The garage door is one of the hardest working devices in the home, even if it is sometimes under appreciated. For a garage door to continually run efficiently, a homeowner must keep up with its particular ways, working around and fixing its little quirks, so that it performs as expected.
Do you know when to call a professional for your garage door repair? In this post, we'll outline 3 incredibly common garage door problems that you can fix yourself.
1. Sticking: When a garage door sticks, it's a problem that is easily sorted out. First, if you have an opener, check the batteries. Then, ensure that the sensor isn't obscured. From there, look at the wheel track and verify that the wheels are aligned. Lubricate the tracks as needed. If you find that your garage door is hung unevenly, contact a professional for assistance.
2. Uneven Movement: Less than ideal movement from your garage door means that the track is full of debris. If your garage door moves from side-to-side when in use, it's best that you check the track for bits of grit and dirt. If you find upon inspection that your tracks are bent or that the wheels need attention, put in a call to a professional to clear up your issue.
3. Loud Noises: After years of consistent use, garage doors will begin to make abrasive noises. While this type of sound doesn't mean a garage door will fail, it is a sign that something worse is going on. Try greasing the track with special garage door track oil (or WD40). If that doesn't work, consider discussing your problem with a professional garage door repairman.
While many garage door problems are fixed by the homeowner, it's important that you know when to contact Overhead Door Company of Lansing to help you out.
Monday, March 20, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
Is Your Garage Door a Lawsuit Waiting to Happen?
A potential safety liability on many home owners' radar is the backyard swimming pool. Swimming pools have been the scene of many serious injuries and fatalities. The victims are often unsupervised children, or children who wandered onto the property and made their way to an un-gated pool. However, there is one overlooked item that is equally dangerous to children and adults alike: the garage door.
Unlike the backyard swimming pool, people often underestimate the danger of their garage door. This is likely because it's used so frequently that complacency sets in, and its danger becomes hidden in plain sight.
What makes a garage door dangerous? It's a three or four hundred pound object that moves up and down a vertical height of over 7 feet several times a day. If it's well maintained and frequently inspected, then it's reasonably safe. However, that can change with owner neglect. Safeties that prevent the door from closing on someone can stop functioning. A door with a broken spring can drop down its track, and a door that hangs unevenly may pop out of its track and land flat on the garage floor.
In addition to being concerned about the safety of yourself and your family, you must also think about the welfare of invited guests to your home. If they are injured by your garage door because of a known problem that wasn't fixed, and you didn't warn them of the danger, they would have a good liability case against you in court. Even friends sue friends if the injuries suffered are sufficiently debilitating or the injury happened to their child. Three or four hundred pounds of garage door can cause serious harm.
Although giving guests sufficient warning gets you off the liability hook, it does nothing for your family's safety if they continue to use the door. If you have a problem garage door in a house that you rent out to others, you're required to keep it in good working order. Otherwise, it's also an injury and lawsuit waiting to happen. We suggest you have your garage door regularly inspected and maintained by Overhead Door Co. of Lansing.
Unlike the backyard swimming pool, people often underestimate the danger of their garage door. This is likely because it's used so frequently that complacency sets in, and its danger becomes hidden in plain sight.
What makes a garage door dangerous? It's a three or four hundred pound object that moves up and down a vertical height of over 7 feet several times a day. If it's well maintained and frequently inspected, then it's reasonably safe. However, that can change with owner neglect. Safeties that prevent the door from closing on someone can stop functioning. A door with a broken spring can drop down its track, and a door that hangs unevenly may pop out of its track and land flat on the garage floor.
In addition to being concerned about the safety of yourself and your family, you must also think about the welfare of invited guests to your home. If they are injured by your garage door because of a known problem that wasn't fixed, and you didn't warn them of the danger, they would have a good liability case against you in court. Even friends sue friends if the injuries suffered are sufficiently debilitating or the injury happened to their child. Three or four hundred pounds of garage door can cause serious harm.
Although giving guests sufficient warning gets you off the liability hook, it does nothing for your family's safety if they continue to use the door. If you have a problem garage door in a house that you rent out to others, you're required to keep it in good working order. Otherwise, it's also an injury and lawsuit waiting to happen. We suggest you have your garage door regularly inspected and maintained by Overhead Door Co. of Lansing.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Help! My Garage Door Opener Won't Work
Pulling into the driveway, you grab the garage door remote, push the button and nothing happens. You try again with the same results. Several more attempts, you finally give up and begin searching for what could be the problem.
