Tag: Garage door

Posted in construction

I think this builder might be crooked

Posted on by William Douthwaite

This is a brand new house just a few blocks away from mine. They just laid the sod and no one has moved in yet.

But the garage door looks like that.

I have to believe it was a poor install. I’ve opened and closed my garage door at least once a day for the last 29 years, and it’s never done that. I had to replace the spring and the opener, but it still rides along the track nicely.

I’m thankful that my builder hired good subs and did a great job for us. He only built eight houses a year, so he wasn’t churning them out like I’ve seen recently. It’s hard to find any sub-contractors now, much less good ones. Friends of mine had a whole year of repairs before the builder finished up fixing everything in their newly built home.

If I were a builder, I’d be embarrassed to have my name on the sign in front of this house. Isn’t your product supposed to be your best advertisement?

Posted in Life

“Honey, I broke the garage door.”

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I’ve had this picture on my phone for a while now. I walk by this house a couple of times a week, and am always amazed by this garage door.

First of all, I wonder, “What in the world happened here?” I’m guessing the spring is broken, but why is the door hanging crooked like that? Did a rail break loose inside the garage? Did the wheels come off one of the tracks? I’m not sure how to get a garage door to do this.

Next, I wonder, “How come you haven’t tried to fix it?” At least find a way to lower it so it’s not open like this all the time. An open door is an invitation for critters to come in and squat in the garage.

This same house also had elaborate Halloween decorations on display.

So I couldn’t help but wonder, “If you’ll take the time and effort to decorate your yard, don’t you have a few minutes to try and fix the garage door?”

I’m tempted to assume this is a rental property. If so, I guess the landlord hasn’t been by in a while. I’m thinking that code enforcement hasn’t been by in a while, either.

How would you react if you pressed the button to close the garage door and this happened?

Posted in Life

A close encounter of the garage door kind

Posted on by William Douthwaite

This is a brand new house in our neighborhood. With a brand new dent in the garage door. A work van, an SUV, and a pickup truck are usually parked in the three-car-wide driveway. The van usually occupies this spot.

I can’t help but wonder about the moment this happened.

  • You thought you had shifted into reverse, but you were in drive. A little tap on the gas and BOOM, you’ve smashed in the door.
  • It’s late. It’s dark. No moon in the sky. No one left the outside light on. And you were looking at your phone. It’s the perfect recipe for a close encounter with the garage door.
  • A few too many Coronas for Cinco de Mayo? Actually, I think it’s a Russian family. More likely a little too much vodka.
  • Did someone lose their temper? “Oh no you don’t. You aren’t going to lock me out the house.”
  • “This is a hurricane-proof door. Look, I show you. I’ll bring the bumper of the van right up to the door and you’ll see, it won’t buckle at all.”
  • “I told you there was something wrong with the brakes!”