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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The Hidden Benefits of Insulating Your Garage

Is it required that you insulate your garage? Not quite. Building standards are somewhat murky on the subject, even if some government organizations claim that common walls must have a certain level of R-value for houses with an attached garage. By the same token, a garage with rooms above it must have a minimum R-value on the ceiling, according to these same organizations. There are no requirements for the other walls or the garage door itself, while a detached garage has no R-value rules binding it at all.

So why bother? Well, comfort is a big part of it. If you’re a person who likes to work in your garage, having a humid or freezing space in which to work is no joy. And the warmth from space heaters would easily escape uninsulated walls.

Beyond that, there are hidden benefits to having your garage walls insulated. Let’s take a look at six of them.

That Garage Isn’t Just for Storage Anymore

 A nice, roomy garage need not be just a place to park your car or fill with old paint cans. Many amateur contractors and woodworkers use their garage as a workspace. Workout equipment can fit in there as well, or the kids can use it as a makeshift playroom where they don’t have to worry so much about breaking things.

None of those things would be as pleasant without a comfortable temperature level inside the garage. So insulating it will only inspire you to utilize it as much as possible.

The Creeping Cold Air

 Maybe you’re fortunate enough to have a door separating the house from the garage that’s insulated and features adequate weather-stripping. Yet every time you head out the door to enter your garage, all of the cold air quickly rushes in, which can cause quite a sudden chill. The same goes for a humid garage in the summer.

This is a two-way street. Any heat coming from the inside of the house won’t last very long in an icy garage without some insulation to act as a buffer.

Protecting The Plumbing and the Slumbering

 Perhaps you don’t spend enough time in your garage to worry about the temperature or humidity. But what if the garage is the location for your washer and dryer? That means plumbing is involved, and, as anyone who has ever been involved with them knows, frozen pipes are no fun at all.

Consider also a house where a bedroom sits above the garage. Again, an uninsulated garage will mean a lot of cold air seeping up into a room where someone is trying to sleep.

Keeping Rust at Bay

 If you’re storing your personal belongings or equipment in the garage, you’ll want them to stay as pristine as possible. Humidity is your enemy in that process, since it can lead to rust. Again, an insulated and heated garage will prevent against that.

Safety First

Many cars use remote starters, which can accidentally be activated from inside the house very easily. A car that’s started inside a garage will produce deadly carbon monoxide.

Although a carbon monoxide detector is the best way to keep safe in an instance like that, an insulated garage would help as well. It would keep the gas from easily spreading into the rooms of your home.

Quiet It Down

 Those amateur contractors mentioned above sometimes like to get the work started early on a weekend morning. Your neighbor who decided to sleep in might not be so thrilled with the buzzing and screeching of motorized tools blaring through the neighborhood (nor will the rest of your family inside the house.) If the walls of your garage are insulated, there is far less chance the sound will go far beyond those walls.

What About the Door?

 Remember that your garage door is essentially another wall. Those who insulate the walls to meet energy conservation requirements and leave the garage door unattended are only doing a portion of the necessary work.

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Winter Garage Door Maintenance Tips

This time of year, when you pull into your driveway, your number one goal is to get out of the cold and into your warm home as quickly as possible. That plan backfires, though, when you suddenly find your door won’t open. It’s annoying, yes, but it’s a pretty common occurrence during the winter months. When it gets really cold out, garage doors tend to stick for a variety of reasons. And when temperatures drop really low, the door may even freeze shut, leaving you standing out in the cold.

Your garage is a pretty important part of your home. You likely use it every day, and it keeps your car safe from inclement weather. When you leave for work in the morning or return home at the end of the day, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether your door will open or not. Fortunately, with a few simple maintenance steps, you can safeguard your garage door from cold-weather stress and keep it in tip-top condition, allowing you to come and go as you please.

Remove any gunk or grease build-up on the garage door track. As you use your door more and more, over time, debris can build on the track and rollers, which interferes with how easily it opens and closes. Eventually, your tracks may become so clogged that your garage door can’t open and close at all, which can be pretty inconvenient when temperatures reach those winter lows. If yours is snagged, this could be a likely culprit. Start from inside the garage, and use a cloth to wipe away and remove any grease build-up.

Lubricate all moving parts. Once you’ve cleaned the tracks, use regular grade machine oil (make sure to avoid heavy axle grease) to lubricate the rollers, track, hinges and bushings. These parts can stick and become stalled when it’s cold out, and the lubrication will help get those parts operating smoothly again. When you’re done, wipe away any excess oil to prevent more build-up. Your garage door should actually be cleaned and lubricated a few times a year, so getting into the practice now can only help you in the long run.

Wipe down the weather-stripping and look for cracks that need repairs. Since you use it every day, your garage door will see a lot of wear and tear over time. Weather-stripping at the bottom of the door can often crack after extended use, which can allow snow and ice inside your garage, thus causing the door to freeze shut. Take a cloth and wipe your stripping down so you can get a good look, and take note of any problem areas, and have an expert help with the repairs.

