- Is there a buildup of dust and dirt on the rollers? Even if you regularly sweep for leaves and dirt, particles can still get stuck in the door's tracks. That accumulation of dust and dirt can either make the door roll back up when you're trying to close it or it can slow the door down too much. Investigate the tracks and rollers for mud, dirt, and even small bits of rock, and use a can of air to clean out the crevices.
- Is the rail out of alignment? If you hear a rubbing noise or sometimes your door won't close, the track could be out of alignment. Check the rails for bent metal, and look for any gaps between the rail and the rollers. If you see any signs of physical damage, call in a repair technician immediately: forcing the door to work around the damage can make the problem worse, and this is a dangerous repair to do on your own.
- Do you hear popping noises? Once your garage door starts making noises it shouldn't, that's one of the clearest signs you'll get that one or more of the parts need to be replaced. A popping sound means the door has worn rollers, and the only solution is to have your garage door company replace them.
Friday, December 29, 2017
When Do You Need to Get Your Garage Door Rollers Repaired?
Garage doors can be finicky things. Everything from the weather to time can
make them start to creak and go wrong, especially if it's been a while since
the last time they've been serviced. If you've noticed that your door is
started to slow down or rumble when you open and close it, here are three
things to check the rollers for:
Friday, November 17, 2017
What You Need to Know About Adding Windows to Your Garage Door
Thinking about adding windows to your garage door? Here are some things you
should know.
Benefits of Adding Windows
The main benefit of adding windows is getting some natural lighting in your garage. Adding stylish windows also improves the curb appeal of your home, which increases its value.
Where Will the Windows Go?
Most often, people add windows to the top section of their garage door. This has a double benefit: It brings natural sunlight into the home, but it still maintains your privacy. If you use your garage as a workout area, or if you use your garage for any reason and you want privacy, this is the way to go.
Windows can also be added to a lower section of the door, usually to the third section. In this case, you may want to consider getting glass that makes it easy to look out but hard to look in, which will improve your privacy.
What Kind of Windows Should You Get?
There are so many different styles, shapes, and designs that you can get for your garage door windows. The most important thing is to get windows that fit in with the design and style of the rest of your home.
Give a professional a call and we'll help you find the perfect garage door with the perfect windows. They'll show you all the options until you find one that you like. They’ll also make sure that the windows are safe and that the garage door has the right weight and balance.
Benefits of Adding Windows
The main benefit of adding windows is getting some natural lighting in your garage. Adding stylish windows also improves the curb appeal of your home, which increases its value.
Where Will the Windows Go?
Most often, people add windows to the top section of their garage door. This has a double benefit: It brings natural sunlight into the home, but it still maintains your privacy. If you use your garage as a workout area, or if you use your garage for any reason and you want privacy, this is the way to go.
Windows can also be added to a lower section of the door, usually to the third section. In this case, you may want to consider getting glass that makes it easy to look out but hard to look in, which will improve your privacy.
What Kind of Windows Should You Get?
There are so many different styles, shapes, and designs that you can get for your garage door windows. The most important thing is to get windows that fit in with the design and style of the rest of your home.
Give a professional a call and we'll help you find the perfect garage door with the perfect windows. They'll show you all the options until you find one that you like. They’ll also make sure that the windows are safe and that the garage door has the right weight and balance.
We encourage you to give Overhead Door Company of Lansing a
call with any garage door questions or service needs you may have!
Monday, October 23, 2017
6 Tips for Preparing Your Garage Door for the Winter
Are you confident that your garage door is ready for the
winter? The last thing you want is for your garage door to break down before a
major blizzard. Having that said, it is very important to get a garage door tune-up
before the winter sets in if it’s needed. We encourage you to keep reading so that you
know what to look out for.
Check the Batteries:
Have the batteries checked to make sure they have their full power. If the batteries are weak or dying, you should have them replaced in order to prevent breakdowns.
Have the batteries checked to make sure they have their full power. If the batteries are weak or dying, you should have them replaced in order to prevent breakdowns.
Check the Weather
Stripping:
Weather stripping ensures that snow will not enter your garage. It also helps to keep your home warm by keeping out the cold, which in turn reduces energy consumption and your energy bill. If you find that the weather stripping is cracked or damaged, you will want to have it fixed or replaced.
Weather stripping ensures that snow will not enter your garage. It also helps to keep your home warm by keeping out the cold, which in turn reduces energy consumption and your energy bill. If you find that the weather stripping is cracked or damaged, you will want to have it fixed or replaced.
Insulate Your Door:
If your garage door is not keeping out the cold, you should have it insulated or, if necessary, consider having it replaced with a stronger and warmer garage door.
If your garage door is not keeping out the cold, you should have it insulated or, if necessary, consider having it replaced with a stronger and warmer garage door.
Lubricate:
Lubricate the moving parts of your door. This will keep it running smoothly and will prevent issues from arising.
