El Dorado Hills Garage Door Repair

Author: Tony M

  • Our 3 Favorite Eco Friendly WiFi Connected Garage Door Openers

    If you’re thinking of installing a new door or garage door opener, here’s something to consider: a smart garage door opener is not only convenient; it can also save you money and is good for the earth. It’s surprising how many people don’t realize how eco-friendly a WiFi connected garage door is. After all, the need for energy efficiency is what inspired a lot of smart home technology in the first place — the need to control temperatures when you’re not home to save on energy costs, for example. Smart garages are no different. It puts the control in your hands, anywhere remotely, which in turn means better energy efficiency and savings.

    The catch is many people assume having a smart garage door means it stays on 24/7. That’s not the case at all. Many openers are designed to eliminate such unnecessary waste without sacrificing the convenience and accessibility.

    LiftMaster Garage Door Openers

    LiftMaster doors are designed to minimize energy in standby mode using something known as “phantom mode.” Many openers waste 5 to 8 watts in standby mode. (Some of the older openers waste up to 14 watts!) But LiftMaster designed their smart garage doors to use only 1 watt of energy in standby mode. That’s what inspired Blue & Green Tomorrow to name LiftMaster as the number 1 eco friendly garage door opener on the market.

    Decko 24300

    Coming in at number 2 is the Decko 24300. It features non-polarized wiring, so it’s an easy DIY install project. It’s quiet — concentrating all the sound at the upper portion of your garage. The other beauty of this opener is it automatically closes after a certain period of inactivity. Sure, as a smart garage door opener, you can always open or close it remotely. But if you should forget, it will automatically close for increased safety. It’s also highly energy efficient.

    Nexx Garage Door Opener

    What’s great about the Nexx garage door opener is how easy it is to install. It’s probably one of the simplest DIY openers to install on the market. It actually integrates easily with Alexa and Google Assistant. It’s highly energy efficient, but the performance can be dampened a bit.

  • Purchasing a New Garage Door Opener? 4 Factors to Consider

    Thinking about installing a new garage door opener? It’s really only a matter of time. While most homeowners will only install a new garage door once or twice in their lifetimes, garage door openers are another story. Because they don’t last as long, say 10 to 15 years, they will likely need to install a new opener sooner than a new door.

    The thing you need to understand is that buying a new garage door opener is not as simple as it sounds, especially these days. There’s smart technology to consider (why not step into the 21st century?) You also need to pay attention to horsepower, drive chains, and other factors. Here are 4 factors to consider when choosing a new garage door opener to install.

    What Type of Opener Do You Want?

    There are a number of garage door openers to choose from. Chain drive openers are very dependable, fairly inexpensive, but tend to be noisy. Belt drive openers cost a little more but are much quieter. They are nice if your door is by a living area or bedroom, or you don’t want to drive the neighbors crazy.

    LED Lighting

    There’s nothing worse than a dimly lit garage when you come. Not only is it not inviting, but it’s a safety hazard. We highly recommend LED lighting. It’s very bright — providing your garage interior with practically a day light feel — and highly energy efficient. It’s the best of both worlds when it comes to garage lighting — especially if you plan to use your garage for recreation such as a TV lounge, yoga studio or personal gym.

    Smart Garage Door Openers

    If you are installing a new garage door opener, definitely make sure it’s a smart garage door opener. This technology connects your garage door opener to an app via WiFi that you can control with your phone, any mobile device, or computer. Forget to close your garage door? No problem — it’s right on your phone. You can also have package delivery contact you for access to your door to avoid package theft.

    Battery Backup

    Battery backup is now required by law in El Dorado Hills and California in general. The idea is to be able to access your garage when the power goes out, especially in the event of a wildfire. But it’s still a good idea regardless of the law or if you actually live in California. Aside from the safety issue, it’s just a matter of convenience. Power outages happen all the time. This way, you’ll still be able to open your garage automatically.

    Even if you aren’t installing a new opener, you can still install battery backup on your existing opener. In fact, we can help. We install battery backup, new garage door openers, and new garage doors on homes throughout the El Dorado Hills area.

  • Garage Door Windows: Unique Placement, Advantages, and Security Issues to Consider

    In most garage doors, the windows are along the top row of the garage door or right below. That’s standard operation procedure, but it’s not like it’s the law. After all, you’re in El Dorado Hills, California. We like to live on the edge. Who said you can’t have garage door windows wherever you like? Make your own style. It can significantly increase the natural light in your garage.

