Should The Garage Door Have Windows?

If you are getting a garage door installed, one question you might be wondering is whether to have the garage door with windows or without the windows.

Having windows in a garage door has its features and benefits, but it also has a few challenges. Here are some pros and cons of garage door windows.

What Are Some Pros Of Garage Door Windows?

Some reasons why people like adding windows to their garage door:

• It allows natural light to flow into your garage. Now you do not need to switch on the lights during the day which can save your electricity. Another advantage here is, sunlight will keep the garage warm during winters.
• Windows in your garage door is an excellent aesthetic tactic to decorate them. Windows can be aligned both horizontally or vertically, and you can also choose from different patterns and designs.
• Garage door windows give your home a natural look and seem like they are a part of the exterior.

What Are Some Cons Of Garage Door Windows?

Some reasons why people do not like adding windows to their garage door:

• It can invade your privacy by letting neighbors or strangers see inside the garage. It can also allow burglars to access the garage door lock by breaking through the windows.

What More Should You Consider Before Purchasing Your Next Garage Door Windows?

If you have decided that you want windows in your next garage door, we will recommend increasing your budget to ensure the quality of your windows and frames are higher. Frames made of polypropylene are the most durable. It has a strong seal between the frame and the glass to stop drafts or moisture from entering. The door should be of glass as its scratch-resistant. And if you are looking to make the windows more private, try implementing tint or frost onto the glass.

If you are looking to install your next garage door, we Garage Door Doctor are your experts and will do it for you. Call us at 281-855-9300.

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What Should You Know About Driveway Gates?

Driveway gates act as your property’s main gate that keeps your loved ones secure inside the premises. No matter which gate you have, a manual or an automatic one. There will be times when your gate malfunctions, and you will need to have it repaired.

The reason could be weather changes, bumps made by your vehicle bumps, or the regular wear and tear, but all of them call for a repair.

In case you notice a repair in your driveway gate, you will need to schedule a repair service for the gate. It would help if you also investigated the real cause of gate failure so that the repair can happen on time and in the best way.

What Are Some Signs That Your Driveway Gate Needs A Repair?
Once you know the signs that indicate that your driveway gate needs repair, it will help you secure your family from unforeseen dangers and help you manage your expenditure on your driveway gate.

• Your gate makes a grinding sound when opening and closing.
• The gate does not close because the latch does not fit in properly.
• Two sides of the gate are misaligned.
• The automatic gate does not respond properly.
• You can feel resistance while using the door.
• There are visible dents on the gate.

What Are Some Causes For A Gate From Responding?

Once you have seen the signs that your driveway gate needs a repair, you can call in for a repair. But it is essential to investigate the cause of gate failure. So once the problem is solved, you can prevent it from happening again.

Change in weather conditions can affect the gate. Rain, high or low temperatures, lightning, heavy winds can change the gate’s texture and may even cause it to rust.
If you misuse the gate, it can result in wear and tear and demand good repair.
A mishap like an accident can severely damage the gate.

If you’re looking to have a driveway gate repaired, we Garage Door Doctor are your experts and will do it for you. We’re located in Cypress and Katy, Texas, and we want you to be safe while the professionals do the hard work. Call us today at 281-855-9300

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What Are Some Benefits of A Home Security Gate?

Your main gate has many benefits, but the most important purpose it serves is to provide security to your home. It keeps your children safe inside the house and keeps your family members protected from unwanted guests.

It’s quite common to hear news about home burglary attempts; hence having a security gate can help you keep such burglars away from your property.

Some other advantages of home security gates are:

• Adds a style to your homes: A driveway not only secures your house but also beautifies your homes, making them look good from the exteriors. Gates increase the monetary value of your property as well. Gates come in various designs; hence there are tons of options for you to choose from.
• Home security: During these uncertain times, when families are in quarantine at home behind their closed doors, we would like to ensure our families’ security is not compromised. Hence driveway gates keep unwanted guests out of our homes.
• Privacy: We all want our privacy, and driveway gates help keep your personal life behind doors.

If you’re looking to have a home security gate installed at your home, Garage Door Doctor has the experts to do it for you. We are your local garage door experts in Cypress and Katy, Texas, and we want you to be safe while the professionals do the hard work. Call us today at 281-855-9300

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How To Install A Garage Door Opener?

Most newly developed homes nowadays have an electronic garage door opener. This eases access, safety, and security. However, many drive options are available: chain, screw, belt, direct, and jackshaft.

The most commonly found setup is the ceiling-mounted opening, which connects to the door’s inside. We’ve provided a basic guide that can help you take care of this task if you’re a DIYer.

Remember that we recommend that you involve experts to tackle such complex jobs. Not only because you can damage the equipment but also because you can hurt yourself. Our team of experts at Garage Door Doctor is always available for professional support.

Start by checking if your garage door is operating correctly. It opens and closes properly and doesn’t have any loose cabling or broken parts, and is also well lubricated.

Remove all hanging ropes and cords.

Prepare the required—clamps, measuring tape, a drill machine and bits, and different sized wrenches. Make sure you’re near an electrical outlet.

Step 1: Assembling The Opener

• Fit the rail sections together
• Slide trolley on to the rail
• Connect rail to the motor
• Fix the pulley to the end of the rail
• Slide a belt or a chain from one end of the rail; glide it around the pulley, then fix it around the motor
• Now fix the belt or the chain end to the carriage
• At the end of the chain is a screw that will hold the entire against the trolley and bear the door tension

Step 2: Attaching The Opener to the Ceiling

• Start with installing a block on the ceiling, and the opener will be attached to this wood. The wood must be nailed or screwed to ensure it holds the weight of the opener.
• Now screw the bracket to the door wall and connect the opener assembly to it. Then, attached the end of the motor to the blocking using screws.
• Ensure you have left about 7-9 feet of space above the floor to allow room for people walking under it. Then fix the other piece of the bracket to the door as specified in the instructions.

Step 3: Installation of Other Components

• The opener packaging must be having a safety disconnect cable. Attach this cable to the motor and slide it on to the bracket and the handle. It should be marked as an emergency release.
• Remove the emergency release cable and test the door by opening and closing it to make sure it operated smoothly. Then add the stop bracket at the motor.
• Fix a light bulb to take care of the vibration of the door without burning out. Then install the electric eye and reflector.
• Then the control button is to be installed and make sure it’s out of reach of children.

Step 4: Testing The Newly Installed Opener

• It is time to now power on the garage door and test it using real electricity.
• Test the door with the wall control and the remote.

Let Garage Door Doctor Do The Job For You

It can become challenging to install a garage door opener. Hence, if you think you won’t be able to install it yourself, do not worry. Garage Door Doctor has the experts to do it for you. We are your local garage door experts in Cypress and Katy, Texas, and we want you to be safe while the professionals do the hard work. Call us today at 281-855-9300. You can also visit our website at www.garagedoordoctor.biz .

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The Beauty of Decorative Garage Door Hardware

Installing decorative garage door hardware is an affordable way to increase the curb appeal of your garage door. There is a wide variety of decorative hardware available, including different styles and materials.

In this article, we’re exploring the beauty of decorative garage door hardware.

