Repairing a Buckled Overhead Garage Door

September 25th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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It is always a good idea to visually inspect your garage periodically, looking for loose, damaged or frayed cables, the smoothness of the garage door’s raising and lowering, and the movement of the wheels and rollers with the track, as well as the door opener chain or belt. It is also a good idea to check the garage door’s safety features such as the automatic reverse and stop features. However, routine maintenance of our garage doors is not something that we typically consider, until we need garage door repairs, and despite our best efforts problems can still occur. 

The functionality of the overhead garage door depends primarily on the force of its springs, to raise and lower the weight of the door. With tremendous force within those springs, should the door encounter a problem within the track or belt system while raising or lowering, the power of the garage door spring can still force the door to open or shut. This can cause the garage door to suddenly buckle. When a garage door buckles, damage occurs to the door; in that one or more of its panels become bent and unmovable. 

Of course, you’ll want to call your local garage door service company immediately to make arrangements for garage door repairs. You should know, however, that it may not be necessary to replace your entire garage door; it is usually possible to simply replace and install the damaged portion or panel of the door.  This can be done relatively easily and at a much lower cost that replacing the entire door. Some painting or staining may be required to match the newer panel to the remaining older, weathered, part of the garage door but it is doable.

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Problem With A Noisy Garage Door?

August 15th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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We give little thought about the maintenance of our garage doors until something goes wrong with and it fails to function properly.  Worse yet, if your living space is either directly above or adjacent to your garage, is when the arrival or departure of a loved one is announced with much screeching, rattling and banging. Some of us kind tolerate that inharmonious symphony for a while but, eventually, that horrendous noise has to go, in order for peace to return to the house. 

Garage door noises usually sound far worse than the problem it reveals; they can usually be fixed with a little maintenance and part replacement. Depending on the age of your garage door, the wear of continuous use over time can cause cables to be loosened or frayed, chains and pulleys can develop rust, hinges can become frozen, or the track can become dented or misaligned. From inside your garage, with the door shut, visually inspect these items to determine if garage door repairs or replacements are needed. Spray a small amount of lubricant on the hinges, rollers and tracks.

Open and close your garage door manually; it should open easily, smoothly, and remain at the top until you pull it down. If the door does not seem to function properly with this manual test, the tension springs may be out of balance. Also, if you have the older chain-drive type of garage door opener, you may want to consider replacing it with a newer, quieter, screw-drive or belt- drive type opener. 

Above all, please be aware that working on your garage door can be dangerous.  Garage doors are much heavier than most people realize and garage door springs are unde tremedous pressur.  It is always advisable to have your garage door inspected and repaired by a reputable garage door service professional. Safety means peace of mind.

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Typical Garage Door Opener Repairs

August 15th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Little thought is given to our garage door openers except for pushing the remote button to open or close our garage doors. The extent of our maintenance is limited to the rare occasion of changing a burned out light bulb to illuminate our nighttime entrances. Our garage door openers tend to work so well, for so long a period of time, that when it begins to act up we simple think of replacing it. Well, think again. There are several common problems that can be remedied fairly easily by a good garage door repair service. 

If suddenly your opener does not work with either the wall switch or remote, chances are good that the power source has been interrupted; check your fuses or circuit breaker. If the wall switch is working but the remote is not, make sure that you are within its range and the motor’s antenna is hanging down from the unit. Try replacing the battery in the remote or reprogramming it. 

Problems associated with how the door and motor function when operating can usually be remedied by adjusting various control switches on the opener unit. The “close limit switch” determines how far the door closes and whether it reverses immediately upon closing. The “limit switch” should be adjusted if the door does not open completely or it the motor continues running after the door is open. If the garage door reverses before hitting the floor, then the “close force” switch need adjusting. All garage door openers should come with an owner’s manual that can help you locate these switches as well as thorough explain their function. 

It’s always a good idea to have a reputable garage door service professional inspect your entire system and recommend a periodic maintenance schedule.

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Garage Door Repairs

August 1st, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Sometimes homeowners will run into a variety of repair issues of their garage door or garage door openers.  As a result, often homeowners are not aware there are contractors available that can make the necessary garage door repairs.  Often the doors are left in disrepair, resulting in the garage being unusable over time, as the condition of the door continues to deteriorate.  Many people are not aware that professional garage door contractors not only install new garage doors and openers, but they also service them as well.  Many contractors have a dedicated service department to handle these types of repairs! 

