Garage Door Not Closing??

We hear this question/comment a lot: "Our garage door opener was working fine, but all of a sudden we have to hold the wall button down to get the door to close. How do we get the door opener to start working again?


This is often a photo eye issue. The photo- eye safety beams may be blocked, misaligned, or malfunctioning.

Start by moving any objects that may be interfering with the signal and verify that the photo-cell LED lights are illuminated as per the manufacturer's instructions. If one or both lights are on but blinking, try realigning them till the blinking stops.  Note: photo-cells can not be permanently removed from garage door openers that were built after 1973. If the infrared beams are not blocked and the photo-cells are aligned, it's time to call a pro. Contact your local garage door opener repairman to diagnose and repair the problem.

You will not be able to close the door with the remote control transmitter until the photo-cells are in proper working order.

Garage Door Opener not working Properly??

When you garage door opener is not functioning properly, start by checking the basics. First, check to be sure the wall console is not locked or in vacation mode. Then, check that the photo eyes/sensors are in place and working properly. If the red lights are flashing, they are either out of alignment or damaged and need adjustment or replacement. Finally, take time to double check the garage door for a possible broken spring. If the spring is broken and the door is in open position; call a garage door professional immediately. Do not attempt to close the door and do not walk under it.

My door reverses when closing, and is hard to open. What should I do?

My door reverses when closing, and is hard to open. What should I do?

Check the balance of your door. Lift the garage door about half-way open as shown. Release the door. If properly balanced, the door should remain in place, supported entirely by its springs.

Most likely - the door is out of balance - meaning it will drop or close once you let go... That means -- springs are a problem and will need adjustment or replacement.

Broken Garage Door Spring? Should I change both springs, or just the one spring that is broken?

Garage door springs are under constant pressure and eventually; they will wear out and/or break.
When it happens we often get this question:

• I have two springs on a shaft across the top of the door and one of the springs is broken. Should I change both springs, or just the one spring that is broken?

Every professional garage door repair technician will highly recommend that you change both springs at the same time. Here's why: Since both springs have been under the same amount of stress each time the door has been opened and closed it means the "non-broken" spring is very likely ready to go as well. In many cases it will cost less to have both springs changed at the same time than changing one spring at a time. (Why incur the cost and hassle of a second visit/repair)? In addition, most garage doors have two springs, the door may not balance properly with one new spring and one fatigued spring. Contact Us today to have both springs replaced and get your door back in proper working order!

My door does not open or close far enough. What should I do?

My door does not open or close far enough. What should I do?

You many need to adjust your openers travel settings. Your opener will have a “travel” adjustment that controls the distance that the garage door opener moves the door. Separate adjustments can be made to the opening travel distance and the closing travel distance. Refer to your owner's manual, or contact us for a professional tune-up and adjustment.

POWER OUTAGE? - How do I release the door from the opener so that I can open the garage door by hand?

When the power goes out many people discover for the first time they don't know how to release their garage door from the opener so they can open the garage door by hand.

It's very simple - remember that red cord and handle you bump into often?? With the garage door fully closed, pull the red release cord down toward the floor. Always take special caution whenever you release the garage door opener if the door is not in the fully closed position, since the door may want to slam closed when released. If at all possible do not release the garage door when open, except for emergency or security purposes and close the door with caution. Some older openers may not have a red release cord and may need to be released by pulling down a handle or a spring loaded clip. If you do have an older door that is difficult to disconnect you may want to replace the opener with a new garage door opener that has an easy pull red release cord.

NOTE: remember that with the door disconnected from the opener the door is no longer locked.
If power is going to be out for a while - consider using your slide lock temporarily and DON"T FORGET to unlock before re-engaging your opener once power is restored. 

The 7 Questions to ask when hiring a Garage Door Company

You have a wide range of choices when it comes to purchasing a garage door. Choices range from huge home supply stores to the local handyman. Consider the following questions when selecting your garage door company: 

1.     Selection
a.      Do they have a wide selection of products to fit your needs?

2.     Experience
a.      Are they specialists?  Is Garage door installation and repair all they do?

3.     Professionalism
a.      Who will do the work? Are they employees or sub-contractors?
b.     Are they trained, certified professional installers and technicians?  

4.     Flexibility
a.      Are they there when you need them? Do they offer 24/7 emergency service and appointments that meet your schedule?

