El Dorado Hills Garage Door Repair

Tag: garage door springs

  • Common Garage Door Parts that May Need Replacement

    Garage doors are actually fairly complicated pieces of machinery, with a lot of moving parts. Though with care and regular maintenance they can last many years without issue, there are some common failure points that should be inspected somewhat regularly, especially when strange noises and other outside-the-norm behavior starts cropping up. Let’s take a look at some of the common culprits for garage door issues:

    Springs Can Break – and They’re Dangerous

    Springs are under basically constant tension throughout the life of your garage door, so it’s no wonder they tend to be one of the first parts that need to be replaced. Worn-out springs tend to cause your garage door to open and close strangely, or, in the case of complete failures, cause it to close on its own. 

    Visual inspection is really all they need, make sure they don’t look stretched out or bent, but also make note of any “off” sounds occurring when opening and closing. All these can be signs of it nearing the time for a replacement.

    Sensors – Clean or Replace

    Call the “photo eye unit”, these sensors are what stop modern garage doors from closing on any obstructions, including people. Good practice is to clean them fairly regularly and make sure nothing is blocking their path. However, if your garage door is closing partially and then opening back up, or you have caught it trying to close down on something in its path, you should consider a replacement to avoid any potential accidents.

    Lube Garage Door Rollers for a Smooth Ride

    Rollers are probably the most common cause of a “noisy” garage door. They can be maintained with regular cleaning and a bit of silicone lubricant. Don’t use WD-40, as it may help in the short term, but it is a degreaser and your rollers need a bit to operate properly. Broken rollers are usually fairly obvious to diagnose, causing noisy and shaky openings and closings.

    Tracks

    Tracks likely do not break on their own, but the problem is if one of the aforementioned issues has occurred then the garage door may not be aligned exactly properly, which then can cause damage to the tracks themselves.

     If your garage door is getting stuck or seems to not be closing quite properly, especially after a previous issue, your tracks may need to be taken a look at. Regular inspections help here as well and note any bends or cracks in their structure.

    Call A Pro When You’re in Doubt

    Often it can be difficult to diagnose all the parts at work in garage doors on your own. If you’ve checked all these parts out and are still facing issues, it’s probably best to call a professional repair service that has the experience, tools, and parts needed to get things back in working order.

  • Know Your Garage Door Inside and Out 

    If you have a garage door, chances are that it’s broken once or twice over the last few years. With a quick call to a garage door repair company, it was likely fixed within a few hours. You really don’t pay attention to overhead doors until something goes wrong. And when things do go wrong, it can make life difficult. If your garage door is giving you persistent issues, it can be worthwhile to learn about key parts that can impact the entire system. The average overhead door is made up of dozens of parts, all of which work together to create a seamless experience. 

    But not all garage door parts are created equal. Some are far more important than others. While you can always replace hinges and tighten down loose nuts and bolts, there are a few that parts that just can’t be easily replaced or repaired. Read on to find out more about your overhead door and what you can do to maintain it. 

    The Garage Door Opener 

    The garage door opener is the most important part of your overhead door. It’s responsible for opening and closing the door automatically. When you push the button on your garage door opener, it sends a signal to the opener which then activates the door. The overhead garage door opener is connected to the door by a series of springs, pulleys, and cables. These parts work together to open and close the door in a swift manner. Because it works in tandem with the other key overhead door parts, should it malfunction, your door is essentially useless. Garage door opener repair is fairly easy and can take a professional anywhere between thirty minutes to two hours to complete. 

    Garage door opener replacement is also a quick installation and can have added benefits to your home’s security. Since the advent of smartphones, “smart” technology has been used to beef up otherwise simple door openers. In the last few years, homeowners have been able to use low-cost, energy efficient door openers that can be used via phone apps. They allow you to remotely open, close, and even lock the overhead door. Should you forget to lock or close the door, the app allows you to do so, hundreds of miles away with a push of a button. These apps come with a variety of different features, depending on the manufacturer and model you choose. It’s a simple upgrade that will pay dividends during an actual emergency. 

    Garage Door Springs

    The springs are the most important part of the door opener. They’re what provide the power to open and close the door. Without them, the overhead door opener wouldn’t be automatic. It’s important to note that garage door springs are also extremely dangerous if tampered with. Repairs and replacements should be only be handled by garage door repair companies. The reason is that garage door springs can snap, which can hurt you, and cause the overhead door to come crashing down. This sentiment extends to both types of springs: torsion springs and extension springs.

