Tips

We are glad to share our recent website changes to enhance usability on mobile devices. We are migrating many of our web pages to ones which are very mobile friendly - ie load fast, less graphics, formatted for narrower screens and W3C compliant for mobile 1.2. These pages will allow users to "click to call" from their Android or Apple mobile devices. All pages have a link to our desktop / full website and the desktop sites have a link at the top of the page to our mobile site.

In observance of the Christmas holiday we are providing emergency garage door service in the N/NW Chicago and suburbs only from 2pm CST Saturday 12/24/2011 only until Monday 12/26/2011 at 7am CST. You may still visit our website at www.gdcorp.com for faq's, instructions or to schedule service

We suggest calling or send your service email request now if you would like service on Monday. Calls are routed with a preference to the date and time of the original request.

A massive power outage has hit the Chicago and suburban areas due to the storms last night. We are already getting the panic calls from those who cannot figure out how to get out of their garage. All garage door openers sold in the U.S. since the 1970's MUST have a manual release by UL requirement. This is usually a red string (a chain on some old units) located near the connection of the garage door opener arm to the garage door. In openers made after 1982 you simply pull down on the release sting and lift the door manually.

Many homes have been broken into and burglarized by thieves using universal controls that open the garage door by reading the access code in the opener. Rolling access code technology is one way to protect your home, family and belongings against thieves and intruders. Rolling access code technology changes the code of your automatic opener after every use, so the thieves' universal controls are rendered useless. All new residential garage door systems which we have installed in the Chicago, IL area have been rolling code since 1997.

In order to prevent damage (rusting) caused by foreign matter adhering to the garage door, the door should be cleaned at least twice a year (normal environments) or 4 times a year (coastal environments). The garage door may need to be cleaned more frequently if road salt accumulates in a winter climate. The garage door should be wiped down with a mild household detergent and rinsed with clear water.

Note: Be sure to clean behind stop molding on the sides and top of the door.

Is your garage door wall control panel mounted five feet above the floor?

SAFETY TIP: Children playing with the garage door wall control panels of your automatic garage door opener can lead to accidents that might cause either personal injury or property damage. We recommend that you educate your child about the potential dangers of playing with the wall control panel. As an added safety measure, we recommend mounting your garage door wall control panel at least five feet above the floor, out of the reach of young children.

The use of coupons in the garage door industry is becoming more common with the tough economy.  Many of our competitors in the Chicago, IL area use coupons ($10 off any garage door  spring repair, $25 off any garage door, etc).

We do not use coupons, "sales" or other gimmicks to sell our products and services.

We offer "Simply Competent Service at a Fair Price" tm  -- our motto "NEVER A COUPON REQUIRED" tm

Does the residential garage door opener have a reversing mechanism and is it in working order?

SAFETY TIP: A faulty or improperly adjusted reversing mechanism on your garage door opener could cause damage to your car or even injure a child or pet that inadvertently gets caught in the way of the closing door. All garage door openers manufactured and installed after 1981 are required to have a reversing mechanism. Many of these can be installed by the do-it-yourselfer.

Have you checked the spring on your garage door ?

SAFETY TIP: Beware of old springs. Keep in mind that garage door springs are tightly wound and under high tension. Eventually, all springs will wear out and break. A breaking spring that is not properly contained could lash out and strike property or people. If you have an older garage door, be certain your springs are inspected and replaced by a professional installer if needed. If your door has two springs, replace both, even if one is not broken.