5.     Warranty
a.      Do they stand behind their work with a Warranty on parts and labor?

6.     Reputation
a.      Are they a reputable company that is local, licensed, bonded and insured with a track record of providing the best in products and customer service?

7.     Quality
a.      What is the quality of their work and materials?


Find all your answers in one place when in Seattle - San Diego - Salt Lake - Spokane

Question #6 - How Much Does Spring Repair Cost?

This one of the most common question we get -"How much does it cost to replace garage door springs?" 

It seems like a simple question, however, to give you an exact price quote, we would need to know the size of the door, the weight of the door, and type of garage door springs needed (torsion or extension). That is why we will give customers a price range over the phone.

Since we carry over 30 different types of springs to account for all the different types and weights of garage doors, we recommend that a certified technician takes the proper measurements at your home before giving you an exact price quote.

Raynor no longer distributing Wood Garage Doors - Options

As of last week, Raynor is no longer distributing wood garage doors due to an issue with their supplier.

First Option -  Amarr Garage Doors offers a limitless variety of stylish wood garage doors, each hand-crafted for reliable performance and long-lasting beauty. Amarr’s wood door offering includes the distinct designs of the Bob Timberlake® Collection and the sophisticated styles of the Biltmore® for your Home Collection. The Amarr by Design Collection allows consumers to create their own unique design for a one-of-a-kind door.

Learn more about Amarr’s wood garage door offering by visiting Amarr.com or downloading the Openings in Wood brochure.

Contact us if you have any questions - Seattle - Salt Lake - San Diego - Spokane

Question #9: How do I reprogram my remote?

Yep - questions questions question... Here's #9: How do I reprogram my remote?

This is a different question that  - why doesn't it work... THAT, is most often a dead or dying battery. These are little disc like batteries like those in many cameras - every drug store has them.

If it's true reprogramming - start with they type of opener... because this is different depending on the brand of opener you have.

With a Lift master- find the learn button on the back or side of the opener (this button will be green, orange, or purple) and push the learn button like a door bell then push the button on the remote you wish to program to the opener you will hear a click and if there is a light bulb in the opener it will flash.

For Genie- the learn button is most commonly found in the front of the opener behind the light lens cover - it is a small round black button. Push the button like a door bell you will see a small light (led) blinking push the button you wish to program to the opener the (led) should stop blinking remaining lit (solid red) push the remote again the (led) should turn off – then push the remote one more time the door should move.

My door opens very slowly. How can I adjust the opener?

My door opens very slowly. How can I adjust the opener?

Your opener has a “force adjustment” that controls the power used to open and close the door. New garage door openers are preset at the factory to the lowest possible force. If your door is properly balanced, the force required should be minimal. The greater the force setting, the harder the opener will push or pull the door. Never adjust your opener to a higher force if your door is unbalanced or sticking and always test the safety reverse system after adjusting the opener. If the door is hard to lift, the door must be serviced and adjusted by a professional authorized dealer.

The Precision Garage Door Guy: Noisy Garage Door?

The Precision Garage Door Guy: Noisy Garage Door?

Noisy Garage Door?

Is your garage door louder than a room full of monkeys with pots and pans?? Does the entire neighborhood know when you are coming or going? Noisy garage doors can be irritating for sure, especially if your bedroom is above the garage.

Here are some quick tips to quiet your garage door.

FIRST
The most important thing you can do is have a licensed, well-trained, garage door professional perform an annual inspection and tune-up. Regular maintenance of your garage door is inexpensive and can insure the safety and reliability of your garage door for years to come. Remember... an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Your garage door is a complex system with multiple moving parts; all of which can contribute to making your garage door noisy. Some of them have simple solutions that can be easily fixed, while the more complex ones will require a professional.

GARAGE DOOR OPENER
Determine which type of garage door opener you have. It could be a screw, chain, or belt drive. The noisiest of these is typically the chain drive opener. Lubricating the chain occasionally will really reduce the noise that your garage door opener is making. Screw drive openers are usually quieter than the chain drives, but after a few years of use, they can become just as noisy. Belt drives are the quietest and require the least amount of maintenance.
 
SPRINGS HINGES and BEARINGS
Hinges can wear out over time... try a little silicone spray and see if it helps...  If the hinge is making a grinding noise, it may be time to replace the hinge(s). Bearings in the pulley or the rollers might be worn, causing a loud ticking noise. The only solution is replacing the bearings, which again should be done by a trained professional. A grating noise may be due to the coils in the springs becoming bent. The coils will then rub against one another causing the noise. The solution would be replacing the springs.

