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

Is Your Garage Door Lock Disabled?

Did you know your garage door has an outdoor lock? You probably see it every day, yet rarely will ever need to use it. Garage doors generally come with a manual lock that you can use to secure your garage if you don’t have an electronic garage door opener or it is not working. Day in and day out, you open and close your garage door with no problems as long as that manual lock is disabled. But what happens if you accidentally manually lock the door and then try to use your opener?

If you engage your garage door opener when the door is manually locked, you could damage your garage door, the opener or both. You may think that this would never happen but it actually happens quite frequently. The manual lock is used during a power outage or maybe the kids were playing with it – whatever the cause, when you go to use your opener, that powerful force pulls against a door firmly locked, often causing expensive damages. So what can you do to prevent this?

There are ways to permanently disable your manual lock or make it difficult to accidentally engage. One method that garage door service companies use is installing a lock rod that will prevent the manual lock from being used unless the rod is removed. This simple fix can prevent hundreds of dollars or more of damage to your garage door system in the event your garage door is ever locked on accident.

If you are unsure of how to disable your manual garage door lock, call your local garage door service company. They can help you disable or add a lock rod to your door to prevent any future problems.

Hiring a Garage Door Professional

You have a much needed repair for your garage door, or you need a new garage door installed.  Can you hire the local handyman to do this?  You are often better off if you hire a professional with expertise in garage doors, openers, and installation and repair. These garage door professionals are usually licensed, insured and bonded.

How do you know if you are hiring the right person for your garage door project?

First, spend some time talking to the contractor.  Ask to see copies of their insurance paperwork, making sure that they have both liability and worker’s compensation insurance. 

Find out how long the contractor has been in business.  New businesses are not necessarily bad, but you want a contractor who knows the garage door industry and the business, and is experienced in your project.

Honestly discuss with your contractor your price expectations.  Expect to see a written estimate for the project, and ask about any unanticipated overages.  How often does this contractor’s projects go ‘over’?  Make sure always to receive a written estimate.

Find out if the contractor is a member of the local better business bureau.  Contact your local better business bureau to find out if any complaints or reports have been filed.

Finally, use a reputable local company.  Local companies thrive off of local business, and are more likely to be around if you have a problem or concern down the road.  The last thing you want is to be half way through your project and your contractor ‘disappear’.