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

Prepare Your Home for the Next Big Wind Storm

Whether you live in a hurricane alley or anywhere else in the country, wind can cause extensive damage to your home. Roofs can be damaged, trees can fall and if your garage door is not secure, your whole home could be in danger. Wind storms seem to be more prevalent in recent years, making it necessary to prepare your home against possible damage.

Garage Doors and Windstorms

Garage doors can be the biggest risk to your home in a wind storm. If you have an attached garage, wind can destroy your garage door and access your home. Once the garage door is compromised, your entire home is unprotected against the storm. High winds can remove your roof from the inside and cause extensive damage to every wall in your home, as well as your possessions.

The best protection against wind damage to your home is securing your garage door entrance. Wind resistant doors that can withstand 100 MPH or high winds give you the security you need in a major storm. In many areas of the country, high wind resistance for garage doors is now required in new homes. However, if you have an older home with an attached garage, these requirements may not have been met when installing your existing garage doors.

Don’t put your entire home at risk for damage due to poor quality garage doors. Call your local garage door service company to inquire about high wind resistant garage doors. This is a small investment that can protect your home and family during a major wind storm. You never know when the next big storm will hit your region, so don’t delay.

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

4 Reasons to Replace That Old Garage Door

Do you have a garage door that has seen better days? Even if it is still functional, you may want to consider the benefits of replacing it before it finally dies of natural causes. Garage doors with damaged panels, boarded up windows and other issues should be replaced before they become a hazard. Here are four excellent reasons to replace that old garage door.

  1. Safety. First and foremost, you should consider how safe it is to continuing using your old garage door. Once panels or windows are damaged, the entire structure of the door may be compromised. The last thing you want is for your garage door to get unbalanced and fall, especially on a person.
  2. Security. Broken areas on your garage door invite intruders to use them for entrance into your domain. Keep your garage and home safe from intruders and pests by replacing it with a new, secure door.
  3. Aesthetics. An old, beat up garage door detracts from your home’s curb appeal. It is one of the first things visitors see when coming to your home. Replacing a dilapidated old door can make a huge difference in the aesthetic appearance of your home.
  4. Energy conservation. Investing in a new insulated garage door can help cut down on energy costs for attached or temperature controlled garages.

Don’t wait any longer to replace an old garage door that is on its last leg. Call your local garage door service company and begin determining what style, features and options will best meet your needs. Your home and garage will look better while improving the safety, security and energy efficiency of your property.

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 Sensor 101

Since 1992, all garage door openers have been required to have a safety sensor that stops garage doors from closing when anything is blocking the doorway. This electronic eye ensures that you do not accidently close your garage door on your vehicle, or worse, a person. However, this safety sensor can cause problems if it is not aligned correctly. Here are a few basic tips to ensuring your safety sensor on your garage door is working correctly.

  • How your sensor works. The safety sensor works by having two sensors, one on each side of the garage door, near the bottom. One sensor sends a laser beam across the garage door opening into the second sensor. A disruption in the laser sends a code to the opener to stop the door from closing.  If your garage door won’t close, it often can be due to the sensors not aligning,
  • Safety test. To see if your safety sensor is doing its job, try putting a large cardboard box under your garage door. Close the door using your garage door opener. The door should stop closing if the sensor is working correctly. If the door crushes the cardboard box, your sensor needs repair or alignment.
  • Aligning the sensor. If your sensor is not working, check the alignment of the two sensors. Make sure the emitting sensor and receiving sensor are pointed at each other. After realigning, try the safety test again. If the door still closes on the cardboard box, you may need to have your sensors replaced.

The safety sensors on your garage door are crucial to avoid damage to your vehicles and prevent injuries. If they are not working, call your local garage door service company to have them repaired or replaced.

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

Benefits of Using a Smartphone Application for Your Garage Door Opener

Many new garage door openers can be operated through smartphone applications, making them easy and convenient to use. But is it really necessary to opt for this service when a traditional garage door opener can provide you easy access to your garage? You may be surprised that there are more reasons to consider using these applications than just convenience. Smartphone or tablet applications to monitor and use your garage door opener can enhance the safety of your home and give you access to your home whenever you need it.

Safety and Security

One of the main benefits of using a smartphone application instead of a traditional garage door opener is safety and security. Consider the danger of having your garage door opener stolen. If someone breaks into your vehicle and steals your garage door opener, they now have access to your home. What is worse is that there is most likely a vehicle registration or other paperwork in your vehicle with your address on it. Now thieves have an easy way to get into your home and know where you live. By the time you realize what has happened, you may already have been robbed.

