When Should You Replace a Garage Door Roller?

Most of the time, people maintain the most visible components of the garage door, but many forget that a garage door also has rollers that make the movement of the door smooth. The garage door roller connects the door to the tracks and comes in a variety of designs.

Builder grade rollers

These rollers are made of hard plastic or steel and do not have ball bearings. It is good to replace these garage door rollers every two years. Without the ball bearing, these rollers wear out quickly, causing the garage door to create squeaking sound.

Upgraded roller

These rollers have ball bearings inside them and usually constructed of nylon. The rollers also come in different designs having an open or sealed bearing design. One should lubricate open bearing design rollers every quarter so that these keep working smoothly. Depending on the type and design, the life of the rollers can range from two years to lifetime

Inspection of garage door roller

One needs to inspect rollers every year and should also lubricate them every four months. Lubrication can increase the lifespan of the rollers. A person should note the following during an inspection so you may replace the rollers on time before these cause harm:

• The roller should not wiggle and should be properly attached to the shaft. If it is too lose and wiggles; it is a good sign that the roller needs replacement.
• One should replace the roller when it stops spinning smoothly and creates grinding sound
• If the roller is cracked and pieces of nylon are missing, you should quickly replace it

Replacing the rollers is a technical job and should not be tried on its own. Therefore, it is wise to call Garage Door Doctor’s team, who is an expert at replacing the garage door rollers. For any query about the rollers or to know which roller to choose for your garage door, call us on 281-855-9300 or 281-578-7659

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How to Service Garage Door (7 Steps)

Whether you suspect your garage door may need repair or you’re interested in learning how to perform regular maintenance, you’ll find it beneficial to consider the following tips below.

In this article, we’ll share a few tips so you know how to service a garage door like a pro.

How to Service Garage Door like a Pro

There’s probably no other part of your home that works as hard as your garage door.

You’ll be using it every day to get in and out of your garage door, so you’ll be raising and lowering it all of the time. Over time, parts will wear out and break, so you need to service your door to keep it in top shape. Our trained garage door technicians have years of experience performing regular garage door tune-ups, which includes some of the steps below.

Here’s how to service garage door quickly and efficiently.

1. Safety First

Before you start, you’ll need to know that your garage door is a dangerous object if treated incorrectly. If you’re going to work on it, you’re going to need to take the right safety precautions.

First of all, never work on the torsion springs yourself. These are what give your garage door the tension needed to open up when you need it to. If you need to replace the springs, have a professional do it for you. These springs hold a lot of tension, and if they break or come loose they can cause serious injury.

Next, unplug your automatic garage door opener. This will stop it from activating while you’re working on the door and keep you safe. If you need the door to be open while you work on it, clamp the door open to stop it from coming down unexpectedly.

2. Lubricate The Moving Parts

There are several moving parts on your garage door that need to be lubricated once a year. This includes things like the chain or screw, the hinges, and the door lock. Lubricating them ensures they will be able to move smoothly and easily, stopping larger problems from arising. If you can squeaking noises as your door opens or closes, this could mean it needs to be lubricated.

Choose a spray-on lithium-based grease for lubricating garage door parts. This is the best type, as opposed to options like WD-40 as many homeowners would use. This is because WD-40 is actually a solvent or rust remover, rather than a lubricant.

3. Test The Balance Of Your Door

A balanced garage door is important. If it’s balanced, it will put less stress on the garage door opening mechanism, and is much safer to use all round. To test if your garage door is balanced, disconnect the garage door opener, and then open the garage door about halfway. If the door sits in that spot without moving, it’s balanced. If it falls, then you’ll need a technician to come and adjust the balance for you. This is often an issue with the springs and so is unsafe to do on your own.

4. Test The Auto Reverse Feature

The auto-reverse feature of your garage door is more important than you know. If the door is closing and someone walks through it, or a pet was to come through, then the sensors will recognize them and pull the door back up. You need to ensure the auto-reverse is working as it should.

Open the door as normal, place a 2×4 of wood in the path of the door, and try to shut it. If it’s working properly, it should open back up before it hits the wood. If it does, then you may need to adjust the auto limits on the garage door opener. Check your manual to see how to do this.

5. Inspect For Wear And Tear

Your garage door works hard, so you should expect some wear and tear on the moving parts. Take a close look to see if anything needs mending or replacing. For example, take a look at the spring,s cables, rollers, and other hardware. Look for signs of damage or wear, such as a loss of tension in the springs. If you do find any damage in the springs, you’ll need to call a professional to come and put it right for you. Ensure that the garage door isn’t used again until these issues are put right.

