Garage Door Maintenance

October 12th, 2014 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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While it may seem that periodic painting is the only maintenance that garage doors require, nothing could be further from the truth.  Periodic inspection and maintenance of garage doors is required for the door to operate safely as designed.   Equally important is the regular inspection and maintenance of garage door openers. 

In general, inspection points on garage doors include checking the springs on the door to make sure the door is properly balanced, checking that bolts and screws are tight, checking rollers for signs of wear, checking track spacing and alignment, checking for wear on cables, checking for wear on springs, checking the condition of pulleys, checking on the condition of the attachment points for the cables and checking the spring mounting.  On doors with openers, the inspections include checking the limits of the garage door in the open and closed positions, checking the force settings and checking the mounting of the opener. 

Maintenance items on garage doors include lubrication of all moving parts, including the rollers and hinges.  Typical maintenance on garage door openers includes lubrication of the chain on chain driven garage door openers.  In addition, as a part of the maintenance process on both garage doors and garage door openers, the problem areas identified during the inspection process should be corrected as well. 

As with any inspection and maintenance program, the goal is to identify and correct potential issues before they fail and make the door inoperable.  In addition, some of the potential problems associated with garage doors and garage door openers can be dangerous and cause bodily harm, due to the weight of the door and the tension on some of the components. 

Posted on behalf of Find Local Garage Door Service

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Seven Common Garage Door Repairs

September 14th, 2014 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Your garage door may look simple, yet most modern garage doors include many parts and electronics which keep it moving up and down, several times a day. It only takes one of these elements to wear out or become damaged to cause a disruption in the entire garage door system. A malfunctioning garage door is a nuisance, and can even be a security issue. Here are seven common garage door issues which may have you speed dialing your garage door repair technician. 

  1. Broken cables. The cables that lift your garage door are essential for it to function. A broken cable or cable that has come detached from the pulley warrants a call to your garage door repair service. Due to safety issues, it is best not to try to fix a cable on your own.
     
  2. Remote opener. Often the problem is not the garage door or the opener, just the remote. A simple battery change may be all that is needed.
     
  3. Broken spring. Once a spring breaks on your garage door, you will need to have it replaced by a professional. It is not advised that anyone without the right tools and experience should try and do this on their own, as it’s one of the most dangerous garage door repairs for do-it-yourselfers.
     
  4. Broken door panel. It is very common for garage door panels to be hit by vehicles, hail or toys. While the door may still function, it is a security risk to leave a broken panel in your garage door.
     
  5. Bent track. Many tracks that control the movement of a garage door are made from lightweight metal, which is easily bent or dented. This can cause damage to your door and opening system, and should be fixed as soon as possible.
     
  6. Malfunctioning rollers. The rollers that move your garage door handle hundreds of pounds of weight every day. Once worn or broken, they can cause stress on your garage door system, making it harder to move easily or quietly.
     
  7. Garage door openers. Most garage door openers will last ten years or more, even with heavy use. However, like all electronics, they will eventually wear out and require repair.

Posted on behalf of Habpro

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Broken Garage Door Panels- Repair or Replace?

September 14th, 2014 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Garage doors put up with plenty of abuse. They get hit by cars coming in and out of the driveway or garage; they are used as a backboard for bouncing balls; they are exposed to temperature extremes, sometimes all at once. However, there comes a point when the panels on your garage door may be not only aesthetically unpleasing, but an actual security or safety issue. If you have one or more panels on your garage door which require replacement, it may be time to consider an entire door replacement. 

New Panels Or A New Door?

If your garage door is fairly new, most likely you will only want to replace the panels, versus the entire door. However, if your door is several years old, it may make more sense to invest in a new door instead of only replacing a few of the panels. Some other considerations are the available features your current door may not have, including: 

  • Insulation. If your existing garage is not insulated, it may help lower your monthly energy bill to replace it with a new door.  With cooler weather right around the corner, now is the perfect time to get an insulated door to help reduce heating costs.
     
  • Wind resistance. Having a garage door with a high wind resistance is imperative in areas prone to hurricanes or high wind storms. Garage doors not braced for high winds can implode or buckle during a storm, putting the entire home in jeopardy of extensive damage.
     
  • Design. Regardless of how new your door is, if some panels are damaged it might be the perfect opportunity to replace your door with a new design. Carriage-style garage doors are extremely trendy right now, adding value and curb appeal to your home. 

Before only replacing panels on your garage door, compare the cost of the garage door repairs to the price of a new door. It may be worth a little extra to get an entire new door with some of the above amenities. 

Posted on behalf of Habpro

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Summer Cleaning For Your Garage Doors

July 1st, 2014 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Summer time is often when homeowners turn their attention to the exterior of their homes to do needed improvements and maintenance. Winter can leave driveways, patios and your garage doors all looking a little dingy. Not only will cleaning your garage door make it look better, it also can protect it from corrosion and damage. With a little soap, water and elbow grease, you can get your garage doors looking like new again this summer. 

Garage Door Spring Maintenance Tips

Almost all garage doors, including wood, steel and aluminum can be washed using a mild household cleaner and water. Usually this will be about one part cleaner to five parts water. However, always check your garage door manufacturer recommendations before using any cleaner. Using a soft cloth or sponge, wipe down your garage doors inside and out with the cleaning solution, then rinse with water and wipe dry. Once clean, inspect your garage doors for wear. 

  • Rust. If you find any rust spots, moisture has penetrated the paint. You will need to sand off the rust and repaint the area, or repaint the entire door. If left unchecked, rust will eventually ruin your door.
     
  • Bare spots. Are there bare spots where the finish or paint is gone or worn? Plan on painting or adding a finish coating to your doors this summer.
     
