5 Garage Door Maintenance Tips for Winter

Your garage door is perhaps the bulkiest object in your home, and it requires some attention to ensure optimal performance. 

If you operate your garage door even three times a day, that’s already more than 1,000 cycles per year. As such, garage door maintenance is important, especially during winter due to the harsh elements. Is your garage door ready for winter?

Why Winter Garage Door Maintenance Matters

The winter season can damage garage doors that are not prepared to withstand the rough conditions. For residents of the greater Spokane area, winters are cold and snowy, and adequate home preparation is necessary. Common garage door concerns include operational failures caused by frozen components and increased wear due to fluctuating temperatures.

Keeping up with winter garage door maintenance protects your garage door and can:

• Increase the garage door life span: Taking care of your garage door in winter prepares it for harsh conditions and lowers the risk of damage. These maintenance practices can slow down wear and tear, increasing your garage door’s service life.
• Reduce maintenance costs: An unexpected breakdown in winter could lead to costly repairs. Preventive maintenance allows you to catch minor issues and resolve them before harsh weather makes things worse.
• Improve energy efficiency: Your garage door could increase your energy bills in winter by letting in freezing air. Winter maintenance can help make the door more energy-efficient by ensuring proper insulation. Besides cost savings, an energy-efficient garage door adds to your home’s warmth and comfort in winter.

It’s best to winterize your garage door before the winter season, but you can still complete these activities during the cold season. 

5 Garage Door Maintenance Tips

Winterizing your garage door involves a few steps that will help keep your home warm and safe when the season kicks in. Here is your garage door winter maintenance checklist.

1. Inspect and Lubricate Moving Parts

Inspection is an important garage door preventive maintenance practice that doesn’t require professional expertise. Examine the door, its moving parts and how it operates to ensure everything is in order. Call a garage door technician if you notice signs of damage or severe wear and tear.

If you have not flagged any issues, proceed with lubrication. You want to lubricate moving parts like hinges, rollers and springs because freezing temperatures can stiffen them, making it challenging to operate the door. To avoid touching parts like springs, use a silicone-based spray lubricant you apply from a distance.

2. Test and Replace Weather Stripping

Is your weather stripping in good condition? You can test it by closing the door. If you notice light penetrating the space where the bottom of the door comes in contact with the floor, your weather stripping likely needs replacing. This rubber material lines the bottom of the door, prevents damage to the door and floor, and keeps debris and the elements from entering your garage.

3. Check Garage Door Balance and Springs

Balance is crucial to the proper function and longevity of your garage door. Unbalanced springs could strain vital components, which may result in damage and make operating the door dangerous. Heavy precipitation and winter winds could accelerate damage to an unbalanced garage door. 

Garage door springs hold the weight of your door. When they are balanced, they keep the door from going back up when it’s down or dropping when it’s up. Here’s how to check garage door balance:

1. Close the garage door. 
2. Disengage your garage door opener for manual operation.
3. Open and close the door manually. 
4. Lift the door halfway, let go and confirm that it stays in position — if it doesn’t, it is off-balance.

4. Keep Tracks and Photo Eyes Clear

Over time, debris can collect in garage door tracks. Clogged tracks impair the operation and strain the opener. Cleaning the tracks allows the door to operate smoothly, protecting your garage door opener and extending its life span. 

Clean the tracks with a brush, vacuum cleaner or cloth. You should also clean the photo eyes to ensure they function properly.

5. Insulate Your Garage Door

An insulated garage door prevents the valuable heat in your home from escaping and keeps cold air outside. Call professionals to upgrade you to the latest insulated garage door, or you can take steps to improve the insulation in your existing door. To ensure proper insulation for winter, you may want to bring in garage door experts.

Additional Tips for Winter-Proofing Your Garage Door

Winter-proofing your garage door is necessary to ensure an incident-free season. Here are tips to ensure adequate winter-proofing:

• Inspect your garage door regularly: Winter can be long, so it may still take a toll on your garage door even after you follow the checklist. You can inspect your garage door consistently to keep things in good condition and avoid surprises. It’s the best way to spot a developing problem. 
• Schedule professional service: It’s also advisable to schedule prewinter professional service if your garage door shows signs of weakness. Some companies also offer emergency garage door services for sudden issues.
• Get the right tools and products: You’ll likely need a spray lubricant and a brush or cloth to wipe down the tracks. We don’t recommend undertaking garage door repairs yourself if you lack professional expertise because garage doors are heavy devices with a high potential for serious injuries. They also comprise diverse components that require expert care to prevent accidental damage.