The Beauty of Decorative Garage Door Hardware

When you think of decorating your home, you often won’t think of decorating the garage door. That’s true even if you’ve spent time making improvements to your windows, doors, and other aspects of the home’s exterior. However, adding decorations to your garage can actually make all the difference. Here’s what you can do to add to your garage door, and how it improves the overall look of your home. 

Why Add Extra Hardware?

These days, if you install a new garage door then you should get the full package. If you’ve had a new door put in, then surely you shouldn’t need to add anything to it?

It’s true that many modern garage doors look fantastic. You can choose from a plethora of styles to suit your home, and so you may not want to add anything. However, the door you have may need something extra to make it truly blend in with the rest of the home. You can use hardware to finish it off and make it perfect. 

Also, you should consider decorative garage door hardware if you have an existing garage door. Maybe you moved into the house and you’ve inherited the door style that the last owners chose. Maybe it just isn’t feasible to replace the whole door right now. Whatever the reason, some decorative hardware ensures that the door will fit in with your tastes and the look of the home overall. 

Finally, it’s well worth considering getting decorative hardware if you’re looking to improve the curb appeal of your home. There’s so much that can affect whether your home sells for its full value or not. You’ve got to do everything you can to ensure you get the asking price and close that sale. Even if you’re not thinking of selling your home right now, decorating your garage door will improve the look of your home and help to drive up its value. 

There are so many reasons why decorative hardware is so important for your garage door. If you think it’ll be perfect for your home, you’ll next need to consider what hardware you’ll buy. 

Types of Decorative Hardware

What can you add to your garage door in order to make it the best it can be? There’s plenty of things you can add. Here are just a few options to choose from:

Handles: These are the most common addition to a garage door. A new handle will make all the difference to your door, and bring it right up to date. Pair it with a new paint job, and it will look amazing. Make sure you use new handles that work with the look of the rest of your home. For example, ring pulls will look fantastic on an old-world style or carriage door. Remember, you can add nonfunctional handles to create the right look, too. 

Decorative hinges: You’ll have decorative hinges on many garage doors, as they add a lot of rustic charm to the door itself. They’re often referred to as ‘strap hinges’ too, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for some. These are usually added on the side of the door, where the top and bottom hinges are placed on it. They look fantastic and add a barn or carriage house style to the door itself. 

Clavos: You may not know the name, but you’ve seen clavos additions before. These are essentially decorative nails, that look like bolts, studded into a garage door. They come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and finishes, so you’ll be able to find something that suits your door best. These often work well for industrial and rustic style doors. 

These are just a few different options, so shop around and look for something that will suit your garage door best. 

Tips For Adding Decorative Hardware

You’ve decided on getting some hardware, and you know what kind of hardware you need to enhance your door. Here are some tips for adding them, to ensure that you get it right. 

Try magnetic hardware: Something you may not know about is magnetic hardware. This style of hardware works perfectly on metal garage doors, as they will stick to it without you having to drill any holes. If you’re not sure about where you want the hardware to sit, or you rent and don’t want to damage the door, then these are a great option. 

Make it believable: Once you have your decorative hardware, you’ll need to consider where you’re going to place it on the door. The most important rule is to make it believable. For example, if you use decorative hinges, only use them where the hinges would actually be on the door. Otherwise, the look will come off as a little strange and fake looking, which isn’t what you want. 

Stick to your home’s style: It’s important that you stick to the style of your home, so the hardware blends right in. For example, rustic style hardware is going to look very out of place on an industrial-style door. Try checking out pictures online, so you can see how the hardware should be added. 

Don’t go overboard: When adding any decorative elements to your garage door, it’s very important that you don’t go overboard. You don’t want to use elements that overwhelm the door, as it will actually away from the overall look you’re going for. 

Remove older hardware: You’ll often already have some hardware on the door that you’ll need to remove before you can add anything new. If you don’t take it off, it can confuse the look and make it look less than ideal. Remember to remove everything that originally came on the door, including old locks and handles. 

Conclusion

When done right, decorative garage door hardware on your garage door will make it look incredible. You can improve the overall look of your home, and make your garage door really stand out. Plus, it’s very easy to find and install it. Get yours today, and make your garage door your own.

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Benefits of Side Hinged Garage Doors

Despite the latest advancements and technological easiness, for some things, old traditional settings remain the best. When talking about garage doors, you will find a wide variety of self-operated doors available in different variants with numerous material, color, and textures. But the traditional side hinged garage doors are still in demand and more than ever ready to serve you with ease. Side-hinged garage doors have basic components and work in a simple way. They consist of two panels that are hinged from side to a subframe. Apart from its simplicity, there are many other benefits of choosing a side-hinged door. Let’s have a look at them.

They allow easy entrance and exit

Suppose instead of parking the car, you want some other stuff out of the garage. With a side-hinged garage door, opening it only halfway will allow you to enter and take out your belongings. This saves you both time and energy. But if you had a chain or belt drive operated garage gate installed, you would have to open it fully for a minor chore.

They look aesthetically pleasing

As the saying goes, old is gold, and it suits perfectly for side hinged garage doors. They give a slim, stylish look and are available in various designs and colors to perfectly fit the aesthetics of your home.

They are budget-friendly

Not only are these doors cheap in terms of installation or replacement, compared to other garage doors, its repairs also cost less. Moreover, if you plan to do an overhaul of your house or garage in general, changing the color or other parts will also cost you less.

No restrictions on garage size

One best thing about hinged garage doors is their size compatibility, as they can be easily made to fit any garage size. When constructing a garage, you don’t need to consider the size of a garage door. Rather the door will need to adjust itself to fit your newly-built garage.

They don’t make any noise

Would you like a garage door that screeches every time you open it? Absolutely not! Nobody likes a noisy door, especially if they live in a quiet neighborhood or when parking their car late at night. Side-hinged garage doors are free from the complicated mechanism, making them noiseless and ideal for such situations.

They offer more privacy

Unlike other many other types of garage doors, side-hinged doors don’t display your stuff to passersby. This is especially beneficial if you have expensive belongings stored in the garage.

No matter how good, every garage door has downsides, and so does hinged doors. Therefore, before making any purchase, it’s best to consult door professionals. Our team at Garage Door Doctor can provide immediate assistance when you contact us. Call us today at 281-855-9300.

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How to Fix A Crooked Garage Door

Has your garage door gone crooked?

It’s irritating at best, and a security issue at worst. If the door isn’t sitting in the frame right, you’ll need to repair it as soon as possible. This can be a bit of a process, so we thought it might be helpful to share a step-by-step guide.

Here’s how to fix a crooked garage door …

Why is Your Garage Door Crooked?

To properly mend the garage door, you need to understand why the problem has happened. There are several reasons why it’s happened, including:

Knocked or moved sensors: The garage door sensors are what helps the garage door opener ‘see’ is anything is in the way of the garage door when you open and close it. If they’re out of alignment, they will cause problems for the door when you try to use it. Check that your sensors are in alignment, and if they’re not, move them back. 

Lack of lubrication: When maintaining the garage door, it’s important you keep it lubricated with a proper lithium-based lubricant. If there’s no lubrication, important parts of the door will seize up, making it harder for the door to move. This can easily lead to it becoming crooked. 