6. Clear The Tracks

Over time your tracks will get dirty and this will affect the working of your garage door. If left long enough, it may actually stop the door opening a closing altogether. To stop this from happening, you just need to clean the tracks out. Just use a soft cloth to wipe off the tracks and ensure they’re clean.

Now’s a good time to check the tracks are perfectly plumb, as in vertical, against the wall. If they’re bent or warped, this will affect the way the door operates. If it’s only a minor bend, you can fix this yourself. Unscrew the tracks so they come loose from the wall, and find the bend. Use a 2×4 and a rubber mallet to gently tap the track back into shape, and then screw the tracks back up again. Try opening and closing the door to see if this has helped the issue. If the bend is more severe, you will need a professional to mend or replace them.

7. Check The Weatherstripping

The weatherstripping on your garage door is the rubber seal that sits on the bottom. This helps keep out the weather, debris, and any pests that want to get comfortable in your garage. Over time though, it will be damaged by the weather and general wear and tear as the door opens and shuts. If it’s looking worn, it’s time to replace it.

This isn’t too difficult in most cases. For example on wooden doors, the weatherstripping is simply nailed on. You can buy weatherstripping by the foot in most hardware stores, so measure what you need to ensure you properly protect your garage from the elements.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to service garage door, you can rest assured you know how to maintain your door and keep it running for years to come.

If you do these tests and checks on your garage door, you’ll see that you’ll be able to keep it safe and sound, no matter what life throws at it. Check for broken parts, make adjustments, and do safety checks to ensure that your garage door will be able to keep going for a long time to come.

If you need help with your garage door, check out the professional garage door services we offer here at Your Garage Door Guys.

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When to Replace Garage Door Opener (6 Signs)

Knowing when to replace a garage door opener is key to keeping your garage operating safely. If you’re like most people, you’re probably not too familiar with how your garage door opener works, so we thought it might be helpful to share a few signs that your opener needs repair or replacement.

In this article, we’re taking a closer look at when to replace a garage door opener.

When to Replace Garage Door Opener

Your garage door opener does so much work for you.

It opens and closes the garage door for you whenever you need it, so you don’t have to get out of your car. It’s the perfect thing when it’s raining or snowing out, so you won’t have to worry about getting cold and wet. When the opener breaks though, you’re left in a tight spot. When should you replace your garage door opener?

Here are a few signs to watch for if you want to know when to replace garage door opener.

Check Your Door First

If you suspect your garage door opener isn’t working, you’ll need to test it first. Detach the garage door opener, and open the door manually. If it holds itself in position by itself, then the door is fine and the garage door opener will need to be looked at.

If there’s an issue with the door though, you’ll see that the door slides back down its tracks. This is because the springs that give it the tension it needs to open are wearing out. Springs are strong, but over so many cycles they will begin to wear out. If you leave them, you’ll see that they can even break, which is highly dangerous.

If you find the springs are worn, call on an expert to come and take a look at them for you. They will be able to ensure that the springs are replaced safely, getting your door opening and closing again smoothly.

Signs Your Garage Door Opener Is Wearing Out

A garage door opener is a mechanical piece of equipment, so when it’s well taken care of it will last for years. Even the best-kept opener will eventually wear out though. Here are the signs to look out for.

1. Loud Noises

Normally your garage door opener would work quietly, and you’d be able to get in and out without a problem. Now though, you’re noticing all kinds of noises. Loud screeching, creaking or squealing are signs that the garage door opener is wearing out. The noise usually comes from chain drives as they age or come loose.

Be aware, these sounds could also be a signal that your garage door is coming off its tracks. Check for this before you replace the garage door. It’s a simple fix and could solve the issue you’re having. Plus, if you leave it long enough it can do real damage to your garage door.

2. Slow Movement Or Detaching

Over time, you’ll see the garage door opener getting slower. That’s a sign that it’s aging and getting ready to give up the ghost. It may also hesitate before it starts opening.

You also need to keep an eye out for detaching. That’s when the opener disconnects, sending the garage door to the floor. That’s a serious danger, especially if you have any children or pets around. If you see this happening, you’ll need to replace the garage door opener as soon as possible.

3. Vibration

This is something you’ll see, rather than hear.