When any electrical device is not working the first thing to consider is the power source. Is the unit plugged in? Take a look at the circuit breaker and reset if necessary. Did this take care of your problem? If not, try plugging another electrical device into the same outlet as the garage door opener. If that device works, the power supply is not the problem and we need to try a few other tests.
Next, try pushing the opener control button on the wall unit and note whether either the small green light or the overhead light blink or come on at all. If the light is blinking check to see if there is anything blocking the sensors from communicating with each other. These are the two sensors located on the track on both sides of the door, about a foot off the ground. It could be a tool, a trash can, spider webs, dirt or anything. Either something is blocking the two sensors or the tracks are misaligned. The sensors are installed for reasons of safety. They prevent hazards by keeping the doors from closing when something is blocking them.
If the garage door labors to open, then stops, suspect a broken torsion spring. If they appear broken in any way at all call a professional garage door repair service. Do Not Attempt To Repair a malfunctioning torsion spring. It is a difficult and risky repair and could cause serious injury. Leave it to the professional garage door contractor.
If the garage door opens and closes with the main control button on the wall but does not open or close when using the remote or keypad, change the batteries in the remote and keypad and try again.
If that didn't resolve your opener problem, the unit may be in lock mode. If it is in lock mode the light on the main control would be blinking. Your wall unit comes equipped with a button that you press for a few seconds and release. If the light is not blinking any longer than you have solved the problem.
If the door still does not respond, the garage door opener itself may have a bad component. If the door sounds like it wants to open but does not and the torsion springs are intact, it's probably a bad capacitor which can disable the motor entirely. It could also be a bad power board or control board. Once again, we recommend you leave these types of repairs for the experts.
If you're experiencing issues with your garage door opener, contact the experts at Overhead Doors of Lansing!
When any electrical device is not working the first thing to consider is the power source. Is the unit plugged in? Take a look at the circuit breaker and reset if necessary. Did this take care of your problem? If not, try plugging another electrical device into the same outlet as the garage door opener. If that device works, the power supply is not the problem and we need to try a few other tests.
Next, try pushing the opener control button on the wall unit and note whether either the small green light or the overhead light blink or come on at all. If the light is blinking check to see if there is anything blocking the sensors from communicating with each other. These are the two sensors located on the track on both sides of the door, about a foot off the ground. It could be a tool, a trash can, spider webs, dirt or anything. Either something is blocking the two sensors or the tracks are misaligned. The sensors are installed for reasons of safety. They prevent hazards by keeping the doors from closing when something is blocking them.
If the garage door labors to open, then stops, suspect a broken torsion spring. If they appear broken in any way at all call a professional garage door repair service. Do Not Attempt To Repair a malfunctioning torsion spring. It is a difficult and risky repair and could cause serious injury. Leave it to the professional garage door contractor.
If the garage door opens and closes with the main control button on the wall but does not open or close when using the remote or keypad, change the batteries in the remote and keypad and try again.
If that didn't resolve your opener problem, the unit may be in lock mode. If it is in lock mode the light on the main control would be blinking. Your wall unit comes equipped with a button that you press for a few seconds and release. If the light is not blinking any longer than you have solved the problem.
If the door still does not respond, the garage door opener itself may have a bad component. If the door sounds like it wants to open but does not and the torsion springs are intact, it's probably a bad capacitor which can disable the motor entirely. It could also be a bad power board or control board. Once again, we recommend you leave these types of repairs for the experts.
If you're experiencing issues with your garage door opener, contact the experts at Overhead Doors of Lansing!
Friday, December 9, 2016
Maintaining Your Garage Door
Garage doors tend to grow louder and creakier with age. While in some cases these symptoms point to the need for a new garage door, in others they simply indicate that some basic maintenance efforts are required. If you would like to learn more about how to keep your garage door in good working order, read on. This article will discuss two of the most important strategies to employ.
Your garage door moves up and down along two parallel metal tracks. Running inside of these tracks are bar-mounted roller wheels whose opposite ends are attached to the door itself. Over time, the rollers tend to accumulate gunk, dirt, and debris that impede their movement. This often causes the door to become much noisier when it is opened and closed.
Fortunately, you can do wonders to restore smooth functioning to your garage door simply by lubricating the rollers. First, however, it is vital that you remove as much grime as possible using a clean rag. Then carefully apply a small amount of silicone-based lubricant to each of the rollers. Try not to get any on the tracks, as this could lead to the door slipping.
