Extending the Life of Your Garage Door

Every garage door has a life cycle. How long you have your garage door will be determined by many different factors, which we have highlighted in this article. A single garage door has many different parts. More parts than you probably even realize. A garage door that is kept in good condition will generally last for up to 30 years and possibly longer. Your garage door opener, on the other hand, will only last for about 10 years. The amount of years is not definite, just approximate. This is because the life of your garage door opener also depends on various factors. It depends on how much maintenance you receive and how frequently your garage door is used. It also depends on the quality of the type of garage door you have, its parts and accessories. Finally, the length of time that you have your garage door could also depend on how well it was installed and the type of garage door you have.

Maintenance of Your Garage Door

The objective of caring for your garage door on a regular basis is to ensure the safety of everyone who is using it. Today, everyone lives very busy lives and this is one of the things in our lives that we can’t afford to break down on us or to begin to become problematic. We just want to be able to safely get in and out of our garage without incident. If you start to have problems with your garage door, it may require costly repairs and possibly a new garage door. At Complete Garage Door Repair in East Point, GA, we are often called upon to assist with the maintenance of garage doors. If you’re not having your garage door properly maintained, it could be costly to have all of the repairs made at one time. If you have your house on the market and the potential buyers experience a problem with the functioning of the garage door, this may turn them off to purchasing your home. They may begin to consider the idea of needing to have a new garage door installed or possibly the cost that they would incur to have garage door repairs made. The curb appeal that your garage door has could also impact the way others see it. A person wouldn’t need an appraisal to see whether or not your garage door is being properly maintained. You benefit from routine garage door maintenance because it means that you’ll have a fully functional garage door for longer. It also means that you will likely be able to sell your home sooner. There are lots of reasons for keeping up the maintenance of your garage door but one of the greatest benefits is that you are able to keep the same garage door for long.

Garage Door and Appliances

Just like the many appliances that you use on a regular basis require some maintenance, so does your garage door. Your refrigerator needs to be cleaned on occasion to make sure that ice doesn’t build up and that the parts continue working correctly. The same would apply to your garage door. Since it is considered the biggest piece of equipment in your home, it requires regular maintenance. Below are a few helpful tips for keeping up the maintenance of your garage door.

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Complete Garage Door Repair in East Point, GA: Identifying Garage Door Spring Issues

The garage door is an important part of your property. Chances are, you are using it at least twice daily, every time you leave for, and return from, work. A garage door is made up of dozens of parts – and each one of them is important. People know about the opener, the remote controls, the motors, sensors and various rollers. However, few people realize how important the springs are. And even fewer realize that the springs actually carry the entire weight of the garage door. This means that these parts are under a lot of stress every time you open or close the door. Even though garage door springs are designed to operate many thousands of cycles, they eventually break. Let’s take a look at the types of springs you can find on your door and how you can figure out if they are having a problem.

Importance of Garage Door Springs

As you may already be aware, a garage door – especially a metal one – is quite heavy. The opener would not be able to lift it by itself. In many cases, you would not be able to manually open or close the door either. This is what garage door springs are for; they help lift and lower the door every time you use the remote. If one or both springs get damaged, you will start to experience serious problems with the garage door. It will have trouble opening or closing and, in the worst case scenario, it will stop working altogether. Problems with garage door springs must be addressed immediately. And be very careful; springs are very dangerous for people who don’t have experience working with them.

The Types of Garage Door Springs

There are two types of garage door springs: torsion springs and extension springs. Torsion springs are usually located above the door and are generally used for heavy garage doors – such as metal doors. Extension springs are located on the walls on the sides of the door. Extension springs are not designed for heavy garage doors in general. Also, extension springs have safety cables running through them. Both types of springs are quite durable, but they do eventually break. A pair of garage door springs can last for 7 to 12 years without having any problems. However, it depends on how much you use your garage door, of course. Also, you can prolong the life of your springs by lubricating them properly and servicing the garage door periodically. Keep in mind that other parts of the garage door may malfunction and place undue stress on the springs, causing them to fail prematurely. This is why maintaining your garage door using the services of an expert garage door specialist is very important. However, you need to accept the fact that the garage door springs will break at some point in time, no matter how much care you invest into them. So, let’s see how you can find out if the springs are causing you problems.

How to Identify If the Springs Are Faulty

The first sign that your garage door springs are damaged is the fact that the door can no longer open properly. It may even stop opening entirely. To make sure that the springs are at fault, all you have to do is to perform a quick inspection. In most cases, damaged springs can be identified during a visual inspection of the parts.

