The steel-coiled snake that is your garage door spring has had an easy summer, more than likely.

But as September begins, many homeowners may be using their garage doors more.  Back to school means back to extra-curricular activities, meetings, sports, and more work hours.  As the temperatures drop towards winter, your older garage door spring may give way due to brittle conditions from the cold, coupled with the increased use.

If you are mechanically-inclined and basically skilled, you may want to look into doing it yourself.  DDM has a wealth of information in our “How To Replace Garage Door Springs” page, and we have Clopay EZ-set and Wayne Dalton Torquemaster instructions as well.  Additionally, we now have a “One Spring To Two” conversion page to address system conversion concerns and of course, cover the instructions  for doing the job.  Please read and heed all safety precautions highlighted at these pages.

Soon, I also plan on a blog which will catalog the most frequently asked questions when customers call.  DDM wishes you a safe and productive fall season!

Please bear in mind that all clearance garage door springs and parts are non-returnable. Shipping and handling costs are not included in the listed price. The quantity listed is the maximum you can order at the listed price; quantities and prices are subject to change. Please contact us to place your order.

Are you new to DDM Garage Doors?  Thought I’d write a review of what I think of our top features at this site:

1.  “Find My Spring” Database (TM)

Heading the list, this database assists our customers with garage door spring ordering.  You can search based on torsion spring inside diameter, wire size, spring length, and door height.  Alternatively, you can find your spring  based on lift and wire size.  So, given that your measurements are on target as measured with the right tools, you can “hit the nail right on the head” with the exact spring(s) your garage door needs.  Comparable spring selections are listed below the recommendation, so you have some room for comparison based on cycle life needs and preferences.  Any way you choose, we’ll take you there.

2.  How to Order

Now that you have found your spring and/or parts, contact DDM and get your order rolling.  DDM has exacting standards of shipping pricing that will get you a fair deal.

3.  “How-Tos”

Ever wonder why sites like eHow are so popular?  People like to do it themselves.  DDM Garage Doors has a finger on the public’s pulse, and provides ample do-it-yourself instructions for things like replacing garage door springs, weighing a garage door, measuring springs, installing cables, rollers, hinges, and more.

4.  International Customers

We’re glad to see an increasing number of customers calling from Canada and overseas.  DDM provides ready information for ordering from many regions, and you can call us toll-free in case you reside or work in a location not listed.

5.  The Only Thing In Life That Really Matters

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).  At the end of the day and throughout, everything we do here is for the glory of the One who upholds all things by His powerful word (Hebrews 1:3).  We’d like to share that experience with you.

With hot weather currently holding an iron grip in much of North America this summer, not many people may be thinking of weatherstripping on their garage doors or house.  But as school activities start, you might notice garage door weatherstripping that shows up lame.

Sealing a garage door to the elements saves energy, reduces interior moisture, and may deter pests from entering your garage.  Take a look at your top or bottom seal, side seals, and related hardware.  If any of these have seen better days, DDM can help.  Navigate to “garage door weatherstripping” from the parts tab, and check out our selection.  Not sure you’ve found what you are looking for?  Give DDM a call.

EZ-Set Kit

Order number EZ-KIT-EX

Clopay EZ-set Kit for extension springs

$48.53+$10.20 shipping, $58.73 total

Call, fax, or e-mail DDM to get yours.

Safety while winding garage door springs!  The Spring King avails as a safe alternative to winding garage door torsion springs with a winding bar.  Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions including recommended number of turns, have the drill and tools ready, and do the installation yourself safely.

Spring King winding units as sold by DDM follow wire size ranges such as .225-.234, or possibly one wire size.  They are keyed into colors in ascending wire size order:  white, yellow, green, and blue, for both 7′ and 8′ garage doors.  Choose the catalog number for the appropriate kit from the Spring King winding kits below, given your door height and wire size needs.  Then give us an email, call, or fax.

SK-218-218L, SK-218-218R    7′   White,  Left or Right Wind for wire Sizes .218 or less        $44.95

SK-225-234L, SK-225-234R    7′   Yellow, Left or Right Wind for wire size .225-.234             $44.95

SK-243-283L, SK-243-283R    7′   Green Left or Right Wind for wire size .243-283                $44.95

SK-295-295L, SK-295-295R    7′   Blue, Left or Right Wind for wire size .295                        $44.95

SK-200-200L, SK-200-200R     8′   White, Left or Right Wind for wire sizes .200 or less         $44.95

SK-207-225L, SK-207-225R     8′   Yellow, Left or Right Wind for wire sizes .207-225            $44.95

SK-234-250L, SK-234-250R     8′   Green, Left or Right wind for wire sizes .234-.250            $44.95

SK-262-295L, SK-262-295R     8′   Blue, Left or Right wind for wire sizes .262-295                $44.95

Attention: All Contractors

Construction firms that work in pre-1978 homes are required to receive the EPA Lead RRP training certification.  If you know someone that is required to receive the training but has not done so, please pass this information along to them so that they are not subject to $32,500 fines per day.

The EPA requires all contractors that need the training to schedule for a class by September 30, 2010 and to complete the training by December 31, 2010.

A good information portal to find out who is required to receive this training in compliance with the EPA is http://www.epaleadtraining.com

DDM Garage Doors remains committed to principles of safety in all home services, including this training and certification.

Clopay seal

DDM Garage Doors has the following weatherstripping items for your Clopay garage door .  Get your door to seal right.  At this time, we offer these models, specifications and prices through this blog rather than in our online catalog.

Please take note of your door model number and quantity needs, and order weatherstripping for your Clopay garage door from the parts detailed below:

Part #BICV-400B:  Bottom U-Shaped Astragal 4″ Black Vinyl, for Clopay Model 73, 183, HDB, HDS, T50S & T51S Doors that have Single Channels, both edges of the seal fit into a single groove. $1.95 per foot.

Part #BICR-550B:   Bottom U-Shaped Astragal 5 1/2″ Black Synthetic Rubber, for Clopay Model 73, 183, HDB, HDS, T50S & T51S Doors that have Single Channels, both edges of the seal fit into a single groove.  $2.78 per foot.

Have a great summer!

Garage door parts ordering at DDM is about to get even better.

We get extra items, which will go on sale in a discount page featuring overstocks, good used parts, etc.  Consistent with our recent steps to help the customer with costs, we’re introducing a page where customers can get good deals and save money on garage door parts.

Exactly what will be in the page may vary along with their quantities, and the date of going live is in the works.  So stay tuned.

Doors dating back 30 or more years did not have these available, but since installers and technicians respected extension spring power, they sometimes used bailing wire to run through them.  Now extension spring safety cables are your best bet to contain spring parts in the event of a spring break.  Good investment if you do not have them.

DDM offers these cables by the pair at $10.00 for 7′ high doors and $12.00 for 8′ high doors.