When to Call a Professional

General maintenance is likely insufficient if your garage door is not in good condition. Professional garage door services become necessary when repairs are needed. Professionals ensure thorough servicing, save time and prevent further complications that could increase maintenance costs. 

Contact garage door repair professionals if you notice any of the following:

• Noticeable wear and tear: If you see visible wear and tear, winter may exacerbate the issue, accelerating wear and tear and reducing service life.
• Persistent issues: If you experience persistent operational issues despite regular garage door maintenance, it’s time to bring in experts.
• Visible damage: Aside from worn parts, visible damage is a serious issue that requires professional attention, especially if it involves key components like springs, panels or cables.

Winterize Your Garage Door With Continental Door

Implementing winter garage door maintenance tips, such as inspecting, insulating and lubricating the door, is the best way to prepare your garage door for the cold months. These preventive maintenance strategies reinforce your door and slow wear and tear. However, if you notice glaring issues, reach out to professionals. 

If you live in the greater Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas, Continental Door is your local, reliable garage door company offering quality solutions. With professional maintenance, you can avoid weather-related issues in winter. Schedule a tuneup today to ensure your garage door is winter-ready!

How to Program a LiftMaster Garage Door to a Car With HomeLink

Garage door openers have created much convenience, allowing homeowners to operate their garage doors remotely without needing to exert physical effort. From the outside, you would typically use a remote control to trigger the opener and open your garage door. But what happens when you lose or misplace the remote?

By programming your LiftMaster garage door opener to your vehicle using HomeLink, you won’t have to worry about getting back into your garage if you can’t find the remote control. This guide will take you through the easy integration process to ensure convenience.

What Is HomeLink?

HomeLink is a technology that facilitates the automation of vehicles and smart household products, such as electronic devices, locks and lighting. The technology is compatible with many vehicle makes and models. In vehicles that have integrated HomeLink, the controls are located on the visor, the overhead console or the rear-view mirror.

HomeLink is compatible with many garage door openers, like LiftMaster, and offers seamless integration. The connection allows you to control the opener from inside your vehicle.

Step-By-Step Guide to Program a LiftMaster With HomeLink

Programming your LiftMaster door opener to your car takes a few steps. You can establish the connection with or without your current door opener remote. If you notice signs of malfunction on your garage door opener, get a technician to repair it before you proceed. First, locate the three HomeLink buttons in your vehicle and prepare for integration.

How to Program a LiftMaster to a Car With a Remote

Since you need to use your car while it’s on, move it outside the garage for safety reasons but not far from the door. Pair the devices following these steps: 

• Press the HomeLink control buttons: As mentioned, the HomeLink control system inside your car features three buttons. Press the two buttons on either side to put the wireless system in learning mode. You want to hold the buttons for at least 20 seconds, as that’s enough time for the indicator to begin flashing, signaling it’s time for integration. Pressing the buttons longer than 30 seconds is only necessary if you want to clear a previous connection with a different garage door opener.
• Pair your remote control: Test the remote to ensure it currently controls the opener and keep it with you as you select the HomeLink button you want to pair with the remote. Simultaneously press the HomeLink button you’d like to program and the remote button. You’ll know the programming was successful when the HomeLink indicator flashes. 
• Activate the HomeLink system: Press the paired button on your HomeLink control system to activate it for the garage door operation. Your LiftMaster HomeLink setup with remote control is complete.

How to Program a LiftMaster to Car Without a Remote

You can still pair your LiftMaster opener with your vehicle’s HomeLink system without a remote control. This alternative integration is necessary if you no longer have your remote around or the door didn’t close when you first paired the remote. Pairing your vehicle directly to the opener is time-sensitive, as you have 30 seconds to complete the integration. Follow these steps to pair your Liftmaster opener with your car’s HomeLink without a remote control:

• Find the LiftMaster learn button: Go to your opener and locate the “Learn” button. It is usually above the antenna wire or under the light cover. Depending on the opener model, the learn button may be orange, purple, green, or yellow.
• Press the learn button: Quickly press the learn button without holding it down and return to your vehicle. You have 30 seconds to press and hold the HomeLink button. If you can see your opener, its light should blink once to indicate that the connection is successful. Test your garage door and repeat the process if nothing happens. 

Remember, garage door openers vary by make and model. If nothing works or the above steps are not applicable, contact garage door experts for professional solutions.