The garage door opener will vibrate in its housing as it ages, usually due to bent shafts or worn out armatures. If this is allowed to go on long enough, it’ll shake the chain free from the housing, causing a detachment. You don’t want this to happen when your car is under the door, or worse, one of your children.

4. Random Opening And Closing

Are you noticing that the garage door opens and shuts at odd times? That’s a sign that the electronics are wearing out in your opener. If you see this happening, you may well need to get the opener replaced.

Before you do so, check for a couple of other issues. Firstly, ensure that your garage door’s opener isn’t picking up the frequency of someone else’s remote. Talk to your neighbors and see if they’re having issues. If they are, you’ll need to reprogram the opener. Also, look to see that the photo eyes on either side of your garage door aren’t blocked or broken. Taking care of them is an easy fix too, so ensure you’re checking for it.

Related: Garage Door Opener Remote Programming

5. Intermittent Working

This is quite a clear sign that something is wrong with your garage door opener.

You’ll click the button on the remote once, and nothing will happen. Click it again, and you’ll see that it finally connects and works. If that’s happening and your troubleshooting isn’t fixing it, it’s time to get it repaired.

Benefits Of Replacing Your Garage Door Opener

Once you’ve decided to update your garage door opener, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of a new model. For example, if you’re replacing a quite old model, your new one will use rolling codes. These ensure that a new code is generated between the remote and the opener every time it’s used. This keeps your home more secure, as no one will be able to copy the codes if they’re close by.

You can also choose to upgrade to a smart garage door opener. These are great, as they allow you to open the door remotely. Anyone who’s allowed access to the door can operate it from their phone, which saves you the hassle of programming extra remotes. It’s also great for deliveries, as you can open the door for them without having to be there yourself.

Conclusion

There are several ways you’ll know that the garage door needs to be replaced. If you see the opener vibrating, hear loud noises, or only get it working half the time, it’s time to upgrade to a newer model. Keep an eye on your garage door opener to ensure it’s in the best working condition.

If you’re looking for a professional garage door service provider, check out Your Garage Door Guys for professional garage door services in your area.

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Standard Garage Door Sizes

If you’re replacing your garage door or even building a new garage, you’re probably wondering about the standard garage door. There have been changes to the standard sizing over the years, as buildings and cars themselves have changed.

Here’s what you need to know about standard garage door sizes before you buy a new door.

Standard Garage Door Sizes

When buying a new garage door, you’ll first need to think about whether you need a single or double garage door. In most cases, you’ll be buying the door style that you already have. If you have a single garage door already, that’s what’s going to fit in that space. Of course, this may change if you’ve made changes to your garage. For example, perhaps you want a single large double garage door, rather than two single garage doors.

Whichever you choose, you’ll need to know the sizing. Typically, a single garage door is 7ft x 7 ft (2,134 mm x 2,134 mm). A double garage door will measure 14ft x 7ft (4,267 mm x 2,134 mm). This is affected by a range of factors though. The style of your garage may necessitate different measurements. Building codes in your area are another factor that you need to take into account. You’ll also need to think about the width of your garage.

If you’re not sure, you’ll need to measure the garage door you already have. If it fits these measurements, then you’ll be able to buy any standard garage door. If they don’t, then you’ll need to have garage doors made to fit your home. You can also adjust the openings to fit a standard door too, depending on your needs.

Opening Space

The size of your garage door doesn’t only take into account the space in the door frame. You also need to consider the opening space, too. There are several different garage door opening styles, and this will mean you’ll differing amounts of space to open your door.

For example, the most common style of garage door is the up and over door. This door opens when you pull it up, so it sits perpendicular to the garage’s ceiling. You’ll need more depth in your garage, so you’ll have the headroom required to get the garage door open. There are also side hinged garage doors that open in the middle and swing-out. You’ll need to work out whether you have the space on your driveway to allow for this.

Ensure you have the space for your preferred type of garage door, so you’ll be able to use it easily every day, getting into and out of your garage.

Your Car

Of course, you need to consider the size of your car too. You’ll need to be able to get the car in and out, allowing for room for you to open the door and get around the car itself. When thinking about this, remember with a double garage door, you’ll need to be able to get both cars out at once, so consider if it’s big enough.

For a standard single garage door, you’ll be able to get regular cars, SUVs, vans, and small trucks through them. You’ll need a double garage door to get larger vehicles or multiple vehicles through. If you’re not sure to measure your car and space your door will be. Will there be enough room?

