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Damaged Garage Door
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In the attached video of a cracked garage door top panel.  I come across this defect quite often during home inspections.  Improper adjustment of the garage door tracks and/or the drive chain can result in jerking of the door during operation.  The jerking can result in flexure at the center of the door when the panel is in the horizontal position.  There is a lot of stress at the connection point where the chain drive is connected to the garage door.

If your garage door is flexing or jerking during operation, contact a local Rochester or Southeastern MN contractor specializing in garage door installation.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Posted on Sunday, February 28th, 2010.
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Posted in Garage

Lower Your Home Heating Costs With A New Insulated Garage Door

At first glance, an old leaky garage door may not seem like something that would contribute to your rising home utility bills, but just might be worth thinking about.  A new, insulated garage door can reduce energy loss through the garage door by up to 71%.

An attached garage usually shares one or two common walls with your home.  Hot or cold air leaking through your garage door will affect the interior temperature of your garage, thus affecting the adjacent living areas of your home.  An insulated garage door will stabilize garage temperatures, thus reducing the effect on common garage/home walls.

A well insulated garage, with a well insulated garage door, can result in your garage being 10-20 degrees warmer that the outside temperature on a cold Rochester and Southeastern MN winter day.  That 10-20 degrees can make a big difference on the temperature of adjacent walls located above or next to the garage. 

Did you know that thanks to the stimulus legislation, if you purchase a new energy efficient garage door for your home, prior to Dec 31, 2010, you will not only save money on your heating bills, you may also qualify for up to $1500 in federal tax credits.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Posted on Monday, September 28th, 2009.
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Posted in Garage, Inspectors Blog

Opening the Garage Door During a Power Outage

Garage door release

Most homeowners have automatic garage door openers to save themselves and their vehicles from the extreme Southeastern MN. weather conditions. It’s a great convenience and one that is often taken for granted until the day you lose all electrical power. You have somewhere you need to be and you can’t get in or out. Now what do you do?

Your garage door opener will have a short rope with a red “T” handle hanging near the drive unit. Pulling this T handle will release the door from the drive chain or belt, allowing you to manually operate the door.

Your home inspector suggests you test the emergency release from inside the garage, with the door down to make sure it works properly.  It is VERY important to do this test with the door in the down position. If the springs are not adjusted properly, a released in the up position can crash to the ground!  The rope with the T handle will release the door with a slight pull.  The mechanism will re-engage when you move the door or run the opener.

When performing this test, have someone else outside the door. If there are any problems, they will be there to assist you. If you have questions, contact you’re your local Rochester MN, or Southeastern MN garage door company for details or to offer an explanation.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector. HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942

Posted on Wednesday, May 27th, 2009.
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Posted in Garage

You did way more than I was expecting!  I was very pleased that you were consistent in looking for every possible issue an older home could have.  Thanks again!

Matt L, Kasson, MN

You took your time to make sure we understood everything. Also gave us suggestions for fixes and appearance.

Wendy D, Rochester, MN

I really appreciated the pictures that were provided in your inspection report that showed everything that needed to be fixed.  As a first time homebuyer, I really felt that Rick took the extra time to make sure I understood everything about the home.

Melissa T, Rochester, MN

Call and schedule your inspection today 507.202.8942