El Dorado Hills Garage Door Repair

Author: Tony M

  • 4 Reasons You Should Replace an Old Garage Door Opener

    4 Reasons You Should Replace an Old Garage Door Opener

    4 Reasons You Should Replace an Old Garage Door Opener

    When’s the last time your garage door opener was replaced? Did it come with the house? Most people don’t think about their openers until they have problems. Aside from the occasional battery change, the opener is usually good to go — until it suddenly isn’t.

    Chances are you’ll install one or two new garage doors your entire lifetime — if that. Your opener, however, is a different story. They aren’t designed to last as long as the door itself. So if you installed an opener along with a new door the last time, chances are you’ll need to install a new opener long before the door shows signs of wear.

    Here’s why a new opener might be a good idea if your opener is more than 10 or 15 years old.

    Your Opener May be Unsafe

    If your garage door opener was installed before 1993, it probably doesn’t have the safety features that can keep a door from closing on a kid, pet, or piece of equipment. Doors after the early 90s are required to have photo eyes that can detect when something is in the door’s path. This will immediately reverse a closing door for safety reasons. If your door doesn’t have this feature, it’s time for an upgrade.

    Your Door May Have Security Issues

    If your opener is more than 15 years old, it could be prone to electric hacking that could allow a savvy thief access to your garage. Computers have come a long way. If you don’t have the latest technology protecting you, it may be time for an upgrade.

    Your Door is Too Loud

    Loud garage doors are annoying — especially if your garage is near a living room or bedroom. Modern openers are designed to operate silently. If your door operates on a chain, you might consider switching to a cable operated door — it’s much quieter.

    Your Door Isn’t Smart

    Smart technology for garage doors has gotten very affordable in the last several years. With a smart door, you can control it virtually from the Internet. That way you can close it directly from your mobile phone, tablet or PC. This can be very helpful if you or the kids forgot to close it. Smart garage doors also allow for remote viewing so you can view your door anytime — even if you are on vacation.

  • Should I Repair or Replace My Garage Door?

    Should I Repair or Replace My Garage Door?

    Should I Repair or Replace My Garage Door

    A garage door is an investment in the value of your home. It has nearly a dollar for dollar return. Some realtors estimate the ROI on new garage door installation is 97% on average, probably even more in a competitive realty market like El Dorado Hills, California. So as you approach the question of whether to repair or replace your garage door, keep in mind that a new garage door is money well spent. It’s just a question of if it’s time. Usually, your gut already knows.

    Common Problems that Can Be Repaired

    Some garage door problems are easy and inexpensive to repair. A noisy garage door can likely be quieted down with a fresh coat of oil and bolt tightening. A heavy door is likely the result of a broken or damaged spring. That can be replaced but will require a professional to do safely and correctly.

    Do you have damaged panels? If it’s just one or two, you can likely replace the panel so that nobody knows any difference. You can often buy individual panels for most manufactured garage doors. Swapping them out is simple and cost effective.

    If your door is sagging, that’s likely a balance issue. The springs will likely need adjusted. Again, this is a job best left to a professional. But you don’t need to replace the entire door.

    Problems that Require a New Garage Door Installation

    You often know when you need it. Sometimes a garage door has become so worn and damaged that replacing it just makes sense. It can be a real eye sore, be dangerous to kids and pets, or be a security risk.

    Keep in mind that curb appeal can be one of the biggest factors that affect the resale value of a home. A new door improves property values considerably. It’s something that’s worth considering.

  • Green Thumb? How to Grow Starter Plants in Your Garage Space

    Green Thumb? How to Grow Starter Plants in Your Garage Space

    Green Thum How to Grow Starter Plants in Your Garage Space

    It’s springtime — the time of year to break out your green thumb and start gardening. Wouldn’t it be great to take what’s likely the largest covered room in your home and turn it into your own functional plant nursery? It doesn’t have to be a dream. Here’s how to make this a reality and have beautiful starts to begin your garden — grown right in your garage.

    Plan It Out

    It helps to start early. Sit down with that seed catalog in January and plan out your garden. Dream a little, get excited. This is where the fun part comes in — where you conceptualize your growing space.

    Decide which plants you want to grow. Map out where you’ll set them up in the garage. Card tables, shelves, bookcases work great. Plan to lay out plants side by side that take similar nutrients, have similar light needs, and similar growing patterns.

    Basil, for example, is great to grow with tomatoes because it will protect them from insects. Cabbages, however, will stunt tomatoes and shouldn’t be grown close together.

    Plan out what you’ll transplant when.

    Arranging Space in Your Garage

    Decide how much space you’ll need for your starts. Unless you are planning on only starting a few plants, you’ll likely need to dedicate at least half if not the full garage to your growing area. It may be a good idea to park your car outside for the time being.