The chains and pulleys of a garage door opener tend to produce a lot of vibrations. As time goes on, these vibrations often act to loosen the bolts that hold the roller hinges to the door. Thus it is a good idea to inspect and tighten these bolts using an appropriately sized wrench. This will help to cut down on annoying clattering and other unwanted noises.
For more information on how to maintain your garage door and to ensure that yours is in good working order, give us a call today!
Keep your rollers lubricated
Your garage door moves up and down along two parallel metal tracks. Running inside of these tracks are bar-mounted roller wheels whose opposite ends are attached to the door itself. Over time, the rollers tend to accumulate gunk, dirt, and debris that impede their movement. This often causes the door to become much noisier when it is opened and closed.
Fortunately, you can do wonders to restore smooth functioning to your garage door simply by lubricating the rollers. First, however, it is vital that you remove as much grime as possible using a clean rag. Then carefully apply a small amount of silicone-based lubricant to each of the rollers. Try not to get any on the tracks, as this could lead to the door slipping.
Tighten loose hinge bolts
The chains and pulleys of a garage door opener tend to produce a lot of vibrations. As time goes on, these vibrations often act to loosen the bolts that hold the roller hinges to the door. Thus it is a good idea to inspect and tighten these bolts using an appropriately sized wrench. This will help to cut down on annoying clattering and other unwanted noises.
For more information on how to maintain your garage door and to ensure that yours is in good working order, give us a call today!
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
3 Garage Door Facts You Should Be Aware Of
People often don’t think of their garage door specifically when thinking about their garage, but your door does a lot to keep your garage, vehicles and family same. Here are a few facts about your garage door that you might not know about your garage door.
Garage doors as an important component of your garage and your home overall. Make sure that your garage door is in good working order and makes the right statement about your property. If you have any questions about your garage door options, give us a call today!
1. It Can Help To Increase Your Home's Value
2. It Can Be A Design Statement
Because garage doors can take up as much as 1/3 of the front of the house, they can be used to make a statement. Especially when you are thinking of upgrading the exterior of your home, you shouldn't forget your garage door. There are all kinds of design options to choose from, from various materials, colors and paneling. So many options will allow you to pick a door that allows you to express your style, find one that matches the exterior of your home and provides you with the right amount of durability and other features within your price range.
3. It Adds Energy Efficiency To Your Home
Garage doors, especially those that are insulated, can help to reduce heating and cooling costs. A strong and well insulated garage door can help to keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. With winter approaching, you want to make sure that your garage door will help to keep that space of your home a comfortable temperature, especially if you park your car inside your garage or use the space for other activities.
Garage doors as an important component of your garage and your home overall. Make sure that your garage door is in good working order and makes the right statement about your property. If you have any questions about your garage door options, give us a call today!
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
How the Cold of Winter Affects Your Garage Door Opener
Anyone who owns a car in places with cold winters knows from firsthand experience that extreme cold causes mechanical problems. Therefore, it shouldn't come as a surprise that your garage door opener may not function as it should when the temperature drops.
These problems come down to how the cold causes the metal components of your garage door opener to shrink. When moving parts shrink, they don't quite fit together as they should, which can cause them to seize. The tendency to contract also stresses and may warp the garage door tracks, which increases the likelihood of the rollers getting stuck. Furthermore, the cold causes grease to thicken, and moving parts already affected by the cold are also held back by thick, hard grease.
Low temperatures make the metal in your garage door springs "want to contract." They can't do this because they are held in place. This stresses the metal. In addition, the metal becomes brittle in the cold. What happens to your stressed and brittle springs when they are near the end of their service life? They break.
Here's what you can do to prevent cold weather issues:
Since cold temperatures are at the heart of the above problems, it makes sense to keep the cold out of your garage as much as possible. Insulate the door, the walls and ceiling of your garage. Make sure the seal at the door bottom makes full contact with the floor. Insulation also saves on heating costs in the winter, and air conditioning costs in the summer.
Weak and old springs tend to break in the winter because of the reasons discussed previously. Contact a garage door serviceman to evaluate the condition of your springs. If they're on the verge of breaking, the serviceman will be able to determine this.
Use a solvent to clear out old grease and then use a cloth to wipe away the solvent. Lubricate the parts with a silicone-based lubricant. Apply lubricant to all moving parts including those not caked up in grease. This will make them less likely to seize in cold conditions.
