Archive for the ‘Garage Door Repair’ Category

A regular garage door tune-up is essential to ensure that your garage door continues to operate properly and safely. Garage doors have multiple moving components, all of which may require adjustment, lubrication, and/or tightening from time to time.

Some people may find it intimidating to handle the maintenance of their garage doors alone. However, you don’t need to be a garage door repair technician to perform the essential maintenance tasks. Here are some steps that you can take to keep your garage door running smoothly.

 

 

Conduct a Visual Inspection

Start your garage door maintenance by giving it a thorough visual inspection. Look for any signs of wear and tear on all the main components, including the tracks and rollers. If you notice any loose or damaged hardware, rust, and cracked or broken panels, that’s a good sign that you may need new parts.

Pay special attention to the springs and cables that help balance your garage door. Anything askew in these critical components may lead to major damage in the long run if you leave them unattended. Be sure to inspect and maintain them regularly, so the entire mechanism works correctly.

Another great way to conduct a visual inspection is to run your garage door normally. If you notice that it’s gotten slower over the years, or if you hear any unusual sounds, then something may be wrong with its inner machinations. That’s when you take a closer look at the specific parts of your system to see what might be the problem.

 

Lubricate Metal Parts

Ideally, your garage door maintenance routine should include lubrication at least once a year. However, you can lubricate your garage door as necessary, especially if it’s noisy when you open or close it. Simply spray or wipe down the springs or bearing plates with grease to lubricate them.

If it stays noisy even after recent lubrication, something might be wrong with the moving metal parts. You may need to replace them with new parts. Every garage door is unique and needs specific kinds of parts. Consider getting a professional garage door tune-up specialist to inspect your system before taking any action.

 

Tighten Loose Nuts

Tighten Loose Parts

Constantly using your garage door can loosen some moving parts — particularly hardware like nuts, bolts, and screws. When these small parts are loose, you might hear popping and rattling noises. In addition, you risk experiencing expensive breakdowns when they come totally undone.

Be sure to tighten them when necessary, so your garage door does not fall apart. However, your garage door’s hardware is delicate and can be dangerous to handle yourself if the damage is too much. While you should be able to handle simple tightening jobs, you may need a professional when the torsion springs need changing or replacement.

 

Test Safety Features

Test Safety Features

Modern garage doors have safety features that you must test regularly to ensure they work correctly. In particular, they have sensors that detect when you are opening the garage door. These sensors can prevent it from closing if there is an obstruction. Test these sensors by placing an object where the garage door meets the ground, preferably a pack of toilet paper rolls or a brick.

The door should reverse if it senses an object in the way. Otherwise, you might want to wipe the sensor to ensure it senses obstructions properly. You may need a new unit if it still doesn’t work correctly.

 

Clean the Tracks

Dust and debris can build up in your garage door’s tracks, impeding its movement. If your garage door opens slowly or stops unexpectedly during operation, clean the tracks thoroughly. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any gunk or wipe them down with a damp cloth. Be sure to dry any parts you went through with a damp cloth to avoid any rust.

Cleaning the tracks this way can also help you see if they are leveled and straight. If anything is bent, your garage door won’t run smoothly, and you’ll need to fix it right away. Leaving these parts as-is may affect other components and cost more in the long run.

Final Words: Get a Garage Door Maintenance Expert for Professional Input

Regular garage door tune-ups and maintenance should be part of your home maintenance routine. You can do simple checks by keeping a close eye and ear out for anything about your garage door that might be out of the ordinary.

If you hear any noise, there may be loose parts that need tightening. If it operates slowly, there might be obstructions on the tracks. If you’re unsure, consider calling garage door tune-up experts to assess your circumstances and determine the best steps to get your door running smoothly.

A garage door may only be one part of your home’s features, but it can be a major inconvenience when it doesn’t function properly. Without it, you may find a garage vulnerable to the elements and potential intruders.

If your garage door won’t close, it’s best to understand what’s causing the issue and take the necessary steps to fix it. At Garage Door Repair, we look at your garage door’s role in keeping your home safe and secure and help you get it back on track.

garage door wont close all the way

Reasons a Garage Door Won’t Close All The Way 

It can be frustrating when you can’t figure out why your garage door won’t close. If you’re currently dealing with this problem, here are some of the most common garage door-related damages and issues you should check on:

 

1. Obstructed Door

Garage doors work by using sensors to determine if an object is in the way of the door closing. If there is anything blocking the sensor, even if it’s not in the way of the door closing, this will cause the door to have issues closing.