The style of garage door that you choose matters here, too. For example, a sectional garage door helps you get larger vehicles into your garage as they sit up near the ceiling, creating room for a taller vehicle. You will need to take your car, the garage door size, and the opening style all into account.

Garage Door Material

This is something to consider, as some garage door styles won’t come in certain materials. They’ll also affect the sizing you need for your garage door. The most common material is steel, as it’s so durable and lasts for years. They’re lower maintenance, but often do dent or rust, so you’ll need to watch out for that.

Wood is another popular choice, as it’s such a stylish option. You’ll often see side hinged doors come in this style. They look great, but they do require more upkeep and won’t last as long as other styles. Aluminum doors are considered the best style for double garage doors as they’re the most lightweight. They’ll be able to go up and down every day with minimal problems, as there’s much less weight for your garage door opener to handle.

If you’re not sure which garage door material to get, talk to the company you’re buying from. They can advise you which material is best with the size of the door you’re buying.

Using A Garage Door Opener

Finally, consider if you’re going to get a garage door opener for your door. These are considered essential by many people, as they allow you to open and close the garage door without ever having to get out of the car itself. If you are going to buy one, you’ll need to keep the size of your garage door in mind. If you have a double door, you’ll need an opener able to lift heavier loads, for example.

You’ll also need to think about how you open the door, as there are several options. Will you use a remote control and give one to every person who will need to use the garage door? Or, will you use a keypad to enter with a code? There are benefits to both, so choose the one that works for you.

Conclusion

There’s a lot to think about when sizing up your garage door. You’ll need the door to fit the doorway in your garage of course, but that’s not all there is to it. You’ll also need to consider the size of your car as it goes through the door, the materials used, the opening style, and more. Use this guide to help you pick the right garage door size for your garage.

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How to Install a Garage Door Safety Cable?

A garage door can ease a number of problems if it functions smoothly. But there can be times when the components of a garage door when malfunction can cost a huge amount. The same is the case with a garage door spring. A spring allows the door to move up and down without much effort, but when it breaks, it can penetrate even double layer wallboard. And imagine if the spring breaks and hits your car’s windshield, how much would you need to spend? And if you have a bad day, it could hit you as well. To avoid all these damages, a garage door safety cable is installed around the spring. The cable comes in various sizes, the one that suits your door should be chosen for installation.

Installation of the cable

The following steps can be followed if someone wishes to install it:

• A person should put one side of the cable through a hole that is much closer to the garage door opening
• The next step is to put the wire through the spring.
• The next thing is to put the cable through a hole in the upper spring support. Later secure it with the cable clamp.
• The last step is to test the movement of the door. This ensures that the cable is neither too tight nor to loose for the door.

A garage door safety cable may look unnecessary to many people as it costs money. But if you consider the amount of damage the breaking of the spring may cause to your garage, car, or to yourself, any wise person would make sure to install it as soon as the garage door is installed. However, if you think installing a safety cable is difficult, you can call experts of Garage Door Doctor, and they will take care of the entire installation process. You can also call on 281-855-9300 or 281-578-7659 for more details.

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source https://www.garagedoordoctor.biz/how-to-install-a-garage-door-safety-cable

Garage Door Springs

With all thanks to technology, garage door gates have come a long way from being manual to automatic. There are springs in garage doors that help them function better and smoothly. The garage doors which have these help the operator in not putting much effort when lifting them. It makes a manual garage door as light as a feather and it is the main component in lifting and lowering the door. Each garage door has more than one spring that fulfills a specific purpose.

Types of Garage Spring

A garage door generally has two types of garage door springs: Torsion springs and extension springs. They function independently. Both the types of springs help in counterbalancing the weight of the door and are at different places on the door.

Out of balance or broken spring

Till the garage door is opening and closing smoothly, it is functioning well. When the door stops working, it could be due to out of balance or broken door spring. It’s not hard to guess when there is a broken spring that will need a replacement. It starts making a loud noise every time someone tries to open the door. Sometimes the spring displaces by coming off the track. At other times a large gap develops between the coils. It can fall harder when trying to close it. There is a possibility of the garage door falling on the person who tries to open it.

Before the garage door causes a serious injury it is better to call a professional like Garage Door Doctors to fix or replace the door springs. However, know that these springs wıll break at some point in time as there is a lot of pressure which these springs have to bear. Therefore, do not be worried. Just give us a call on 281-855-9300 or 281-578-7659 and our team will contact you.