Older or broken springs: The springs on your garage door can lead to it becoming crooked. These are what give the door the tension it needs to open and close. If they’re wearing out, it’ll be harder for the door to open and will cause more problems. If left longer, they can even break. They can cause a lot of damage and even injury, so be careful when replacing them or call a professional. 

Cold weather: As the winter approaches, you need to be careful of crooked garage doors. Cold weather means the metal and wood in your door will contract. This can lead to the door buckling and becoming crooked, or even jam. 

How to Fix A Crooked Garage Door

If you’ve found that your garage door has become crooked, it’s easier to fix than you’d think. There are several steps involved and it may be dangerous due to the weight of the garage door. We recommend contacting a professional if you’re comfortable working with heavy garage door equipment and mechanics.

Here’s how you’ll go about getting it back to normal. 

Step 1. Identify the Crooked Spot

Firstly, you need to test the garage door. Move it up and down, until you find a spot where it stays suspended when you let go. Pay attention to where that spot is. If it’s more than four feet or less than three feet above the ground, that’s a sign that the garage door is unbalanced. Your next step will be to start fixing that balance issue. 

Step 2. Prop the Door Open

If you’re going to work on the door, you’ll need to prop it open. The best way to do this is to leave a ladder under it, to keep it open. This takes the pressure off the door springs and ensures that the door won’t close on you as you’re working on it. Also, ensure that you unplug the garage door opener to stop the door from opening and closing automatically. 

Step 3. Move the Springs

Now, you need to move the springs. Before you do this, ensure there is no tension in the spring to avoid injury. Where you move them will depend on the exact issue you’re having with the door. If it’s opening too quickly, then move the spring to the next highest hole on the bracket. If it’s closing too quickly, then move it to the next lower hole. 

Adjust the springs on the other side of the door in the same way, and then retest the door in the same way as step one. If it balances properly, then this step has been done correctly. 

Step 4. Keep it Level

Get a spirit level and test that the door opens and shuts evenly. You want to see it close to the ground evenly, on both sides. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to adjust the springs until it does. 

Step 5. Make Adjustments

If you need to make some fine adjustments, try adjusting the lift cable instead of the spring. It’s attached to the door and runs through an S hook that attaches to the track support. Take the S-hook out of the support, and loosen or tighten the cable as needed. 

With this guide, you should be able to get the door properly balanced and safe to use again. It’s easy to do yourself, but you do need to take care of the springs.

Remember, if you need any help always call on the professionals to give you a hand. 

Additional Garage Door Issues

If you have found your garage door has become crooked, you need to address the issue as soon as possible. There are several problems that they can cause, that you want to avoid:

Opening and closing too quickly: The main issue you’ll get with a crooked garage door is the opening and closing speed. If it closes too quickly, then it will be a risk to anyone who moves under it, especially children and pets. It’ll also put extra strain on the moving parts that you want to avoid. 

Damp and leaks in your garage: If the door isn’t sitting in the frame properly, it can let all kinds of things in. If you get a downpour, you’ll see damp start to creep into the garage. It also creates an excellent pathway for pests, which is the last thing you want. 

Uneven component wearing: If the door isn’t sitting as it should, then you’ll see all the components will start to wear unevenly. It creates more cost for you, as you’ll have to replace parts sooner than you should. 

Create more defects: If the door is crooked, then it can’t work as it should. The other moving parts in the mechanism will have to work overtime, and some will break as they won’t be able to handle the extra pressure. 

Become a target for thieves: Those looking to steal are more likely to target you if they see the door is crooked. It’s easier to get in when the door doesn’t fit properly, so it’s very tempting for them to try and get in. 

Conclusion

Now that you know how to fix a crooked garage door, you need to decide whether or not you’re up for the project. If you’re not too familiar with garage door parts and mechanics, you may want to consider hiring a professional garage door repair company for help.

A professional will be familiar with the components of your garage door and, most importantly, understand how to safely repair the problem.

If you need help, consider contacting Your Garage Door Guys today.

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What to do if your garage door keeps stopping?

Automatic garage doors are a blessing like so many other modern appliances that make our everyday life easier. They not only pamper us in terms of saving our time but energy too. For example, when talking about electric garage doors, you don’t need to get out of the car and bend and lift the door up and then do the opposite to close it. All of this is possible with just a single push of a button, thanks to automatic garage door openers. However, dependency sometimes can be very harsh. What if the chain breaks down or the remote stops responding? What if you are stuck in a situation where your garage door won’t open or keeps on stopping when you try to close it?   

So what to do when your garage door stops when you try to close it? Become a bit of Sherlock Holmes and start the investigation. 

  

Check for obstruction object.

 

The primary culprit can be an obstruction. Automatic garage doors make use of sensors to know if something is present beneath them. Investigate and find out if something is blocking the way because your garage door won’t close if something’s in the way. Even a tiny item such as a twig can set off the alarm. So, sweep the area clean and make sure nothing is present to disturb you. 

 

Make sure the track is not blocked.  

 

Make sure nothing is blocking or jamming the track. For the garage door to open and close smoothly, it needs to have a crystal clear track, and if even something tiny comes in the way, the door can stop working. Use a flashlight to ensure no object is hindering the way.

 

Do you have a broken tension spring?

 

A broken or stretched tension spring is another reason why your garage door keeps on stopping. If this is the case, you need to call garage door repair experts because trying to make it a DIY project can harm you or permanently damage the door.  

 

Check if sensors are okay.

 

If no obstruction is present, the next investigation target should be sensors. Automatic garage doors have photo-eye sensors that ensure the doors don’t close on someone or something, causing serious damage. These sensors can be misaligned, interfering with the doors mechanism to operate properly. You should see lights on both the sensors, and they should blink or be lit. If any one or both lights are out, realign the sensors to make the door up and running. 

 

If you have tried all the troubleshooting methods and your garage door still keeps on stopping, it’s time to call professional help. 

 

Garage Door Doctor has the experience and expertise to repair or replace your malfunctioning garage door. Call us today at 281-855-9300. You can also visit our website at https://www.garagedoordoctor.biz/.

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How Wide is a Garage Door?

If you’re interested in upgrading your garage door or installing a new one altogether, you first need to decide which size is right for your home.

In this article, we’re taking a closer look at a common question we hear from homeowners … how wide is a garage door?

How Wide is a Garage Door?

Are you planning to remodel your existing garage, or build a totally brand new one on your property?

If you are, you’ll need to ensure you get the measurements of the garage door correct. Everyone has experienced the pain of scraping their car on the garage door frame, after all.

So, how wide is a garage door anyway?

How Large are Average Garage Doors?

Garage door sizes haven’t really changed much, even from the days of the Model T car. On average, garage doors are made to be around 8 feet wide. The garage itself will be around 9-10 feet wide and 18-20 feet long. That’s great if your car fits into that space, but with car designs always changing, that average garage may not be enough. 

The sizing of your new garage door will have to suit the car or cars that you have on your property. That’s going to be different for everyone. Parents may drive SUVs, while their neighbors have compact cars. The size of your garage door will need to accommodate that. 

Considering Your Cars

On average, cars come in three different sizes. A compact car will be 6 feet wide and 16 feet long. A large or luxury car will be 6 ½ feet by 18 feet. A van or SUV will be 7 feet by 19 feet. These aren’t exact measurements for every car, but they’re a good place to start. 