Those are just a few ways to winter-proof your garage door—if these don’t solve your problem, you may need to consult with an expert. If your garage door is malfunctioning, do not hesitate to contact the team at Garage Door Specialist for help. We’ll do our best to identify and fix your problem fast, so you don’t get left out in the cold.

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Damaged Garage Door Rollers

There is a variety of garage door rollers that come in different sizes, material and strength. The sizes of the rollers can be a 4.4 inch, 7.0 inch or a 9.5 inch depending on the size of the door. The different materials they can be made of are various types of nylon and metals. It is important to know what type of rollers to use in a garage door. If you use a roller that is too short the door can jump from the tracks while in motion and damage almost all the components of the door such as panels, hinges and the opener. The type of material that the roller is made of makes the difference in how quietly the garage door functions. A roller that is made primarily of nylon will make less noise than one made of mostly metal. This difference is purely for convenience but as per functionality the material the roller is made of makes little difference, both function the same.

A garage door roller can become damaged due to a few different reasons. One of the reasons is the lifetime of the material. The average roller lasts only a few years. After a few years the housing of the bearings becomes loose causing the bearing to jump from its place in turn the rollers will malfunction.

Another reason is the weight of your door. A garage door that is too heavy or just slightly heavier than it should be will deliver more pressure onto the bearings wearing down the rollers in a shorter amount of time.

Also, if your tracks are not straight it will cause the roller to become worn down unevenly.

A bad garage door roller does not always mean that it is totally broken. It can just be a non functioning roller. Most of the time the garage door rollers are damaged or bad you will hear a lot of scratching noise while the door is in operation. A damaged or bad garage door roller is not healthy for your garage door system or for other garage door components such as the tracks, the motor and the way the garage door functions.

I answered a service call today and the guy told me he was afraid to close his garage door because of the noise it made while opening. He was afraid to cause anymore damage and was really worried that the problem was serious because the noise was horrendous.

When I arrived at the house and took a look at the garage components I immediately noticed that one of his tracks was slightly bent. After further investigation I removed the bad roller and explained to the customer that the roller had become worn on one side causing the roller to become uneven.

The garage door was also an old fashioned top of the line hurricane proof door which are slightly heavier than the average door which causes the rollers to wear down sooner than there time to begin with.

The customer was extremely relieved to know that the problem was minor and I then proceeded to replace the rollers and repair the track.

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THE BEST GARAGE DOOR DESIGN TRENDS IN 2017

Garage door design has come a long way in the last several years! Today’s garage door designs are more interesting, higher quality, and much more varied so every homeowner is sure to find something that they love within their budget. If you are searching for a new garage door this year, take a look at some of the hottest trends for 2017 and see if any of these could be right for your property!

WHICH GARAGE DOOR DESIGN TRENDS DO YOU LOVE?

MORE AND BIGGER WINDOWS.

If Mass Garage Doors Expert has to pick one defining trend for garage door design in 2017, it would be windows. Today’s homeowners don’t want their garages to be dark, mysterious places. Instead, they want more windows and bigger windows on their garage doors. This allows natural light to flood the space and can make the garage more usable and friendly. Some homeowners are even opting for garage doors made entirely of frosted glass, giving them light, privacy, and an ultra-modern feel.

BOLD COLOR OPTIONS.

Ten or twenty years ago, homeowners wanted their garage doors to be as indiscreet as possible. That meant unobtrusive design and colors that were bland or designed to fade into the architecture of the house itself. Today, though, garage doors are being used more and more often as a design centerpiece for a home. Builders and homeowners are using the garage door to make a statement, opting now for bold color options and designs that set the personality of the home.

INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY.

Tech is taking over all areas of our households and the garage is no exception. You’ll be seeing more and more of it in the coming years, too, with garage doors that automatically sense your vehicle, doors that can be opened and closed on your smartphone, and so much more. A lot of these features will be built right into the garage door and won’t be visible to guests and visitors.

WOOD IS BACK.

Wood doors were the most popular option for garage doors for a long time, only to be replaced by fiberglass later on. You’ll be seeing more wood garage doors again in 2017, though. The material is part of the growing trend of combining man-made materials like concrete and steel with natural materials like wood in the home. Wooden garage doors offer a special kind of warmth in a home’s appearance and can be incredibly energy efficient.

DOORS FOR ALL SEASONS.

Homeowners are making more use of their garages aside from simply a place to store their garden tools and park their car. They might use the garage as a workshop or even an outdoor play area for their children. Because of this, homeowners in 2017 are wanting a garage that’s comfortable in all seasons. You’ll see this accomplished with more insulated garage door designs that keep garages warmer in the winter, as well as garage-wide screen doors that allow air flow but keep out pests in the summer.

Are you looking for a new garage door for your home this year? Take to the Mass Garage Doors Expert and we’ll help you find the right door for your home at the right price. Get in touch with us today!

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