3 Common Garage Door Problems You can Test

Garage doors are the most heavily used entries to your home or business. So much so, that they have been called "The Other Front Door", so it’s understandable that they require repair or maintenance every once in a while. While some common issues can be fixed by yourself, others require the expertise of a garage door professional. Here are three of the most common garage door issues you’ll run into, and how to solve them.


1) Door will not close and Automatically Reverses.

Perhaps more than any other issue with garage doors occurs when the door starts to close and almost immediately reverses itself. 95% of the time this is caused by damage or misalignment of the photo electric sensors. These "safety eyes" are mounted on both sides of the door frame toward the bottom. The sensors are designed to reverse the closing door if there is something or somone in the doorway. To function properly; the sensors must be aligned with each other. When the sensors are not aligned properly or there is something in the way, the lights will be flashing. Slowly adjust the sensors until they are aligned and the lights are no longer flashing.  If this does not solve the problem contact your garage door professional.

2)  Difficulty Opening or Closing the Door

A common problem with residential garage doors is difficulty operating the garage door properly. This is sometimes caused by a poorly lubricated door. Use a silicone based lubricant never WE40 etc. Then, try unhinging the door from your garage door opener by pulling the emergency release cord. If the door moves more freely with the opener disengaged, then the problem is related to the opener and will require professional repair.

3) Noisy or Jammed Door Springs

Garage doors are opened by high-tension door springs that help the door open or close easily. However, these springs need to be properly maintained to ensure proper tension. If the spring is jamming or makes excessive noise, then call a garage door repair professional to service it. Never work on garage door springs yourself—they are extremely dangerous and can cause serious injury.

Garage Door Panel Repair

You are not alone! Yes... other have bumped their garage door with their car...

What many garage door repair customers do not know that a damaged or broken garage door panel doesn’t always mean they need a whole new garage door!

There are many different reasons to need a new garage door panel including hitting it with your car, wind or hail damage and even multiple hits with a basketball. If you have a newer garage door and there is only damage to one or two panels, repairs can be very successful. Your Precision door professional can generally order your replacement panels from the manufacturer in order to make sure that the whole door looks great when repairs are complete.

However, if your garage door panels have extensive damage or have warped over time, it may be time to replace your old garage door with a new one. Older garage doors (and openers) may not be as safe for your family or pets and, especially if they are damaged, may need to be replaced.

Ask your Precision Door Professional for a Free estimate.

What is the Life Expectancy of My Garage Door Springs?

How long a garage door spring will last depends on how often the door is used and the cycle rating of the springs. In todays' modern garage doors Torsion springs provide over 90% of the lift needed to raise a garage door so they are critical to your doors' operation and broken springs are one of the most common garage door repairs needed.

Most garage doors open and close 3-5 times a day, 300+ days a year. Multiply that by by 10 years. The reason they use 10 years is because that’s the average life of a garage door. The standard non-coated springs are rated at 10,000 cycles meaning they should last between 7 and 10 years.

Precision Garage Door Springs are heavy-duty, powder-coated to resist rust, and rated at a minimum 33,000 cycles to ensure a longer life expectancy for the entire garage door system. That means they will last two to three times as long before you'll need to worry about them.

It's Back to School Time... Have you checked your Garage Door?

Did you know your kids are more likely to use the garage door when coming and going to school than any other door in the house? That’s right, the garage door has officially become the most used door in the house.

That also means “Back to school” is a great time to make sure your “other front door” is working properly. If you're not sure yours is working properly – Schedule your annual Back to School Garage Door Maintenance now - your kids will thank you!

Garage Doors Need Tune-ups too!

I've said it before - Garage Doors need tune-ups just like your car. I recommend a garage door tune-up every year. Why? Garage doors are big and have lots of moving parts that can gradually work themselves out of alignment over time. That can mean getting stuck at home some cold morning. The technician will balance the door and its lifting spring system, center it in the opening if needed, tighten all the hardware, adjust the opener and lubricate everything. This is not a DIY project! Garage doors are dangerous, and they can injure you without any notice.

Watch Your Fingers!