    Arrange card tables or shelving to hold the starts. 2x4s are great are a great use of space. Arrange for space to transplant so you have room to work. Plastic on the ground and around the growing area can keep the space clean and avoid any contaminants from compromising the starts. You’ll want to keep all the plants elevated for ideal growing temperatures.

    Pay attention to drafts from open windows. Is your garage insulated? Do you have an insulated garage door? You might consider it as an option. Consider installing electric heaters for cold days.

    How much natural light does your garage get? Garage door window slats are helpful, but might not provide enough light. Growing lights may be used to supplement natural light.

    Pay attention to soil and humidity. These things can make or break an indoor plant space. Open the garage on nice sunny days to give the plants plenty of sunlight.

    And of course the garage is just where you get the starting plants off and running. When the plants are the right size, you’ll transplant them to an outdoor garden area when the season is right.

  • The Solution to a Damaged Garage Door

    The Solution to a Damaged Garage Door

    The Solution to a Damaged Garage Door

    If you own a garage door long enough, it will inevitably happen — a damaged door. It’s the law of Murphy’s garage doors. You can be careful and do all the preventative maintenance in the world, but something inevitably will go wrong — eventually.

    That’s just part of the deal of owning a home — welcome to the club. Either way, it’s important that the door be repaired quickly and correctly. A damaged or broken door just isn’t safe. What’s more, continuing to use the door can cause further damage that can get exponentially more expensive.

    Safety & Security

    There’s also the security issue to worry about. A door stuck halfway exposes your garage to thieves when you’re not home — hundreds of dollars of tools, sports equipment, bikes, etc. Plus, your garage door is your home’s largest entrance. If thieves gain entrance to the garage when you’re not home, they can take their time picking their way in through the door — away from the prying eyes of neighbors.

    Don’t panic. Many garage door repair companies offer 24/7 emergency repair service for this very reason. Give them a call and have a solution immediately. Your home and family’s security is just too important to put off.

    Common Causes of Damaged Garage Doors

    Garage doors often need repair because of damaged cables or springs. Considering how often we use our doors, it’s inevitable these parts will wear out. If you don’t keep an eye on their condition, it’s easy to let springs get away from you. You should always hire a professional for garage door springs. The risk to injury is just too dangerous.

    Sometimes the problem is with the photo eye. This is something you can probably address yourself. Make sure the photo eyes are directly across from each other and not in direct sunlight. You may need to provide a shade for the eye if sunlight is causing it to malfunction. Dirty photo eyes can also cause problems. Wash the surface with a wet soapy rag.

    The door may have come off track. If this is the case, stop using the door immediately. You can cause serious damage to your door and frame.

  • Is Your Garage Door Opener Installed with Battery Backup?

    Is Your Garage Door Opener Installed with Battery Backup?

    Is Your Garage Door Opener Installed with Battery Backup

    It’s official. Come this July, all newly installed garage door openers in El Dorado Hills, Sacramento — in fact throughout the state of California — will require battery backup.

    But the truth is it doesn’t matter if your garage door opener is installed this year or 20 years ago — battery backup is still a good idea. In fact, it might even save your family’s life.

    The New Reality of Climate Change

    Wildfires are what spurred the bill to become law — a new climate change reality in California that aren’t going away anytime soon. If Malibu can be devastated by a fire, so can El Dorado Hills. And when the evacuation order comes, you need to be able to open that garage door — even if there’s a power outage, as there typically is in a wildfire.

    The bill was launched by a California register whose neighbors had difficulty evacuating during a wildfire because of garage doors that had lost power.

    The Sacramento Bee reports:

    “At least five died during the Northern California 2017 wildfires because they were unable to get their garage door to open after they lost electrical power, according to the supporting language of Senate Bill 969, which California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law Friday in an effort to prevent any more such deaths from happening.

    Under the new law, automatic garage doors sold in California after July 1, 2019, must include a backup battery that can provide power in the event of a power outage. The bill also provides for a civil penalty of $1,000 for ‘every offending garage door opener,’ according to a legislative analysis of the bill.”

    Avoid Tragedy — Be Safe

    The language of the bill documents numerous tragedies from people who couldn’t escape. An analysis “recounted stories of neighbors stopping to help raise garage doors, elderly people who didn’t have the strength to manually open their garage door and a mother who struggled to get her disabled son into a car because their custom van was in the garage they couldn’t open.”

    As garage door professionals, we’d like to reiterate the importance of battery backup is not just about following the law. It’s about your family’s safety. Even outside of a wildfire scenario, power outages can be common. It’s nice and convenient to be able to access your door no matter what — even if your late to work and it’s raining cats and dogs in the middle of February.

