How Much Garage Door Wear and Tear is Okay?

Your garage door goes through a lot every day.  It is exposed to various elements – hot and cold, rain and wind, snow and hail. Plus, it moves up and down a few times a day. It gets hit by basketballs, tapped by bumpers and much more. So how much abuse can your garage door take before it needs to be replaced?

Some wear and tear is acceptable. A scuff on a garage door panel is no big deal, mostly aesthetics. Weather stripping on the bottom of the door can become cracked, but that can be replaced on its own. What you need to be concerned about is any wear and tear that affects the function of your garage door. Here are some signs that your garage door needs repair or replacement: 

  • Dented tracks. The tracks for your garage door must be kept straight and solid to handle the weight of your door. But they can easily be damaged, often hit by vehicles. Replace dented or damaged tracks.
  • Rusted components. When your garage door opener components get rusted, they are weak. Keep your hardware lubricated and replace components if they show signs of corrosion or rust.
  • Broken panels. Do you have dents or holes in your garage door panels? You can replace single panels on many garage doors, but if you have more than one, you may want to consider replacing the entire door.

Garage doors can withstand quite a bit of wear and tear before you need to replace them. However, you do need to keep an eye on the level of damage and call in a professional when you need garage door repairs. Regular tune-ups and inspections can help extend the life of your garage door and opener, making them a wise investment.

Posted on behalf of: 
Habpro Garage Doors
Dacula, GA 30019
770-985-3355

Are You Tired of Your Creaky Garage Door?

Does your garage door creak and groan as it goes up and down? There are a few reasons that can explain why your garage door is making so much noise. To find the issue, here are some of the common causes of creaky or squeaky garage doors.

Debris in the Mechanisms

Due to the exposure to the elements, your garage door can become dirty, with plenty of debris blowing in to the tracks to cause issues with the opening system. Rocks, leaves, twigs and even bugs can clog the tracks, rollers and other mechanisms in the garage door, causing it to not function correctly and make odd noises. Simply clean out the debris in the garage door tracks and see if the noise stops.

Door Misalignment

Even a brand-new door can squeak and creak when it is not aligned properly. This can happen when an unexperienced person tries to install a garage door. If any of the hardware is not aligned correctly, the door can make noise and may be at risk for failing.

Hardware Problems

Rusted nuts and bolts, damaged tracks, worn out rollers and loose chains – all these hardware issues can cause creaks in your garage door. Often all your garage doors need is a good tune-up, grease and a few small parts replaced to quiet the noise and improve the function.

Creaks in your garage door are more than annoying; they are a sign that something is not working correctly on your door system. If it is not something as simple as cleaning out your tracks, call in your local garage door specialists for a tune-up and inspection. A quick service can fix the issue and ensure your garage doors works like it should, without the creaks and squeaks.

Posted on behalf of:
Habpro The Garage Door Specialists
Dacula, GA 30019
770-985-3355

Garage Door Sounds and What They Mean

While visual inspections of your garage door can be helpful if there is a problem, listening to your garage door can also alert you to issues. The sounds your garage door make are often signs of wear and tear on the system, and if ignored, can lead to a garage door breakdown. If you have noticed your garage door is no longer quietly humming along but making new sounds, it may be time to schedule a garage door service appointment. Here are some common garage door sounds and what they mean.

Squealing or Squeaking

This is one of the most common issues for garage doors and often the easiest one to fix. Most squeaking and squealing noises mean the opening system needs lubrication. Try lubricating your system adhering to the manufacturer recommendations. If that does not stop the sound, it could be an issue with your rollers or tracks.

Grinding Noise

A grinding noise when you are opening or closing your garage door can be an issue with the crankshaft. You can try lubrication (it never hurts) but if the noise continues, you should have your system inspected by a professional.

Banging Sound

A pounding or banging sound can be caused by a few different issues. The sound is usually due to the panels of the door hitting each other or parts moving as the door opens or closes. It can be worn cables, loose bolts/screws or an issue with your spring. A thorough inspection and service or repair by a professional is your best solution.

Listen when your garage door begins to talk to you. It is one of the first signs it needs service and responding quickly can avoid more serious damage to your garage door system.

Posted on behalf of: 
Habpro Garage Doors
Dacula, GA 30019
770-985-3355

Monthly Maintenance Checklist for Your Garage Doors

Like most major mechanical systems, your garage doors need ongoing maintenance. Preventive tune-ups, cleaning and lubrication can extend the life of your garage door and opening system, saving you money and inconvenience. While a full tune-up may only be needed once a year, you should be inspecting your door and opening system monthly to identify any problems. Here is a quick checklist of items to inspect at least once a month.

