June is National Garage Door Safety Month

With June declared National Garage Door Safety Month by the International Door Association (IDA), now is the perfect time to check your garage door to make sure that it's safety features are working properly. Your garage door is the largest and heaviest moving object in your house. And since families use the garage door to come in and out of the house more than any other door, you want to make sure that all of the garage door opener's safety features are properly working. And one of those key items are the safety beams.

Garage door safety beams, also know as photos eyes, are used to protect people, pets and property. Since the early 1990's, all automatic garage door openers manufactured for installation and use in the United States are required to have photo eyes that stop and reverse the garage door if a child, an animal, or other object passes in front of the sensors. When properly working, they will detect a moving object that either passes through the garage door opening or if something is obstructing the door opening. The photo eyes are considered a failsafe type of safety device.

The garage door opener will not close the garage door using normal means with the electric opener if a problem occurs within the safety system. The easiest way to determine if your photos eyes may be faulty is by placing an object directly in between the path of the two beams and then (standing away from the door) and pressing the remote or wall button to close the door. If the beams are working properly, the garage door will not close and the lights on the opener will flash.

To read more about the operation of garage door safety beams or purchase new beams/sensors for your Sears Craftsman, Liftmaster, Wayne Dalton, Chamberlain, Genie or other brand garage door opener, go to: http://www.stardoorparts.com/Garage-Door-Opener-Safety-Sensors-Beams-s/99.htm

How to Program Your Garage Door Keypad

While a garage door keypad used to be considered a luxury item not installed on most homes, homeowners today are taking advantage of this technology in record numbers. Families love the keypad because school-age children can use it to enter the house without carrying a key and other homeowners appreciate the convenience and safety features in case they forget their own keys. Because a garage door keypad is easy to install with just about any garage door, you’re not alone in enjoying this former luxury on your own home.

However, problems can arise when you forget your pass code or when your door isn’t opening anymore. When these situations occur, it may be time for you to replace your battery or reprogram your garage door keypad.

Although the process of programming the keypad is not difficult, you do need to know the brand and model of garage door that you have in order to be most effective. Some garage doors can be reset through a remote control, while most others must be programmed by the keypad or through the door motor itself.

Program via the Garage Door Motor

Some garage door keypads require that the pass code be reset by working with the garage door motor itself. If this is the case, you’ll need to use a ladder to reach the motor inside the garage door. On the motor itself, locate the small button that works as the device’s program/reset. This should be found either underneath or to the side of the wires that connect to the garage door opener wall console.

As soon as you’ve pressed the reset button, go to the garage door keypad to enter your new pass code number combination and then press the enter key 2 to 3 time consecutively. The door should then activate. If this does not work you can find detailed programming instructions on your manufacturers website.

Program with the Garage Door Keypad

For some wired versions your garage door keypad can program your door directly from the keypad, you’ll need to know the combination provided for your door in order to reset the pass code. The most commonly used keypad code for reprogramming is to hold the “8” and “#” buttons simultaneously. Next, enter the code “357,” followed by the “enter” key if you don’t have the specific combination provided by your garage door manual.

Once you have entered these initial keystrokes to reprogram the door, you’re ready to enter your desired new pass code combination. Press the keypad’s “enter” button to complete and confirm your code change. Again if this does not work please consult the manufactures website or help lines.

Program with a Remote Control

This is the least common method. But If your keypad must be reprogrammed via a remote control, you’ll need to double check with your garage door opener instruction manual to find what combination of buttons must be pressed in order to complete the process. The most common control sequence is to press and hold the “send” and “#” buttons simultaneously for about five seconds.

Once you’ve held these two buttons, you’ll need to go directly to the garage door keypad. Use the keypad to press the “enter” button before typing in the number combination that you want to use as your new pass code. Complete the reprogramming process by pressing the “enter” button once more.

Whichever method you use to program your garage door keypad, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t touch your keypad, remote control or door motor for at least 20 seconds. If you press a button too soon, you may accidentally reset your pass code once again.

Making Your Garage a More Versatile Space

Your garage might be the perfect place to park your car, but what should you do if you want to get more out of the space? If you are trying to brainstorm ideas for turning your garage into a versatile space that goes beyond vehicle storage, there are some tips that you should know before you get started on the transformation.

Parking Your Cars

The first step is to determine how many cars you would like to park in your garage. This will give you a better idea of how much room you have to work with when you are turning your garage into a more versatile space.

If you are hoping for a lot of storage space, assess whether you could park your vehicles outside. Be aware that it is still possible to utilize storage space in your garage if you choose to use it to park multiple vehicles.

Organize the Space

Small spaces like garages need to be organized to ensure that the space is used as efficiently as possible. If you plan to store several different types of items in the garage, start out by organizing these items according to type. For example, kids' items should be grouped separately from exercise equipment.

Storage containers are helpful when you are organizing your garage. Choose containers that are made for tight spaces.

Expand Your Storage Space

Make the most of every last inch of space in your garage by installing shelves and overhead storage. Be sure to install overhead storage according to the included instructions. Never store heavy items that exceed the weight limit associated with an overhead storage shelf.

Hanging up tools instead of keeping them in a toolbox also allows you to make the most of your space. Hang bicycles on the wall to keep them out of the way without losing the ability to easily access them when the weather warms up.

Create Zones

Your versatile garage can be separated into different zones to allow you to complete a wide range of activities in this space. The space along each wall offers you a place to start. Work benches can be situated along a wall with hanging tools. Exercise equipment can be stored in another area along the wall along with bicycles. Rolling storage containers, toolboxes or project carts can be utilized in multiple zones due to their portability.

Take Care with Electronics

If you are picturing a home office or den in your garage, be careful with the electronics that you plan to keep in the space. Garages are generally not protected against extreme temperatures and electronics may be damaged by temperature fluctuations.

Your garage space may not be living up to its potential. Use these tips to make the most of your garage.