    Some garages are designed to allow for unique window placement. If you are considering installing a new garage door, it’s worth looking into.

    The Standard+ Garage Door — A Door that Accommodates a Variety of Window Positions

    Your Standard+ garage door features a variety of designs. It’s manufactured from galvanized steel usually about 1 inch to 2 inches thick. Most feature polyurethane foam insulation, which makes the door highly resistant to flexion. It’s extremely energy efficient yet strong and durable. And the beauty of this type of door is you can place the windows wherever you like.

    Advantages of Many Windows

    Windows can add nice variations to what would otherwise be a standard door. This can make your home unique and noticeable. Windows also allow for beautiful natural light, which can make the inside of your garage more airy and livable. If you plan to use the inside of your garage for an office, gym, yoga studio, or meditation sanctuary, windows can be essential to internal lighting.

    Security & Privacy Issues

    Naturally, whenever you have windows, there are security and privacy issues to consider. Windows can allow thieves to view the contents of your garage while you aren’t home. This helps them figure out if the home is unoccupied for the day. It also lets them take inventory to decide if a break in is worth the effort.

    Of course, you don’t want the neighborhood peering in your windows and seeing the inner workings of your life. This is especially true if you use your garage as a living space such as a rec room or exercise area.

    That’s why we recommend opaque windows or windows that have thick glass you can’t see through. This also helps prevent break ins. These windows still allow plenty of natural light without letting people see in from outside.

  • What You Can Do with a Smart Garage Door Opener

    Smart garage doors are game changing technology. Remember when the first garage door openers first rolled out? Suddenly teens around the world didn’t need to dive through the rain from the car to the garage every time the car rolled into the drive. WiFi garage doors increase our expectations of convenience in similar ways. It makes life easier in groundbreaking monumental ways.

    Here’s a breakdown of how smart garage doors make the world a better place.

    Open, Close Your Garage Door from Anywhere

    Any place you are connected to the Internet, you have complete access to your garage door. Say you’re at work and you wonder if you forgot to close the garage door. You can view the door remotely and then close if it’s still open. Let’s say the kids get locked out of the house. You can open it at a whim.

    Set Up Garage Door Delivery

    Smart garage doors completely change the Amazon delivery game, especially if you live in a neighborhood where package theft runs rampant. You can include instructions to your delivery driver to contact you. They text or call, and you can immediately open the door so your package is safe and sound.

    Push Notifications Alert Security Issues

    You can set up push notifications whenever your door opens and closes. If someone opens the door when you’re not home, you know immediately. If someone is burglarizing your home, you can get a text on your phone and then call the police. You can also get notifications if you or the kids forgot to close the door.

    Give Guests Access

    With a smart garage door, you can give out of town guests access to your garage. If they should arrive early while you are still at work, they can access your home and get comfortable. Let them call you when they arrive so you can open the door for them. They can refresh themselves. And until they arrive, your house is safe and secure. You don’t need to risk putting a key under the mat, or leaving a back door unlocked. The beauty of smart garage door openers is the security, comfort and convenience they bring to a home.

    Schedule the Lights

    With a smart garage door opener, you can schedule the lights in your garage and home remotely. This is handy if you are out of town and want to make the property look occupied. You can also schedule lights to come on when you come home from work or running errands to avoid fumbling around in the dark.

    Smart garage doors make life easier. Technology improves our lives in all sorts of ways. If you are considering installing a new garage door opener, look into its WiFi capabilities. It may be time to catch up to the 21st century.

  • How to Speed Up a Slow Opening Garage Door

    Garage doors open so smoothly they feel as light as a feather. It’s easy to forget this is a highly complicated mechanical device that weighs hundreds of pounds. And considering most families uses their garages 3 or 4 times per day, that’s easily 1,000 times over the course of a year. After a few years, the garage door will start to wear out. You can expect your overhead door run to up to thirty years, though it will run slower than usual, perhaps noisier than it once did. The good news is there is plenty of preventative maintenance and repairs you can do to your garage door that will have it running smoother and even extend its lifespan. Here’s how to speed up a slow-moving garage door for better performing longevity overtime.

    How Long Should Your Garage Door Take to Open and Close?