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source https://www.garagedoordoctor.biz/garage-door-springs

Garage Door Keypad Installation Guide

If you’re interested in installing a garage door opener keypad, you may be interested in this guide below. Here, we will share the steps to properly install your new keypad so you can rest assured you always have a way into your garage.

In this article, we’re sharing a garage door keypad installation guide to help you get started.

Garage Door Keypad Installation Guide

A garage door keypad is one of the best ways of opening your garage door. It’s easy, simple to use, and keeps your home secure. Want to install one in your home? Here is your full guide to garage door keypad installation, so you’ll be able to get started right away.

Take a look at our garage door keypad installation guide.

How To Install A Garage Door Keypad

If you’re looking to use a keypad for your garage door, you’ll find that it’s easier to install than you may think. Here’s what you need to know in order to get started.

Step 1. Install a new set of batteries

The first thing to do is install the batteries in the keypad unit. This is what powers it and keeps it running. Check the manual to see what kind of batteries it takes, and how many. Install good quality batteries to ensure that they’ll last for a long time.

Step 2. Enter a secure code

Now, you’ll need to pick a code for the door. Most garage door keypads need a 4 – 6 digit code, depending on the model. Pick a code that you’ll find easy to remember, but won’t be easily guessed by others. For example, birth dates are easily guessed and so aren’t as secure as you’d think.

Once you have a code in mind, you’ll need to enter it into the system. Push the ‘learn’ button on your garage door opener, and you should see the LED light on it start to blink to show it’s ready. Enter your new code in. On some openers, you may need to press ‘learn’ again, so check your manual to be sure.

Step 3. Test your keypad

Now, before you install the keypad, you’ll need to check that the code is working. Stand by your garage door, roughly where your keypad will go, and tap in the code. If the door opens and closes at this command, you’re ready to go.

Step 4. Install the keypad

Pick a spot where you’ll easily be able to reach the keypad. Most homeowners choose to install it on the door jamb of the garage door, where they can reach it when they drive in. About five feet up from the ground, mark the spot where the keypad should go.

You’ll now need to open the keypad cover and install the upper screw. Once that’s in place, add a second screw to secure the keypad in place.

The Benefits of Installing a Keypad

Though keypads were primarily used for commercial garage door and gates not too long ago, they have become a widely popular garage door accessory.

Keypads offer a few key benefits you may find helpful depending on the style of your garage door.

Keypads act as backup clickers

If you use a clicker to open and close your garage door from you car, you may find a keypad helpful as a backup in case the batteries to your clicker die. In the event your clicker stops working, you can rest assured you still have a way into your garage using the keypad.

Extra security for your home

Every homeowner wants to make their home more secure. They want to ensure that every entry point is secure against intruders. Your garage is a weak point, as so many thieves go for them. After all, so many people keep valuables in the garage.

Adding a keypad for entry is one of the best ways you can keep these people out of your garage. As the keypad won’t open without the right code, no one is getting in there unless you’ve given them that code. Adding a security light over the keypad is another great deterrent. Thieves don’t want to be seen, so they won’t stick around to try and guess the code if they’re being lit up for all to see.

Give access to whoever needs it

The joy of having a keypad is that it’s easy to give anyone access who needs it. It’s not like having a set of keys of a remote, where you have to give every person their own set in order to get in. If you want someone to be able to enter your garage. For example, this is great as you can give the code to a delivery person, so they can set a package inside when you’re not there.

You can also restrict access easily, too. Let’s take the example of the delivery person again. Once they’ve come and delivered your package, you can retrieve it and then change the code. This ensures your garage stays secure, as you’ll only give the new code to those who need it. It makes it much easier to control who comes in and out of your home.

Other Opener Methods

A keypad is a great way to secure your garage, but it’s not the only way to do so.

You can use a garage door remote opener to open and close the door, too. These offer a lot of benefits that are similar to keypads. You won’t need to worry about unauthorized people getting in, as you won’t be able to get into the garage without the remote. Rolling codes also ensure that no one can grab the codes your remote uses and use them for themselves.

Conclusion

As you can see, it’s easier than you’d think to install a keypad opener for your garage door. The hardest part is picking a good number code that you can remember and won’t be easily guessed by others. Pick up your keypad today and get your garage door secured with ease.

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