There’s always a chance that something as simple as a piece of furniture could be getting in the way of your garage door. Take a look around or inside the garage to see if there are any potential obstructions.

garage door sensors

2. Malfunctioning and Misaligned Safety Sensors

Your garage door has built-in safety sensors. When garage doors close, these sensors detect any objects in the path of the garage and will stop the garage from closing. If these sensors aren’t working properly, your garage could be stuck open or unable to close completely.

Similar to the solution above, first check if anything is in the way of the sensor. If you have determined that nothing is blocking the sensor, it might be that the sensors themselves are out of alignment.

Here’s a simple way to check: take a look at the exterior LED light when you press the button to close the door. If the light is green, your sensors are in good shape. But if the light starts flashing red, that means the sensors need some attention. Don’t worry, it’s a quick fix! Just inspect the bracket or tighten a screw on the flashing sensor. Once you’ve done that, the red light should turn green, the flashing should stop, and your garage door should close smoothly once again

If this doesn’t fix the issue, it’s time to check the lens itself. Sometimes all it takes is a quick wipe with a clean cloth to get them back in working order. These sensors play a crucial role in keeping your garage door functioning smoothly, but dirt, spiderwebs, and other debris can cause them to fail.

By simply giving the lenses a quick cleaning, you can ensure that your door operates without a hitch. If you live in a particularly dusty area, make sure to give your sensors a regular clean to keep them functioning perfectly.

Lastly, check the wires connecting your garage door to its sensor. Your garage door sensor system’s wires are your trusty connection to the outside world, but with all the wear and tear from regular use, inclement weather, and even pesky critters, they might start to show signs of wear and tear.

Don’t worry, though! If you see any signs of water damage, chew marks, or other suspicious tampering, you can easily replace the wires and keep your garage door sensor system in tip-top shape.

garage door springs

3. Damaged Springs

There are two main types of garage door springs, extension and torsion. Extension springs are mounted on the sides of the track, extending and contracting when the door is in motion. Torsion springs on the other hand run horizontally and hold two cable drums at each end – the torsion spring plays a crucial role in the smooth opening and closing of your garage door.

Although they are different, they serve the same purpose. Storing tension when the door is closed and releasing it when you lift the door open. 

This means that most of the time, your garage door springs are under tremendous tension. Overtime materials will break down and eventually the springs will break.

If this has happened to you, don’t worry, the pros at Garage Door Repair know how to fix it and will have your garage door springs working in no time at all.

Additionally, if you do decide to take on the project yourself, the video below provides a wonderful explanation on how to do so.

4. Damaged Cables

Depending on the type of spring system your garage door uses, extension or torsion, the location of your cables will change.

In the case of a torsion spring system, the cables are connected to the door drum on each side of the shaft and work by rotating a winding cone to lift the door. When the door lowers, the process reverses.

On the other hand, the cables on an extension system are located inside the springs a to prevent any broken spring pieces from causing damage or harm.

Your garage door cables are hardworking components that help you open and close your garage door smoothly and effortlessly. However, just like anything else that’s used repeatedly, they can experience wear and tear and eventually break.

Age, rust, incorrect installation or configuration, and even an accidental bump can all contribute to the breakdown of your garage door cables. Fraying and pulley wear are also common issues.

Regular maintenance, careful usage, and quick repairs can help prolong the life of your garage door cables and keep your garage door functioning at its best.

If you have found yourself with broken door cables, be sure to reach out to a professional installer who can safely secure your garage door for years to come.

garage door tracks

5. Damaged Tracks

Fixing a bent garage door track may seem like a DIY project, but it’s best to call in the experts. Trying to fix it yourself with tools and videos may only lead to bigger problems and even injury.

The professionals have the expertise and equipment to get the job done right, ensuring a smooth and safe operation for your garage door. Don’t risk making things worse, leave it to the experts to get your garage door back to its best.

 

Fix Garage Door Problems With Garage Door Repair

When a garage door won’t close, homeowners naturally want to fix the issue themselves. You can clear the way, set the limits, and clean and lubricate the parts. It’s possible, but garage door repairs require specialized tools and expertise. Depending on why your garage door won’t close, you can take the matter into your own hands or call garage door specialists for help.

If it’s simply a blockage or misaligned safety sensors, you can usually troubleshoot and solve the issue on your own. But if it’s beyond your skill set, it’s time to call the professionals. At Garage Door Repair, we work with professionals who identify the problem, fix it quickly, and get your garage door working again in no time.

We help homeowners with garage door issues of all kinds. Whether you need garage parts, replacements, or other garage door services, we can help. Your garage door is vital to your home and family’s security, so let’s help you make the most of your investment. Contact us now!