    Most residential garage doors should open and close anywhere from 12 to 15 seconds. And that’s a full cycle. Take a stopwatch and time your door. If a full cycle takes longer than 20 seconds, there are likely maintenance issues slowing it down. In many cases, these are minor problems that can be addressed by regular preventative maintenance. If your garage door is becoming slower overtime, it can signal a larger issue, as well. 

    Repairs to Speed Up a Garage Door

    Most slow garage doors are due to lubrication. If your garage door isn’t well oiled, it has to work overtime. This not only slows down your door, it puts undue strain on your garage door parts and components. Your garage door won’t last as long.

    Lubricate all tracks, hinges, and brackets with an approved garage door lubricant. Don’t use WD40 — which can cause the parts of your garage door to prematurely rust. It’s also a good idea to oil pulleys, cables, and springs. Be sure to do this every few months so your overhead door run as smooth as it possibly can. Pay attention to your tracks. Are they dirty and filled with grime? Are they broken or bent? A dirty or broken track can slow the door, and could even force the door off track. Clean your tracks regularly and have a garage door repair company fix your tracks. 

    It’s worth checking the balance of your garage door. Disconnect the opener and open the door halfway. Does it bend to one side? Chances are your door is out of balance. This can slow the functioning of your door. It also puts extra strain on certain parts of your garage door.

    After the balance is checked and the issue persists, take a look at your springs. You should do this regularly, regardless of issues. If your springs are broken or riddled with rust, they’ll need to be replaced as soon as possible. In terms of speeding up your door, it’s entirely possible that a damaged spring is responsible. Garage door spring repair should only be handled by experts as the spring could snap, hurting you. On a similar note, a speedy garage door can be the result of springs that are loose. Have an expert tighten them down. It’s important that your door operates at a moderate level. Both fast and slow are dangerous. 

    If all else fails, it might be time to inspect your garage door opener. When was the last time you replaced your opener? The average opener will last up to 15 years, half the time the average door lasts, meaning it’s possible that it’s time for a replacement. A new overhead door opener will come with faster horsepower and highly advanced technological features that will improve quality of life. 

    Still Have a Problem? Call Us!

    If you still have a slow garage door, give us a call. We offer 24/7 emergency garage door repair to the El Dorado Hills area. We’d be happy to diagnose the problem and help you have a smooth and fast operating garage door.

  • 5 Rules to Follow to Avoid Expensive Garage Door Repairs

    Garage doors are amazing modern contraptions of convenience. When they work, we hardly think about them. One press of a button and the safety and the security of the garage opens before our very eyes. It’s one less thing we have to worry about as we leave for work and when we come home. It’s a luxury that’s easy to take for granted.

    But garage doors can be surprisingly easy to damage if we’re not careful. And many garage door repairs can be very expensive. Follow these 5 rules to avoid expensive garage door repairs.

    Keep Up on Regular Repair

    So many people never think about their garage doors until there’s a problem. This is a mistake. Regular repairs and maintenance help your garage door run more smoothly and they extend the lifetime of your garage door. Regularly oil all the moving components of your garage door with an approved garage door lubricant. Tighten down any loose bolts every few months to keep rattle to a minimum.

    Keep the Garage Door Clear

    Misplaced objects, say a rake or a broom, can easily jam a garage door. In most cases, the object is so small you hardly notice it. Sometimes the obstruction can be as small as a pebble or a stick. But when something gets lodged in the track with the full force and weight of the garage door, it can be difficult to pull out. Sometimes removing the object may even require the services of a garage door professional.

    There are garage door problems that can wait, such as if your door doesn’t open or close all the way. And then there are garage door emergencies, say if your door completely jams and won’t move one way or the other. This is when you need to stop and call us. Forcing the door could cause serious and expensive damage to your door and tracks. It can also result in serious injury.

    Look for Worn Out Rollers

    Like everything else in life, rollers wear out overtime. They can chip, crack, fall off the door. It’s a good idea to inspect them occasionally so you can spot worn rollers before they break. If a roller breaks, your garage door might not open, which means you have a garage door emergency. Worn out rollers are one of the many things we look for in our professional garage door inspections. It’s worth examining your rollers every few months.

    Inspect Garage Door Springs

    Garage door springs will also wear out. Each spring has a lifecycle, meaning the number of times a garage door is opened and closed. Most springs will last between 5 to 7 years, depending on how often you use your door. Take a close look at the springs. Look for signs of rust, looseness or slack. If there’s any concern, contact a garage door professional right away for a more thorough inspection.