  • Safety check. If you have an automatic door opener, it should have an auto-reverse safety mechanism that stops the door from closing on an object. Open the door, set a cardboard box under the door, then try to close it with your opener. It should detect the box and reverse.
  • Balance check. Garage doors should be balanced for proper function. You can check the balance by closing the door and shutting off the opening system. Lift the door manually halfway. It should easily open and stay at the half-point spot on its own.
  • Visual inspection. Do a thorough visual check of the components of your door. Look for cracks, dents or holes in the door, and inspect the weather stripping for wear. Check the tracks, rollers and cables on the opening system for rust, loose bolts/screws, dents, fraying and other signs of wear.

Doing this quick check on your garage door can identify issues that need repair before they become a hazard or break during use. If you need parts replaced, door balancing or sensors replaced, call your local garage door repair service. If it has been more than a year since your last tune-up, this would be a good time to schedule your maintenance.

Posted on behalf of:
Liftmaster Garage Door Atlanta

Is Your Garage Door Secure?

Unfortunately, there are people in the world that will try to enter your home and steal your belongings if the opportunity arises. If you have an attached garage, potential intruders may look for weaknesses in your garage door security to gain access to your home. It is important to ensure that your garage door and opener are offering the best defense against intruders and thieves – here are a few tips to keep your garage doors secure.

  • Remote lock. Does your garage door opener allow you to lock your door remotely? While the door should lock automatically when closed, you want the ability to control locking and security features. Newer garage door openers offer smartphone apps that help you manage your garage door security, even when you are not home.
  • Revolving security codes. If you have an older garage door remote, it may not have revolving codes that protect you from invasion. Talk to your local garage door service company – they can check to make sure your opener has rolling or revolving security codes that are difficult to duplicate.
  • Battery backup. Don’t let a power outage put you at risk. Get battery backup for your garage door opener to ensure your security stays tight when there is a storm or other causes of power outages. This also ensures you have easy access in and out of your garage when there is no power to your home.

Modern garage door openers have incredible features to help keep your home and garage secure. Talk to your local garage door repair company about upgrading your opener to give you more options to keep your home and family safe.

Posted on behalf of: 
Habpro Garage Doors
Snellville, GA
770-985-3355

7 Things to Inspect on Your Garage Door

You may not be mechanical or a garage door expert, but you can still perform a visual inspection on your garage doors. Your garage doors are not just a convenience – they are important to the security of your home and are also a high-risk factor for injury if they are not maintained. You should visually inspect your garage doors throughout the year to ensure they are in good working order. Here are seven things you should look at when inspecting your garage doors.

  1. Tracks. Look at the tracks and rollers that move your garage door. Check for rust, dents or abnormalities.
  2. Door panels. Check the whole door for issues like rust, dents or holes.
  3. Seal. Does your door seal completely when closed? This is important for security and to keep your garage weatherproofed.
  4. Weather stripping. When checking to see if the door seals, also check the weather stripping for cracks or tears.
  5. Safety features. You can perform a quick safety test by putting a box or board under your garage door. The door should stop closing when it realizes there is something below it; if it doesn’t, it needs the sensors adjusted or replaced.
  6. Cables and other hardware. A frayed cable or a rusted screw could be dangerous. Look for any signs of wear and tear on your hardware.
  7. Listen too. It is not just your eyes that are useful for inspecting your garage door – listen for strange noises, squeaking or loud operation that could indicate an issue.

If you notice any wear, tear or dysfunction with your garage doors, get service right away. A thorough tune up from a professional can help avoid unnecessary and ensure your garage doors stay safe and provide years of reliable service.

Posted on behalf of: 
Habpro Garage Doors
Dacula, GA
770-985-3355

5 Common Garage Door Opener Problems

Garage door openers offer convenience and security for your home and garage, day after day, year after year.  However, even these reliable devices can have issues, usually at the most inconvenient times. The good news is most issues with garage door openers can be easily resolved with some simple troubleshooting. Here are five common garage door opener problems and what to do when they occur.

  1. Remote won’t work. If your remote isn’t working, check your wall unit. If the wall unit works and the remote doesn’t, it is often a battery issue. Do you have a second remote? Try the backup remote – if it works then the dysfunctional remote probably needs a new battery.
  2. Neither remotes work. It is unlikely that both remotes will have a dead battery at the same time. There is likely an issue with the signal receiver on your wall unit – you will need to have a repair.
  3. Door will not close. If the garage door partly closes then goes back up, check under the door. Anything below the door can trigger the safety mechanism. If it is clear, the sensors may need realignment. You can do this yourself or call your garage opener service company.
  4. Wall unit and remote don’t work. If neither the remote or wall unit will work, check the power source. It could be a tripped circuit breaker or the unit become unplugged. Got power? You may need to call your service company.
  5. Door doesn’t close or open completely. If your door suddenly doesn’t close or open all the way, the limit stops may need adjusting.