Look carefully at the springs to see if they are worn out. Also, look carefully to see if there are any separations in the springs. The springs must not be elongated or stretched if they are in working order. Even if the springs appear fine at first glance, don’t rule them out just yet.

Try to open the door manually. Close the garage door and disconnect the automatic garage door opener. Then, attempt to lift the door manually. The door should lift relatively easily and should remain open if the springs are in working order. If you encounter a lot of resistance and the door tends to slide back down, the springs are usually the main causes.

Another test you can perform is the force setting test. Open the door and then use the wall button or the remote to command the door to close. As it closes, attempt to hold the bottom of the garage door with both hands and prevent it from closing. The door should immediately sense resistance and reverse – this is a safety feature. If the door continues to close, the safety mechanism or the springs are having a problem. Needless to say, you need to remove your hands from underneath the door immediately if the door does not stop and does not reverse.

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Complete Garage Door Repair in East Point, GA: Identifying Garage Door Spring Issues

The garage door is an important part of your property. Chances are, you are using it at least twice daily, every time you leave for, and return from, work. A garage door is made up of dozens of parts – and each one of them is important. People know about the opener, the remote controls, the motors, sensors and various rollers. However, few people realize how important the springs are. And even fewer realize that the springs actually carry the entire weight of the garage door. This means that these parts are under a lot of stress every time you open or close the door. Even though garage door springs are designed to operate many thousands of cycles, they eventually break. Let’s take a look at the types of springs you can find on your door and how you can figure out if they are having a problem.

Importance of Garage Door Springs

As you may already be aware, a garage door – especially a metal one – is quite heavy. The opener would not be able to lift it by itself. In many cases, you would not be able to manually open or close the door either. This is what garage door springs are for; they help lift and lower the door every time you use the remote. If one or both springs get damaged, you will start to experience serious problems with the garage door. It will have trouble opening or closing and, in the worst case scenario, it will stop working altogether. Problems with garage door springs must be addressed immediately. And be very careful; springs are very dangerous for people who don’t have experience working with them.

The Types of Garage Door Springs

There are two types of garage door springs: torsion springs and extension springs. Torsion springs are usually located above the door and are generally used for heavy garage doors – such as metal doors. Extension springs are located on the walls on the sides of the door. Extension springs are not designed for heavy garage doors in general. Also, extension springs have safety cables running through them. Both types of springs are quite durable, but they do eventually break. A pair of garage door springs can last for 7 to 12 years without having any problems. However, it depends on how much you use your garage door, of course. Also, you can prolong the life of your springs by lubricating them properly and servicing the garage door periodically. Keep in mind that other parts of the garage door may malfunction and place undue stress on the springs, causing them to fail prematurely. This is why maintaining your garage door using the services of an expert garage door specialist is very important. However, you need to accept the fact that the garage door springs will break at some point in time, no matter how much care you invest into them. So, let’s see how you can find out if the springs are causing you problems. 

How to Identify If the Springs Are Faulty

The first sign that your garage door springs are damaged is the fact that the door can no longer open properly. It may even stop opening entirely. To make sure that the springs are at fault, all you have to do is to perform a quick inspection. In most cases, damaged springs can be identified during a visual inspection of the parts.

Look carefully at the springs to see if they are worn out. Also, look carefully to see if there are any separations in the springs. The springs must not be elongated or stretched if they are in working order. Even if the springs appear fine at first glance, don’t rule them out just yet.

Try to open the door manually. Close the garage door and disconnect the automatic garage door opener. Then, attempt to lift the door manually. The door should lift relatively easily and should remain open if the springs are in working order. If you encounter a lot of resistance and the door tends to slide back down, the springs are usually the main causes.

Another test you can perform is the force setting test. Open the door and then use the wall button or the remote to command the door to close. As it closes, attempt to hold the bottom of the garage door with both hands and prevent it from closing. The door should immediately sense resistance and reverse – this is a safety feature. If the door continues to close, the safety mechanism or the springs are having a problem. Needless to say, you need to remove your hands from underneath the door immediately if the door does not stop and does not reverse. 

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Why Your Garage Door Is Opening/Closing On Its Own

If your garage door is driving you crazy because it keeps opening and closing on its own, this can be extremely frustrating. At Complete Garage Door Repair in East Point, GA, we have helped hundreds of our customers get to the bottom of their garage door problems. There are a couple of things that can be done to stop the door from performing in this manner.

Circuit Board or Wiring

If there is a problem with the circuit board or wiring, you may experience a problem with your garage door opening and closing. If it involves the wiring, the garage door opener will have to be reprogrammed or it might require a new fuse.