Common door repairs include damaged panels, broken cables, damaged or missing weather stripping, worn out springs and inoperable garage door openers.  Left unrepaired, these items can leave a garage door not only unusable, but also dangerous.  Many homeowners do not realize that worn out springs, broken cables and the inability of a garage door to reverse itself when a garage door opener closes the door can be life threatening issues if on addressed in a timely manner. 

In addition, every garage door requires periodic maintenance to keep it operating properly.  Door tracks need to be kept lubricated, chains oiled and door springs replaced after a certain number of opening and closing cycles.  A professional garage door contractor will be able conduct a survey of the existing condition of the garage door and garage door opener and make the necessary repairs in a safe and cost effective manner. 

It is important to keep in mind that many of the repairs will involve specialized tools and expertise to perform correctly and more importantly safely.  A professional garage door contractor will be able to make these repairs quickly, safely and economically!

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Garage Door Panel Replacement

August 1st, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Damaged garage door panels are a real eyesore and are often very frustrating to the homeowner, as they are not sure if they can be repaired or if the entire door needs to be replaced.  One of the more common forms of damage is dings and dents in metal doors where children use the door as a backstop when playing ball.  Also common is cars either running into the door while the owner either enters or backs out of the garage with their car. Replacement of the damaged panel is a very cost effective means to correct the problem, restoring the appearance of the home. 

Professional garage door contractors have access to replacement panels from all of the major manufacturers and these garage door repairs can be done much cheaper than replacing the entire door.  The first step in resolving the problem is to set up an inspection with a garage door installed.  They will verify the extent of the damage and upon approval by the owner, order the replacement panel or panels, provided that they do not already have them in stock. 

Once the replacement panels are available, the technician can usually change out the panel in less than an hour.  The door will be checked for proper operation once the work is complete.  All that will remain to be done is for the homeowner to repaint the new door panel.  Often it is beneficial to repaint the entire door, so that the paint matches. 

Panel replacement is a viable and cost effective option to garage door replacement.  A professional garage door service contractor has the expertise and tools to properly complete the work safely and to the highest standards.

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Replacing Broken Torsion Springs

July 25th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Depending upon the weight, type, and size of your garage door, it might have one or two torsion springs.  Over time the torsion springs, which raise and lower your garage door, experience wear and tear. Because of them wearing out, torsion springs begin losing their ability to adequately counterbalance your garage door’s weight. Eventually, your garage door’s torsion springs aren’t able to move your garage door at all. 

Occasionally, people with two torsion springs will opt to replace only one of them.  This is not recommended. Here are two reasons why it’s better to replace both torsion springs rather than simply replacing the broken one. 

  1. When one torsion spring breaks, the other spring then has to bear the weight of your entire garage door by itself. Replacing only the broken torsion spring and having the system reset will not result in a properly balanced garage door. Seeing as how the unbroken spring has been bearing all the weight, it won’t be able to fully do its job after the broken spring is replaced.
     
  2. You’ll have to call your professional garage door company again (perhaps sooner than expected) so that they can replace the other torsion spring when it inevitably breaks. This results in you having to spend more money and time dealing with your garage door. Replacing both torsion springs at the same time is typically less expensive than having one torsion spring replaced at a time. 

It’s important that your torsion springs be inspected periodically to make sure they are not too worn or fatigued to bear the load of your garage door. Attempting to tinker with or replace torsion springs on your own can be dangerous. A professional garage door repair company is highly recommended to complete the inspection and replacement of broken torsion springs.

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Is Your Garage Door Needing Repair?

June 19th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Most of us give little time or attention to our home’s garage door until it fails to open or, sometimes worse depending on your perspective, fails to close. Although taken entirely for granted without even a smidgeon of routine maintenance, we’re momentarily stunned by incredulous wonder at its sudden rebellion of inactivity. 

Some garage door problems are the simple result of wear and tear, especially if your garage door has some age: doors warp; chains, pulleys and hinges rust; cables become frayed or loose; or, the door track can become bent and misaligned. Any of these issues can cause the door to buckle or jam upon opening, making it impossible to reclose. Sometimes, everything looks and sounds fine, you hear the motor of the garage door opener and the pulleys are moving, but the garage door just doesn’t lift. Usually, this is caused by a broken torsion spring that helps keep the tension on the door as it lowers and raises. You may or may not have heard a loud snap when it broke, but if you glance at the spring above your door, you should see a visible gap in that spring. 