Many older garage doors lack pinch-resistant joints and that can end in a very painful accident for your or your children. The easy fix here is to add lift handles or gripping points on the inside & outside of the door.  Even if your door has a automatic garage door opener, the door must occasionally be operated manually.

So quick tips: 1) Never place your fingers between the door sections. 2) If you manually open or close the door, use the lift handles or gripping points! If this becomes a constant issue.... consider a new garage door.

Here's to pinch free future!

Don't Be the Victim of a Preventable Crime

If you're like me.. or many of your friends and neighbors... you have a lot of "stuff" in your garage.
Usually there's enough that you can't get a car inside. If this sounds familiar, please pay close attention and answer this question.  Where do you keep the remote control for your garage door opener?

I can tell you that most people keep it in their car parked in front of that very full garage and that is exactly where a growing number of thieves are looking for them. A quickly broken car window and your garage door is open.

OK so not everything in the garage is super valuable - but... very few of us lock the door between the house and the garage and once in the garage thieves have free range of your home.

The solution? get a key fob style garage door remote that goes inside with your keys or get a keyless entry pad installed outside your garage door. These are simple, quick and not very expensive options available from your garage door professional that will insure you won't be the victim of a very preventable crime.

Springtime in Your Garage - Starting to notice things?

The weather is getting better and you're in and out of the garage a bit more now. So, here's the question.... Did you happen to notice some little things you hadn't noticed before or that (not you) you've been ignoring?

Notice how the garage door track is beginning to sag ever so slightly or how the door doesn’t seem to make it all the way to the ground now? Maybe you’ve had the garage door just stop half way down sometimes when you’ve hit the close button so you’ve had to open it all the way again and try a second time to get it to close? Hint... those are not going to get better on their own.

Whatever garage door problems you’ve encountered, just give Precision Garage Door Service a call and let their service and repair professionals come and take a look for you.

Vacation Tips for your Garage Doors

OK - you're ready for the family get-away. But have you thought about your garage door?
Here are a few tips that can save you a lot of aggravation.
• While on vacation or away from home for extended periods of time, unplug the garage door opener unit or use a wall vacation lock console security switch, which is an optional accessory to most openers.

• Never leave the remote control in the car or with a parking attendant. It should be treated like a house key.

• Always lock the door from the garage to the inside of your home. It’s a small inconvenience for safety and security.

• If your opener doesn’t have a rolling-code technology system, be sure to change the manufacturer’s standard access codes on the operator and remote control. By using the standard factory settings, your garage is vulnerable to break-ins by anyone with the same brand of remote control.

• Consider purchasing a garage door opener with rolling-code technology, which changes the access codes each time the transmitter is used to prevent code-grabbing.

• Wireless keypads, which activate the garage door opener with a personal identification number (PIN), are available for most garage door openers. This allows family members to open the door without the use of a key or remote.

• Never disclose the PIN or leave it written down. Any mounting location for a keypad or wall button must be in direct line of sight with the door.

If you're unsure, give your professional a call - they're happy to answer your questions.
Now, go enjoy your vacation.

June is Garage Door Safety Month

At Precision Door Service safety is job #1 - We hope the following safety tips will help protect you and your family from any potential harm.

• Do not stand or walk under a moving door!
• Garage Doors & Openers are NOT Toys. Do not let children play with remote controls, always placing them out of the reach.
• Teach Your Children About Garage Door and Opener Safety. Discuss garage door safety with your children and explain the danger of being trapped under the door.
• Teach children never to play under or near an open garage door and to keep their hands & fingers clear of section joints, hinges & other door parts.
• Do not play "beat the door" (ducking under a closing door) - It can result in serious injury.
• Know how to use the emergency release,(read cord/handle) in case someone is pinned by the door.
• When using the push button or transmitter, keep the door in sight until it completely stops moving.

We hope these few simple precautions prove helpful . If you have additional questions, refer to your garage door & opener's manual for details specific to the model you own or contact us.

Want to Extend the Life of your Garage Door? - Lubricate!

Your garage doors are something you rarely think about... until something goes wrong. One simple, inexpensive and easy step to extend the life of your doors is lubrication. Yes, just like your car needs lubrication so do the moving parts of your garage doors. Some aerosol silicone type spray on the moving parts should do the trick. Not only will regular sprays reduce wear and tear, but it can make everything a little quieter, as well. Pay attention to the tracks, rollers, hinges, etc.