  • Cracks. Hard winters can leave your garage doors worse for the wear. Inspect your doors for cracks or damage from the winter storms. You may need to replace panels or the entire door if there is cracks in the surface. 

Once your doors are clean and in good repair, the next step on your summer garage door maintenance should be to have a tune-up performed on your opener. If it has been more than a year, call your local garage door service company to perform an annual tune-up and inspection.

 Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

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Damaged Metal Garage Door Panels

April 9th, 2014 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Garage doors put up with a lot of abuse. They are hit with basketballs, bicycles and even cars, getting dinged and dented in the process. Over the years, your garage door can begin to shows signs of all this mistreatment, taking away from the beauty of your home. However, a few dents and dings don’t necessarily mean the whole door needs to be replaced. 

Replacing Damaged Panels

Many metal garage door panels are removable and replaceable. Depending on the door and manufacturer, you can usually order replacement panels for those which have become dented or bent out of shape. They generally come in only a few colors, or just in white. Once they are replaced you can paint the entire door, leaving it looking just like new. 

There are a few situations where garage door repairs may not be a good option and you will need to get an entire new garage door. These include: 

  • Older models. Some of the older models of garage doors may have been discontinued by the manufacturer. When a model is discontinued, there may not be replacement panels available to order. In this case, you would either have to have panels custom made or replace the entire door.
  • Door structure is damaged. If more than just the panel is bent or damaged, the entire door may need to be replaced. Before ordering new panels, have your local garage door service company inspect the entire door to make sure that only the panel area is damaged.
  • Multiple panels. If two, three or more of the panels are damaged, it may be more cost effective to replace the entire door, especially if the door is already a few years old. 

Replacing old panels on your metal garage door can give your whole garage and home a fresh, new look. Talk to your garage door service company about replacing your dented panels today!

Posted on Behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

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Signs Of Common Garage Door Problems

February 11th, 2014 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Most of us use our garage doors every day, putting heavy wear and tear on the mechanical aspects of the door. Over time, the cables, chains, springs and other mechanisms can wear out and cause problems with your garage door. One way to prevent problems is to have annual inspections and maintenance performed by a professional. However, even with regular maintenance, garage door problems can still occur. 

First Signs Of Garage Door Problems

The majority of garage door problems don’t happen overnight. There are generally signs your door will need garage door repairs soon. Knowing the signs can help you identify when there is a possible problem before it causes a bigger issue. 

  • Strange noises. If your garage door is making strange noises when opening or closing, it could be a sign that it needs some of the hardware tightened, replaced or lubricated. Squeaks can mean lubrication, where scraping sounds can mean struts, pulleys or bearings need repair. A popping noise may indicate the rollers need replacement.
     
  • Door opening/closing slowly. A slow moving garage door may be a sign it’s time to replace your spring. Replacing a spring can be dangerous, so always call in a professional.
     
  • Not closing all the way. If your garage does not close all the way, check to see if anything is blocking the door path. If not, there may be a problem with the sensors, rails or cables. Call in a garage door technician to diagnose the problem. 

If you know the signs that your garage door is having problems, you can get these issues resolved before it stops working altogether. Proactively taking measures to have these problems looked at can save you both time and money in the long run.

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

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Garage Door Safety

January 3rd, 2014 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Garage doors are very safe and while accidents are relatively rare, the accidents that do occur are generally the result of improper installation and improper inspection and maintenance of the garage door.  The installation and maintenance of garage doors should always be performed by a licensed and insured garage door contractor. 

Often safety issues can occur if the door is not properly installed.  Common installation issues occur when framing that holds the door track is not properly secured to the structure of the home.  Other installation issues include improper tension on torsion or extension springs, which assist in opening of the door, as well as holding it open. 

The lack of inspections and routine garage door maintenance leads to many garage door safety issues.  Once of the most common issues is related to a garage door opener not being able to reverse the closing process, if an obstacle gets in the way while the door is closing.  Typically, these obstacles could be either a child or a pet, which could be crushed by the door while it is closing.   Older openers do not have this reverse feature, but new openers are required by law to have this feature. 

As a part of any maintenance inspection, the proper operation of this feature must be verified.  Other safety issues occur when untrained homeowners attempt to perform maintenance on items without the proper training and tools.  It is important to keep in mind that significant personal injury or death is possible if a 300-pound garage door is not installed and maintained properly.

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

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Routine Garage Door Maintenance

January 3rd, 2014 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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As with most other item in the home, garage doors need periodic inspection and maintenance in order for the door to perform properly and safely.  The best way to make sure that these inspections are made and the maintenance is performed is to have a qualified, licensed and insured garage door contractor make these inspections at least two times per year.  In many cases, the inspections and preventative garage door maintenance will allow potential issues to be identified early and corrected before they fail.  Periodic inspection and maintenance services are quick and economical as well! 

During the inspections and maintenance visits, the technician will operate the door with and without the opener to listen for any unusual noises.  While they are operating the door they will also be conducting a visual inspection of the door, door parts, track, springs, cables, pulleys, and rollers.  The next thing that will be checked is the door balance.  Here the technician will verify that the door springs are working properly by lifting the door and making sure that the door remains fully open.

If the garage door has an opener, the technician will verify that the reversing mechanism is working properly.  As a part of this part of the inspection, the technician will verify the proper alignment of the photo eyes and examine the amount of force being applied by the opener to close the door.  The final part of the inspection will be a lubrication of the moving parts on the door and in some cases the moving components on the opener.  If issues are discovered during the inspection, the technician will be able to make the necessary corrections on the spot.  Periodic inspection of maintenance is the key to keeping garage doors operating properly and safely!

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

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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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