keypad will be replaced, and both will be tested to ensure they operate properly.
We understand that garage door care may not be high on your priority list, so we make it simple to remember with our maintenance program. Sign up for this free program and receive discounts on labor, service, and repair work, plus priority scheduling. We’ll perform all the checks above to extend the life of your garage door and decrease long-term expenses. Simply complete our online form or click here for more details.
Through regular maintenance and added safety and security features, your garage door should always open and close when you need it to. Don’t get trapped. Ask the experts at Overhead Door of Portland about the steps you can take to keep your garage door operating, come wind, snow, lightning strikes, or a lost remote. Contact us to see the products we offer and the services we can provide.