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

Common Garage Door Issues

It happens to someone every day. They jump into their vehicle and hit their garage door opener to leave for the day and…silence. Or the door opens halfway, then stops. Garage door problems can be frustrating and very inconvenient. Knowing the common garage door issues and what needs to be done to resolve them can help get you on your way faster the next time it happens to you.

No Response

If you garage door does not respond at all, it is probably a problem with your opener. Try to use your wall unit to open the door. If it works, you may need a new battery for your remote or something is wrong with your smartphone app. If the wall unit does not work, make sure it is plugged in and getting power. Still no response? Call your garage door repair service.

Door Only Opens Partially

If the door doesn’t open completely or closes again, there may be a problem with your safety sensors. Make sure nothing is below the door, triggering the safety auto-stop mechanism. It may need the lasers aligned – check instructions in your garage door opener manual.

Door Won’t Open

Do you hear the garage opener working, but the door isn’t opening? It could be a broken spring or other hardware problem. Try opening the garage door manually. If it is difficult to move, do not force it. Call your garage door repair service.

You cannot prevent all garage door problems, but regular maintenance can alert you to issues that need repair before they leave you stuck in your garage. Schedule a tune-up and replace hardware, springs and other components as advised by your repair technician to prevent many garage door issues.

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

Is Your Garage Door Beyond Repair?

When can you call for a garage door repair and when is it time to think about replacement? Both your garage door and opener are designed to last for many years – a quality garage door and opener can last ten or twenty years when well-maintained. However, there is a point where repairing the door or opener may be not be the best option. Here are some tips on how to decide whether your garage door is beyond repair or if you should fix the latest problem.

  • How old is your door? First off, is your garage door or opener only a few years old? If so, then it is usually worth repairing, unless the damage is too great or too expensive to repair. If you have an old door or opener, 10-15 years is old, it is best to replace it with a newer model then repair it.
  • Is only part of your door damaged? If you just have one panel that has a dent or hole, you may be able to replace the panel, depending on the type of door. Talk to your garage door repair tech about replacing the damage part.
  • Is it still functioning correctly? If you just need a spring, cable or a panel replaced, but the door still works great, then it may be best to get it repaired.
  • How does it look? If you are not happy with the style of your garage door or it is starting to look worn, why spend money to fix it? Get a beautiful new door that is stylish instead of spending money on a door that doesn’t improve the look of your home.

Often it comes down to whether it is worth it to spend $100-$300 on a repair, or just put the money towards a new door or garage opener. Talk to your garage door service company to find out which is the best option for your situation.

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

Do’s and Dont’s of Garage Door Repairs

If you prefer to do many home repairs yourself, you can save a sizable amount of money if you are mechanically inclined or have some handyman skills. When it comes to garage door maintenance and repairs, you can do some tasks yourself to help save on repair costs and keep your garage door and opener maintained. However, there are some repairs that should not done attempted on your own. Here are some do’s and don’ts of garage door repairs to help extend the life of your garage door and opener, while reducing risks of damage and injury.

Garage Door Repairs and Maintenance that You Should Do

Garage door and automatic opening systems need regular maintenance, safety checks and repairs, many that you can do on your own. Some of these include:

  • Lubrication of moving metal parts, chains and hardware
  • Inspection of garage door, hardware and components for damage and wear
  • Cleaning debris, mildew and dirt from tracks and garage door surfaces
  • Doing safety checks on the auto reverse feature on the garage door
  • Tightening screws and bolts on hardware

Garage Door Repair Don’ts

While some maintenance and inspections can be done by homeowners, it is not recommended that major repairs be done on your own. Garage doors are heavy, awkward and may require special equipment or training to perform some repairs, such as:

  • Replacing garage door springs
  • Replacing rollers, cables, hardware or complete garage doors
  • Repairing a garage door that is off the tracks
  • Installing a new garage door opener

There can be risky safety hazards when repairing garage door issues. Know when to call a professional to reduce the chance of injury to yourself.

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

Garage Door Torsion Springs 101

Your garage door opener smoothly opens and closes a garage door that weighs hundreds of pounds with the help of a spring. Torsion springs are one of the most common movement devices used in garage doors, using the energy of the spring form to lift the heavy door. This is one of the most important components of your garage door opening system; without it, the opener could not lift your garage door. Here is a basic guide to garage door torsion springs and what you need to know.

