Frequently Asked Questions Garage Door Repair & Service
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Garage Door Mechanics
Frequently Asked Questions about the basics of garage door mechanics. Here you will find general information that will help you learn more about the heaviest moving object in your home – your beloved garage door system.
DIFFERENT MATERIALS GARAGE DOORS ARE MADE OF
The guide covers many different products, including steel doors, wood, aluminum, and fiberglass. The reasons for choosing these materials are explained, as well as the benefits of each option. Steel and wood are popular homeowner choices due to their durability and classic look respectively. However, aluminum and fiberglass offer lighter weight options with unique benefits of their own.
Steel doors and steel garages are popular in Arizona because of their durability and low maintenance. Steel garage door panels come in many design options available, including faux wood doors with unique carriage styles or panel designs.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF GARAGE DOOR CONSTRUCTION
When it comes to garage doors, the thickness of the steel used in their construction is an important factor to consider. 28-gauge steel is commonly used for garage doors, but a 24-gauge door with thicker skins can provide better durability and longevity. There are several thicknesses available in reference to the number of layers in a garage door’s construction.
For instance, a 4-layer door, and composite overlay. It goes on to explain that some garage doors have no back panel, only a front panel with polystyrene insulation or an insulated core.
HOW IMPORTANT IS INSULATION IN A GARAGE DOOR
Insulated doors can help reduce exterior noise and the amount of heat lost through the garage during winter. In addition to saving energy, adding insulation to your garage door can also add strength and durability. Insulated doors are not just useful in winter but also in summer when they keep the temperature inside the garage cooler.
It is important to have insulation for garage doors, especially in areas with extreme garage climate. In Arizona, having insulation and an awning is crucial to keeping your home cool and to save on energy cost.
Insulated doors help regulate heat flow, keeping the garage warm in winter and cool in summer. It is crucial to consider local climate when selecting insulation as it affects the amount of resistance required to maintain an optimal temperature.
In Arizona, one of the major concerns is how much heat escapes through the walls of the garage door, which can affect heating costs in the house. Insulation helps reduce this problem by keeping heat inside the garage. In addition to reducing energy costs, insulation also helps with noise reduction and increases durability.
For those living in a cold climate, it is important to select a garage door with high insulation value to maintain temperature and prevent energy loss. On the other hand, milder climates may not require as much insulation. However, homeowners can still benefit from additional benefits such as noise reduction and increased durability.
Many houses have garages, and these spaces serve different purposes for people. Some use their garages as workshops, while others store their cars in them. Some people even convert their garages into separate apartments or bedrooms. For those in colder climates, insulation is an important consideration when it comes to the interior room or style room of the garage. In addition to reducing energy costs, insulation also helps with noise reduction and increases durability.
If you are looking to Level Up your garage door system, give us a call for a free estimate: 602-500-1800 or request free estimate online.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR PRE-FINISHED STEEL GARAGE DOOR
Follow these easy steps to clean your pre-finished steel garage door:
Use a mild detergent with warm water in a ratio of one cup for every five gallons to remove dirt from the garage door, the sides and top – especially the weather stripping. Detergent should have less than. 5% phosphate.
Applying wax or a protective finish can also help to protect the door from damage caused by automotive use or weather conditions.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR WOOD GARAGE DOOR
If you live in areas with high humidity, your wood substrate may be prone to mildew growth. You can use the same water/soap solution above to remove dirt, chalk, oil, and mildew from the surface. If the wood finish is diminished to nearly erosion, then you will have to prime that wood using alkyd/oil primer.
Garage Door Maintenance
Frequently Asked Questions about the basics of garage door maintenance. Learn about rollers, springs, how panels are made and how to clean them, etc. Thank you and enjoy!
WHAT MAINTENANCE CAN I DO ON MY GARAGE DOOR AND OPENER
The garage door is very heavy because it is made of a lot of metal. It is prone to wear and tear with daily use. Follow the following steps to help lengthen the life of your garage door and garage door opener.
Inspection
Look over the springs, pulleys, rollers, cables, and the mounting hardware like the hinges. If you see wear and tear you will notice how bad it is and if you need it replaced. Make sure that screws, nuts, bolts, etc. are tightened. Garage door springs, cables, etc. are very high in tension. Do not try to work on this equipment on your own as it can cause serious injury. Trying to adjust your garage door torsion springs can cut a finger off even if you think it isn’t “tightened”.
Garage Door Balance Test
Close the door and disconnect the door from the opener. Lift the door open to your waist level and let the door drop. If it stays relatively still, then your garage door is balanced. If the door goes all the way or down, then you need to balance your garage door.
Automatic Reversing Mechanism Test
Since January 1, 1993, federal law dictates that garage door systems be equipped with a reversing mechanism/photo eye/sensor system for safety measures and prevent mechanical errors and injury/death.
