Is it Time to Replace Your Garage Door Opener?

March 24th, 2015 Posted in Garage Door Openers
Comments Off on Is it Time to Replace Your Garage Door Opener?

If you’re like most people, when your garage door opener is working, you have no plans to replace it. However, unlike a television or toaster, your garage door can actually cause safety issues and incredible inconvenience when it eventually breaks. Most garage doors openers can last 10 years or more if maintained, but if you’re starting to experience any of these signs, it may be time to consider replacing your garage door opener.

  • Loud operation. If your garage door opener has gotten louder over the last year, it may be starting to wear out or be in need service. Often, loud operation is a sign you need your system lubricated; however, it can also be the sound of your motor dying.
  • Hesitation. Does your garage door jerk or hesitate as it opens or closes? These can be signs of issues with your opener, your hardware or an unbalanced garage door.
  • Intermittent slow response. Has your garage door refused to open or close when you use your remote? The battery could be going out on your remote, or there may be problems in the signal receiver.
  • Safety features not working. Does your garage door stop if there’s an object underneath it? If not, the safety mechanism may be broken or the lasers are not aligned.

If any of these issues sound familiar, it’s time to have your garage door and opener serviced and inspected. It’s worth the investment to have these problems repaired, or your opener replaced, before they cause the system to become non-operational. There are many new options available in garage door openers with features for added convenience to homeowners; don’t put off a preemptive replacement if it’s time to replace your garage door opener.

Posted on behalf of Habpro
Dacula, GA 30019
(770) 985-3355

, ,
Read More

Is it Time to Replace Your Garage Door?

January 3rd, 2015 Posted in Garage Door Installation
Comments Off on Is it Time to Replace Your Garage Door?

Buying a new garage door is probably not the first item on your wish list. However, considering your garage door is most likely the largest entrance to your home, it is worth the investment. Once they begin to wear, an old garage door can detract from the beauty of your home, as well as become a safety and security problem. Here are a few signs that it is time to replace your garage door in 2015:

  • Operation issues. If you notice that your old garage door hesitates or makes excessive noise as it’s opening or closing, it may be time to replace your door and hardware. Over the years, the hardware and door can become dented, weak and rusted, making it difficult for the door to function. This puts extra stress on your opening system, reducing the life-span.
  • Energy costs. For homes with attached garages, a poorly insulated garage door can affect the energy costs for the whole home. Worn weather stripping and inferior insulation in the door can let in outside air, costing you plenty in energy bills.
  • Curb appeal. Your garage door is one of the first things people see when they come to your home. If the door is dented, has peeling paint or cracks, it can become an eyesore that detracts from the curb appeal of your home. A new garage door can make a big difference in the overall appearance of your home.

If your garage door is 15-20 years old, there is a good chance that it’s time to consider replacing it with a newer model. Talk to your local garage door service company about the many beautiful and efficient garage door models that are available.

Posted on behalf of Habpro
Dacula, GA 30019
(770) 985-3355

, ,
Read More

Troubleshooting a Garage Door That Does Not Close

January 3rd, 2015 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
Comments Off on Troubleshooting a Garage Door That Does Not Close

One of the most common and frustrating problems with automated garage doors is when they refuse to close. This usually happens at the worst possible time, when you are already running late for work or have an important appointment. You cannot leave your home with your garage door wide open, so what do you do? Here are a few of the most common causes of this frustrating issue, so the next time it happens you can troubleshoot the problem.

  • Sensors. As a safety feature, automated garage doors use photo-sensors to ensure nothing is under the door before it closes. However, if these sensors get dirty or are not aligned, they can prevent the door from closing when no obstacles are present. These sensors are located on either side of the garage door. If you don’t have time to fix the issue when it occurs, you can usually override this feature by using the wall unit, holding the button until the door closes.
  • Vacation or lock-out mode. Many garage door openers have a vacation or lock-out mode that can accidentally be triggered. These switches will disable the remote, meant to keep out intruders. If this is the problem, you should be able to close the door by using the wall unit. The vacation or lock-out option should also be located on the wall unit and can be turned off to allow the remote to work.
  • Remote issue. A faulty garage door remote is another common culprit when doors refuse to close. The batteries may need to be replaced, or you could be facing another remote-related issue. Once again, you should still be able to use the wall unit until the remote can be evaluated and repaired.

These are a few of the most common reasons a garage door will not close. If the problem is not resolved, you may need to call your local garage door service company to inspect your garage door and opener to find and repair the issue.

Posted on behalf of Habpro
Dacula, GA 30019
(770) 985-3355

 

, ,
Read More

Do You Have Damaged Tracks On Your Garage Door?

October 28th, 2014 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
Comments Off on Do You Have Damaged Tracks On Your Garage Door?

One of the most easily damaged parts on your garage door is the tracks. Exposed in the interior of the garage door, these tracks often are hit by vehicles, bouncing balls and many other moving objects. Over time, these small dents can cause the tracks to weaken and become unstable. At some point, they may give way, endangering you, your vehicle or members of your family, plus causing damage to your garage door. 