REPLACE YOUR GARAGE DOOR ROLLERS
A lot of garage doors have metal rollers. This is metal rubbing against a metal track, which can obviously create a loud noise. Replacing metal rollers with nylon ball bearing equipped rollers. These are a much quieter, require less maintenance, and often quite that loud garage door.

Following these suggestions along with regular maintenance of your garage door and opener will make it more durable, longer-lasting, quieter, and operating smoothly. As always - if these quick tips don't help... call a licensed professional.

Seattle, Salt Lake, Spokane, San Diego

We don't have the needed amount of headroom for a Garage Door.

This happens a lot... many older homes were built with carports that got converted to garages etc. The result - for whatever reason is not having the standard/needed amount of headroom. Yes, there something you can do?

Low headroom kits are available for most doors. If your door has extension springs, headroom can be reduced to 4-1/2”. Those with torsion spring systems can also be reduced to 4-1/2”. For more information and a free estimate - contact us today.

We're getting a new door, can we keep the old track?

We're getting a new door, can we keep the old track?

We recommend replacing the track when you replace the door. Every brand of garage door has been designed to work with a specific type of track. Additionally, replacing your track is an inexpensive way to ensure that your entire garage door system is as a safe as possible. By replacing your track you also ensure that your door warranty will apply, in the event that you have a problem.

Question #2: Why is my remote not working at all ?

Number #2 in popularity: Why is my remote not working at all ?

First look at your wall button is the light (led) blinking? If so this could mean one of two things. One; the lock button has been pushed - this is a simple fix - simply push the lock button for 3-5 seconds and release then try your remote. If your wall button does not have a lock button, this means that your remotes need to be reprogrammed this will occur for two reasons: power outage or a bad circuit board - try reprogramming the remote first - if it works for some time but stops working again then this means you circuit board is going bad. If the light (led) on the wall button is not blinking, try replacing the battery in the remote and then try to operate the door.

Question #12: Why do I have to hold the wall button down to get the door to close?

Yes, we get questions all the time. #12 - Why do I have to hold the wall button down to get the door to close?

OK - start by looking down at the bottom of the door is there anything in the way? Then look down at the bottom of your track on the left and right you should see two lights (led). Is one blinking or off? If so you will need to adjust the safety sensors to do this you will need to walk over to the safety sensor that is (off or blinking ) and turn or tilt it till the light (led) is solid. Then try operating the opener.
If that doesn't solve the problem - call your local professional.

Question #1: Where can I buy torsion springs?

We get this all the time... Where can I buy torsion springs?

Let's start with this... Torsion springs are not normally for sale to the general public and usually cannot be found in home improvement stores. This to prevent people without proper training from being injured in the process of a spring repair. Each year thousands of visits to hospital emergency rooms are attributed to attempting this repair. (20,000 plus).

The simple answer is don't try it...  It is highly advised to contact a skilled Garage Door Technician for the task.

If you feel you must remember this number: 911

Common Factors that affect Garage Door Repair Costs

Garage doors are one of the major entries into your home, so you want to be sure that they are secure and in good working order. If you're having problems with your current door, then you need to have a garage door professional determine if it can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. Here are some of the most common factors that will affect the cost of a garage door repair.

Style
Depending on the style of your door, some repairs can be made more easily than others. Older tilt-up doors are more and more difficult to repair as parts become harder to find. A single wide roll-up door tends to be pretty affordable. Custom sectional models will be more expensive, and solid wood custom doors are the most expensive.  

Materials
Not all garage door materials are created equally. The more expensive models typically mean higher garage door repair prices, as well as higher garage door replacement costs. Steel doors tend to be more affordable to repair than wood models, but there are ranges in both kinds so you will likely be able to find a replacement door in the material you wish in your budget. Thicker, more insulated premium models can also cost more.

Openers
Most modern garage doors are operated by electric garage door openers. Sometimes these malfunction and can be repaired relatively easily. If your main issue with your garage door is your opener, then garage door repair prices should be relatively low since it would mean the door itself is not the issue. Is should be pointed out that a problem with the opener is often a symptom of a door problem. If rollers are pinched, or springs are loosing tension the opener must work harder and that may cause problems. Have your garage door pro check the entire system before starting repairs.