Photograph of garage door repair professionals at work

It’s not every day that one is tasked with searching for a garage repair professional. However, sometimes the unforeseen can happen: a garage door that won’t open, broken or old door springs, or even a garage door keypad that has decided to take the day off. Whatever the case, finding a professional and skilled garage repair professional can be a challenge, so in this article, we give you several tips on how to find one that will get the job done right!

Choose a Professional Company

A reputable garage door repair company will staff skilled and highly trained repair professionals. They often list their certifications and awards on their website or can be found through credentialing agencies. A professional company will also carry insurance. This is a vital component of choosing someone to work with to avoid your property damage or any potential lawsuits that could result from someone or something being harmed.

Word of Mouth Recommendations & Referrals

Chances are, you know someone who owns a garage. While it may not be an everyday topic of conversation, many people have used garage repair professionals for their garage door needs. Asking around is often a great way to choose a professional that has already established trust and rapport with those in your community.

Overall Reputation

In terms of overall reputation, looking for a garage repair professional who either works for a well-established company or a professional who has developed a solid small business can eliminate future problems with your property or with getting matters resolved. To check the overall reputation, look at online reviews, presence in the local community, or their status with organizations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Opt for Locally Owned and Operated

A locally owned and operated repair company is an excellent option for many reasons, mainly because they care about the community they serve, thus ensuring you receive quality services and support. In addition, it can also be an easy way for you to contribute to your local economy.

Length of Time in Business

Everyone has to start fresh, but when selecting a company to work with for garage repairs, choose a company that knows what they are doing. Time means experience and with experience comes better repairs.

Contact Garage Door Repair Today!

Garage Door Repair has been in operation for over 100 years and has over 450+ locally owned and operated locations with results you can trust. If you or someone you know needs garage repairs, maintenance, or anything in between, contact us at Garage Door Repair so we can put our 100+ years of work to the test!

How to Know When It’s Time to Repair or Replace Your Garage Door

Out with the old, in with the new! That’s one way to look at things, but while familiar sayings may ring true, there’s usually more to decision making than that. The important thing to remember is that any time you have to make a choice there are several things to consider, things unique to you and your set of circumstances. Evaluating your wants, needs, and desires, tempered with practical considerations, can help you get the best results. Your garage door is damaged. Sure, you want the door to work properly. You need to be able to live and work as you did before. And like most people you desire the best, newest, safest, quietest garage door available. There are several ways to approach this.

Signs You May Need a Replacement

Example #1: Car versus door leaves you with a dented section.

Dented garage door section

Some considerations:

  • Proper, safe, section replacement by homeowners is usually not practical. In many cases a section replacement may be half the price of a new door.
    Get a new door. This gives you a chance to have the latest features, perhaps better insulation, new color choices, better weatherstrip, maybe a row of windows. You’ll have a new warranty too.
  • What if you have two doors on your garage and the new product won’t match the old? As well, a replacement section may not look exactly the same as the rest of the door due to the natural fading which, depending on the age and location of the door could be very noticeable.
  • If the door has had a lot of use, wear parts like rollers and cables may cause trouble and expense in the future.
  • Have you had a number of service calls in the past? Springs have a limited life and can fail after a specified number of cycles–maybe not long after you replace the damaged section.
  • How old is the door? How old are you? (Sounds funny, but consider this for all major purchases.)
  • Do you plan to stay in the house?
  • What was the condition of the door before it was hit? Have you already had a service call because of the accident?

Signs You May Only Need a Repairinside of a garage door

Example #2: The door does not work properly.

Some considerations:

  • Inspect the door, inside and out, for obvious defects like broken cables or springs.
  • While the door is in the down position, disconnect it from the operator, if applicable. Open the door. If it is heavy, or noisy, return it to the closed position and lock it in place. Have your Garage Door Repair technician check the door.
  • If there are major problems, the same principles shown above apply: How old is it, overall condition, how often it’s used, your plans to stay in the house, etc. In many cases a simple repair is the best way to go.
  • The door may not be connected to the operator drawbar arm.

Example #3: Your operator is not working.

Some considerations:

  • There may be loss of power to the unit.old garage door operator
  • Photo eyes may be dirty or out of alignment. Note: that service technicians will not repair any operator that does not have external safety devices, such as photo eyes, making total operator replacement the only option available to the homeowner.
  • There could be an obstruction in the opening.
  • The problem may be with the door, not the operator.
  • The low voltage wiring to the wall button may be loose or broken.
  • Transmitter batteries may be weak. Light bulb replacement is an easy task.
  • With an operator, the age of the unit is a major consideration since there is ongoing improvement in the technology available that gives owners more convenience and security than ever before. Unless there is a very simple fix, operator replacement and the benefits to the homeowner make this an easy choice.