Troubleshooting HomeLink and LiftMaster Pairing Issues

Are you wondering why your car won’t pair with your garage door opener? That happens sometimes for various reasons. Your vehicle’s HomeLink system may not accept remote programming and could need an additional device called the compatibility bridge to enable the connection to your LiftMaster. Other common causes of pairing issues are drained remote control batteries, too many codes on the opener and special integration instructions.

Here are possible ways to resolve connection problems depending on what the issue is:

Restoring Compatibility

Some vehicles equipped with the HomeLink system will not directly integrate with your LiftMaster garage door opener. You may need to add a LiftMaster compatibility bridge, often called a repeater, to your opener. It’s a compact device that ensures connection when everything else fails. However, it’s important to be certain that you actually need a compatibility bridge to link your vehicle with the opener. 

Bring in garage door opener experts to examine your opener. If you need the bridge to pair your vehicles, they can assist with installation and advise you further.

Clearing Previous Memory

Sometimes, garage door openers have issues you can resolve by resetting the unit, which clears the memory of every paired accessory. In LiftMaster, the learn button also acts as a reset button, so you should never press and hold it unless you intend to reset it. Hold the learn button until the LED light blinks on and then off after six seconds. This action wipes the memory so you can pair the car’s HomeLink system using the learn button.

Following the User Manual

The steps to programming your garage door opener with HomeLink may differ slightly depending on your opener model. It’s always best to consult your user manual to determine what you’re missing.

Benefits of Using HomeLink With a LiftMaster

HomeLink and LiftMaster have partnered to offer more convenience and automation. Here are the benefits of using HomeLink with your LiftMaster door opener:

• Vehicle automation: LiftMaster already provides smart operation through its MyQ connectivity technology, which allows you to monitor and operate MyQ-enabled openers with your smartphone. HomeLink and LiftMaster integration offers direct garage door automation from the comfort of your vehicle, eliminating the need for keypads.
• Improved security: Many people use their garage as the main entrance to their home and leave the door connecting the garage and the main house unlocked, meaning anyone who has your remote could get into your home. With your vehicle’s HomeLink system paired with your garage door opener, you won’t have to worry about misplacing your remote.

Contact Continental Door for Garage Door Opener Services

Operating your garage door from your vehicle increases security and convenience and removes reliance on hand-held controls. LiftMaster offers stable programming with your vehicle’s HomeLink system. While you can handle the integration yourself, many factors can impact the pairing, from issues with the opener to complications with your HomeLink transmitter.

Streamline integration by working with a reliable garage door company experienced in garage door systems and door opener solutions. Continental Door is your local provider in the greater Spokane area. Our garage door technicians have years of expertise and are available for 24-hour emergency services. To learn more or for expert assistance, get in touch today!

Guide to Amazon Key

Guide to Amazon Key

As the world evolves, technology becomes a more significant part of everyday life. One of the biggest technological trends today is online shopping. Purchasing an item that may not be in your local store and having it delivered appeals to consumers.

Amazon is one of the most popular online retailers. In 2024, Amazon’s brand worth was around $185 billion, and there were more than 200 million Prime members globally. Since there are millions of Prime subscribers, Amazon frequently updates the benefits so the membership remains enticing.

A relatively new benefit for Prime members is Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery. This service allows couriers to deliver packages to your garage.

What Is Amazon Key and How Does It Work?

Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery aims to provide a secure transit between sellers and buyers. Although granting strangers access to your garage may raise privacy concerns, its main benefit is protecting your property. Simply put, Amazon hopes to help you reduce your risk of package theft or other property damage by asking you to give their delivery team authorization to enter your garage.

In 2024, 58 million Americans were victims of package theft. Despite a penalty that includes fines and up to five years in prison, package theft remains a significant problem for consumers. Considering this, online retailers are eager to find more secure methods of ensuring an item reaches its intended target. By granting entrance to your garage, you ensure your packages are delivered to a secure location.

While delivery security is the primary push for Key, Amazon also touts the service’s everyday utility. Because users receive a notification when their garage door is opened, Amazon Key serves as an extra level of security. It can let parents know when their children come home and alert homeowners of unwanted guests. Additionally, it can even provide peace of mind on busy mornings, quickly putting to rest the worry of whether you’ve forgotten to close the garage door.

How Does Amazon Key Delivery Work?

The Amazon Key service is straightforward, requiring only a few simple steps:

1. First, you need to link your myQ garage to the Key in Amazon’s shopping app.
2. The next step is choosing “In-Garage Delivery” instead of “Doorstep Delivery” when checking out.
3. You’ll receive notifications updating you on your package’s shipping and delivery. Once the driver arrives with it, they scan its barcode, and a company representative verifies the time and other confirmation details and grants them one-time access to your garage.
4. The driver delivers the package and notifies the representative through their app of completion.
5. After completing delivery, the same representative remotely closes your garage door. You then receive a notification confirming the completion of the process.