    Be Proactive with Garage Door Repairs

    The bottom line is its important to take a proactive approach to garage door repairs, especially if you have an older door. Don’t let break downs catch you by surprise. Have a pro inspect your garage door for any issues you might be overlooking. Your door will run smoother, quieter, and lasts a long time.

  • Easy Garage Repairs to Cut Your Energy Bill & Save Money

    Going green usually means making lifestyle changes that are good for the earth. But the flip side is that you can save money too. When it comes to your garage and garage door, there are several changes you can make that are friendly for the environment as well as your electric bill. Here are a few ways you can make your garage more energy efficient and save money too!

    Install LED Bulbs in Your Garage

    If you switch the light bulbs in your garage to LEDs, you can save electricity and money. This is especially true if you have motion sensors or tend to leave the garage lights on pretty often. Switching to LED light bulbs can save you about $1,000 over a 10 year period, roughly $8.33 per month, according to USA Today.

    Install an Exhaust Fan

    Dangerous fumes can congest in your garage. Exhaust fans can help clean out these fumes while also encouraging air flow that can make your home more efficient in the summertime. It also helps protect your garage from condensation so there’s less mold risk.

    Install an Insulated Garage Door

    You might not think you’d need an insulated garage door in El Dorado Hills, California, but insulation can also keep out the heat in the summer as well. This makes will make it cheaper to cool your home and garage, saving money on your air conditioning bill.

    Seal or Caulk Garage Door Windows

    Are the windows sealed or caulked in your garage? If they aren’t, your garage isn’t very well insulated. Check your windows to make sure they are sealed without any leaks. You might consider installing new windows if necessary.

    Check Your Weatherstripping

    Your weatherstripping can go over time and can hurt your garage’s insulation. Check any doors in the garage to make sure they’re intact. If they aren’t, weatherstripping is easy to replace and you don’t need a professional for this. You can easily get replacements from the hardware store or if you can’t find one that fits contact your local pro door installer. They’ll be able to quickly get you sorted. 

    Consider A Solar Panel for Your Lights and Garage Door

    Solar-powered garage door openers use panels to convert sunlight into electricity. They eliminate the need for grid power to operate the opener. This not only saves energy but also makes sure that your garage door can keep working during power outages.

    Besides garage door components, you can also use solar lighting systems for your garage. Solar-powered lights use solar panels to capture sunlight during the day and store it in rechargeable batteries. This eliminates the need for traditional lighting fixtures and reduces energy consumption significantly.

  • Thinking About a Pet Door in Your Garage? Why That Could Be a Nightmare

    The worst ideas in the world start as good intentions. This is certainly true with pet doors installed in a garage. You want your beloved pet to roam freely, be able to experience the outside and the shelter of the garage at the same time. But there are other threats you probably haven’t considered.

    Risk to Pets

    The comfort that a pet door provides can unfortunately lead to dangerous complacency for your pets. Animals that grow accustomed to frequenting the garage might not perceive the garage door as a threat, leading to a reduced sense of urgency to avoid it while it’s in motion. This oversight can result in serious accidents. As an example, if the garage door is triggered to close while a pet is entering or exiting, the safety sensors (photo-eyes) that are designed to detect large obstructions might not recognize a smaller pet in their path. This can lead to tragic consequences, as these sensors are calibrated more to prevent human injuries and might overlook smaller animals. Moreover, the noise and movement of the door could startle pets, leading to erratic behavior that might increase the risk of injury.

    Security Risk

    Security is another critical concern when it comes to installing pet doors in garages. While it may seem improbable that an intruder could enter through a small flap intended for pets, determined burglars often find creative ways to exploit any vulnerability. Even if an intruder can’t fit through the pet door, the opening can still provide access to internal mechanisms or enable the manipulation of locks from the inside. In some cases, burglars use tools to reach through pet doors to unlock doors or windows, significantly compromising your home’s security. This makes the pet door not just a minor risk but a potential major security loophole.

    Health and Environmental Hazards 

    Additionally, pet doors in garages can expose your home to various external elements. Pests such as rodents, insects, and other small animals can find their way through pet doors, leading to potential infestations. Environmental factors like dust, pollen, and even cold drafts can also enter through these openings, which may affect indoor air quality and temperature regulation in your home.Given these extensive risks, the installation of a pet door in a garage demands careful consideration. Alternatives such as installing pet doors in back doors that lead to enclosed yards, or using solutions like microchipped pet doors that only open for your pet, might mitigate these risks. Such measures ensure that your pet enjoys freedom and exercise without compromising their safety or the security of your home.