Let Us Help

Decision time. Ask yourself what’ll you have when the job is finished. In summary, because of the tools and techniques needed there’s little a homeowner can safely do to fix a door problem, so whether to fix an existing door/operator, or installing new equipment is a question of value. Calculate this by looking at the facts, list the pros and cons and see what will be the best choice for you. Often one of these–the pros or cons–will far outnumber the other.

At GarageDoorRepair.com, we connect you with local garage door repair experts from around the country. Find a locally licensed company with highly-trained technicians who can provide garage door repair replacement services in both commercial and residential settings.

hanging garage door

Considering DIY Garage Door Repair?
Here are a few reasons you might want to reconsider…

A sign in a Pennsylvania bicycle repair shop reads:

LABOR RATE
$ 50.00 per hour
$ 75.00 if you watch
$ 100.00 if you help
$ 200.00 if you worked on it first

There’s a lesson here and it is that the bicycle repairman has learned from years of experience that some things are more complicated than they look, more dangerous, and in the long run, more expensive. DIY attempts to perform door work might well carry the familiar warning ‘don’t try this at home’.

Of course homeowners can and should inspect their doors, apply lubrication, and look for obvious signs of wear. This includes things like listening to doors and operators in motion, or checking to see if the perimeter weatherstripping is doing the job, all the while using common sense as you would with any large moving object.

List of safe DIY Garage Door Inspections

  • Park your vehicles outside, close the door and see if it moves smoothly.
  • Disconnect the door from the operator and move it by hand. Does it stay closed? Does it drift down from the open position?
  • Look to see if it sits level on the garage floor.
  • Does it clear the header when in the fully open position?
  • Check to see if the photo eyes are clean and properly aligned.
  • Inspect the sections inside and out; worn or damaged sections can mean that the door no longer provides security for the home, and could cause property damage and serious bodily injury.
  • Is the operator plugged in correctly?
  • Make sure the track is fastened securely to the jambs, look for frayed cables, broken springs, worn rollers, and loose fasteners.

Be mindful of the fact that to the untrained eye it’s easy to miss something that is worn, loose, or broken.

Doing these things should be a regular part of household maintenance. If you are handy around the house go ahead and snug up a loose fastener, tap that nail that holds the weatherstrip to the jamb, clean and lube the door as necessary. When a serious problem arises, however, it’s best to turn to an expert for help.

3 Serious Reasons to reconsider DIY Garage Door Repair

  1.  Tools. An experienced garage door repairman will have the proper ladders, specialized tools, and the correct parts needed to fix most problems. He will also have things the homeowner won’t have and can’t buy at a big box store: cold rolled steel winding bars of various sizes, aircraft cable, special cable pulleys, operator parts, spring stock and gauges, torches and much more. Hammers, screwdrivers and pliers are good for small jobs around the house, but of little use, and can cause injury, when performing proper garage door repairs.
  2. Training. Another consideration is that with overhead garage doors things must be done in the proper order. What’s the first step to take to adjust, replace, or wind a spring? Are repairs made with the door in the open or closed position? How would you attach a new cable to a spring, drum, or bottom fixture? If you attempted to do the work yourself, how would you test it to see if it was okay? Tested it safely, that is. The garage door spring is among the most dangerous repairs and can result in serious injury, or even death, if not done correctly.
  3. Ladders. It sounds simple, however, each year thousands of people are injured or killed in home-related accidents. And, almost without exception, the number one leading cause is always falls. The Home Safety Council says falls account for roughly 6,000 deaths annually. While you’re always susceptible to a fall, you should do everything you possibly can to avoid situations where falls are particularly dangerous. This includes climbing ladders to fix garage door issues.

The old definition of an expert was someone who came from more than 50 miles away and was carrying a briefcase. Mark Twain joked that an expert was just a regular fellow from the next town over. Our factory trained technicians are close at hand, have a truck full of parts and specialized equipment and have something else in their tool kits – Safety. In most trades, a pinch, a cut, and a bump on the head are all common on-the-job injuries, and as a result workers quickly learn from experience how to do things the right way, the safe way. In our business training and experience are top priorities.

Safety is a serious concern at all large major companies. Some multi-national corporations go so far as to cease production at every facility they own if there is an accident with injury anywhere in their system. Full reports and appropriate instructions are sent to all parties at every location and orders are issued before operations are resumed. That’s serious. Being safe is a priority for them and good word of advice for a homeowner.