Smartphone applications offer higher security by keeping access to your garage inside your phone, which most people keep with them at all time. Plus, even if your phone is stolen, it should have security features to keep it locked. You can use a passcode with your garage door application so that no one but you can access your system, increasing the security.

Another benefit of having a smartphone application for your garage door is to allow access when you are away from home. You can open the door to let trusted people into your home, right from your phone or tablet.

Talk to your local garage door opener service company to learn more about smartphone applications for your garage door opener.

Steel Versus Wood for Your New Garage Door

Picking a new garage door can be more difficult than it sounds. While there was a time that choices for garage doors were fairly limited, now there are hundreds of choices, starting with the material. There are garage doors made of aluminum, steel, fiberglass, wood composite and solid wood to choose from. Although there may be price advantages to some of the other choices, the two most popular options for a quality garage doors are solid wood and steel. Before you move on to design, here are the basics on choosing between these two durable materials for your new garage door.

Steel Garage Doors

Steel is a great option for garage doors. It is durable, strong, cost effective and easy to maintain as a garage door material. You can purchase almost any style of garage door made from steel, so your options are not limited when it comes to design. However, keep in mind that all steel doors are not the same. The gauge of the door is important – a high quality steel door is usually at least 24 gauge. Plus, steel is not a great insulator so you will want a door that comes with insulation.

Solid Wood Garage Doors

Wood is a beautiful material for garage doors. It is also durable and can last for decades when maintained properly. The main advantage of wood over steel is the beauty and uniqueness that can be found in wood. There are different types of wood and endless styles to choose from. However, wood does require more maintenance and tends to be more expensive than steel doors.

Either choice of materials can make an excellent new garage door for your home. Talk to your local garage door dealer to determine which will be the best fit for your home and budget.

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

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

Garage Door Opener Basics

Are you considering buying a new garage door opener, yet are clueless on what options are available? If your knowledge of openers for your garage door openers is minimal, you may be surprised how many choices you have when choosing a new system. To help you in your search, here are a few a basics that you should know about garage door openers.

Types of Garage Door Opener Systems

There are three main types of garage door opens systems: chain, screw and belt drive systems. Choosing the type will be the first decision you should make before you move on to features and other options.

  • Chain Drive. Many of the older systems that you may have used are chain systems. Due to metal-on-metal contact, these systems can be very loud, although some of the newer models have reduced noise.
  • Screw Drive. The screw drive options have the fewest moving parts of garage door opener systems, making them durable and quieter than most chain drive systems.
  • Belt Drive. Belt drives use a reinforced steel belt to drive the system. These are one of the quietest systems available.

On top of choosing the drive system, you will want to consider all the different options for safety, security and convenience. Many people prefer the outdoor keypads that allow entrance into the garage with the use of a code along with their remote. There are also many secure remote control options that use newer technology, including smartphone applications.

To learn more about all the options available in garage door opener systems, talk to your local garage door service company. They can give you an overview of all the different systems and features that will fit your needs and budget.

Invest in Your Business with Quality Commercial Garage Doors

Are your commercial garage doors hurting your business? You may think they are doing their job, opening, closing and locking when needed. But what you may not realize is how they are hurting your business due to poor aesthetics or efficiency. Your garage doors most likely cover the largest openings to your business and are very visible from the exterior. It may be time you consider upgrading your garage doors to improve the look and efficiency of your business.

Improve Your Business’ Brand

When is the last time you looked closely at your garage doors? Are they dented, maybe even rusting, looking shabby? What does this say about the quality of your business? You want your customers and competition to view your business as high quality and successful; old, worn garage doors are a poor way to portray a successful image in your community.

Save Energy and Money

Another good reason to replace older commercial garage doors is energy efficiency. Many older commercial doors are not equipped with the insulating options available today. Not only can upgrading your garage doors reduce your heating or cooling costs for your garage or warehouse, it can help improve your sound proofing for your business. This can reduce sound penetrating your garage doors, both coming in and going out.

You may be surprised at some of the new innovations now available in commercial garage doors. There are higher caliber options in energy efficiency, safety, aesthetics and security. Contact your local commercial garage door service and installation company to learn more about the benefits of upgrading your old garage doors as a wise investment into your business.