Inspecting Your Garage Door Tracks

As part of your regular maintenance on your garage door, make sure to inspect the tracks. You should be looking for any dents or bends in the metal. You should also check the alignment of your door. Does your garage door move smoothly up and down through the tracks, or does it seems to hesitate at certain spots on the track? 

If you notice any problems, don’t try to repair the tracks yourself. Trying to pound out dents or realign the tracks on your own can be dangerous. Garage doors can weigh several hundred pounds; doing anything that could cause the door to crash down or come out of the tracks could put you or someone else in your family at risk of injury. 

Replacing Garage Door Tracks

If your garage door tracks seem to be damaged, call your local garage door service company to handle any needed garage door repairs. They can inspect your tracks and offer solutions to ensure they do not cause damage to your door or harm to your family. Most damaged tracks will need to be replaced, as they are not easily repaired. However, it is much less expensive to replace the tracks than purchase a new garage door or pay for injuries.

Posted on behalf of Habpro

, ,
Read More

Is Your Garage Door Ready For Winter?

October 28th, 2014 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
Comments Off on Is Your Garage Door Ready For Winter?

There are many items on your to-do list to prepare for winter around your home, but one item which may sometimes be overlooked is your garage door. However, since you rely on your garage door to get you and your vehicle inside during the worst winter weather, it may be something you want to consider. Before the winter weather hits, now is the time to give your garage door a little pre-winter maintenance. 

Winter Maintenance For Your Garage Door

Having your garage door fail at any point can be inconvenient. During the winter, it can be downright dangerous. Winter conditions are when you need the safety of driving into your garage the most. It is also the time when a poorly maintained door is most likely to fail, due to changes in the temperature and other weather factors. Here are a few maintenance items to cover in order to ensure your door is ready for the colder months ahead. 

  • Lubrication. Your garage door is exposed to the outside weather every time it opens. This can let in moisture, which can rust and corrode the moving parts of your door. Lubrication can protect these parts from the moisture while ensuring your door can move easily and smoothly.
     
  • Springs. Most garage door springs last several years with regular maintenance. Most last around 10,000 cycles, so the lifespan will depend on how often you use your garage door. If your spring is more than three years old and is used heavily, it may be time to have it replaced. Never try to replace a garage door spring yourself; always hire a professional.
     
  • Check all components. Inspect the seals, rollers, tracks and all moving parts for any problems. It is easier to repair or replace these parts now than to have your garage door fail in the middle of a winter storm. 

The easiest way to ensure your garage door is ready for winter is to have an annual tune-up service performed by your local garage door service company. They can fully inspect your system and perform any garage door repairs or maintenance to avoid leaving you out in the cold this winter.

Posted on behalf of Habpro

, ,
Read More

Does Your Car Have An Installed Garage Door Opener?

October 28th, 2014 Posted in Garage Door Openers
Comments Off on Does Your Car Have An Installed Garage Door Opener?

Many new vehicles are being manufactured with built-in garage door openers designed to remove the need for a separate remote control to open your garage door or automatic gate. With an easy-to-use remote built in to your vehicle, you can enjoy the convenience of an automatic opener with fewer security risks. This technology is similar in theory to a universal remote you might use to control your home entertainment devices, only for garage doors. 

Types Of Vehicle Installed Remotes

The two most commonly installed remote controls for your garage door opener are Homelink and Car2U. These devices often come factory installed in newer model vehicles, similar other upgrade options like satellite radio and OnStar. Most of these remotes can be programmed to open three different gates or garage doors. 

Is Your Garage Door Opener Compatible?

While these installed remotes can be convenient, they are not compatible with all garage door openers. Some older model garage door openers without the rolling code feature may not work with these remotes. If you have one of these remotes yet are not able to program it open your garage door, you have two options: 

  • Replace your garage door opener. If your opener does not include a rolling code feature, it will not work with these new remotes and may pose a security issue. Talk to your garage door service company about installing a newer opener which has rolling codes for you and your family’s protection. A new opener should be easily programmable to your car’s remote.
     
  • Install a conversion kit. For some openers which are not compatible with the new technology, there are conversion kits that will allow you to use Homelink or Car2U devices with your current opener. Your garage door opener company should be able to help you get the right conversion kit installed for your opener.

Posted on behalf of Habpro

 

, ,
Read More

Save On Energy Bills With A New Garage Door

October 28th, 2014 Posted in New Garage Doors
Comments Off on Save On Energy Bills With A New Garage Door

Do you have an attached garage on your home? If you do, an insulated garage door could save you money on your energy bills each month. Many garage doors are not well insulated, allowing cold drafts to enter your garage and home through these large openings. Even if you keep the door between your home and garage closed, cold air can still be seeping in. A new, insulated garage door could have a significant impact on lowering your energy bills during the winter, and even save on cooling costs during the summer. 

Insulated Garage Door Options

When choosing a new garage door for energy efficiency, it’s more important to notice what’s on the inside than what material is used on the outside of the door. All types of garage doors can be well-insulated, including wood, steel and vinyl. What matters in the thermal rating of the insulation between the panels, not the material or thickness of the door. Insulated doors will have an R-value that will help you determine the amount of insulation. The higher the R-value, the better insulated the door. 

