Month: April 2022

When a garage door opener stops working out of the blue, the solution to the problem can usually be something incredibly simple to solve. Since many garage door owners have similar problems that can easily be solved without a service call, we're going to explain likely repairs for such instances. However, if our advice isn't correcting your issue, it's possible that you'll need to contact a professional.

Here's a look at the solutions to common garage door problems!

The Wall Switch And Remote Aren't Opening The Door

If you find yourself in a situation where both the wall switch and the remote control aren't opening the garage door, there could be a few solutions to the problem. First, check if your garage door opener is unplugged. From here, make sure all cords are plugged in correctly. If that’s a dead end, see if the GFCI, fuse, or circuit breaker has burned out or has been tripped.

If you're having other electrical problems in your garage, this likely could be the reason your garage door isn’t opening. Reset your GFCI or breaker if you have one, or replace the fuse that may have burned out. If this is a regular problem with your garage door, though, it’s best to contact a pro.

Door Won't Work With Keypad Or Remote

First, get closer to the door. It's possible you may be out of range. Also, make sure the antenna isn't damaged or hanging downward.

If your garage door operates fine with its wall switch—if just the remote is the problem, in other words—the issue could rest with the batteries. Finally, you can try reprogramming the keypad or remote control. If you don't know how to go about that, you may need to consult a professional.

Door Won't Close Completely

If your garage door won't close completely, there are a few ways you can address the issue. Try adjusting the close limit switch to make sure the door closes all the way. This switch exists to prevent injury should a person wander under the garage door, as The Spruce explains. Generally, you’ll need to adjust this switch via a screw in small amounts, then test the garage door to see if the issue is resolved.

If this doesn’t solve the problem, see if your tracking sensors—your photosensors, in other terms—need realignment. You’ll know this is the case if they’re damaged, or if a string tied between the two comes up uneven, as per a leveling tool.

If you don't feel comfortable correcting such issues, consult a professional. Doing so can prevent you from spending thousands should you make an error.

My Door Is Frozen Shut

Yes, we file frozen garage doors under the “common problems” category—we live in Minnesota, after all! Hence why we’ve written an entire garage door company blog on how to fight back the frost and get your garage door installation working again. There, we discuss causes and what lead up to this problem, but right now you need solutions, and fast!

One of the most obvious is to shovel. If the issue is the sheer weight of the snow keeping your garage door down, a bit of grunt work should free things up. However, if it’s ice that has your door stuck to your driveway, you may need chemical de-icers to aid in your efforts. Chipping away at the residue with a shovel or similar tool can also help if it’s too cold for these substances to have any effect.

My Garage Door Is Noisy

Your garage door opener—and all the other parts of your garage door installation—should run relatively silently. When they don’t, there’s an issue. It’s the type of noise that your garage door makes that will determine your next course of action.

If it’s the squeaking and squealing of something that sounds poorly lubricated, then the solution is just that—lubricant! Every garage door repair pro has their own opinions on what type is best, but we’ve covered all the facts in our garage door company blog on the subject. A word of irrefutable advice, though: keep WD-40 away from your garage door! It actually strips away lubricants and can make the issue worse.

If you hear a loud bang come from your garage door, followed by ominous silence, it’s usually the type of issue that requires professional help. Broken garage door springs, snapped garage door cables, and more can all result in this sort of sound, but regardless of the cause, it’s typically a dangerous issue to fix, so don’t play around—get a pro on the scene ASAP.

Door Power: For When the Problem Isn’t an Easy Fix

Considering the information above, there are plenty of ways you can make easy fixes to your garage door. However, some issues require professional consultation to provide a positive resolution. Thankfully, Door Power is here to tackle such issues so you can get your garage door back on track (literally if need be!) and restore order to your day-to-day life.

We’ve been in the business since 1967, so there's nothing we haven’t seen and no problem too big for us to fix. Contact our Norwood office today at 952-467-3199 for speedy and stress free garage door repair!

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com

Garage doors are usually left alone until they need a fix, but what about giving yours a makeover before that happens? It might be time to enhance your garage door with new aesthetics that will improve your home’s value. A garage door makeover is a big project that requires a lot of work, but the results will be worth the effort. Here are seven garage door remodeling ideas that may make you want to redo your garage.