If your garage door opener tracks are slightly misaligned in warmer weather, the cold can worsen the problem. Have a garage door professional check the alignment and make the necessary adjustments.
Whenever an ice storm coats your door with ice, don't try to open the door because the door bottom will be iced to the floor. Furthermore, the ice coating is weighing down the door and lifting the extra weight will stress and possibly damage your garage door motor. Remove ice from the entire door including its bottom. You should manually check to see if the door freely opens before using the garage door opener. Also clear out any snow buildup at the floor below the door because it may trigger the safety reverse mechanism when closing the door.
If your garage door opener needs a winter tune up, give us a call today.
These problems come down to how the cold causes the metal components of your garage door opener to shrink. When moving parts shrink, they don't quite fit together as they should, which can cause them to seize. The tendency to contract also stresses and may warp the garage door tracks, which increases the likelihood of the rollers getting stuck. Furthermore, the cold causes grease to thicken, and moving parts already affected by the cold are also held back by thick, hard grease.
Low temperatures make the metal in your garage door springs "want to contract." They can't do this because they are held in place. This stresses the metal. In addition, the metal becomes brittle in the cold. What happens to your stressed and brittle springs when they are near the end of their service life? They break.
Here's what you can do to prevent cold weather issues:
Insulate Your Garage
Since cold temperatures are at the heart of the above problems, it makes sense to keep the cold out of your garage as much as possible. Insulate the door, the walls and ceiling of your garage. Make sure the seal at the door bottom makes full contact with the floor. Insulation also saves on heating costs in the winter, and air conditioning costs in the summer.
Have Your Old Springs Checked
Weak and old springs tend to break in the winter because of the reasons discussed previously. Contact a garage door serviceman to evaluate the condition of your springs. If they're on the verge of breaking, the serviceman will be able to determine this.
Clean out the Grease and Apply a Silicone-Based Lubricant
Use a solvent to clear out old grease and then use a cloth to wipe away the solvent. Lubricate the parts with a silicone-based lubricant. Apply lubricant to all moving parts including those not caked up in grease. This will make them less likely to seize in cold conditions.
Check the Alignment of Your Tracks
If your garage door opener tracks are slightly misaligned in warmer weather, the cold can worsen the problem. Have a garage door professional check the alignment and make the necessary adjustments.
Other Winter Problems
Whenever an ice storm coats your door with ice, don't try to open the door because the door bottom will be iced to the floor. Furthermore, the ice coating is weighing down the door and lifting the extra weight will stress and possibly damage your garage door motor. Remove ice from the entire door including its bottom. You should manually check to see if the door freely opens before using the garage door opener. Also clear out any snow buildup at the floor below the door because it may trigger the safety reverse mechanism when closing the door.
If your garage door opener needs a winter tune up, give us a call today.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
How to Maximize Home Security Revolving Around Your Garage Door
For homes with an attached garage, the space becomes a large portion of the home itself. While it should be standard to visually inspect your garage door every once in a while to make sure it is in good condition, you can invest in other methods to maximize home security regarding your garage and garage door.
Maximizing security with your garage does not have to be a tough task. If you ever have any questions about your garage or garage door, give our experts a call at (517) 332-1133. Or visit our website!
Invest in a Deadbolt Lock for the Door Entering Your Home
With an attached garage, you will have a door that goes from the garage to inside your home. Although you might think that your garage provides you with enough of a safety net to prevent break-ins, you cannot be overly safe. It is best to invest in a deadbolt lock for this door, which you can use to minimize the chance that a criminal is able to get through your garage and into your home successfully.Hide Your Garage Door Opener in Your Vehicle
It is not uncommon for homeowners to keep their garage door opener in their car, especially out in the open. While it might be easy to have it attached to the visor in the driver seat, you should think about safety first, which means the greatest solution is to hide it where it is not easily found.Check the Garage Door Before Going to Sleep
Whether you live by yourself or have a family, you should make sure that your garage door is closed before going to sleep. It is a process that takes only a few seconds and it can drastically improve the safety of your home. One of your family members may have forgotten to close the door when they left or after coming inside, and you can prevent this from being an issue with a nightly inspection.Maximizing security with your garage does not have to be a tough task. If you ever have any questions about your garage or garage door, give our experts a call at (517) 332-1133. Or visit our website!
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