Sensors

There are sensors located at either side of the garage door toward the lower part of the door. If there is something that is obstructing the sensors, it will cause your garage door to come down and go right back up again. It could be something as simple as a spider web or the safety latch hanging too low that could cause this problem.

Impact of a Problematic Garage Door

When you don’t know when your garage door is going to open or close on you, it can be very problematic. Suppose you are pulling and your garage door hasn’t completely gone all the way up. If you begin driving in, the door may come down on top of your car. This scenario is all too common. If this were to happen, it could be dangerous to everyone in the car.

If your using tools and equipment that you store inside your garage, you may be outdoors performing yard work. If you need something that you left inside your garage, suppose it shuts as you’re approaching. You may find it inconvenient to have to go inside and open the door again. It could be even worse if you are going inside and then the door suddenly comes down on top of you. Sensors are a protection but again, if there is something blocking them, they won’t do you much good in this situation. Prior to sensors being installed and other safety features, garage doors were often the reason so many small children were admitted to the hospital due to the door falling on them. Since they have been installed, there are fewer incidences involving small children and garage doors.

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WHEN YOUR GARAGE DOOR OPENER STOPS WORKING, DON’T WORRY. HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO!

If your garage door opener goes on the fritz, there are a number of causes for your difficulties. Some are simple, and some are complicated. Let’s look at some possibilities and solutions.

 Problems That Are Simple

Does the garage door opener run, yet the garage door still won’t open? If a power failure happens, your garage door opener comes with a disconnect switch, which allows you to close or open the garage door manually. In general, this switch is attached to a knob or rope, and it can come unhooked accidently. Open or close the garage door all the way, and then securely reattach the hook. Now, with the transmitter, try opening or shutting the door again, and it ought to work.

Is your garage door stuck open, and won’t shut? It’s likely that the photo eye sensors are out of alignment. Your garage door has a photo eye on both sides, and between them is an invisible beam, which, when it’s broken, keeps the garage door from closing. See whether they’re misaligned or grimy. On most styles and brands of sensors, if the light’s blinking, something is really wrong. Or, if you have a sensor with green and red lights, the red one is often the indicator that it’s malfunction.

Another possibility is the wiring. Examine the connections to see whether the wires are loose or corroded. There may be a short, which can sometimes be caused by a staple that was initially used in the process of installation; vibrations over the years can eventually result in a disconnection. Or, a disconnection will result from the wires becoming stretched.

Does the garage door not open using the remote? There are few causes for this, easy to repair yourself.

1. You shouldreplace or charge the batter
2. Youcould be too far out of range.
3. Thegarage door motor’s antenna is damaged somehow or blocked from the signal.
4. The remotehas to be reprogramm

Does the garage door opener run for several seconds, then turn off? If the garage door still won’t move when your garage door is closed, you’ll probably see that the door motor is trying and failing to lift the door up. First, inspect the springs. If they’re not broken, see whether the track is blocked by a minute obstacle or some grime. If neither of these is the issue, then see whether your garage door is the type that has a built-in lock, because it may be engaging inadvertently. This often occurs with older garage doors.

Does the garage door go down all the way, yet open again? The open-and-shut limit settings of the garage door opener are out of order. The settings tell the opener how far the garage door should go before it’s totally closed. If it’s set too high, the door will land on the floor before the opener thinks it should, because it’s presuming that the door is touching an object in its path; then it will reverse automatically to keep from smashing it. Read your manual for instructions on how to reset the open-and-shut limits.

Check your power source. Maybe the transmitter batteries just need replacement. Or, the electrical outlet could be defective.

Does your garage door open and close at random? If your garage door is opening or shutting by itself, the transmitter might be stuck underneath an object pushing down on the control mechanism unintentionally. For instance, the transmitter may be stuck beneath an item you left in your car or somewhere else close by. You can also test the transmitter’s frequency; your neighbor may have the exact same frequency as yours.

Problems That Are More Complicated

 Does the garage door shut part of the way, then open again? Your garage door has a reversing mechanism to stop it from crushing an object in its path. The reversing instruction is triggered by any item on the ground in the garage door’s path, such as a bike, garbage can, box, or toy. Another likelihood is that there’s a buildup of debris on the garage door’s tracks ~ a tiny object or dirt ~ which will keep the rollers from moving. You’ll have to hire a garage door technician.

Does your garage door slam down with a loud bang? In all likelihood, your spring is broken, which is needed to counter the door’s weight. Or, the cables are broken. Either way, this is hazardous. It’s time to call an expert.