1. Paint the Exterior of Your Door

Aside from all the components of your garage door, there are surrounding parts that may need attention. The most notable of these is the doorframe. If the frame is a lighter color than the garage, you might want to paint it. Another part of your garage door that may be overlooked is the header. It’s the part that sits on top of the frame. It’s usually made of wood, so it’s not hard to paint. You can paint it in the same color as the door for a seamless look or choose different colors for more variety. Painting these areas first will give you an instant makeover.

The bolder the color, the more you can expect it to get noticed and make an impact. There are many vibrant hues to choose from when painting your garage door. You can use a dark red and add black accents. Or you might prefer a dark blue with white accents. These are just two examples of bold garage doors that make a statement. You can also decide to paint your door a solid color like black, white, red, green, or blue.

2. Update Your Hardware

The hardware on your garage door is what operates the entire thing, so it’s essential to keep it in good condition. If your door has screws, you may want to update them. If your door has bolts, you might want to replace them with new ones that are not stripped or rusted. You can also upgrade your door by updating the springs. If they’re old, you can replace them with compacted ones with a higher breaking rating, or you can simply get springs made of lighter metal. It’ll save you money, and most likely, the latter option will make your garage door quieter.

3. Replace the Whole Door

If you’re bored with your garage door and it’s also in poor condition, you might want to consider replacing it with a whole new one. You can go for a garage door with windows since it’ll allow light to enter your garage. Alternatively, you could choose one with a window just above the main door to add in a security system or an intercom system to let people outside your home easily communicate with you. If you have pets, you might want to choose a door with a window at the bottom so they can see outside. You can also select a new garage door that’s made of a different material that will be longer-lasting and more resistant to damage than the old one. Replacing your door is one of the most significant changes you can make to your garage to give it a new look. At Garage Door Doctor in Indianapolis and Bloomington, IN, we can install new garage doors to provide you with that fantastic modern look.

4. Add Panels to Your Door

If you want to give your garage door a new look while preserving the aesthetic of your home’s design, you can add panels. These are usually made from wood and metal, and they can have paintings, riddles, or other designs on them. Wooden panels can be stained in dark or bright colors, while metal panels can have painted designs. You’ll want to choose a style that you like and that complements your house. For example, panels look good with rustic, suburban, and industrial styles. Panels can be welcome additions to a garage door that seems too plain. You can have them made and installed before or after your garage door makeover is finished.

5. Add Lights

Much like panels, lights can improve the aesthetic of your garage door. You can attach lights to the top of your door. You can also attach lights to the sides so that the door will illuminate when opened. Lights at the bottom of your door would be suitable for illuminating any tools or other items that you may occasionally need. Decorative lights can add to the original look of your garage door and make it more appealing for visitors since you can easily see what’s going on inside. You can get lights made from metal and attach them to your door. These lights will be more functional than decorative, but they can still look good.

6. Add an Alarm

Many homeowners want an alarm on their garage door but don’t want to spend too much money on it. This is where a wireless garage door alarm comes in handy. This system is popular among homeowners because they no longer have to deal with cables and wires to their garage door, making it easy to install. This alarm doesn’t require any wiring. Everything you need comes in one package, including brackets that you can use to attach to your door. This alarm will give you an extra layer of security and protect you against thieves.

7. Install a Remote

The remote that you can use to control your garage door is the same type of remote you can use to control a TV or DVD player. They’re all wireless, and they operate at different frequencies. The controller can be placed anywhere inside your home, preferably near the garage door so that you will have easy access to it. The remote can also be placed on a wall in your home where you can access it easily. This type of remote will make it simple to open and close your garage door whenever you need to. The remote can also be programmed with several different codes. This way, you can open and close your door whenever someone rings your doorbell or when you ring the doorbell yourself. The remote is essential for any home with a garage door.

There are many different ways to give your garage door a new look without spending a lot of money on it. These methods will transform your garage door into a beautiful addition to your home. When you update your garage door, you may notice that it’s quieter, stronger, and more durable and that your garage is much more convenient to use. You can also enjoy the benefits of a more secure home when you decide to install a remote that’ll allow you to quickly and easily open and close your door.