If you decide to do the work yourself remember that you can fall, and things can fall on you. As well, DIYers working on a garage door can and do sustain cuts, bruises, broken bones, eye injuries, even electrical shocks, all as result of not having the right tools, parts, and experience.

Above all else, safety is the key factor in making the decision to use a professional.

Be safe, DDIY. Contact Your Local Garage Door Expert Today.

garage door opener replacement

As the largest moving piece in your home, the garage door should command a lot of respect and attention. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t understand that garage door openers don’t last forever and never consider the possibility of replacement. If you own a garage door opener that’s more than 15 or 20 years old – and especially a pre-1993 version – then you’ll be interested in learning more about the benefits a replacement can provide.

It’s Time to Replace, When…

The average garage door opens and shuts roughly 1,500 times per year. And while everything might seem fine one day, it’s possible that it’ll give way the next. That’s just the nature of garage door openers. Sometimes they’ll give you a warning sign, while other times they simply decide to stop functioning.

There are things you can do to ensure your garage door opener enjoys a long, safe life, but there are also a number of factors out of your control. However, one of your key responsibilities as a homeowner is to remain aware of what your garage door opener is telling you. Keep an eye (or ear) out so that you know when the time is right. Specifically, here are 5 reasons to replace your garage door opener.

1. 1993 CPSC Rule

In an effort to reduce the number of deaths and injuries to children and pets who became entrapped underneath garage doors with automatic openers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) established a new set of rules in 1993 for automatic residential garage door openers.

The rule was enacted as part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 1990 and required that any automatic garage door openers manufactured on or after January 1, 1991 conform to the various entrapment protection requirements laid out in the legislation.

The 1993 CPSC rule contains a lot of information, but the basic gist is any garage door manufactured after the ruling is required to have a safety reversing mechanism. This feature uses two sensors on either side of the door. If at any time during the closing of the door an object, child, or pet interferes with the beam running between the two sensors, the door immediately stops and reverses.

If you have a garage door opener that was manufactured and installed prior to this ruling, then it’s time to replace it with a new one. You’ll need an opener that’s equipped with a safety reversing mechanism.

Even if you have a post-1993 unit, it’s important that you regularly check the safety reversing mechanism to ensure it’s working properly. You can do this in three simple steps:

  • Look to the bottom of each side of the garage door and verify that the sensors are mounted no higher than six inches off the ground. Any higher and the sensors won’t be able to recognize objects in the garage door’s path.
  • Use an object to the block one of the sensors and then press the garage door opener button. The door should not close while you’re blocking the sensor.
  • Lay an object that’s 1.5 inches or higher on the ground (in the door’s path) and again press the close button. The door should begin to close and then reverse direction.

garage door opener safety

Most people aren’t aware of how important their garage door’s safety reversing mechanism (or lack thereof) is. Keep these tips in mind and check to ensure you’re compliant..

2. Noise Issues

noisy-garage-door

Every neighborhood or street has that home with the noisy garage door opener. Don’t be that neighbor. Not only is it embarrassing, but it can be a nuisance for everyone. If your garage door opener has been noisy for years, you probably don’t even notice. Take this opportunity to check the noise level of your opener. Is it on par with the neighbors’ garage doors, or does it seem unusually loud?

Older garage door opener models were built with large, noisy components, while newer models use much quieter chains or belt drives. The latter is virtually silent when compared to an old chain unit. You’ll be amazed at the difference.

3. Home Security

Older garage door opener models were very low on security features. They had fixed codes that could be stolen using radio frequency identifier devices, which made them a popular entryway into the home for burglars.

On the other hand, modern models use advanced technological features with rolling codes. This means the code changes each time the door is operated. As a result, the code cannot be stolen. This prevents break-ins and enhances security. If you’re still using an older model, then it’s important that you review its security features to know whether your home is fully protected.

4. Battery Backup

Few things are more frustrating than having your car locked in the garage during a power outage. While older models have latches that can be pulled to manually open the door, these mechanisms often get stuck over the years and can be difficult for some individuals to operate.

New models have battery back up features, which are extremely useful during power outages. Your garage door can open and close for many cycles using this battery. While you may only need to use it once a year, it provides peace of mind.

5. No Outside Keypad

Older garage door opener models had manual operation. If you wanted to open the door from the outside (without the remote opener in your vehicle), you’d have to use a key. Newer models feature keypads on the outside of the garage door, which require a simple programmable code for entry. This lets you to give access to people, even when you aren’t home.

Contact a Local Expert Today

It’s easy to take your garage door opener for granted; however, it’s imperative that you give it the attention it deserves. If you have any of these five issues, then it’s time to consider replacing your outdated model with a newer and more functional solution.

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