  • May the Force Be With You: Adjusting the Force of a Garage Door

    May the Force Be With You: Adjusting the Force of a Garage Door

    May-the-Force-Be-With-You-Adjusting-the-Force-of-a-Garage-DoorLike a fine musical instrument, a garage door needs to be in tune. Too much force can cause your door to close with too much power, which can damage the door and cause injury. It’s important to tune the force so it is just right — not too much or too little. You can tune it yourself, but be aware this is a highly technical job that requires a fine hand and expertise. It might be a good idea to call a professional for this garage door repair.

    Checking the Force of Your Garage Door

    To check the force of your garage door, disconnect the opener and close the door from the inside. Check to see if the door lands tightly against the floor. If the door bounces back up after closing, the force likely needs adjusting.

    Adjust the Door Opener Limit Switch

    Climb a ladder and examine your garage door opener with a flashlight. Locate the limit switch and the adjustment screws on the opener. Adjust the screws with a screwdriver. Test the force again by opening and closing the door to see how tightly the door shuts.

    If your door continues to reverse when you shut after several adjustments, it might be time to call a professional. Some garages can be like fine-tuning a piano.

    Testing Your Opener’s Reverse Mechanism

    To check if the reverse feature needs adjustment, raise and lower the door manually. If the door reverses, then most likely the reverse feature will need adjustment.

    The reverse mechanism can be tested by adjusting the screws in the opener and manually lifting and lowering the door. Look for any signs of reversal. If further adjustment doesn’t solve the problem, contact our office in El Dorado Hills.

  • Is It Time to Replace Your Garage Door Chain?

    So how often should a garage door chain be replaced? As Indiana Jones would say, “It’s not the years, honey. It’s the mileage.”

    Most garage door chains can last between 10 and 15 years, but there are a lot of variables to consider. How often do you open your garage door? Some families use it 5 or more times a day. Some hardly use it all week. How often do you do restorative maintenance on it? Has your chain been oiled in the last year? These factors can all have an effect.

    Another thing that affects the lifespan of a chain is its quality. Not all garage door chains are created equal. The age and quality of your garage door opener can also be a factor, as well as if it was installed properly.

    Why You Should Consider Upgrading to a Belt Driven Garage Door Opener

    If you are in the market for a new garage door opener, you might consider upgrading to a belt driven garage door opener. This type of opener uses a nylon belt instead of the traditional chain. The beauty of these garage door openers is their peace and quiet — you hardly hear a thing! If your garage door is near a living room or bedroom, a belt driven garage door opener is a great idea. These openers are a bit more expensive than the traditional chain, but the peace and quiet is well worth it!

    Call a Professional for Inspection

    The bottom line is you really should have a professional inspect your chain to make sure. Garage door chains certainly don’t last forever. Eventually — whether today or 5 years from now — you’re going to need a new one.

  • 5 DIY Garage Door Repairs to Cut Your Energy Costs

    After California suffered its worst wildfire year in history, the realities of climate change have become undeniable. We all want to do our part. The good news is that going green is not only great for the environment — it does wonders for your budget. By making your garage door more environmentally friendly, you’ll spend less heating and cooling your home. This is one garage door repair that pays for itself in dividends. Here are a few affordable ways to make your garage more efficient and environmentally friendly.

    Install a New Insulated Door

    Many garage doors are cheap, flimsy, and thin. They waste heat as well as valuable AC. This is a big drain on your gas and electricity bill. Installing an insulated door can save you substantial money every month. The amount of insulation is measured in R-Value. A good insulated door will have an R-Value of 12 to 18 — the higher the better!

    Replace Your Garage Door Bottom Seal

    This is an easy DIY garage door repair you can knock off in about an hour on a weekend afternoon. The garage door bottom seal sits at the bottom of your garage door and blocks out air leakage, leaves, and other debris from getting inside. This will help prevent heat loss, as well as keep rainwater from getting in during El Dorado Hill’s heavy winter storms.

    Measure the amount of seal you’ll need. You can get a quality seal from any hardware store. Remove the old seal, slide the new one back on, and adjust the mounting screws back into place. It’s just that simple.

    Install an Exhaust Fan

    Installing an exhaust fan in your garage has 2 benefits: it removes noxious and toxic odors from your garage, and the air circulation provides a more energy efficient and cheaper way to cool the garage. The ventilation also helps prevent condensation, so you don’t get that humid garage smell that can be damaging to the walls and items store in the garage.