At Garage Door Doctor, we offer garage door repairs and maintenance services in Indianapolis, Bloomington, and the surrounding areas of Indiana. We’d love to help you give your door that new look and make it more appealing to use. We also install garage door openers and replace old or damaged garage doors. Contact us now for more information or a free consultation.

The post 7 Garage Door Makeovers to Inspire a Remodel appeared first on Garage Door Doctor.

This post first appeared on https://www.garagedoordoctorllc.com

Your garage door company will make the process seamless mostly on your end, but a little family preparation never hurts.

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com

Previously on our garage door company blog, we’ve discussed in detail how to keep your kids safe around garage doors. But these powerful machines aren’t just a hazard to the children in your household; in the right circumstances, they can pose a safety hazard to anyone, regardless of age.

We’re not saying garage doors are inherently unsafe! Indeed, the industry has made great strides in the last few decades in this respect. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, for example, put a regulation into place in the 1990s that made garage door openers vastly safer to use. That being said, hundreds of pounds of material that opens and shuts via a mechanical system demands respect and care—and Door Power, your Norwood garage door repair specialists, are here to educate. Below, we’ll give you a few practical tips that will help keep your family safe and happy with your garage door installation for years to come.

Practice Preventive Maintenance

We talk a lot about this subject on our garage door company blog, but because it’s the number-one thing you can do to keep your garage door going strong—and your family safe—it bears repeating. The more frequently you keep up with your garage door care and the more you proactively schedule the necessary garage door repair services, the safer your family is. It’s that simple.

Consider garage door cables, for example. These heavy lifters are responsible, alongside your garage door springs, for performing the countless lifts and closes that you demand of your door each year.

While these cables are made of metal and are therefore strong, even they can fray, especially when they are forced to compensate for other facets of your garage door that aren’t working at their prime. Not only will you experience a service interruption if this happens, but the door itself may fall off the tracks, swinging into nearby people or vehicles. Plus, whiplash from a metal rope is dangerous in and of itself.

With regular care and TLC, though, both on your part and that of your garage door pro, you’ll catch any problems long before they get to this point—so there’s no need to worry.

Ensure Everyone Has Access

Of course, this is probably already so on a good day—but what about if you experience an unpredicted service interruption? Being able to get inside your home is as much a safety requirement as getting out of it in an emergency is.

Can everyone get into the garage if they need to? Do the appropriate people know how to manually open the garage door? The questions you’ll need answers to depend on your individual family structure, but the following can help fix any access problems you come across:

Consider Remote Access With Liftmaster

We love Liftmaster, both for its state-of-the-art garage door openers and for its remote access technology! It grants you access to your garage door’s functions with the push of a button, not to mention lets you know when the machine opens or closes otherwise.

While it’s no substitute for the preventive maintenance that prevents service interruptions, it can come in handy in a pinch if, say, you forget to grant someone access to your home while away on vacation, or if you need to let the kids in when they return home from a late playdate with the neighbors.

Don’t Forget the Keys

Garage doors are amazingly reliable machines when properly cared for, but it’s always a great safety measure to make sure yours isn’t the only access point your family has to your home. If, for example, a surprise winter storm freezes the thing shut, there will need to be other ways to get inside, lest someone get caught out in the cold.

Manual keys are still a great option if your family members can keep track of them. While preventive maintenance will ensure a reliable garage door, these can give you peace of mind in a pinch.

Don’t Overlook Strange Noises

Both commercial and residential garage door installations should run quietly—within a spectrum, of course, as some models outperform others. If you hear a noise, there’s definitely something wrong, and that something could very well lead to a safety problem.

Though in many cases squeaking or grumbling can simply mean your garage door needs lubrication, it can sometimes signal something as dire as a bent track or a garage door spring that’s bent out of shape. Perhaps the most telltale sign of all that there’s an issue is a loud bang that’s hard to ignore. This means your garage door spring has broken and that the machine is no longer safe to operate.

Door Power: Norwood Garage Door Repair Pros

For a healthy garage door and a happy family, you know just the company to call. Reach our Norwood office today at 952-467-3199.

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com