Put a piece of 2×4 wood in the middle of your garage door so that when it shuts it should automatically reverse. If it does not the garage door needs to be serviced by a trained garage door repairman.
Laser Beam / Photo Eye Test
Close the garage door and get a broomstick and swipe it across the garage doors “photo eyes” so that it breaks the “laser beam”. The garage door should reverse. If the garage door does not go in reverse, it means that the photo eyes need to be cleaned. Get a soft microfiber cloth and clean your eyes. If they are out of alignment, gently put them back in alignment. Keep repeating the test until the garage door is working properly.
Force Setting Test
While the garage door is open push the transmitter button (either the remote or wall). As the garage door is closing try to gently reverse the garage door. It should automatically reverse. If the garage door does not reverse, remove your arms and body from the garage door immediately.
Spring / Equipment Lubrication
Get some WD-40 or a garage door lubricant and apply a small amount on the garage door’s hinges, rollers, and tracks.
HOW TO PAINT MY PRE-FINISHED STEEL GARAGE DOOR TO MATCH MY HOME
Before painting, complete priming and finish coating is necessary to prevent flaking. It’s vital to remove surface paint/wax using fine steel wool for better results. Ensure there is no bare wood before painting the finished steel garage door.
Use clean water to remove any loose particles. Then, use soapy water to clean the surface and ensure there is no film residue left behind.
For tougher scratches, use 0000 steel wool to buff them out gently (or No. 40 sandpaper if you want a smoother wooden surface). If you have a faux wooden steel door you do not want to scratch the painted texture representing stucco, wood grain – there is a danger that you will be exposed to metal substrate.
To prevent rust, sand the area and then use a high-quality metal primer. Make sure to read the label that it is for galvanized surfaces. This protects it from further corrosion. Follow the manufacturer label before applying for a topcoat.
After allowing the primer to dry, coat the door with a quality-premium latex house paint. Follow the manufacturer label directions. Oil base paint is not recommended. Using the wrong type of paint can lead to accelerated rusting and damage to the door’s substrate.
** WARNING ** Any re-painting of a finish pre-finished painted garage steel door may void the surface warranty from manufacturer.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY OVERHEAD GARAGE DOOR BE SERVICED
Garage doors are an essential component of any home, providing security and convenience. However, garage doors can experience problems over time due to wear and tear. One common issue is steel voids, which occur when air pockets form in the steel during manufacturing. Steel springs are also prone to fatigue and cracks with time, leading to loud noises or even breaks. To prevent such issues, it’s important to follow previous instructions for maintenance and lubrication of common torsion springs.
If you are looking to Level Up your garage door system, give us a call for a free estimate: 602-500-1800 or request free estimate online.
HOW LONG SHOULD MY GARAGE DOOR SPRINGS LAST
10,000 “cycles” is the life expectancy of garage door springs according to most manufacturers. The steel eventually erodes/fatigues eventually and will crack or break. When the garage door spring breaks it makes a loud noise/bang. Usually, most garage door accidents occur during the actual replacement of garage door springs.
When one spring breaks, many door companies suggest replacing both springs to avoid accidents and future door repairs. The cost range for spring replacement varies from a flat fee to the actual cost depending on the company’s policy. Springs usually cost $30-$50 each.
HOW DO I RELEASE THE DOOR FROM THE OPERATOR SO THAT I CAN OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR BY HAND
Simply pull the red release cord down – make sure that nobody else is near the garage door when you do this. The red release cord on older openers should only be used in emergency situations. Homeowners should also be aware of the security purposes of the arm that connects the opener to the door, which can be secured with a spring-loaded clip for added safety. However, caution must be taken when using this feature as it can cause serious injury if not handled properly.
HOW DO I TELL IF THE GARAGE DOOR SPRING IS BALANCED PROPERLY
With the garage door fully closed pull the red release cord to disconnect from the operator. Open the garage door about halfway and let go of the door. The door should stay in the same position if the springs are properly adjusted. If they are not, the door will open or close all the way. The garage door springs can then be evaluated and adjusted – please consider a trained and experience garage door repairman.
HOW DO I OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR WHEN THERE IS A POWER OUTAGE
Hopefully, you get a battery back-up – if not you can always go to the owner’s manual. You may have to open the door from the inside with a red emergency release. Do not release the red emergency release cord while open – this could cause serious harm and injury.
WHY DOES THE GARAGE DOOR REVERSE AND OPEN WHEN I TRY TO CLOSE IT
More than likely something is obstructing the photo eyes/laser. Make sure to clear anything in the way. If the problem is still happening, make sure to check the safety beam LED indicator to see if it is blinking. Make sure the photo eyes/laser is 6” from the floor.