Benefits Of Well-Insulated Garage Doors

It’s not just the temperature of your home that will benefit from an insulated garage door. While energy savings is usually the main reason to buy a well-insulated door, it is only one of the benefits. Insulation will help keep your garage warmer in the winter, even if it is not heated. This can protect any water pipes and other items stored in your garage from freezing. Insulation also reduces the noise of the door when it opens and closes, plus reduces noise coming in or out of the garage. Finally, the extra insulation can add to the strength and longevity of the door. 

If you have been considering replacing your old garage door, doing so before the colder weather hits could help you save on energy costs this winter and for many years to come.

Posted on behalf of Habpro

, ,
Read More

Today’s Garage Doors

October 12th, 2014 Posted in New Garage Doors
Comments Off on Today’s Garage Doors

Homeowners today have a wide variety of options available when considering a replacement garage door.  Available in a wide variety of architectural styles, including contemporary, traditional and carriage styles, the doors are available in a wide variety of widths and heights.  The materials being used today include wood, fiberglass, aluminum, steel and vinyl.  In addition, they are available with a variety of window and hardware options, making the doors highly customized to the architectural style of the home, as well as the tastes and budget of the homeowner. 

Wood doors are available in a variety of wood species including kiln dried Hemlock, Cedar and Mahogany, as well as more exotic wood species such as African Mahogany, Spanish Red Cedar and Birch.  They are also available in a variety of laminated wood products as well, including rough sawn plywood and T-111 siding.  Wood doors typically have a polystyrene insulated core, which reduces energy waste in conditioned garages.  While these doors will require periodic staining or painting, these doors are very attractive and will provide years of service.  

Fiberglass, aluminum, steel and vinyl doors have the advantage of being very low maintenance due to the inherent stability of the products being used in the doors, as well as wide variety of pre-finished colors available, eliminating the need to paint the doors. 

Modern wood, fiberglass, aluminum, steel and vinyl garage doors are engineered to be low maintenance and provide years of service, while enhancing the architecture of the home at an affordable cost!

Posted on behalf of Find Local Garage Door Service

, ,
Read More

Garage Door Opener Repairs

October 12th, 2014 Posted in Garage Door Opener Repair
Comments Off on Garage Door Opener Repairs

Properly maintained, garage door openers will provide years of trouble free service.  However, when there is a problem with them it is now possible to have them repaired, which will save a significant amount of money over the cost of replacing the opener.  As with most things, garage door openers have a small computer in them and in many cases the problem with the opener is related to the failure of some part of the computer. 

Most of the major manufacturers have replacement logic boards, sequencer boards, and radio receiver boards available for their garage door openers.   In addition there are also non-computer related parts available for repairs including chains and belts, as well as components for the motor and electric eyes.  Even original replacement remotes are now available!   In many cases these replacement parts and components are “plug and play”, which helps to minimize the labor costs of the repair. 

The key to repairing the garage door opener quickly and efficiently is to be able to troubleshoot the problem and determine if the problem is related to the computer or another component of the system.  Once that is determined, the technician will be able to determine what part or parts needs to be replaced and make the repair.  Once repaired, the opener will be tested to verify that the opener is working properly and within the technical specifications of the manufacturer.  No longer does a garage door opener problem mean the immediate replacement of the entire system, which is much more expensive than simply repairing the opener.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Garage Door Service

, ,
Read More

Commercial Garage Doors

October 12th, 2014 Posted in Commercial Garage Doors
Comments Off on Commercial Garage Doors

Commercial garage doors and garage door openers are used on a variety of commercial garages servicing office buildings and multifamily apartment and condominium buildings.  The components of the doors and openers are of a much higher grade than the doors and openers used on a typical single-family home.  The reason for this is that commercial garage doors undergo many more opening and closing cycles in a single day than a single-family home undergoes in 6 or more months!  Imagine a typical 500-unit apartment complex with two garage doors, one for entry into the garage and one to exit the garage.  On a typical day each door could open 500 times a day or 3,500 times a week or 14,000 times per moth or 168,000 times a year! 

The only way that these doors can withstand this use is to choose the proper garage door initially and then perform regularly scheduled inspections and maintenance on all components, as recommended by the manufacturer.  Popular manufacturers of commercial garage doors include Finishline Overhead Doors. Bestline Overhead Doors, Wayne-Dalton, Windsor, D.B.C.I., Roll Up Doors, Coplay Commercial Doors and C.H.I Overhead Commercial Doors. 

In most cases, commercial doors have a recommended inspection and maintenance schedule, which is typically driven by the number of cycles of the door.  It is critical that this schedule be adhered to in order to maximize the life of the door and the door opener.  In addition worn parts must be replaced immediately.  In most cases, commercial garage doors and commercial garage doors that experience a high failure rate or ongoing problems have not been inspected and maintained properly.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Garage Door Service

, ,
Read More
Older Entries
Newer Entries

Find Local Company | Garage Door Directory | Find Local Garage Door Service Companies