If you’re still in the planning stages of your new garage, think about the cars you have. What do you drive right now? You may own a compact at the moment, but are you planning to have kids? If so, you’ll want to build a larger garage door in order to accommodate a larger car. 

If you know you’ll be sticking with the same car, or the same kind of car, for while, get the tape measure out. Get the measurements of your car, and you’ll see just how much room you’ll need for your car. 

Single or Double Garage Door?

Next, let’s think about the type of door you’ll put in your new garage. Will you use a single garage door or a double door? This is again something that depends on the space and the cars you have. 

A single garage door is usually made to be 8 feet wide, although they can be made to be larger. A double door will be around 15 or 16 feet wide. 

If you’re only remodeling or building a single car garage, then you’ll just get with the single garage door. If you’re building a larger garage, then you’ll need to think about whether you’ll use a double garage door or two singles. This is down to preference, as they will make the garage look different when installed. Plus, you may find it easier to drive both cars in and out of a double garage door. It’s a good idea to discuss this with your contractors, so you can decide on the best option for you. 

Don’t forget that this isn’t the only door you’ll need in your garage. You will want a regular door on the side of the building or leading into your home if the garage is attached to the rest of the property. 

Sizing Up the Interior of Your Garage

The size of the garage door you use will be affected by the interior of the garage itself. You’ll need a door that can be easily accessed both inside and outside of the garage, so you’ll need to leave enough room for this in your interior. 

Also, keep in mind that some states do require you to build to minimum dimensions. For example, California requires you to create an interior dimension of 10 by 20 feet. 

What else do you need to consider here? You want to leave enough space to walk around each car in your garage easily. If you want to store things in your garage, then you’ll need to allow for extra space here, too. It’s best to keep storage as far away from the doors as you can, to ensure that automatic garage doors aren’t affected by items kept in there. Finally, consider hot water heaters and similar systems. These are often kept in garages, so you need to make room for these too. Many choose to create alcoves for them, creating more room in the garage for your cars. 

Which Garage Door Style?

Now that you know how many doors you need, and how wide they need to be, you’ll need to pick the right style for them. This is dependent on your tastes and the style of your home, so let’s look at what will be right for you. 

If you have a traditional style house, then single garage doors are usually better as they fit in with the style. If you do need to use a double door, you can add features such as multi-pane windows and panels to make it blend in with the rest of the home.  

Multiple single garage doors will also work with a minimalist style house, as the proportions will work better with the overall look of the architecture. Adding extra details, again such as windows, will again make this look perfect with your existing property. 

Whatever kind of door you use, don’t be afraid to use details around them. Potted plants between doors, and archways above them, will complement them well. A garage door is a large section of the front of your home, so it is already drawing attention. You can lean into that and make this a feature with the right details. 

It looks like there are lots to consider, but it shouldn’t be too hard to pick the right size garage door for you. When remodeling, consider how large your doors will need to be, and whether you need a single or double door. When you’re finished you’ll have a garage that looks amazing. 

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Garage Door Track Repair, What to Do If It Occurs

If your garage falls off its tracks, a garage door track repair needs to occur. Let us say you come home from work, you have a headache, and you already dealt with too much office work. As you pull up to your home, your garage suddenly gets off track! What do you do? The best solution would be to call professionals, like Garage Door Doctor, to ensure you are not fixing something that could cause you to get hurt. Whether your track gets bent, gets out of alignment, or it makes a lot of noise, the experts at Garage Door Doctor will ensure your garage gets up and running as soon as possible!

We know how it feels to have a malfunctioning garage, and want to ensure we can ease the pain as soon as possible. Let us take a look at why garage doors tend to fall off their tracks in the first place.

Why exactly would my garage door get off track?

There are tons of causes that lead to a broken or misaligned track. If your garage door does get off track, you are not alone! Tons of people face the same issue; however, they call professionals, like Garage Door Doctor, to ensure their garage is in good hands.

The most common reason a garage door may fall of the track is if an obstruction gets in the way of allowing the door to close correctly. Sometimes, your safety sensors may not detect the obstruction, causing the issue to occur!  Another cause could be a garage door opener that has an improper force setting.

It is not very common, but it can fall off the track if you hit the door with your car. For example, if you were to pull out too fast, without your garage door being fully opened, the door may come off its tracks due to the car’s force. In other instances, a garage door falls off the track because of an issue with the track system’s parts. The rollers on the track can wear out, and lift cables can break. Both of these things can cause your garage door to fall off track without even the slightest of a warning.

Whether it is because of a faulty part or a breakage in the track, it is imperative to have your track fixed by experts from Garage Door Doctor. We do not recommend trying to fix a garage door track on your own. This is because you can easily hurt yourself without proper training and equipment. In addition, keep in mind that broken tracks can lead your garage door to fall onto you, your car, or even your loved ones, causing severe injury or, unfortunately, death.

Are you in need of a garage door track repair?

If you need a garage door track repair, you have come to the right place! Garage Door Doctor has years of experience to help fix your garage door track. We are your local garage door servicing company in Cypress, Texas; we want to ensure you have a company that sincerely cares about you and your garage. For more information, call us today at 281-855-9300 . You can also visit our website at www.garagedoordoctor.biz

The post Garage Door Track Repair, What to Do If It Occurs appeared first on Garage Door Doctor.

source https://www.garagedoordoctor.biz/garage-door-track-repair-what-to-do-if-it-occurs-2

How to Maintain A Garage Door This Fall

Understanding how to maintain a garage door is important to the lifespan of your garage door. If you ignore it for too long, you will likely encounter one of several common garage door issues.

In this article, you’ll learn how to maintain a garage door this fall.

How to Maintain A Garage Door This Fall

Now that Fall is on the way, you should think about maintaining your garage door. You want to ensure that it stays in top working condition before the colder weather really sets in. After all, no one wants to be out in the rain or snow trying to fix a broken door. 

With some maintenance though, you’ll drastically reduce the chance of this happening. Use this guide to help you maintain your door this fall and keep it working properly for you, every time you open it. 

Here’s how to maintain a garage door …

Inspect Your Door

Firstly, you want to inspect your door. You’re looking for anything that indicates there’s a problem, or that something is wearing out. Consider how the door has been working over the last few months. Is it louder than usual? Does it open smoothly, or does it become jerky? Does everything seem to be in even alignment?

If you see anything that needs to be repaired, consider if it’s something that you can do yourself. Many jobs, like cleaning photo eyes or fixing dents, can be done yourself with the right tools. However, broken springs and other maintenance should be done by a professional, for safety. 

Also, remember to unplug your automatic garage door opener if you’ll be doing work on the door. This will stop it opening or closing as you work, keeping you safe. 

Do Safety Tests

As you inspect your garage door, do some safety tests to ensure that everything is in working order. If you see any problems, talk to a professional to get help making the door safe to use again. 

Auto-reverse feature: Place a piece of wood in the path of your garage door, and activate the door to close. The door should stop short of the blockage, and reopen. If it doesn’t, you may need to adjust the limit switch on the door. 

