El Dorado Hills Garage Door Repair

Tag: DIY garage door repair

  • How To Stop Your Garage Door’s Rattling Noise

    Garage doors are valuable, and important, aspects of your home and should be treated as such when they start acting out of the norm. Would you take the time to fix your front door if it was busted? Keeping your garage door repaired is at least as important for the security of your home, and all those that reside within. 

    Over time, garage parts naturally break down, resulting in hiccups. While it’s easy to ignore minor issues, you should keep an eye out for strange rattling noises that arise when you open or close your garage door. These common “minor issues” can cause other parts to undergo additional strain and cause larger, potentially dangerous, issues further down the line. 

    Why Is My Garage Door Rattling? 

    A rattling noise is hard to ignore, especially if you’re used to your garage door opening and closing smoothly. Don’t ignore the noise – it could be  signalling a major issue that needs to be resolved in the coming days. That’s also not mention how the rattling sound is disturbing you and your neighbors.  

    Your door can be rattling for a variety of reasons, though it’s most likely that your overhead garage door opener’s rails or chains are loose. Other reasons include key components loosening over time. A quick DIY repair is tightening up any screens or bolts that don’t feel tight. When was the last time you lubricated your garage door’s tracks? 

    WD-40 works fine here, as it works to remove any unintended grease/stickiness that may have accumulated on your tracks over the years. Be sure to avoid spraying any into your rollers though, as they require other proper lubricants to work properly which WD-40 may remove. 

    If tightening things down and lubricating your tracks don’t work, see if your garage door has jumped the track. This can be caused by a number of issues, but likely the tracks themselves have been damaged in some way. If it’s a minor dent in them, you may be able to straighten them yourself. 

    However, it’s a bit of a complicated DIY repair job if the damage requires a total realignment, as the doors are quite heavy and may need some amount of dissasembly. If this is the case, stop using your door immediately and contact an overhead door repair service to take a look at the tracks..  

    Your Garage Door Opener Might Be Causing the Noise

    One of the telltale signs that your garage door opener needs to be repaired is through the sound of rattling. Do you know what type of overhead door opener you have? If you have a chain-driven opener and you hear a rattling sound, there’s a likelihood that the chain is loose. Lubricate, again WD-40 is perfectly acceptable in this case, the chain and see if that makes a difference when opening or closing. 

    If that doesn’t make a difference, this could mean the door’s chain has worn out or become damaged in some way. Contact a garage door repair professional. They’ll be able to quickly diagnose the issue at hand, and give you a list of options to take care of the issue.

  • Instantly Weather Proof Your Garage Door

    If you live in our region of Northern California, also known as Norcal, you’re definitely familiar with the seasons. Known for our wine region due to a Mediterranean climate, the seasons can change from damp wet winters to hot dry summers. California is a very large state and thus SoCal weather is more desert like in comparison to a forest filled NorCal. Have you ever visited the California Redwoods? Definitely makes you feel out of this world! And there’s also snow showers up in the mountain tops of California’s two ranges. The Cascade Range and the Sierra Nevada Range, respectively,

    When Does it Start Raining in Sacramento?

    Also known as Sactown, Sacramanto and its neighboring cities have rainy winter months starting in October. Although late season rain can also begin to occur in December. During the wet season, the highest recorded rainfall usually occurs in the month of January. Although most who are native to Northern California are aware for the rainy winter months, this can have a whole different meaning as a new home owner.

    Weatherproofing the Home Garage Door

    Whether you just purchased your home or if you’ve had the house for a few years now, weatherproofing is definitely a necessity. Inhabiting a home for many years equals to random repairs over time. Sometimes it’s hard to notice the new needs of a home, especially when you see it everyday. How is your garage door functioning in terms of keeping water outside of the frame? Have you noticed any sort of flooding recently? If so, you may need weatherproof seals installed for the garage. Some of these are easily installed and can be a cool DIY home project. But, if you need help installing garage seals, definitely give us a call! Garage door seals are also a great addition to keep away unwanted pests, insects, drafts, etc.

    Garage Door Repair for Water Damage

    If there is tremendous water damage to the garage, call us today for the best garage door repair service in town. Perhaps your grandparents haven’t quite noticed the damage on the garage door due to weather conditions. Or maybe you’ve been out of town for months only to find a flooded garage upon arrival. We’re located in the Sacramento area with services provided for Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Clarksville and many more. Here in Northern California, we’re blessed with amazing weather all year round but we must protect our homes from potentially hazardous conditions.

  • 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.

  • DIY Garage Door Repair 101: Replacing the Garage Door Bottom Seal

    Are you ready for hurricane season in El Dorado Hills, California? And by that we mean how’s your garage door bottom seal? It’s the strip of rubber on the bottom of your garage door that often gets overlooked. It actually provides a very important job — keeping out water, debris, and rodents from your garage, especially during heavy rain storms. Overtime, it will dry and crack, become extremely brittle and useless. Most people lose their garage door bottom seal and don’t even know it. It really should be replaced every couple years or so. Fortunately, replacing your garage door bottom seal is a fairly easy DIY repair.

    What is Garage Door Weatherstripping?

    Garage door weatherstripping, also known as the garage door bottom seal, is the rubber seal on the bottom of your garage door that keeps out rain and other debris from getting into your garage door. It’s a barrier that keeps your garage from flooding. But overtime, it can crack and need replaced.

    Replacing the Garage Door Bottom Seal: An Easy DIY Job

    You can purchase a garage door bottom seal at any hardware store. Replacing it is something you can easily do yourself. Remove and screws and brackets holding in the old one. Replace with the new one. You should be able to install it yourself in about an hour.