Lubricate the moving parts of your door. This will keep it running smoothly and will prevent issues from arising.
Clean:
Clean out the tracks from any dirt, debris, or grease. Wash down the garage door itself on both the inside and the outside.
Clean out the tracks from any dirt, debris, or grease. Wash down the garage door itself on both the inside and the outside.
Get an Inspection:
A lot more goes into making sure that your garage doors are working properly; you’ll want to check the rollers, the cables, the auto-reverse function, etc. Given that, you should leave this work to the professionals.
A lot more goes into making sure that your garage doors are working properly; you’ll want to check the rollers, the cables, the auto-reverse function, etc. Given that, you should leave this work to the professionals.
We encourage you to call Overhead Door Company of Lansing to
schedule your garage door tune-up before the winter weather hits.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Garage Door Repair & Replacement: What to Look Out For
A sturdy garage door provides your home with security,
safety and ease. It is important to
ensure that your garage door is working effectively and to know when it’s time
to take the route of either repair or replacement. Below are some causes that
would lead you down either one of those routes.
Faulty Safety Sensors
A lot of garage door systems these days are equipped with photo-optic
safety sensors which are used as a safety precaution in keeping the door from
accidentally closing on a person or object. Basically, there is an invisible
beam of light that the sensors give off that goes from corner to corner beneath
your garage door. When this beam of light is interjected, it stops the opener
from operating. Having that said, if this beam of light loses its’ electrical link,
burns out or has an askew emitter and reflector, it can cause an untrue signal
to the garage door, causing the operation of the opener to be infrequent or simply
stop working altogether. If you find yourself in this situation, a garage door
repair is needed.
Security
Garage door openers for older models do not offer much
security which can leave your home at risk of break-ins. Door openers these
days have more cutting-edge technological features, so if you home has an older
garage door model then it would be in your best interest to consider a more up-to-date
door replacement.
Noisy Garage Door
Is your garage door noisy? A noisy garage door can lead to
all types of problems, not to mention for those whose sleep is interrupted due
to having a bedroom located either above or next to the garage. The positive
news here is that a lot of noisy door problems can be straightforwardly solved
by substituting a few parts and maintaining regular upkeep.
The Door is Off Track
Your garage door is able to open and close due to the way in
which it runs on a metal track. In time, the opening and closing function of
the garage door will result in a broken spring which will prevent your garage
door from opening all of the way. Having that said, you will need to have your
garage door repaired as soon as you see signs of the door being off the track
so that you can save yourself some trouble down the road.
Tired Motor
The motor is the fundamental hub of a garage door’s opener simply
because the door would not be able to function without it. Warnings of a motor
problem could consist of grating noises, stench of hot wires or decelerated
motion of the door. It is extremely important to note that only qualified
professionals should be the ones to repair this essential part of your garage
door, especially since there is the chance of experiencing electric shock while
doing so.
Keep in mind that there are numerous reasons that can keep
your garage door from working as it should. You should never try to fix your garage
door problems on your own because not only can it be complicated, you could put
yourself in serious danger. Having that said, it is always best to take
the safe approach and hire only a qualified company for your garage door repair
or replacement service needs.
We encourage you to call Overhead Door Company of Lansing
with any service needs or inquirers you may have.
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
How to Protect Garage Door Springs from Damage
Averages will tell you almost nothing about how long your garage door
springs will last. So, to get the longest life, it is a good idea to regularly
inspect and perform maintenance on your garage door components. Doing
so will limit the possibility of unnecessary damage. Below are a few steps that will ensure your garage door springs will last a long time.
It is important to keep springs lubricated since rust is the No. 1 reason why a garage door spring will fail. Consequently, basic lubrication will help prolong the life of your springs. Those being said, use only lubricants specifically designed for garage doors.
Visual inspections should be done on a regular basis so it is a good idea for homeowners to inspect for damage. Make sure the garage door opens and closes smoothly, that there are no unusual noises, and that the springs are stable.
If you ever discover anything unusual with your garage or have any questions, contact Overhead Door Company of Lansing.
It is important to keep springs lubricated since rust is the No. 1 reason why a garage door spring will fail. Consequently, basic lubrication will help prolong the life of your springs. Those being said, use only lubricants specifically designed for garage doors.
Visual inspections should be done on a regular basis so it is a good idea for homeowners to inspect for damage. Make sure the garage door opens and closes smoothly, that there are no unusual noises, and that the springs are stable.
If you ever discover anything unusual with your garage or have any questions, contact Overhead Door Company of Lansing.
Monday, July 31, 2017
Replacing a Broken Garage Door Spring
Replacing a broken garage door spring is considered dangerous for a good
reason. Garage door springs are under extreme tension and the wrong mistake can
suddenly release it. Consider the following points and don't trust your
well-being to luck by taking this work on as a DIY project.
- A mistake that releases a spring's tension may cause something to fly. An accident can lacerate or badly pinch hands and fingers.