The garage door track might be out of alignment. If the track isn’t aligned, it’s not going to move. Look for gaps between the rail and rollers, or bends in the rails. The considerable weight of your garage door will ultimately compound these problems. This is serious. Before your garage door becomes dangerous, contact a professional.

If your garage door still won’t budge, a spring, or maybe both springs, are broken, and will need replacement or repair. You need to track down a garage door repair specialist.

DON’T EVER adjust the garage door by yourself! If you don’t get your garage door serviced professionally, the springs can cause injury, and even death. Don’t take any risks! The garage door drums, cables, and bottom brackets also may need adjusting. Consult with a trustworthy local garage door repair technician.

Take Preventative Measures

Garage door maintenance is worth the minimal time and effort you have to put into it. Keep your garage door in first-rate condition, and it will last a very long time.

Schedule an annual inspection with a reliable local garage door repair company. Wires, springs, pulleys, and cables all call for professional attention.

Every year, before winter arrives, lubricate the springs, rollers, and hinges. Without lubrication, the springs will rust and the coils will bind, costing you a lot in the long run. Prevent this from happening by using a top brand, so it won’t dry out. A light coating is all that’s required.

Once a month, take a close look at the components of your garage door system. Tighten loose bolts. Replace worn parts. If you notice any strange noises when the garage door opens and shuts, a garage door technician is needed.

If you live in East Point, Georgia, find a reputable garage door repair company you can count on, such as Complete Garage Door Repair.

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Here are some good reasons to replace your old garage door opener

Does your garage door opener look like something used by Fred Flintstone? Do you have to go through all sorts of contortions with your opener to finally get your door to open or close? Then here are some good reasons that make you think seriously about changing your old garage door opener.

First of all, some facts

To start, it is good to take note of some everyday realities concerning garage doors that often go unnoticed:

• • Did you know that almost 70% of people use their garage door as a point of access their house?
    • It may be when your kids leave for school in the morning or come home at the end of the day at times when you’re not around.
    • Sometimes it’s when you are doing outdoor work around the house.
    • If could be simply when parking your car.

• • Did you know that a garage door is the largest moving object in a home?
    • And that its inherent weight is considerable, even with a spring system that acts as a counterbalance to this mass.
    • This means that it’s your electric garage door opener that becomes the way to secure your safety, and that of your family, by controlling this immense object, day in and day out.

• If your old garage door opener uses a remote programmed with dip switches that you move up and down into +, 0 and – positions, then it is missing a second automatic reversal system, one based on photoelectric sensors (UL 325 standard).
  • Electric door openers manufactured before 1993 are also not equipped with a system to prevent the copying of the code of your remote.
  • In addition, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find replacement parts for these door openers as safety standards and manufacturing techniques have changed significantly.

So then, what is out there on the garage door opener market today?

Electric garage door openers have come a long way since 1993. They provide more safety and, since 2014, they come with the latest technology in regards to intercommunication.

• • Safety comes first
    • Since 1993, it has been mandatory for garage door openers to come with two automatic reversal systems. The first one is mechanical and the second is based on photoelectric eyes. For the first, if it is adjusted correctly, when the bottom of the descending edge touches an object or person, the door must reverse automatically. In the case of the second, it consists of two units installed on each side of the door with an invisible light beam being sent across the threshold of the door, a similar technology to that used to open entry doors on supermarkets. If a person or an object breaks the beam as the door descends, it automatically reverses direction.
    • Starting in 1996, garage door openers have used what is called “rolling code” protection in their operation. This system, called Security+ by LiftMaster (or Chamberlain’s labels), stops anyone from stealing the communication code between your remote (the transmitter) and the opener motor (the receiver). How does it work? It’s simple. Each time you use your remote, it automatically changes its access code. There are more than a billion possible codes thus making it impossible for someone to pick up your signal and get into your garage with a stolen code.
    • If you live in an area where power outages happen more often than you’d like, be aware that you can equip your door opener with a backup battery.

 

• • Quieter than ever
    • Instead of door openers using a chain drive (or a combination of chain and steel cable), there are door openers equipped with a rubber belt reinforced with metal fibers, like used for manufacturing tires. As you might imagine, this choice is much quieter, and is definitely preferred if you have a bedroom over the garage.
    • Another new development that has been added in recent years is DC-type motors for door openers instead of the AC-type we were normally used to. This follows the European trend where manufacturers use DCmotors for reliability and quietness. With AC motors, there is a jarring jerk when the door begins moving versus DC motors that start slowly, increase to regular speed, then slow before stopping to prevent the door from slamming.