Finishes
If you install a new door and the color doesn't match the trim or exterior of your home anymore, then painting or finishing will need to be done. This isn't a necessity, but if you choose to add this on then it will increase garage door replacement or repair costs.

Garage Door Opener Repair - cost factors

Having a malfunctioning garage door opener can be an inconvenience, but also affects the safety of your home. You want to make sure that your opener is working properly so that it opens and closes the door promptly, and doesn't accidentally close on a person or a pet. You also want to ensure that it closes securely to keep your home safe from intruders who might enter through your garage. If you need a garage door opener repair, here are a few things that might affect the cost

Type
There are multiple kinds of garage doors and various kinds of openers, as well. It's important that you installed the correct opener for the type of door that you have, as some openers are more qualified to lift heavy door varieties than others. By making sure you have a good match, you can keep the cost to repair a garage door opener down from the beginning. Remember - it is the garage door springs that lift the door not the opener! The opener just starts and guides the process.

Maintenance
Another important way to keep the cost to repair a garage door opener down is to make sure that the whole apparatus is working normally on a regular basis. This means making sure that the tracks of your door are greased and fully operational, and that the door itself is in good condition.

Remote
If you have a remote that opens your door, then a professional might check there first. You might simply need a new battery or a new remote, rather than a door opener repair.

Door
There could be a simple problem with the door itself which is preventing it from opening or closing correctly. Look for any obstructions or misaligned tracks. If something is wrong with your garage door,  a garage door professional will be able to fix it relatively quickly and it shouldn't need electrical work, unless it is something with the motor. If that is the case, then the cost to repair a garage door opener might increase a bit.

We believe in Value!

Sometimes you just need to explain why you do something.... 

We believe in Value and hope this helps.

Seattle - Salt Lake - Spokane - San Diego

9 Questions To Ask Your Garage Door Repair Company

Well, it happened... you came home and pushed the garage door button and.... nothing happened. (bet you pushed it more than once too!) 

So it's time to call a pro and get help.. but there seem to be so many companies offering garage door repair... what do I ask - how do I choose?

Here are 9 questions that will definitely help you make this important decision.


1. Are the garage door service people qualified? Find out if they are certified. Do technicians participate in ongoing training opportunities to keep current? You should expect a professional to arrive at your door and offer you identification before you let him or her in.




2. What kind of trade associations does the business belong to? Reliable companies take the time to associate themselves with national, local and consumer protection organizations. Are they members of IDA (International Door Association)? are they Accredited by the  IDEA (Institute of Door Dealer Education and Accreditation) - not all are! Remember, the garage door repair company wants to make sure its customers know they will be treated right.




3. What do other customers say about the company? Check consumer websites like BBB, to see what ratings a particular each company has. See what your neighbor has to say about a specific company. Do a search with the name of your town and “garage door repair.” This will bring up many sites specializing in local repairs. Are the company’s customers satisfied with the service? Talk to family and friends when you are looking for repair service.




4. Is the company experienced in repairing the type of garage door that you have? Although most garage door repair services will fix spring or cable and roller doors, some may not. Some services specialize in one type of door repair. Make sure you know the company works on the kind of door you need fixed.




5. Does the company serve your area? There are nearly always multiple garage door repair services are listed for your area. Be sure that the service you are considering comes to the area you live in. Double check this when you make arrangements for a visit.




6. How can you pay? Be wary of businesses who will only take cash. This is a big warning sign that the business is operating without proper licensing and without paying taxes owed. Nearly all honest services will take credit cards, checks and cash.




7. Estimates? While most companies will charge a service fee for repairs. When considering a new door however, ask about Free estimates. When buying a new door, get estimates from at least two repair companies. Every legitimate company provides free estimates on new doors and openers and will not press you to make a decision when they give you the estimate.




8. When will the job be completed? Many companies make a point to offer same-day or next-day service calls to their customers. You should be able to find a garage door repair company who is able to repair your door in a reasonable length of time, although some times during the year may be more difficult than others.




9. How long is the warranty? Look for a company that is completely honest and candid about their warranties. Some companies  offer extended warranties that are often better than the manufacturer’s. Make sure the company you decide to work with takes pride in their work.

 Don't want to ask all the questions - Call the Pros in:  Seattle, Salt Lake, San Diego, Spokane