El Dorado Hills Garage Door Repair

Tag: garage door off track

  • Important Things to Check to Diagnose Your Noisy Garage Door

    • Lubricate all moving parts: Look at the infrastructure of your garage door and identify the moving parts, like the rollers, trolley carriage, hinges and springs. Any time you have metal moving against metal, it needs to be lubricated every so often to lessen friction and slow the degradation of the metal. There’s nothing wrong with using WD-40 for this, but there are petroleum-based lubricants that are specifically for garage doors as well. (Note: Never use a petroleum-based lubricant on your rollers if they are nylon- it will break them down faster.)
    • Identify any rusted, bent or degrading parts: As you move around your garage door lubricating things, it should be easy to spot any places there may be rust or degradation of the metal, like the hinges, springs or rollers. If a part is looking worn, you should have it replaced before it becomes a larger issue.
    • Check the garage door’s springs: Specifically, see if the springs are rusted, stretched out or bent. If your garage door makes noise or seems to hit the ground really hard when you close it, you likely need your springs replaced. This is not only a damage hazard to your door but a safety hazard to you as well.

    Whatever your issues end up being, make sure that from now on you regularly check, lubricate and maintenance your garage door and all its parts to keep it running smoothly for a long time. And as always, call us at EDH-Serrano Garage Door Repair with any questions, concerns or repair needs! We are the best garage door repair service in the El Dorado Hills area and we pride ourselves on making your garage door repair or replacement experience as quick and easy as possible!

  • 4 Tricks to Protect Your Garage & Save on Repair Costs

    Broken garage doors are no fun. Sometimes the repair is easy and doesn’t cost much — you may even be able to do it yourself. Other times the issue is more expensive and you’ll need to hire a professional door repair service. Considering how many times you use a garage door — 3 times a day on average, over 1,000 times a year, it’s going to break down eventually. But there are things you can do — regular maintenance, inspection, and best practices that will help keep repairs at a minimum so you can save on costs.

    Perform Scheduled Maintenance

    There are a few simple DIY repairs you should be doing to your garage door on a regular basis. This includes tightening up any loose bolts and oiling the chain and all movable parts. But don’t use WD40 — this can cause your door to prematurely rust. Use an approved garage door lubricant. Apply it on with a brush to get into all the nooks and crannies. Wipe up any excess oil with a towel to avoid stains. You can also check to see if the door is properly balanced, as well as if there’s anything wrong with your garage door springs – though don’t repair those yourself. Also take note of any components that happen to have rust, they’ll need to be replaced sooner rather than later. If you don’t feel comfortable performing these repairs, hire a repair company for annual inspections. 

    Keep Your Door Track Clear

    You’d be surprised how many calls we get on mishaps caused by something getting caught in a track — say the handle or a broom or a hockey stick. Even beyond that, dust, grime, pebbles, and other obstructions can get lodged in. It’s easy for a garage to get out of hand. Make sure to keep all storage items away from the door and spend time ensuring the area is clean It’s too easy for things to get caught and cause serious damage. In fact, that’s one of the most common reasons we’ve had to replace a garage door track. 

    Inspect Your Rollers

    As you use your garage door, your rollers will eventually wear out. You might not even realize that your rollers are damaged until you need to conduct a repair, like a garage door going off track. If a roller breaks, your garage door probably won’t open or will give you serious issues that you can’t ignore. It’s as simple as that. Fortunately, you can usually see a bad roller starting to break down if you know what to look for. Carefully inspect your rollers from time to time and look for any brittleness or cracking. If something concerns you, call a professional to have it replaced. If you try to fix your rollers while your door is off track or not closing, you could potentially damage the door even further. 

    Don’t Put Off Repairs

    Garage door repairs are like teeth problems — the longer you put them off, the more expensive they’ll get. Call a professional for a closer inspection. Some issues — like a garage door off track — can cause expensive damage if you don’t fix them  quickly. Not to mention how prolonging garage door repairs can pose a significant security or safety risk. It would be unfortunate for your door to slam on your cas you’re backing out, or for your door to be stuck open, inviting nefarious individuals to invade your home. Be pragmatic and get your repairs done as soon as possible.

  • DIY Garage Door Repair 101: 6 Easy Solutions to Common Garage Door Problems

    Most of the time, your garage door works like a dream — you never have to think about it. But stuff happens — you hit the track with the car or mower, the door stops opening, your door starts to warp. That’s when you need garage door repair — whether DIY or from a professional. Here’s what to do if you damage your garage door.

    Most garage door problems have fairly simple causes — and simple solutions you might even be able to do yourself. Let’s break them down.

    Springs Break

    Springs only have so much life in them — usually about 10,000 lifecycles, the number of times a door can go up and down before a spring needs replace. But since most homeowners open their doors an average of three times a day, you’ll probably need to replace your garage door springs every 3 years. This, however, is not a DIY garage door repair. Those springs are under incredible tension and can cause serious injury. Always hire a professional for this repair.