Is Amazon In-Garage Delivery Safe?

Customer safety is the highest priority, which is why Amazon does background checks on all potential delivery drivers for In-Garage Delivery service. It also verifies every step of the package’s delivery — once the driver scans it, Amazon verifies its location, the driver and the package itself.

After the verification steps are complete, the driver receives one-time access to your garage. Amazon also instructs their drivers to venture no further than 5 feet into your garage to deliver the package. In order to complete their delivery and move on to the next, they must tap a button in their app, which confirms the delivery and closes your garage. Because it’s a once-off access key, they can’t re-open your garage after it closes unless they have another package to deliver to you.

Amazon also trains its drivers to leave your garage as they found it. This applies not only to your belongings but the garage door itself. For example, if your garage door is open when they arrive, they will leave it open after completing their delivery and vice versa.

However, if your garage door doesn’t close when it’s supposed to, the driver will remain on the property until it closes. Customer support may contact you to keep you updated and communicate with you to close it.

If you still feel uneasy with these security measures, there are some other options you can take advantage of. You can purchase the optional camera, which allows you to monitor deliveries in real time. You can also turn off Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery the day before delivery, restricting access to your garage and returning to doorstep delivery.

Amazon also considers its drivers’ safety. It advises homeowners to keep their pets in their homes, which protects drivers from encountering an overly excited or aggressive pet. Amazon instructs their drivers to drop off the package at the front door if they do come across any pets. This precaution also ensures the package and the pets remain safe and secure.

What Are the Installation Requirements for Amazon Key?

While the service is simple, a few requirements exist for setting up Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery. If you already have some of the starting pieces — such as an Amazon Prime account or Amazon Key-compatible garage door openers — the installation process will be easier. Moreover, professionals may be able to assist you through the selection process, ensuring you get the appropriate materials for your needs.

Here is a basic rundown of the tools you’ll need to operate Amazon Key:

• Prime membership: First, to be eligible for delivery services, you need an Amazon Prime membership. Prime membership is Amazon’s customer service bundle, which includes free two-day shipping on most items, access to video and music streaming and perks for Alexa smart speakers.
• myQ–compatible garage door opener or hub: If you don’t currently have a garage door opener with Wi-Fi capabilities, you’ll need to upgrade it. Be sure your equipment is myQ-compatible to avoid having any issues using the Amazon app. If you have a gated property, you also need to install the Amazon Key Liftmaster to allow drivers to open the gate.
• Amazon Key App: As always, there’s an app for that. The free Amazon Key app is your remote access point. It’s available for both Android and iOS, though only in U.S. app stores. You can also access In-Garage Delivery through the Amazon Shopping app.
• Ring app: You can use the Ring app to add a compatible camera, such as the Ring Indoor Cam and the Ring Stick Up Cam, to watch your deliveries in real time. However, you don’t need a camera for In-Garage Delivery services.
• Professional Installation: Continental Door can upgrade your garage door opener to ensure myQ compatibility and set up Amazon Key.

Amazon Key FAQ

While there are clear positives to using Amazon Key, new technology always brings its share of concerns. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery: 

1. Is Amazon Key Only for Prime Members?

Amazon Key is only available to those with an Amazon Fresh, Amazon Prime, Amazon Household and Prime Student subscription or a free trial of these subscriptions. You also need to be in an eligible location for In-Garage Delivery.

2. Can I Store Camera Footage?

The compatible Ring cameras allow you to record your videos if you have a Ring Protect Plan. Without the Ring Protect Plan, you can access Live View to monitor the delivery.

3. What if My Garage Won’t Close?

Drivers must leave your garage as they found it. So, if your garage was closed, they must close it before they can go. Similarly, if you leave your garage door open, the delivery driver will not close it before leaving. If you leave your door closed, but the driver can’t close it after delivering your package, customer support will contact you and have a technician come and close your door.

Get Professional Installation for Amazon Key From Continental Door

Packages disappear off customers’ doorsteps daily. To prevent this, many people utilize Amazon Key. With the right setup and equipment, you can enjoy increased security and comfort when you’re expecting your next delivery.

Continental Door can install and maintain your myQ System for Amazon Key. For over 15 years, we have provided high-quality services, including 24/7 emergency repair and products to our customers in the greater Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas. Contact us today for a free quote to set up your Amazon Key.