Of course, such things never happen at our convenience but usually at the most inopportune time. However, most local professional garage door repair services do perform emergency repairs on-site. Your professional technician should be able to show up at your home quickly, regardless of the time of day, assess the exact problem while giving you a full overview, and provide you with an estimate of time and cost for your repair. Chances are, you’ll never again take your garage door for granted.

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When Your Garage Door Is Out of Whack

March 26th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Even though your garage door should have a long life, there may still be times over the course of your garage door ownership that you find it in need of garage door repairs. Broken hinges and springs, broken hinges and even surface damage to the door itself are all relatively common, and will require the attention of a qualified professional to restore the garage door to its former glory. 

If your garage door won’t open or close at all, you may need to determine whether or not the opener is functioning properly. The metal rollers and hinges that make up an automatic garage door also need regular lubrication and service, and neglecting to see to that maintenance can cause the door to open or close very slowly. Should your door fall when it’s released, there’s a strong possibility that the extension springs are worn out and in need of replacement. Tracks can become damaged, causing the door to jump and shudder when it’s in motion. These are just a few of the more common garage door repairs that you may encounter, all of which should be attended to by an experienced and qualified garage door repair and installation technician in your area. 

While there is a wide variety of home improvement and repair projects that you can attend to yourself, it’s important to keep in mind that garage doors are comprised of very powerful springs and cables that counter-balance the weight of the door. These components can be very dangerous if they come loose during a repair, which is why the vast majority of garage door maintenance tasks should be attended to by an expert technician. Many garage door repairs also require special equipment that the average homeowner simply does not have on hand.

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Maintain Your Garage Door to Extend Its Life

March 26th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Just like any other electric appliances in your home, your garage door and opener will require a bit of regular maintenance to ensure longevity along with proper operation. 

On a monthly basis, you should visually inspect your garage door for signs of wear or damage. Fraying cables, loose mounting hardware and signs of wear on the rollers, cables and springs are all things to look out for. You should also make sure that the safety reverse mechanism is working properly to reduce the likelihood of injury or property damage resulting from the door closing on children, pets and objects. Make sure that weatherstripping along the sides and bottom of the door is intact, and that there are no visible signs of rust anywhere on the door or mechanisms. 

Listen to the sound of your door opening and closing. Does it seem louder than usual, or is the door shuddering, rumbling or otherwise behaving strangely? If so, it’s wise to contact a licensed garage door repair and installation service provider for a professional diagnosis and correction. 

Aside from maintaining the surface of the door itself, inspecting the mechanisms for signs of wear and looking for indicators that your door isn’t operating as well as it could be, there’s very little garage door maintenance or repair that you can safely perform yourself. The springs and cables that open and close your garage door can be very dangerous, easily causing severe injury if they’re handled improperly. Before attempting any sort of repair yourself, call an experienced professional in your area to ensure that your garage door is properly maintained by someone with the expertise necessary to do so without risking severe physical injury or damage to your garage door mechanisms.

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Garage Door Inspection

January 27th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Garage doors are one of the most potentially dangerous parts of your home, yet they are often the most overlooked – until there is a serious problem like the door won’t open or someone gets hurt. Not only does the door have great weight, the door and all its moving parts are under constant enormous tension. If something breaks unexpectedly, it could cause serious injury or even death. 

To avoid potential problems, garage door experts recommend regular inspections and maintenance of your door. Routine garage door service by a professional garage door repair company, it typically costs around $100, a pittance considering it may avoid more costly repairs and buy you some peace of mind. At the bare minimum, a professional inspection should include the following: 

1.  Check all parts – the springs, rollers, hinges and safety devices – to make sure they are fastened correctly and working properly. 

2. Check the balance of the door. This is done by raising the door a few feet and releasing it. If the door moves in any direction more than a few inches, it could mean the springs need to be adjusted or replaced. 

3.  Inspect the cables and pulleys. If they show signs of wear, replace them immediately. 

4.  Tighten all loose screws and brackets. Garage doors can be opened and closed more than a thousand times a year. With all that weight and tension, screws are bound to become loose, creating a potential safety hazard. 

5.  Lubricate springs, rollers, pulleys, bearings and the garage door opener chain and sprockets, if you have a chain driven opener. 

6.  Troubleshoot any issues, including unusual squeaks or stuttering. These are often signs of more serious trouble with springs or hinges and should be resolved with adjustment or replacement right away, due to safety risks.

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