    Give Your Garage a “Greener” Paint Job

    Yes, the color and quality of the paint finish on a garage door can affect its heating and cooling effectiveness. Some companies specialize in more environmentally friendly paint that is designed to keep your garage cooler during California’s hot summers. It works to keep hot air in the garage during the winter, and cool air in during the summer. Talk to your El Dorado Hills local garage door repair for some suggestions.

    Install LED Light Bulbs

    Traditional light bulbs use plenty of electricity. LED technology has come a long way in being both more energy efficient and well lit. You can always install your LED light with a motion sensor to further save on money.

  • Here’s What You Need to Know to Install the Perfect Garage Door

    Here’s What You Need to Know to Install the Perfect Garage Door

    Here’s-What-You-Need-to-Know-to-Install-the-Perfect-Garage-DoorIt’s a garage door, you think. How much can be involved in choosing the right one to install? Actually, a lot more than you think. These days, there are a number of factors and options to consider. And since this is a potentially several thousand dollar investment most people only make once in their lives, it’s something you want to do right. Here’s what you need to know to nail this decision and install the perfect door.

    Budget

    Let’s start with the price. How much do you want to spend? Design, materials, and extra features can add up. Make sure to balance preference, function, and need with the cost of materials and labor. At the same time, you don’t want to be cheap. This is a lifetime investment. Plus, a new garage door installation has one of the best returns on investment you can get when it comes to home improvement. Anything you spend, you’ll get back in improved property value, virtually dollar to dollar. So it really comes down to how much can you afford and what are the best features to get for that price?

    Materials

    A major determination of the price will be the type of material it’s made from. Each material has its own advantages and cost considerations. Wood has a beautiful appeal, but tends to be a little more expensive and requires more upkeep. Steel is probably your most economical option. Modern aluminum these days are not as dent resistant as they used to be. The price can vary. Composite doors may provide the same aesthetic appeal at a more affordable price.

    Insulation

    Insulation isn’t required, but it is a good idea — even in the mild winters of El Dorado Hills, California. Insulation will keep out the hot as well as the cold, making it much cheaper to cool your home in California’s hot summers. They also are great for noise resistance so you get your peace and quiet. The quality of the insulation will depend on its R-value — the higher the better.

    Weatherization

    Considering the new reality of climate change, you might want to get a garage door that is fire resistant, as well as one that can stand up to heavy storms. Talk to your El Dorado Hills garage door dealer about the different options available. You can get a door specially designed for heavy weather that has better bracing, storm resistant panels, and can stand up to heavy winds.

    Smart Garage Door

    You might consider installing a garage door that has a smart opening system. This way, you can monitor and control the system remotely from your phone, computer, or other mobile device. If you are away on vacation and get a security alert, for example, you can view your garage and contact the police if necessary. You can also open and close the door from your phone — say if Amazon stops by with a package while you are away at work.

    Installation

    While you could technically install the new garage door yourself, we don’t recommend it unless you truly know what you’re doing. And no, YouTube videos don’t count. You’re already investing enough in this garage door that it’s worth doing right. Plus, you might void the warranty on the garage door if you install it yourself.

  • How Childproof is Your Garage Door?

    How Childproof is Your Garage Door?

    How-Childproof-is-Your-Garage-DoorKids will be kids, but garage doors are dangerous heavy objects. Childproofing your garage door is important to their safety. There are a number of safety features you should be sure your garage door has, especially if you have an older door. Avoid injuries, or even worse, fatalities, by childproofing your garage door and teaching your kids about safety.

    Garage Door Auto Reverse

    Modern garage doors have an auto reverse feature. Check to make sure yours does too. Any door installed after the early 90s is required to have it by law. Sensors are placed to detect if something is in the way — say an object or a running child or pet. The door will automatically reverse.

    Older Door? Consider Photo Eye Sensors

    If you do have an older door, you can set an auto reverse by installing photo eye sensors. These monitor movement and will cause the door to stop or reverse if something runs underneath.

    Seal Door Panels

    Little fingers are curious and they love cracks. Seal the door panel gaps with rubber seals to avoid injury. Custom seals can be designed if necessary. Talk to your local El Dorado Hills garage door company.

    Lock Your Door

    If you are concerned about younger children playing with your door, consider locking it from the inside. You could purchase automated locks you can unlock from your opener controller or a phone app when you need to open the door. This also provides added security against theft.

    Reposition Your Door Opener

    Kids are curious. Place the garage door opener in a place they cannot reach. You can also get locks and codes that prevent children from opening the door if they push the button.

    Teach Garage Door Safety

    Take your children aside and teach them how to be safe around the garage door. Teach them never to play on it or climb its components. Explain the danger of the springs and cables. Garage doors may inspire curiosity, but they are not toys. Go over the different parts with your children and explain the risks.