Door photo eyes: Locate the photo eyes of your garage door, which should be either side of it, near the bottom. Activate the door to close, and then wave an object between them. If they’re working correctly, the door should auto-reverse. If it doesn’t, you may need to clean the photo eyes or realign them to get this feature working. 

Garage door balance: Unplug your garage door from the automatic opener, so it will open manually. Then, lift the door halfway up and release it. The door should stay in place until you move it again. If it slips down, the door isn’t balanced. You’ll need to call a professional to fix the problem. 

Maintain The Garage Door Opener Drive Belt

The garage door opener should open your door smoothly, so open your door to test it. Do you hear groaning or snapping sounds? That’s a sign that there’s too much slack in it. To fix this, unplug the opener and then locate the adjustment bolt on the chain drive or belt. There should be nuts either side to help you adjust it. 

Use a wrench to turn the first nut counter-clockwise, and then the second nut should be turned clockwise. This should make the belt pick up the slack. When tightening, ensure you don’t tighten too much as this could lead the belt to break. 

Before testing the door again, lubricate the chain belt with a lithium grease spray, to help stave off corrosion. Then, plug the opener back in and try the door again to see if the sound has stopped. 

Check And Replace Seals

The weatherstripping at the bottom of the garage door keeps out everything from rainwater to pests, so it’s important that it’s in good condition. If the seal looks brittle or broken, you’ll need to replace it. You can easily pick up a new seal at any hardware store. 

Open the garage door to about chest height and secure it using a clamp to keep it in place. Pry off the old weather stripping using a screwdriver, and clean the door groove to remove any debris. Insert the new weather stripping at one end, and then slide it along the bottom the door. Trim the ends off. And fold the ends back on themselves into the door groove to secure them. 

Clean The Garage Door Surface

Cleaning the garage door not only improves curb appeal, but it helps with keeping it in good condition. The way you clean your garage door will depend on the material it’s made of. If it’s a wooden door, wipe it down with a soft, dry cloth. Inspect it for any staining, a sign of insect damage. Also, consider if the door needs to be repainted. If you will repaint, patch any small holes with wood filler, then sand and paint the surface. 

If the door is a synthetic material, such as vinyl, you can wash it down with a soft cloth and the appropriate cleaner. Rinse it off using a hose, then dry it off with a microfiber cloth. 

On the inside of the door, wipe away any cobwebs and wipe the door down with a soft dry cloth. If needed, use a lightly moistened cloth to clean off stained areas. 

Replace The Battery

You’ll need to test your back up battery in your garage door opener, to see if it still has power. You’ll need it if the power goes out and you need to get your car out of the garage. Unplug the opener, and then press the button on inside of the garage. If the door opens, the battery should be fine., If not, it needs to be replaced. 

Obtain a new battery for your garage door opener, and then open the battery cover on it. Remove the spent battery and replace it with a new one, then close it up and try the door again to ensure the battery works. 

With these tests, you’ll be able to ensure your garage door is ready for fall. Simple maintenance stops most breakdowns from happening, so check over your door now and ensure it’s in good repair. 

Professional Maintenance

Whether you’re not comfortable working with the various components of your garage door, we recommend you request an estimate from a professional in your area.

A professional garage door service provider will have the experience needed to identify potential issues and resolve them before they develop into expensive problems.

Make us Your Garage Door Guys today if you’re in the Los Angeles or Ventura area. We provide expert garage door maintenance and repair through these areas, including Simi Valley to Northridge and beyond.

The post How to Maintain A Garage Door This Fall appeared first on Your Garage Door Guys.

6 Quality Garage Door Services

If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t worry about your garage door until something starts going wrong. Whether you’re hearing a strange noise or your garage door doesn’t close properly, a seasoned professional will be able to provide the quality garage door services you need to fix the problem quickly.

In this article, you will discover six quality garage door services most professionals offer.

6 Quality Garage Door Services

Need a repair on your existing garage door to get it working again? Or, are you looking to have the door replaced?

Whatever you need in a garage door, you need a service that can help you. Here are just some of the services that a good garage door company can provide to you. 

Here are six quality garage door services a professional can provide.

1. New Garage Door Installation

First and foremost, you need to have a garage door installed. All good garage door companies will be able to handle everything here, from helping you choose the right door, to installing it for you. It’s so important that you find the best garage door service at this time. You want to ensure that you’re going to get a garage door that will last for years to come. It’s important to ask around and check out reports when choosing a garage door service. 

Your chosen company will have a selection of doors that you can choose from. A good service should have a wide variety of new garage doors, as well as options for those doors. They should run you through all the options, including everything from carriage doors to modern garage doors.

Once you’ve chosen the door, they should be able to source and bring the door to you for installation. They’ll install quickly and efficiently, leaving no mess behind. Once they’ve done that, you’ll have your brand new garage door, to enjoy for years to come. 

2. Garage Door Tune Ups

Once that garage door has been installed, you’ll need to hold regular inspections and garage door tune-ups to keep it working as it should. There are many moving parts in a garage door, so it’s important that you take good care of them.

You certainly can do inspections yourself, but it’s always best to bring in an expert garage door company to help you get everything done right. They will inspect everything for you, to ensure that all parts are working as they should. If they see anything that is broken or worn out, like a broken spring or bent track, they’ll handle that for you. They’ll also do basic maintenance work for you, such as lubricating the garage door. 

With these tune ups, you’ll lengthen the life span of your garage door. You’ll also reduce the number of breakdowns and major repairs it’ll need over its life span.

3. Garage Door Repairs

Even the best-kept garage door will need repairs from time to time. It’s so easy for someone to kick a ball into the door leaving a dent, or for tracks to become bent over time. There are some repairs that are very simple and you can carry out yourself. If you’re ever unsure though or don’t know how to carry out a repair, you should call a professional.

They will be able to pinpoint the problem and carry out the repair quickly and safely, getting your garage door working again. It’s important to remember that many garage doors come with a warranty. If anything goes wrong in that time period, call the company you bought the door from, rather than trying to repair it yourself. 

4. Garage Door Opener Installation

It’s not just the garage door itself that a garage door service can help you with. You can also go to them for garage door opener installation. These are becoming more and more popular in garages now, as they make opening and closing the door so much easier. You’ll never have to get out of your car, just hit a button and make your way in. They help increase security in your home too, as no one without a remote will be able to get into your garage. 

Talk to your garage door installation team, and they’ll have a range of openers that they can show you. There’s lots of variation in these machines, so they’ll help you find the one that works best for you. For example, there are different kinds of belts that pull the door open, and different kinds of remotes and keypads to allow you entry. 

It’s important that you have a garage door team install your garage door opener. They’re complicated machines, and when in place they’ll be lifting your heavy garage door. It’s important that the opener is installed correctly and safely. In this case, it’s very much like having the garage door itself installed. 

They’ll be able to help you throughout the whole process, from choosing the right opener to installing it. Ask the team who installed your garage door, as they’ll be able to help you out here. 

5. Garage Door Opener Repair

Just as your garage door may sometimes need repair, you may need to explore garage door opener repair. If you’re finding that it’s not working, you can do some simple troubleshooting yourself. Changing the batteries in the remote and cleaning the photo eyes on the door may do the trick, and you’ll be ready to use the opener again. If they don’t, then a garage door repair team can step in and help.