- Dismantling components before unwinding the unbroken spring; this can be a deadly mistake. Inexperience, distraction, excessive haste, or emotional distress may cause this. The springs and any hardware attached to the springs such as the cables, anchor plates, and brackets are under high tension. Dismantling any of these will suddenly release the mechanical tension and may cause severe injury.
- An important tool is the winding bar. Casually looking around for something to insert into the spring winding cone is a sure recipe for an accident. Winding bars with worn and rounded edges at the end are dangerous and require replacement. A professional can ensure that they are using the proper tools and that those tools are in good condition.
Thursday, June 15, 2017
4 Reasons You Really Need Garage Door Repair
After all our years in the business, we’d like to say we’ve seen it all in commercial and residential garage doors when it comes to repairs. At Overhead Door Company of Lansing, we pride ourselves on the best service and parts in the business, and we’re proud to serve the greater Lansing, MI area. Here are some of the most common problems we see when a garage door suddenly won’t work.
Transmitter Suddenly Stops Working.
You come home late at night, and it’s raining (because it’s always raining when things go wrong), and when you point your transmitter at your door, nothing happens. The first thing you want to check are the batteries in your transmitter. If you can still open the door from the transmitter inside your garage, there’s a good chance that it’s just the batteries, and we just saved you a service call. Change out the batteries using two fresh new batteries and if that doesn’t take care of the problem, give us a call. Helpful Tip: If you have more than one transmitter, change out the batteries in all of them at the same time. If one has failed, the others aren’t far behind.
Something Blocking the Photo Eye.
The Photo Eye mechanism is what prevents your garage door from closing if something is blocking it. For those of you who remember the game when we were kids of dashing under the garage door before it closed the photo eye now prevents this. This important safety measure on all garage doors was made mandatory in 1993 and probably has saved countless lives because of it. Located on either side of your garage entrance, the eyes can sometimes get dirt, bugs or other debris in front of them and that can cause your garage door to fail to go all the way up or down. If clearing the eyes does not work, then they are most likely out of alignment, so give us a call to make sure they are calibrated correctly.
Your Track is Out of Alignment.
The metal track that your garage door runs on can move if it is bumped, or even just because of the aging and shifting of the building. Once it is out of alignment, it affects the entire mechanism including, the rollers, hinges, and springs. If your door slows down at a certain point when it is opening or closing, or makes a grinding or rubbing noise your tracks may be misaligned. Our trained repair technicians can safely realign and repair your tracks to get your door working smoothly again.
Torsion Spring Failure.
The heavy lifters in a garage door are industrial grade springs called torsion springs, and depending on the size and make of your garage door there are one or two of them. As with any repetitive movement, the springs begin to wear, and when they go, you’ll know it as it sounds like a shotgun blast. Any garage door that is more than 20 years old risks a torsion spring failure and should be replaced. When a torsion spring breaks, the cables that lift the door will snap as well and fly out and could cause serious damage to your vehicle or anyone in the garage.
Transmitter Suddenly Stops Working.
You come home late at night, and it’s raining (because it’s always raining when things go wrong), and when you point your transmitter at your door, nothing happens. The first thing you want to check are the batteries in your transmitter. If you can still open the door from the transmitter inside your garage, there’s a good chance that it’s just the batteries, and we just saved you a service call. Change out the batteries using two fresh new batteries and if that doesn’t take care of the problem, give us a call. Helpful Tip: If you have more than one transmitter, change out the batteries in all of them at the same time. If one has failed, the others aren’t far behind.
Something Blocking the Photo Eye.
The Photo Eye mechanism is what prevents your garage door from closing if something is blocking it. For those of you who remember the game when we were kids of dashing under the garage door before it closed the photo eye now prevents this. This important safety measure on all garage doors was made mandatory in 1993 and probably has saved countless lives because of it. Located on either side of your garage entrance, the eyes can sometimes get dirt, bugs or other debris in front of them and that can cause your garage door to fail to go all the way up or down. If clearing the eyes does not work, then they are most likely out of alignment, so give us a call to make sure they are calibrated correctly.
Your Track is Out of Alignment.
The metal track that your garage door runs on can move if it is bumped, or even just because of the aging and shifting of the building. Once it is out of alignment, it affects the entire mechanism including, the rollers, hinges, and springs. If your door slows down at a certain point when it is opening or closing, or makes a grinding or rubbing noise your tracks may be misaligned. Our trained repair technicians can safely realign and repair your tracks to get your door working smoothly again.
Torsion Spring Failure.
The heavy lifters in a garage door are industrial grade springs called torsion springs, and depending on the size and make of your garage door there are one or two of them. As with any repetitive movement, the springs begin to wear, and when they go, you’ll know it as it sounds like a shotgun blast. Any garage door that is more than 20 years old risks a torsion spring failure and should be replaced. When a torsion spring breaks, the cables that lift the door will snap as well and fly out and could cause serious damage to your vehicle or anyone in the garage.
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