El Dorado Hills Garage Door Repair

Tag: garage door maintenance

  • 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.

  • 4 Reasons You May Need New Garge Door Weatherstripping

    Most people are barely aware there’s weatherstripping on the bottom of their garage door at all. It’s one of the most overlooked components of the entire door. Typically, it’s not until rain and leaves from flood debris start pouring into their garage that they decide to inspect it. Weatherstripping runs along the bottom of the door and acts as a barrier. It wears out overtime and occasionally needs replaced. Take a close look. You may be overdue. Here are 4 signs it’s time to replace your weatherstripping.

    There’s a Draft in Your Garage

    A draft may exist in your garage because your door isn’t well insulated. But if there’s a change in the draft, that’s a sign of weak weatherstripping. Hold your hand at the bottom of the door during a windy day. Do you feel a breeze? It may be time for new weatherstripping.

    You Regularly Find Water, Dirt, Debris in Garage After a Storm

    After it rains, is there a lot of water, dirt and other debris on the inside of your garage? That’s probably because the weatherstripping is too worn out to do its job. As the name implies, forming a barricade against weather is the whole point of weatherstripping. If there are cracks, leaks or other openings, the water will pour in like a river — leaving debris in its path.

    Furry Neighbors Pay Your Garage a Visit

    Weatherstripping doesn’t just protect against the weather — it keeps little critters from sneaking in and making your garage their new home. Mice and rats can tunnel in those small openings — especially during those rainy El Dorado Hills winters. Hire yourself an exterminator — and replace your weatherstripping.

    Your Weatherstripping is Worn & Damaged

    You should give your weatherstripping a visual inspection from time to time. Are there broken pieces, worn out rubber, or entirely missing areas around the base of your garage? It’s time to for a replacement.

    Weatherstripping will wear out every few years, but far too many homeowners ignore it. The good news is this is a fairly simple DIY garage door repair. You can buy everything you need for this job at the local hardware store.

  • 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.

  • Follow These Steps to Keep Your Garage Door in Great Shape

    How to Properly Maintain Your Garage Door

    Important Maintenance Tips For Your Door

    Do you remember the last time you performed routine maintenance on your garage door? If not, then you’re past due for some routine tune-ups. While it’s usually a good idea to hire a garage door repair company to tune-up your door, you can also perform some DIY maintenance that’ll help catch problems before they occur. Perform the following garage door maintenance checks regularly:

    Starting with a safety check, place a large paper towel roll under the door and hit the switch. It should reverse immediately upon contact. If it crushes the towel, then your door requires immediate service for safety. If you don’t have experience fixing garage doors, your best bet is to contact a professional to assess the situation. While you may consider taking your car out to run errands, note that the crushed towel method is a tell-tale sign that your garage door is a disaster waiting to happen. 

    After the towel check, examine all the various parts of the door: rollers, track, spring, hinges, panel, etc. Fortunately, you don’t need to be particularly knowledgeable to notice an obvious problem. Rusted, corrosion, damaged cables, loose or worn parts – these are all things that need to be addressed sooner rather than later. 

    Garage Door Off Track? 

    You can also balance check the door by disabling the automatic opener and operating the door by hand. It should open and close fluidly. Another maintenance tip is to open your ears for any sounds that can be heard while you open your door beyond the general “whrrr”. If you hear a rubbing or stuttering sound, or anything out of the ordinary, there’s a chance your garage door has jumped off track. This is a common issue with garage doors after general use over the years. Get on top of this as soon as possible, as the last thing you want is the sound getting louder, and the garage door getting jammed. 

    When It’s Time To Get An Expert

    Remember, the door on your garage has plenty of moving metal parts. For most homeowners, maintaining a garage door simply means keeping an eye out for potential issues, not solving them themselves. As tempting as it might be to play hero, the garage door can weigh hundreds of pounds and requites a litany of experience to master. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, ask for help! There are experts and professionals on standby 24/7 to ensure your garage door is working as intended. 

  • How Often Does Your Garage Door Require Maintenance?

    The Benefits of Frequent Garage Door Inspections

    Regular maintenance of your garage door is essential for maintaining its safety and functionality. It can be tempting to put off routine checks, but procrastinating on these important tasks can lead to dangerous situations. By committing to periodic inspections and tune-ups, you can catch and rectify issues early. This ensures the safety of your family and the longevity of your door.

    Now, how often should you inspect your overhead door? While specific needs can vary, a generally recommended maintenance schedule includes monthly inspections and biannual tune-ups to keep everything in tip-top shape. During these monthly inspections, it’s important to look for any signs of wear and tear such as frayed cables, rusty springs, or misaligned tracks. Additionally, checking the balance of the door and testing safety features like the auto-reverse mechanism are crucial for preventing accidents.

    Biannual tune-ups should be more comprehensive. They typically involve the lubrication of moving parts, tightening of bolts and hinges, and the replacement of worn or damaged components. These preventive measures not only ensure smooth and efficient operation but also extend the lifespan of your garage door. A little elbow grease will save you from costly garage door repairs or even replacement in the future.

    While DIY maintenance can be effective, it’s advisable to also have your garage door professionally serviced at least once a year. A professional technician can provide a more thorough inspection and might catch issues that could be easily overlooked otherwise. This annual check-up can be pivotal in maintaining your garage door’s integrity and functionality over the years. By staying proactive with these scheduled maintenance tasks, you contribute significantly to the safety and efficiency of your home’s primary access point. The most important part of all this is to make regular inspections a habit.

    Maintenance Is an Easy Way to Prevent Further Headaches

    Don’t wait for an accident to happen. Make it a routine to regularly examine your door and it’ll pay off in the long run. By making it a routine to examine your garage door, you can stay ahead of potential problems. Avoid costly repairs or, worse, accidents down the line. Prioritizing the maintenance and safety of your overhead door will pay off in the long run. Keeping up with your garage maintenance will provide both peace of mind and a well-functioning door that you can rely on.