They’ll run through all the diagnostic procedures, and find what’s causing the problem with your garage door opener. They may be able to make the fix then and there, or they may need to install new parts in order to get it working again. Either way, your garage door will be working again in no time at all. 

Learn more

6. Driveway Gate Installation

Some garage door installation companies can also offer driveway gate installation, too. It’s a good thing to consider as gates add an extra layer of protection to your home. The installation process is very similar to buying a new garage door. You’ll pick the right gate for you, and the team will bring it to your home to install. 

This is a very basic overview of the services that a garage door installation team can offer you. They won’t just install your garage door for you, they’ll help maintain and repair it too, when you need them to. They can offer extra services too, such as driveway gate installation. Talk to your team today if you need help with your garage door. 

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Garage Door Track Repair, What to Do If It Occurs

If your garage falls off its tracks, a garage door track repair needs to occur. Let us say you come home from work, you have a headache, and you already dealt with too much office work. As you pull up to your home, your garage suddenly gets off track! What do you do? The best solution would be to call professionals, like Garage Door Doctor, to ensure you are not fixing something that could cause you to get hurt. Whether your track gets bent, gets out of alignment, or it makes a lot of noise, the experts at Garage Door Doctor will ensure your garage gets up and running as soon as possible!

We know how it feels to have a malfunctioning garage, and want to ensure we can ease the pain as soon as possible. Let us take a look at why garage doors tend to fall off their tracks in the first place.

Why exactly would my garage door get off track?

There are tons of causes that lead to a broken or misaligned track. If your garage door does get off track, you are not alone! Tons of people face the same issue; however, they call professionals, like Garage Door Doctor, to ensure their garage is in good hands.

The most common reason a garage door may fall of the track is if an obstruction gets in the way of allowing the door to close correctly. Sometimes, your safety sensors may not detect the obstruction, causing the issue to occur!  Another cause could be a garage door opener that has an improper force setting.

It is not very common, but it can fall off the track if you hit the door with your car. For example, if you were to pull out too fast, without your garage door being fully opened, the door may come off its tracks due to the car’s force. In other instances, a garage door falls off the track because of an issue with the track system’s parts. The rollers on the track can wear out, and lift cables can break. Both of these things can cause your garage door to fall off track without even the slightest of a warning.

Whether it is because of a faulty part or a breakage in the track, it is imperative to have your track fixed by experts from Garge Door Doctor. We do not recommend trying to fix a garage door track on your own. This is because you can easily hurt yourself without proper training and equipment. In addition, keep in mind that broken tracks can lead your garage door to fall onto you, your car, or even your loved ones, causing severe injury or, unfortunately, death.

Are you in need of a garage door track repair?

If you need a garage door track repair, you have come to the right place! Garage Door Doctor has years of experience to help fix your garage door track. We are your local garage door servicing company in Cypress, Texas; we want to ensure you have a company that sincerely cares about you and your garage. For more information, call us today at 281-855-9300 . You can also visit our website at www.garagedoordoctor.biz/ .

The post Garage Door Track Repair, What to Do If It Occurs appeared first on Garage Door Doctor.

source https://www.garagedoordoctor.biz/garage-door-track-repair-what-to-do-if-it-occurs

8 Reasons You Have A Noisy Garage Door

Do you have a noisy garage door?

There are several reasons garage doors begin making noises, but most can be resolved with a garage door tune-up.

In this article, we’re taking a look at some of the reasons you may have a noisy garage door.

Reasons You Have A Noisy Garage Door

Ideally, your garage door should open and close smoothly, with no noise at all.

However, over time it’s begun to make all kinds of strange noises. It squeaks, rattles, pops and grinds, and the noise is driving you up the wall. That noise is a sign that something is up with the door, and so you’ll need to find the source of the sound. 

Here are 8 reasons you have a noisy garage door.

1. The Door Needs To Be Lubricated

This is the most common reason why your garage door is making noises. If it’s squeaking as you open and close it, this is going to be the culprit. 

Lubricating your garage door is vital, as it helps it ensure the garage door mechanics run smoothly. Whenever you do any garage door maintenance, it’s important that you lubricate all the moving parts. This includes the lock mechanism, the tracks, hinges, rollers, springs, and the top of the rail. 

When you do this, ensure that you use a lithium lubricant that’s designed for garage doors. Plenty of homeowners use sprays like WD40, but it isn’t actually designed to be a lubricant. Ensure you’re picking the right one so you properly lubricate the door. 

2. Worn Out Rollers

Are you hearing a grinding sound when you open or close your garage door?

That’s a sign that the rollers are wearing out. Firstly, try lubricating the rollers. In many cases, this will be enough to get them to be quiet. If the grinding sound persists though, you’ll need to replace those rollers. 

If you choose to replace the rollers yourself, take care, as garage door repairs are often tricky and pose safety risks if not done correctly. If you’re not sure, always call a professional to handle the job for you. 

Learn more about garage door roller replacement.

3. Loose Hardware

Take a look at your garage door, and you’ll see there’s lots of nuts, bolts, and other hardware holding it all together. They do a good job, but over time the vibration of your garage door can shake them loose. If you’re hearing a rattling, you’ll need to find the source quickly. That’s a sign that something is coming loose and needs to be mended. 

Take a look at your garage door, and look for any parts that are coming loose. A word of warning though. Never attempt to tighten anything attached to your springs, as they’re very dangerous when handled improperly. If this is the culprit, have a professional handle it for you. 

4. Loose Chain Drive

A loose chain drive is one of the most common reasons people experience a noisy garage door. If your garage door uses a chain drive to open and close, it may have come loose and started creating that noise. Turn your garage door opener off, and take a look to see if this is the case. Check the instruction manual to see how to tighten it. 

If it doesn’t appear to be loose, try lubricating the chain drive. In some cases, this will be enough to silence the sound of it. 

5. Worn Out Springs

Are you hearing a popping noise when you open or close the garage door? That’s a sign that the torsion springs are wearing out. If you’re hearing this, you need to address this as soon as possible. As mentioned above, springs are highly dangerous. They hold a lot of tension, and if they break they can do some serious damage. If you’re home and hear a loud bang come from the garage, you’ll see that a spring has broken on your door. 

Some are able to repair the springs themselves, but if you’re hearing those popping noises this is the time to call in a professional. They’ll be able to keep you safe and replace those springs before anyone gets hurt.

6. Missing Garage Door Insulation Strip

The insulation strip on the bottom of your garage door is more important than you’d think. It helps keep the weather, and pests, out of your garage. It also helps the garage door close quietly. Are you hearing a loud bang when you close the garage door? Check your insulation strip. It could be damaged, or missing entirely. 

This is easily fixed by replacing the insulation strip on the door. They should be easily picked up at your local hardware store. When you do routine maintenance, always look to see how the insulation is holding up, and replace it as soon as there are signs of damage. 

7. Worn Out Garage Door Hinges

If you’re hearing squeaking, another reason for it could be worn out hinges. You can tell if this is the problem because you’ll see gray dust, or filings, around the hinge. This is a sign they’re beginning to deteriorate.  