    Need help? Just ask. We offer 24/7 emergency garage door repair to the El Dorado Hills, California area.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 3 Risks to DIY Garage Door Repair

    3 Risks to DIY Garage Door Repair

    3 Risks to DIY Garage Door RepairSure, some garage door repairs fit into the DIY category if you’re fairly handy with tools and can Google it. But remember a garage door weighs hundreds of pounds. It raises and lowers with amazing ease because of the incredible tension in your torsion springs, a withheld force that also makes them extremely dangerous. Plus, a garage door costs thousands to replace.

    If you don’t know what you are doing you can do some serious damage to the door and yourself. Tread carefully. If you’re in over your head, call in a professional garage door service. Let’s take a look at 3 major risks you’ll face doing garage door repairs yourself.

    Serious Bodily Injury

    Your garage door works as safely as it does because of its security features that are designed to protect homeowners from injury. If you tinker with the wrong part of the door, say the springs, and don’t know what you’re doing, it can be extremely risky. You could end up in the emergency room. The injuries can even be fatal. Any complicated repair, especially involving springs or cables, should always be left to a professional.

    You Can Cause Expensive Damage to Your Door

    Most people attempt their own DIY garage door repairs to save money. But you can just as easily do some expensive damage to your door. Even shoddy repairs can put unnecessary strain on your garage door or shorten its lifespan. You can expect to get at least 15 to 30 years of quality use out of a garage door. But that depends not only on the quality of the door, but how well you take care of it. If you don’t repair a door correctly, you might shorten its lifespan, even if you don’t realize it at the time.

    You Could Damage Vehicles, House, or Other Possessions

    As we mentioned, that garage door weighs hundreds of pounds. If it comes crashing down, you could seriously damage lawn equipment, bikes, or cars. And if you mess with the springs or put undue strain on them, they could snap, damaging vehicles, your home, or even people.

    Face It — You’d Rather Be Doing Something Else

    What’s your ideal Saturday? Be honest. Chances are, repairing your garage door is not at the top of your list. You could be watching the game, reading a book in a hammock, going for a hike or even go hang gliding. And one thing you can be sure about garage door repair: It will always be harder and more complicated than you expect. Things will go wrong. No job is as simple as it first appears. Save yourself the trouble and hire a professional. Weekends for relaxing, not garage door repair. Go live your best life and let us take care of the hard stuff.

    The bottom line is if you aren’t sure about a repair, call a professional that can do it safely. It’s just not worth the expense or the safety risk.

  • Clean Your Garage and Organize Your Life in Easy Steps

    Clean Your Garage and Organize Your Life in Easy Steps

    Clean Your Garage and Organize Your Life in Easy StepsWeekends are precious. When we use them as time to get work done, you want that time to count. The trouble is that much of our weekend work takes place in the garage. And if your garage isn’t clean, most of your Saturday will be spent trying to find tools and find enough room to pull of the task you want to accomplish. Messy garages are time killers. You tell yourself you don’t have time to do it, but the reality is you’ll waste more time putting up with a messy garage than you’ll use to actually solve the problem.

    Is Your Messy Garage a Problem?

    Can you park your car in your garage if you had to? If the answer is no, it’s time to get your cleaning gloves on.

    Parking outside might not seem like such a big deal, but you’re exposing your car to the elements. And considering the heavy rain and hot sun we tend to get in the El Dorado Hills, your car can suffer some serious weather damage. Plus, parking in your garage is also a theft deterrent, which is a pretty big deal in Southern California.

    And if you can’t park your car, chances are you also can’t find your tools. You’ll waste most of a Saturday just trying to find a screwdriver. Get organized and your to-do list gets done before you even know it.

    Break It Down

    We get it. Really messy garages can be overwhelming. But they make life so much harder. In fact, too much stuff can even damage your garage door. Objects can get in the way of the tracks, for example, causing the door to go off track or be out of balance.

    Mark a day off your calendar to tackle it. Plan a reward system for yourself — stock the fridge with your favorite beer, order out for pizza, take the family out to dinner as a victory prize. Bribery works, especially when it’s self-prescribed.

    And don’t be afraid to enlist the whole family. If you’ve got a lot of family knick-knacks stored in your garage, it can even be the perfect time to bond down memory lane. And don’t forget it’s their mess too. Let the whole house own the cleanup job.

    Organize to Live Better

    Sort your stuff into 3 piles: keep, donate, trash (or recycle if possible). Some chemical products such as cleansers, batteries, even old electronic equipment will have to be disposed of properly. Here’s a list of places that handles E-waste and hazardous chemicals for El Dorado Hills.

    Next, map out a floor plan of how you want to organize the stuff you do want to keep. Make sure you leave plenty of room for the garage door to open and close so you don’t need to fix it later. Plan where you’ll want your trash, recycling, and compost cans to be.

    It might be time to bone up on your storage. Shelves, bins, hooks, and overhead compartments do wonders for containing the clutter. Peg boards and hooks are great for lightweight stuff. And don’t forget about overhead storage. If done safely, it’s a great way to optimize space without losing storage capabilities.

    Stay Safe

    It’s easy to forget but garages can be dangerous places, especially when messy. Be careful when you are rearranging heavy tools, boxes, and equipment. Give your garage a decent visual inspection. Check out your pulleys, springs, and cables for any rust, wear, or breakdown. If you do notice an issue, call a professional. These can be seriously hazardous garage door repairs best left to a garage door repair service that knows what they’re doing.

    Any questions or concerns? We’d be happy to help. We serve thousands of families and businesses in the El Dorado Hills area.