The principal behind torsion springs is the same as any door with a spring; wind up the spring and it will have stored energy that will help move the door. For garage doors, torsion springs are usually installed horizontally on the ceiling opening hardware. The ends of the spring are attached to each cable that lifts the door. When the door closes, the spring winds up. When the door needs to open, the stored energy is released as the spring unwinds and transferred to moving the door up.

This simple process can be trusted for thousands of cycles of opening your garage door up and down. Most torsion springs can last about 10,000 cycles, giving you several years of use before they need to be replaced. However, weather and use will wear them out, and when they break it, the garage door they support can slam shut. This can be dangerous, and it can be very risky to try and replace a spring on your own.

Torsion springs should be replaced about every 5-7 years. Make sure to have yours inspected each year as part of your annual service for your garage door opener. It is best to proactively replace springs when recommended, versus waiting for them to break, so follow the advice of your local garage door service company.

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

Interesting Facts About Garage Door Openers

You may not think about your garage door opener often, but it is an important component in most homes. This device is used almost every day and plays a crucial part in the safety and security of your home. Before you dismiss your garage door opener as just a “convenience” you may want to consider these interesting facts about these important devices.

  • Garage doors are the largest and heaviest moving objects in most homes. The garage door opening system controls a few hundred pounds with a simple push of a button, day in and day out.
  • It is estimated that 70% of people use the garage door to enter their home. This means the security of this door is extremely important.
  • The first electric garage door opener was made in 1926; there has been almost 100 years of technology and advancements made on this device.
  • Since 1993, garage door openers have been required to have an auto-reversal feature to stop them from closing on people or objects. These sensors are a crucial element, but need to be kept aligned and maintained to be functional.
  • Garage door openers have become “smart.” You can purchase openers with wi-fi that will notify you if they are used and you can control the functions through your smartphone for advanced security and convenience.

While garage door openers are a vital part of many people’s everyday life, they often get neglected. Ongoing service and maintenance can ensure that the safety and security features are working correctly. Make sure to schedule annual tune-ups for your garage door opener to keep your home and family safe while extending the life of your garage door opener.

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

Garage Door Operational Inspection Checklist

There are ways to identify problems with your garage door before they cause a failure in your system. Inspecting the components and operation on a regular basis can alert you to issues that need to be addressed. Preventing a failure of your garage door system is less expensive and certainly more convenient. Here is a checklist of areas to inspect on your garage door a few times a year.

  • Door panels. Are there any dents, holes or cracks in the panels of the door? Check inside and out. Damage can affect balance, safety and security. Make sure that panels and sections seal tightly when door is closed.
  • Weather stripping. Check the weather stripping at the bottom of the door for wear and tear. Look for cracking and check the pliability of the rubber; replace when needed to keep your door water resistant when closed.
  • Inspect the tracks and rollers. Look for dents and damage on the tracks; these are often hit by vehicles coming or going. Damaged tracks should be replaced for safety. Also, check the rollers and tracks for rust, wear and tear.
  • Cables. Inspect the cables that move your garage door. Look for fraying or unravelling of the cables. Call your local garage door repair service to replace them if needed.
  • Check balance/operation. Engage the manual switch and check the operation of your door. Can it be easily opened with one hand? Does it stay partially open? If it falls closed or is heavy, it needs service.

These are easy components to check on your own, but replacing parts should be performed by an experienced garage door repair technician for safety. This inspection can also be performed by your service technician during your routine tune-ups on your garage door system each year.

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

5 Basic Choices in Garage Doors

If you are buying a new garage door, you have many options to consider. Garage doors may seem simple, but there are choices to make when you want to get the best door for your budget. Here are five basic features you will need to consider when buying a new garage door.

  1. Material. Wood, steel, aluminum or glass? Solid wood and steel are popular options, both durable and dependable. Glass on a metal frame is more expensive, but, it can offer beauty and light while adding value to your home. Aluminum can be budget-friendly and versatile, but less durable.
  2. Windows. Adding windows can be a nice way to allow natural light into the garage and add style to your garage’s appearance. You can choose frosted or tempered glass for security and safety.
  3. Insulation. Good insulation can save you money on energy costs while helping keep your garage climate controlled and sound proofed.
  4. Style. You can choose from carriage-style doors, panel designs and many other styles for your garage door. There are many more options than ever before to add beauty and curb appeal as well as function.
  5. Storm preparedness. You want to garage that can weather the storms in your region. If high winds are a possibility, choose garage doors with hurricane or high-wind resistance rating to protect your home.

Not all garage doors are the same. There are many features available that can impact the function and style of your new door. Talk with your local garage door experts about all the options available to ensure you get a garage door that will add value to your home while fitting under your budget.

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