• Increasingly “intelligent”
  • Since 2014, LiftMaster has offered its MyQ® technology – its contribution to Internet connectivity – which allows you to open and close your garage door from your smartphone, tablet or laptop, no matter where you are in the world
  • It is also possible to get email or text alerts informing you if someone is using your garage door, or if you had forgotten to close it earlier for whatever reason.
  • Tied into these functions is the ability for you to operate your door long distance and allow someone you have confidence in to access your garage via the garage door.

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Garage Door Opener Troubleshooting Tips

Garage doors are without a doubt a valuable addition to any type of home. Nevertheless they are also vulnerable to damage from the elements. With regard to this, one component that is commonly affected is the garage door opener. It is however never a good idea to call a technician each time there’s a little squeaking or issue. That may lead to a waste of money and time. There are some minor repairs you can handle on your own; however you must also remember that some tasks are best done by the professionals. This article offers some troubleshooting tips for typical garage door opener issues.

To be able to troubleshoot garage door problems, you need to understand the various components that the system is made up of as well as how the system really works. The garage door device comprises of transmitters, wiring, sensors, tracks, remote control, motor, rollers, door, chains, and so forth. A garage door has a very simple mechanism. The motor rotates clockwise to open the garage door. Then the limit switches causes the motor to rotate counter-clockwise, which results in the door closing. The limit switches are configured to accurately regulate the door’s opening and closing. The chains transfer the rotational motion into mechanical energy, which results in the door opening. Below are the common issues that homeowners may encounter.

• • Garage Door Remote Control Does Not Work

If you can open your door using the interior button, however cannot do so using the remote control, then the issue certainly lies with the door’s remote control. First, change the batteries to see if that will solve the problem. If that does not work, examine the program. Study the instruction codes provided by the manufacturer and then reprogram it. If the problem persists, buy a new remote because the remote itself may possibly have a defect.

• • Garage Door Closes and Opens by itself

If your door starts to open and close by itself, then chances are that there is a short circuit within the transmitters or within the wiring. First, look for the short circuit within the transmitter. The transmitter will send continuous signals when it has a short circuit. The garage door will seem to close completely, however once the carriage and arm run go beyond the down limit and strike the header, the door starts to open due to reversal in action. Remove the batteries from the transmitters and then try again. If the issue is not resolved, it means the wiring has a short circuit somewhere and it needs to be replaced.

• • The Garage door opener makes whirring, scrapping or grinding sounds during operation

The sounds may be an indication of a number of issues connected to a variety of components in the system. These noises can be caused by problems with motors, wheel tracks or the gears. Thus, if you’re not exactly certain regarding the cause of the problem, hire an expert to examine your door instead of fiddling with the entire device.

Nevertheless, at times you might be able to solve the problem by lubricating some of the rollers or hinges. You can prevent this problem from occurring through regular application of low viscosity oil to these components. At times, springs can groan and squeak due to constant use. Even though there is no test to determine how long the springs will last, you can be sure that your garage door will not fall while open as a result of malfunctioning springs. This is because there’s no tension on the spring when the garage door is raised. One simple way to determine if your garage door opener springs are in good condition is to disengage the opener and manually raise the door. Your springs are fine if you can perform this task with little or no difficulty.

• • Garage door will not open

What if your garage door fails to open even after the interior button is pushed? For this problem, you’ll have to ensure that the opener is appropriately powered and that the motor is functioning. Check to see if tracks have debris on them which might be obstructing the movement of the door. If everything appears to be fine and still the problem is not resolved, then you should consider getting professional assistance. Your garage door opener has a fault and it may require some repair work.

• • Garage door does not close after opening

A door that will not close after opening can easily be fixed by giving the photo eye a thorough cleaning. The photo eye is situated on the floor close to the door. If the eye is covered by debris, the mechanism can be fooled into thinking that there are items beneath the door. When this occurs, your garage door will fail to close as a safety measure. If you find that the photo eye is not obstructed by debris, get in touch with an expert garage door repair technician within your locality. The photo eye might be misaligned or defective.

• • The garage door opener makes a grinding sound however the door does not move

If your garage door opener makes a grinding sound however the door does not move, then chances are that the main drive gear (the plastic gear which connects directly with the worm drive gear on top of the motor) is defective. The main drive gear is the component that most often fails on most garage door openers.

To solve this problem, you will need to replace the damaged main gear drive. There are a number of components that you have to remove before you can reach the damaged gear. Follow the instructions in your owner manual to perform this task. Make sure you lubricate it properly when you are done.

Even though there are several other problems that can be encountered with the various garage door openers, the ones mentioned in this article are the most common, also these problems can easily be fixed. Always remember that the best method to prevent problems is to carryout proper scheduled maintenance.

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