If this is happening, it’s time to replace the hinges to stop this from happening. If you’re handy you can do this yourself, or you can have a professional handle it for you. 

8. Bent Tracks

Can you hear a rubbing noise when you open and close the garage door?

That’s a sign that there may be a bend in the tracks it travels on. The door may be working fine for now, but over time that will cause a lot of damage to your door. You’ll be able to tell if this is the case if your door sticks while in transit. You can also take a look at the tracks to see if there any bends in them. 

If the bends are minor, you may be able to tap them out with a rubber mallet. If it’s a significant dent though, those tracks will need to be replaced. 

And there you have it. No matter what kind of noise your garage door is making, you’ll be able to handle it by identifying the source of the problem. If you’re ever unsure, call on a garage door company to help you rectify the problem. 

Next Step

Now that you know some of the reasons that may be responsible for your noisy garage door, you can take the next step. If you’re comfortable working with your garage door, you may be able to resolve the issue on your own.

If you’re not comfortable working with the various garage door parts, you may find it helpful to call a professional garage door service for help.

A professional will assess the issue and fix the problem quickly and efficiently.

If you’re looking for a local garage door service near you, consider calling Your Garage Door Guys today.

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How To Do A Garage Door Roller Replacement?

A garage door roller replacement is something many want to know how to do. In modern era garage doors, there are four or five sections that extend across the entire width of the garage door opening, which connects with hinges. On each hinge bracket, there is a mount for a roller that guides the garage door tracks on each side of the garage door. Both rollers help raise and lower the garage door along the guide tracks. Today, we will be looking at the steps to a garage door roller replacement for the garage door’s top and bottom.

Disclaimer: It is important to note that this article is for informational purposes only: a garage door roller replacement should only be done by professionals, like Garage Door Doctor, who has experience and expertise in the field.

Steps To Replacing A Top Roller

1. With an electric door opener, if you have it, close the garage door. After pulling on the door’s release handle, click the garage door’s remote button to allow the garage to raise the opener’s carriage. Finally, disconnect the garage door opener’s electrical cord from the outlet immediately after the carriage has stopped moving.
2. Next, you want to unfasten the bolt that helps secure the top roller mount to the door. This can be done with a socket set. Slide the retainer bracket, making sure to do it with the roller attached from the mount.
3. After, insert a brand new roller into the bracket. You want to position the roller at an angle and then just slip the roller’s front edge into the track. This should be done before rotating the axle toward the garage door and aligning the bracket with the bolt that is on the mount.
4. Finally, plug the opener back into its outlet. Press the button on the garage door’s remote to lower the carriage. Lower the garage door until it connects with the door’s carriage arm. Now that it is complete, it is best to test the new roller’s operation by raising and lowering the door!

Steps To Replacing A Bottom Roller

1. First, you want to raise your garage door. Disconnect the opener’s power cord from the electrical outlet. In order to release the carriage, you want to pull the rope handle.
2. Next, you want to place a C-Clamp on the track. The C-clamp is going into the track that is opposite to the side of the door where you want to replace the roller.
3. After, you need to locate the intersection of the vertical, straight track, and the 90-degree elbow section of the track. This will be beneath the damaged roller. You want to bend the curved lip part of the straight track area that is beneath the intersection. This can occur with a pair of slip-joint pliers. Doing this will allow you to have a width that is enough to have the roller slip out of the track.
4. Now, you want to roll the door down until the roller centers into the broadest part of the channel’s bend. You must use your hands to bring the garage door down.
5. After, you want to place a screwdriver between the curved edge of the roller and the channel. Push the roller out of the track by prying on the screwdriver. You want to pull hard on the corner of the door inward until you see the roller clear the track.
6. Furthermore, you will now slip the old roller out of its axle mount. Carefully slide the new roller into the mount. Push the door back into its position adjacent to the track. Cautiously, slide the roller back into the track. You want to slide the garage door upward so that the new roller is within an elbow portion of the track. It is vital to straighten the curved track section with a hammer to help return it to its original condition. If need be, repeat the process with the other bottom roller.

Final thoughts

A garage door roller replacement is a lot of work, and you should not put yourself in danger by performing it on your own. If you need a garage door roller replacement, you have come to the right place! Garage Door Doctor has the experience and expertise to replace your garage door roller with a new one that works. We are your local garage door experts in Cypress and Katy, Texas, and we want you to be safe while the professionals do the hard work. Call us today at 281-855-9300 . You can also visit our website at https://www.garagedoordoctor.biz/.

The post How To Do A Garage Door Roller Replacement? appeared first on Garage Door Doctor.

source https://www.garagedoordoctor.biz/how-to-do-a-garage-door-roller-replacement-garage-door-doctor

How to Repair a Liftmaster Garage Door Opener

If you find your Liftmaster garage door opener isn’t working properly, you may be able to fix the problem by yourself before calling a professional.

In this article, you will learn how to repair a Liftmaster garage door opener.

How To Repair A Liftmaster Garage Door Opener

Liftmaster garage door openers are some of the most common garage door openers available.

There’s a good reason for that, as they’re some of the most reliable on the market. However, even if your garage door opener is reliable most of the time, it can still encounter problems. If you’re having issues, here’s how to repair a Liftmaster garage door opener and get it working again. 

Here’s how to repair a Liftmaster garage door opener.

Simple Fixes

In many cases, there’s going to be an easy fix for your garage door opener. 

To help you get started, we collected a few things that might help you understand how to repair a Liftmaster garage door opener. 

Replace the Batteries

Most of the time, you’ll find that the batteries in your remote have simply drained over time.

If you’ve been using it for a while, this is probably why the opener won’t work now. Try changing the batteries out, and try again. It’s a good idea to check the connectors too. If there’s rust, you can polish them in order to make them work again. 

Lubricate the door

If a garage door isn’t properly maintained, it may not be able to open properly. Lubrication is an important part of maintenance. If you don’t do it, the moving parts may seize up or rust, stopping the opener from doing its job. Lubricate all the moving parts of your garage door, and try it again. 

Unlock the doors

If your garage door isn’t opening, the simplest explanation is that the door has been manually locked. Try the lock and see if it has been shut. Open it up again, and the door opener should work as normal.

Plug in the Opener

Again, this is a very simple issue to address. The garage door opener can be unplugged, usually to allow you to work on the garage door safely. If it’s been unplugged, then, of course, it can’t work. Check it hasn’t been unplugged, and plug it back in it if it has. 

Signal Issues

The next thing that can affect your garage door opener is signal issues. These will stop the garage door opening, or shut it again once it does open. Let’s take a look at what can be causing these problems. 

Get in range

Firstly, check that you’re in range of the garage door. If you’re too far away, your remote may not be able to send a signal to the opener. 

Garage door path is blocked

Are you finding that the door won’t shut all the way? If it keeps moving down, but then auto-reversing, that’s a sign that something is blocking the entrance. The opener has a safety measure that stops it from shutting if there’s something in the way. Check the garage door path for any blockages, and remove any you find. 

Blocked photo eyes

If you’ve checked for blockages and can’t find anything, this is probably the culprit. The photo-eyes are what sense if anything is in the path of the door. If either of them is blocked, it cuts off the sensor and forces the door to reopen. Most of the time, you’ll see that the photo eyes have got dirty and that’s what’s causing the problem. Clean them off with a soft cloth and try the door again.