    Torsion springs are located above the door and they provide the power to open the door. Torsion springs rotate thanks to torque and require less energy to be used, meaning they’ll last far longer than their extension counterparts. Torsion springs are known to be quieter as well due to their rotation system. Beyond that, they’ll put less wear and tear on your door as they don’t vibrate, which will mean your overhead door should last long.  

    Extension springs are located on either side of the door and they help to balance the door as it opens and closes. These are cheaper than torsion springs because they wear out faster, as they expand and contract with each use. Because of their method of movement, they can create some noise and shake the door, which can shift things out of alignment. That being said, they’re still great springs and a worthwhile option if you have overhead door restraints. 

    Speak with the best garage door repair companies in your area about installing a two-spring system. Most households only have one spring attached to the overhead door. However, two springs can take the pressure off of each other, resulting in both doing the so-called “heavy lifting.” The added benefits are that your garage door springs will go through less wear and tear, which in turn will lead to smoother door operation. Plus: less repairs, which puts more money back into your pockets. 

    Garage Door Repair & Installation 

    By now you should know that the garage door opener and springs are some of the most important parts of the overhead door. Without them, we would still be lifting up doors like our grandparents. Because these garage door parts are so intricate (and dangerous), we should save time and effort by having garage door repair companies handle them. Working with professionals afford us the opportunity to not worry about things going wrong or getting damaged. It’s a simple investment for peace of mind. 

  • Keeping Your Garage Door Balanced

    Most homeowners use their garage door multiple times a day, which can add up to almost a thousand times per year. The door will naturally go through wear and tear, especially if it is not routinely maintained or repaired. One of the most common repairs that garage doors go through is doors being unbalanced. Your door can slide up or down without your control, which is more than just annoying – it’s a safety risk. If your garage door is unbalanced and has a mind of its own, it’s crucial to get it repaired. Not only does this comprise your garage door’s security, but it could also lead to further damage. 

    To understand why your garage door might be unbalanced, we’ll have to take a look at one of the most important components of the fixture. 

    Faulty Springs are a Common Culprit

    A crooked garage door is one sign of your door being off-balance, but the issue has more to do with whether the major components of your garage door are working in harmony. Your garage door springs are responsible for storing and releasing the energy that moves your garage door up and down. A malfunctioning or worn out spring is a common way garage doors are thrown out of whack. Observing how your door hangs when it is manually opened halfway will indicate whether the garage door is over-balanced or underbalanced. 

    If the door moves upward on its own, it is considered “overbalanced,” and tension needs to be released from the springs. If it falls down to the ground it is considered “underbalanced,” and the springs need to be tightened.Want to avoid future spring repairs? Ask your garage door repair company of choice to install a second spring to your door system. Adding a second spring will take the load off of the first, making your door operate more smoothly and mitigating the likelihood of an unbalanced door.  

    It should be noted that all repairs involving garage door springs should be done by experts. If your DIY garage door spring repair goes awry, you could damage the door and yourself in the process.  

    Avoid Future Repairs with Routine Balance Checks

    As mentioned, tightening or loosening springs is a job better left to professionals, but by routinely checking the balance of your door, you’ll be able to spot problems when they are small, less expensive, and easier to fix. If your door hangs crookedly when performing the balance test, it could mean only one of your garage door’s springs is causing trouble. It is still best to replace both at the same time, however. Replacing springs isn’t too hard on the pocketbook. This repair runs somewhere between $150 and $350 in the Sacramento area. You should check the balance of your door a few times a year, but you can expect your garage door springs to last around 10 years, or 10,000-20,000 cycles.

    When it comes to repairs, it’s important to seek out professional, licensed, and insured repair companies. Springing for the best garage door repair companies in your area will save you money and time in future repairs. Why? Because lowly repair services won’t be able to guarantee their work and are simply in the business of making a quick buck. Professional repair companies want to earn your money the right way. Your garage door is the largest entryway into your home and if it’s compromised, it poses a significant security risk. Do you really want unprofessional and uninsured companies working on your expensive garage door? Repair once and repair well.   

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.