    Photo Eye Problems

    Legally required on all doors installed after 1993, the photo eye is the disc on the outside walls at the bottom of your door that send a signal to each other if an obstruction is in the way — say a bike, a running kid or pet. Occasionally they can become misaligned, dirty, or blinded by the sun. Fixing these is fairly easy. You can clean the eyes, reposition them, shade them from the sun, etc.

    Wear & Tear

    Garage doors are like anything else — use them enough, and they’ll start to break down. Rollers wear out. Springs break, rust, or slacken. Garage door bottom seals break and need repaired or replaced.

    Beware of an Overpacked Garage

    Many of us use our garage doors for storage — but before we know it, this can get out of hand. If your garage becomes too cramped tight with stuff, it’s easy for boxes, tools, and sports equipment to get in the way of the door. This can cause damage to the door — or simply cause your door to quit working because an obstruction sets off the automatic stop in the photo eyes.

    Door Off Track

    One common problem with garage doors is when the door comes off track. This can be caused by a track that not exactly straight because the fastening hinges have loosened. The important thing is to stop using the garage door as soon as it comes off track. You can usually reposition the door back on the track by bending the track open with pliers and realigning the track. It’s important to reposition the connecting braces so the track is horizontal — preventing the problem from happening again.

    You’ve Hit Something

    Let’s admit it — you’re not your brightest at 6 a.m. Backing out of the garage, it’s easy to hit something — the garage wall, the track, or a door that hasn’t fully opened. It happens. If you have homeowner’s insurance, the damage is typically covered by your policy. If the damage was caused by someone else — say a friend or family member who’s not part of the household — it’s likely covered under their car insurance. Talk to a insurance agent for further details on coverage.

  • 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.

  • The Dangers of a Garage Door Off Track

    Watch Out for a Stuck and Crooked Garage Door

    We only truly appreciate the importance of a garage door once it breaks down. Though they’re probably one of the most well-made parts of your home, a garage door is prone to occasional repairs. One of the most common issues you’ll likely come across as a homeowner is a jammed overhead door.  

    What To Do If Your Door Becomes Stuck

    If your door suddenly jams and appears stuck in a crooked position – don’t mess with it! One of the first instincts of people in this situation is to try and force the door closed but this is not only dangerous, it could make the problem even worse. Your door has likely veered off track, which could have happened for a number of reasons. This is one of the most common repairs — and should be treated like a repair by a certified expert.  

    Do not touch the door. If you decide to yank the door, there’s a high chance the entire door could come crashing down on you. Garage doors are extremely heavy and should they topple onto you, you’re looking at severe injuries. It’s not worth messing with.

    If you don’t have a garage door repair service you’ve previously used, head online and find a local repair expert who can come as soon as possible. Garage doors never break down during convenient times, so it’s extremely likely that you need emergency repair. If your car is inside the garage, cancel whatever plans you had for the day and wait for an expert to remedy the situation.   

  • What’s the Difference Between Torsion and Extension Springs?

    Your average garage door is made up of dozens of parts that work in unison so you don’t have to manually lift it. One of the most important parts of your door – and most dangerous – is the spring. Without it, your automatic overhead door opener would be rendered useless. If you’re interested in learning more about your door, it’s important to pay strict attention to the garage door springs. 

    Garage Torsion vs. Extension Springs

    The majority of overhead garage doors use a counterbalance system with a spring. Without a spring, your door would be incredibly heavy and difficult to operate. The two types of springs used are torsion and extension.

    Extension springs are the oldest design and typically 2 of them are required to the balance the door. They work by contracting and expanding during operation.

    Torsion springs are a superior design and usually, only 1 is needed to operate your door. Instead of expanding, garage door torsion springs actually turn.

    When it comes down to it, torsion springs are superior in every possible way. There’s little reason to choose extension nowadays. Torsion is better because:

    1) They last much longer. Extension springs tend to last about 10,000 cycles whereas high-end torsion springs can last up to 100,000 cycles. The longer torsion springs last for your door, the less likely you’ll end up spending on repairs. Repairs involving garage door springs can get quite costly, so It’s prudent to take the step in upgrading your extension springs. 

    2) In the event of a broken garage door spring, torsion is much safer. There have been reports of extension springs launching through walls, windshields, and even injuring bystanders.

    3) The sudden jerking motions caused by extension can lead to a garage door off track, which is another costly repair. Torsion stabilizes the operation of your door so you don’t have to worry about your door veering off track. 

    We recommend everyone consider switching to torsion style springs for their garages. It’s a small upgrade that could potentially save you money and your life. 

    A Reminder on Spring Safety

    At EDH-Serrano, when we discuss springs, we always like to remind everyone that they can be extremely dangerous. Never place body parts in or around springs. They’re under heavy tension and should they be recklessly tampered with, it’s extremely like that your door could break or crash, resulting in a pricey garage door repair. Also, springs have been known to cause death and dismemberment, so be extra cautious if you’re a novice. Should you want to upgrade your door’s springs, it’s key to contact a company that specializes in spring repair. They’ll walk you through the necessary info needed to purchase torsion springs for your door and will install it swiftly.