Power sensors and switch adjustments are often causes for garage opener failure and are easily fixed. However, sometimes a circuit board or other components can go out, requiring professional garage door repairs. When you rule out the simple solutions, call in a professional.

Posted on behalf of: 
Habpro Garage Doors
Dacula, GA
770-985-3355

Time to Clean the Winter Off Your Garage Door

Rain, sleet, snow, hail…whatever your garage door put up with last winter, now it’s time to clean off the mess and inspect your door for damage. It is easy to take your garage door for granted but considering the wear and tear this equipment undergoes, it does need to be maintained. Spring is a great time to clean your garage door inside and out while checking for any structural issues. Here is a quick checklist of garage door maintenance to put on your to-do list.

  • Wash your garage door. Steel, aluminum or painted wood doors can be washed with soap and water. Use a scrub brush to remove mildew, mold and dirt from the past several months. You may be surprised how dirty something you see every day can get without you noticing. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for solid wood door cleaning.
  • Check panels for damage. Closely inspect your garage door panels. Looks for cracks, dents or rust that could lead to larger issues. Many times garage door panels can be replaced separately if the rest of the door is in good condition.
  • Inspect garage door hardware. Even without any knowledge of garage door hardware, you can still inspect the railings, screws and other hardware to identify any dents, rust or issues that are apparent. Any issues with the hardware can affect the function and safety of your garage door, so call a garage door service company if you notice any damage.

Once your garage door is clean and inspected, have any garage door repairs completed by your local service company. While they are fixing any issues, have a tune-up and inspection completed on your garage door opener assembly to ensure your entire door is ready to last another year.

Garage Door Safety Tips for Your Family

As the weather becomes warmer, it is common to see garage doors left open as family’s pull out lawn care products and outdoor items from storage. This is a good time to go over a few reminders on garage door safety. It is easy to get complacent about your garage door – you use it every day without a problem. But garage doors are usually the heaviest moving part in your home and should be treated with respect. Here are a few safety reminders to keep your family safe around your garage door this spring and summer.

  • Check your sensors. One of the most important safety features on your garage door opener are the sensors. Your garage door should stop closing if anything is under it.
  • Teach kids garage door etiquette. Kids love to push buttons that make things move. However, garage doors are not a toy. Teach kids to let adults run the garage door opener.
  • Disable the manual lock. Many times the manual lock can accidentally get engaged while kids are playing in or around the garage. Disable the lock to ensure it does not get locked and harm your garage door when you try to open it with the opener.
  • Tune-up time. Now is a good time to have your garage door serviced with a tune-up. You don’t want a spring breaking when the family is going in and out of the garage all summer.

Don’t take your garage doors for granted. It only takes one mishap to cause serious injury or expensive property damage. Call your local garage door service company to schedule a thorough service and inspection to make sure the sensors, springs and other parts are all in good working order.

Posted on behalf of: 
Habpro Garage Doors
Dacula, GA
770-985-3355

Time to Spring Clean Your Garage Door

Winter can do a number on your home, including your garage door. Moisture can accumulate on the interior, leaving mildew stains on your door, while the outside can become dirty from winter weather. Now that spring is on its way, this is a great time to do a thorough spring cleaning on your garage door, plus give it a careful inspection for wear and tear. Here are some spring garage door maintenance tips.

  • Wash your door. Most painted steel or fiberglass doors can be easily cleaned using a mild soap and water. For wooden doors, check with the manufacturer instructions for cleaning and care. While washing your door, inspect the panels for damage or corrosion. In many cases you can replace just the panels instead of replacing the entire door.
  • Inspect the hardware and railings. Winter weather can mean slippery driveways. It is common for vehicles to slide into the garage door edge going in and out of the garage. Inspect the railings and hardware for your garage door, looking for dented or rusted metal pieces that may need replacement.
  • Schedule your annual door opener maintenance. If it has been more than a year since your garage door opener was serviced, schedule your annual service now. It is common for garage doors to be left open during the summer as you go in and out using yard tools. Make sure the spring and other garage door opener parts are in good shape. You don’t want your spring giving out while you or other family members are coming in or out of the garage this summer.

When it comes to spring cleaning and maintenance projects, don’t forget to add your garage door to the list. Start spring off with a clean, maintained garage door that will be ready for the summer ahead.