If that doesn’t work, the sensors may be misaligned. Tie a piece of string between them, and adjust them until the string is level. This will realign them and ensure that your garage door can open properly again. 

Crossed signals

Are you finding that your garage door opens, even when you aren’t using it? That’s a sign that you’re getting crossed signals with someone else in the neighborhood. They may have an opener on a similar frequency to yours, and when they try to open their door, they’re opening yours instead. You can check your manual to see how to change the frequency, to stop this happening. 

Hardware Repairs

Finally, there may be issues with the hardware of the garage door itself, rather than the garage door opener. Look for these problems if you’re not seeing anything on the garage door opener that causing issues. 

Broken springs

This could well be why your garage door isn’t opening. The springs on your garage door are designed to give it the tension it needs to open. If they don’t have that tension, the door can’t open when you press the button on your remote. Check to see if the springs on your door have broken, or have lost tension. 

When you check the springs, remember that they are very dangerous when handled incorrectly. If a garage door spring breaks, it can launch and really cause damage to anything in the garage. Worse, it can cause serious injury. If you believe the springs are to blame for the opener not working, you can replace them. However, it’s often best to call on an expert to help you, as they can remove and replace them safely. 

Bent or broken tracks

Another reason your garage door opener isn’t working could be your garage door tracks. These are what the garage door travels on, and so they need to be perfectly straight. If there’s a bend or dent in them, you’ll need to mend them.

For minor dents, it’s simple to hammer them back out with a rubber mallet a piece of wood. If the dent is severe though, you’ll need to look into replacing your tracks. This is another job where you may want to call in a professional. 

A Note On DIY Repairs

As you’ve seen on this list, there are lots of repairs that are essentially just troubleshooting. These are easy to do yourself, and so you’ll have your garage door opener working again in no time at all. If you’re having more substantial problems though, or are unsure of what to do, it’s always better to call in a professional. Keep that in mind as you look for the problem.

Now that you know how to repair a Liftmaster garage door opener, you can troubleshoot the problem before calling a professional.

If you still need help with your garage door opener, consider calling Your Garage Door Guys for help. 

The post How to Repair a Liftmaster Garage Door Opener appeared first on Your Garage Door Guys.

How to Fix A Broken Garage Door Spring

If you notice your garage door isn’t working properly, it may be because your spring is broken. This is one of the most common garage door problems people run into, so it’s a good idea to know how to fix it.

In this article, we’re taking a closer look at how to fix a broken garage door spring.

How to Fix A Broken Garage Door Spring

Your garage door is made up of many moving parts, all of which are crucial to its working.

You may not have thought about the spring before, but if it’s broken you can’t use your garage door. That’s bad news if your car’s trapped inside and you need to get it out.

Here’s how to fix a broken garage door spring and be on your way. 

Get an estimate for garage door spring repair

What Your Garage Door Spring Does

The springs on your garage door are some of the most important components of its opening mechanism., These are what gives the garage door the tension it needs to open up and stay open while you drive in and out. You’ll often see that the springs will run through cables, which is a safety measure. 

If the spring breaks, then you’ll soon know about it as you won’t be able to get into your garage. Let’s see how you’ll check for a broken spring on your garage door. 

How to Know Your Spring Is Broken

There are two ways you’ll know that your spring is broken. Firstly, if you go to open your garage door and it’s not working, that’s a sign that the spring has broken and won’t lift your door anymore. The second sign is a loud banging sound from your garage. As the spring holds so much tension, you’ll see that it snaps with a lot of force. If there’s a cable running through it then this should be safe.

Be aware that although the door isn’t opening, it may not be the spring that’s at fault. Here are a few things to check if you can’t see a problem with the spring:

• Rundown battery, or rusted battery contacts in the garage opener remote
• Unplugged garage door opener
• Radiofrequency problems (which could be opening your neighbor’s door rather than your own)
• The door has been locked manually
• Garage door track is misaligned

Most of these issues are easily handled, so if it’s not the garage door spring, you should still easily be able to handle the problem. 

Safety And Broken Springs

Before you start work on your broken garage door spring, you need to ensure your safety. A broken spring is a dangerous piece of equipment. As they break, they have a lot of tension behind them so they can spring off in any direction. If you’re lucky, this will just damage your car, but if you’re in the garage at the same time it can seriously hurt you. 

If you have a cable running through the springs, then these will help keep you safe. If the spring snaps, it will simply fall down the cable, as it prevents it from launching off the garage door. If you don’t have cables on your door currently, it’s a very good idea to add them in now as you replace the spring. 

If you’re at any point unsure about fixing the spring or aren’t confident in doing it yourself, then don’t worry. You can always call on a garage repair technician to come and handle it for you. This is often the safest option, as they have a lot of experience in repairs. They’ll be able to handle it safely, and you’ll have a working garage door again in no time at all. 

How to Fix A Broken Garage Spring

Now you know all this, you actually need to know how to fix your spring. You need to ensure your safety throughout this whole process, so make sure you follow all the steps exactly. Also, ensure you’re wearing the right safety equipment, such as eye protection. 

Step 1: Measure your spring’s length and diameter

This will help you get the right spring for your garage door. You may also need to look into lift cables if these need to be added or replaced. When you’re shopping for springs, look for double life springs. These will be stronger than regular springs and last a lot longer before needing to be replaced again. 

Step 2: Clamp the garage door down

You want to ensure that the door won’t shoot up as you repair the spring, so use a pair of locking pliers or a C clamp to hold the door in place. It’s also important you unplug the garage door opener, for the same reason. 

Step 3: Unwind your broken spring

Ensure that you have a pair of winding bars to do this. Some try to use other tools, such as screwdrivers, to do this job. However, it’s incredibly dangerous to do so. Stand on a ladder off to the side of the spring, so you’re not standing head-on if something goes wrong. 

Step 4: Disconnect hardware

Disconnect the nuts and bolts that are holding the springs in place on the center bracket. You will then be able to slide them off, ready for replacement. 

Step 5: You’re now ready to replace the springs

Get the new springs, and reassemble the brackets ready to be reattached to the garage door. Once they’re in place, wind the springs. You’ll see that the manufacturer will recommend how tight they need to be, so follow those guidelines. If you don’t get any guidelines, perform 30 quarter turns for a 7-foot tall door, and 36 quarter turns for an 8-foot tall door. 

Step 6: Lubricate your springs

Slip some cardboard between the spring and the door, and then saturate the spring with a garage door lubricant spray. Don’t use a spray like WD40, as this isn’t actually designed to be a lubricant. With this, you should be done. Try the garage door to ensure it opens and closes correctly, and if it does the door is ready to be used again. 

As you can see changing out the garage door spring is an involved job, but one that is possible to do yourself. You’ll need to take the right precautions, but you can do it safely. If you’re not sure, always call on an expert to help you. 

Get an Estimate from a Professional

If you’re interested in getting the job done quickly and professionally, contact Your Garage Door Guys – a family-owned service provider available throughout Ventura County and Los Angeles County.

The post How to Fix A Broken Garage Door Spring appeared first on Your Garage Door Guys.