  • Noisy Garage Door? 6 Steps to Quiet It Down

    Have a noisy garage door? That can be so annoying. And it’s not like it’s making you any friends in the neighborhood. A noisy garage door could be a sign you need a completely new door. Some doors get old, rusty and just need replaced with a new garage door installation. But most likely the door can be repaired to quiet it down. Preventative maintenance goes a long way. It’s amazing what you can do with a can of oil and a lug wrench. Most of these repairs are DIY. Here are 6 things you can do to quiet down your noisy garage door with easy garage door repair.

    Tighten Any Loose Parts

    The first thing you should do is take a lug wrench and tighten down any loose parts that might be rattling on your garage door. You’ll want to tighten any hinges, bolts, etc. You should also tighten the opener chain according to the instructions in your garage door manual.

    Lubricate the Door

    Next, take a garage door lubricant to all the moving parts of your garage door — including the rollers, along the track, the chain and the springs. Use a paint brush to get in all the cracks and be sure to use a paper towel or cloth to catch the drips. Avoid using WD-40 however. This can cause your door to prematurely rust. Only oil your garage door with an approved garage door lubricant available at most hardware stores.

    Test the Door Balance

    Disconnect the garage door from the opener. Open the door up halfway and allow it to hang in midair. Does it lean to one side or another? If so, your door is off balance. This can put excess drag on that side of the garage door, which contributes to the noise. Contact a garage door repair professional to balance the door properly.

    Check the Type of Garage Door Opener You Have

    The type of garage door opener you have can be a big factor in how noisy it operates. Chain driven openers are inexpensive but very noisy. Consider installing a new garage door opener that is either belt driven or direct drive. These types of openers may cost more but the peace and quiet is worth it.

    Inspect Your Springs

    Older rusty springs can make an irritating sound on your garage door. You should have the springs inspected and replace if needed. Always have your garage door springs replaced by a professional. They are under an incredible amount of tension and can cause serious bodily injury if they suddenly snap.

    Call a Professional

    If your door is still too noisy, call a garage door professional for an assessment. He or she may be able to suggest other affordable solutions to help dampen the sound such as anti-vibration pads or nylon rollers. It’s also possible it’s just time for a new door. Garage doors aren’t designed to last forever. You should consider installing a new garage door every 15 to 25 years.

  • Sticky Garage Door? How to Fix It

    Did your garage door suddenly become hard to move? Is it stuck in a mid-open position? We understand the concern. You might think this is an expensive repair. The good news is that’s not likely the case. It’s actually quite fixable. Most likely, the problem is your garage door track — an overlooked garage door part that’s critical to your garage door functioning smoothly.

    Understanding the Tracks to Your Garage Door

    The garage door tracks provide an avenue for your door’s rollers to ride upon as the door goes up and down. It’s probably the most crucial part of your garage door but also the most overlooked. The problem most homeowners run into is that dirt and grime accumulate on the tracks. Much like branches, rocks, and debris on a train track, this dirt can get in the way of your garage door functioning smoothly. This can cause the rollers of your door to stick.

    Rollers also wear down overtime — which could be the other cause of the problem. Rollers also tend to wear out quicker if the tracks are dirty.

    When dirt is the cause, the solution is simple — the tracks must be cleaned out. You should also inspect the garage door rollers. If they are worn out, they’ll need to be replaced. In this case, call a professional garage door service. We provide 24/7 emergency garage door repair to the El Dorado Hills area.

    In a Jam? What to Do

    Garage door tracks occasionally bend or misalign. This is especially true if you drive too close to the side of the garage door and hit them. Just the slightest bump can pinch the track and cause a problem.

    Usually, a pinched track can be fixed with the right tools. You may even be able to DIY this repair. If not, call us. We’d be happy to help.

    In severe cases of damage or a track that is not cooperative and beyond repair, the track itself needs replaced. This can be a bit more costly but not nearly as expensive as the cost of a new door.

    Either way, it’s a problem you’ll want to address immediately. Do not attempt to use the door in the meantime. You can cause serious damage to either the door or the tracks. You rely on your door for convenience or security. Give us a call. We’ll have it functioning in a flash! Let’s get your life back on track.