WHY WON’T MY GARAGE DOOR OPEN WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTON
Make sure that the opener has electric power. Plug a light bulb into the outlet on the garage door opener to see if it has power. Turn on/off the wall switch (usually below the interior garage door opener on the wall). If it still does not open check the electricity fuse box/circuit breaker. If you cannot manually lift up the door after pulling the emergency release cord then you may have broken door springs.
If you are still having a problem, you will need to call a professional garage door repairman. Looking to Level Up your garage door system? Give us a call for a free estimate: 602-500-1800 or request free estimate online.
HOW LONG DOES A DOOR OPENER LAST
The average life span of garage door openers is around 15 to 20 years, while some models can last up to 25 years with proper maintenance and usage. As new features come out, like smart garage door openers with wi-fi technology, repair and longevity will depend on maintenance and knowledge of the device.
HOW DO SAFETY BEAMS WORK
Safety beams include an infrared electronic beam that prevents the door from closing on a person or object. Additionally, new features such as animal sensors have been introduced to prevent pets from getting trapped in the door opening.
Garage Door Manufacturer Information
Frequently Asked Questions about the basics of garage door manufacturer information. Learn the basics on what to look for when searching for a garage door repairman and garage door systems. Thank you and enjoy!
HOW DO I SELECT THE RIGHT GARGE DOOR DEALER
The International Door Association Dealer (IDA) is reliable and dependable when it comes to garage door information – including dealers that make their living, selling, and installing garage door system.
Safety
In your home the largest door, moving object and vulnerable area of your home or commercial business is your garage. That is why you must pay attention to safety measures. A badly installed garage door can kill or injure a human if installed wrong.
A few key items for you to consider:
- Experience, Craftsmanship and Knowledge – Does the garage door dealer have happy customers? Check out the online reviews (make sure they are real reviews) and get letters of recommendation if possible. The best way to make sure a garage door manufacturer is a good fit for you is to see how long the business has been around. If a company looks like it is new, it’s because they are. You want experience first and foremost.
- Regulatory Compliance – There are numerous requirements from federal law and regulatory boards pertaining to safety measures and installation of a garage door system. Make sure to speak with the garage door dealer and repairman to make sure they are complying with state/local codes and laws.
- Warranty, Insurance and Financial Integrity – What if something happens and you need help immediately? The garage door dealer and manufacturer should be available to fix the issue 24/7. Make sure that the company has proper certificate of insurance. Since finances are a sensitive issue you can check BBB, D&B and other online verifiable sources put trust and safety above profit – check out their content, call them and see who they are before you do business with them.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHAIN DRIVE, SCREW DRIVE AND BELT DRIVE
Chain Drive
The oldest and most popular garage door opener. It will more than likely be noisy (unless your walls are well insulated for such a matter). If you have an unwanted guest, you will hear it open (and that is an extra layer of security for your home).
Screw Drives
You need a solid-steel direct drive. By using these type of screw drives you will maximize the efficiency of the garage door opener while minimizing loss of torque.
Belt Drive Openers
They are ultra-quiet. It is not as noisy as the chain drive because it is made of rubber and not metal chain.
WHAT SAFETY FEATURES ARE IMPORTANT IN A GARAGE DOOR OPENER
For the garage door opener to work properly it needs to be installed correctly. Regardless of the type of garage door, whether steel or faux, or garage door opener – you need the following safety devices in your garage door system. Most garage door systems have the following features, but it is important you make sure to double check as you do work on your garage door.
Smart Wi-Fi Technology
Basically, a wif-fi unit is inside your garage door opener and you can operate it with your smart phone. Pretty soon everything is going to be hooked up to the internet! What do you think about that?
Rolling Code Technology
This is intended to stop burglary. When you press the transmitter button, the garage door opener selects a new, non-repeating, access code. This makes the possibilities of hacking very difficult as there are billions of possibilities every time the remote control is operated.
Exterior Security Touchpad Technology
This is another security feature that allows the homeowner to gain entry via a programmable code. This is a feature that you must add to your garage door system in many cases.
Interior Garage Door Opener with Light
This is a button that is on the wall next to your garage door. It is a doorbell type of button for opening and closing the garage door. The garage door system includes a light that will go on and off as time allows you to get into your home.
Battery Backup
An additional feature that helps during power outages. This helps homeowners to get into their home. The technology is advanced enough to work for up to 3-days, or up to 20 full ‘up and down” cycles.
WHAT DOES ROLLING CODE TECHNOLOGY MEAN AND HOW DOES IT WORK
Before 1993, dip switches were used on the transmitter and receiver for communication. Similar systems use new code technology to prevent interference from other devices. High-security openers used dip switches to allow for 256 different codes, while today’s technology can provide billions of possibilities.
This approach prevents perpetrators from hacking into your garage door code and gaining unauthorized entry into your home.