Note: Do Not use oils like WD40 these will create problems in the long run.

While you’re at it, give everything a quick once over to check for wear, making sure nothing is loose, no cables are frayed, etc. If there are any concerns, call your garage door professional for help.

7 Questions to Ask: When Hiring Your Garage Door Company

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

1. Selection: Do they have a wide selection of products to fit your needs?
2. Experience: Are they specialists? Is Garage door installation and repair is all they do?
3. Professionalism: Who will do the work? Are they trained/certified? Are they employees or subcontractors?
4. Flexibility: Do they offer 24/7 emergency service and by appointments to meet your schedule.
5. Warranty: What warranties are available? Do they stand behind their work?
6. Reputation: What is their BBB Rating? What do others say about them?
7. Quality: What is the quality of products and Service?

 While these may seem like "obvious" questions - far too few people ask them or even compare garage door companies. You may be surprised at how much companies vary on these basic questions.

Why does my garage door reverse or open back up instead of closing?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions garage door companies get - and, in most cases does not require a service technician to troubleshoot or repair.

When a garage door reverses it is, most likely, the result of your safety eyes being out of alignment, or something may be blocking the path of the garage door. The safety sensors need a clear line of sight between each other in order for the opener to close completely. These small units are usually black, and attached at the base of the tracks on either side of your door opening. Each should have a small LED light that remains lit when both sensors are properly aligned. If bumped out of place, one or both lights will be blinking. The sensors can easily be adjusted by hand so that they are pointing at each other again. It’s also fairly common for the lenses on the safety eyes to become obscured by dirt or other debris, as well. Just make sure the "eyes" can see each other for smooth operations.

If this simple adjustment does not solve the problem... contact your local service professional.

Why Garage Doors Improve Your Homes' Curb Appeal?

Curb appeal is an important consideration for your home - regardless of whether you're selling or simply upgrading.

First, most people’s homes face the street. That often means their garage door is also facing the street and that the garage doors can claim as much as a third of what people see from the street.


Secondly, first impressions are as important for homes as they are for people. What does your garage door say about your home when someone gives it the once-over from the street or comes up the driveway?

So, if you’re trying to increase the value or saleability of your home or simply impress your neighbors and your garage doors don’t look the part, it will be an uphill battle to turn around a negative first impression.

Finally, according to recent studies - garage doors have one of the highest return-on-investments of any home improvement project.

So, think first impressions and curb appeal - then upgrade both with an updated garage door!

The Balancing Act - Garage Door Safety

James Migani from Precision Door Service, takes “The Balancing Act” on a tour of the garage to look at smart solutions for a safer home garage door. Learn what you can do to make your home safer and more secure by addressing a few issues surrounding that wall that goes up and down, your garage door! Everything from protecting from thieves, key less entry & carbon monoxide detector protection.
http://www.thebalancingact.com/story/?id=2496

Precision Door Featured on TV's The Balancing Act

Precision Door Service, the nation’s leading garage door service company, will be featured during the hit morning TV show “The Balancing Act.”  The segment will air as part of the April 21st show at 7:00 am (ET/PT) on Lifetime Television.  Discussion will include garage door safety and how routine maintenance can prevent mishaps and injuries.  For repair or service in Seattle, Salt Lake, Spokane, Tucson and Albuquerque

For more information about The Balancing Act  

Struggling With Your Garage Door?

If your garage door does not go up and down smoothly and easily, you may have a potentially unsafe condition. Even older garage door systems should operate smoothly and easily. If you're struggling to open your door even when the door is manually operated, you may have a spring system that is out of balance. When a garage door is out of balance it can cause premature wear and tear on other important door parts. We've talked before about the dangers of repairing or replacing garage door spring systems (they can be hazardous) so please have the door looked at by a trained garage door technician.

Garage Door Repair: Thinking about Doing-It-Yourself?

If you're thinking about trying garage door repairs your yourself? Here's something to consider - The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission indicates that over 30,000 people are injured by faulty garage door systems every year. It’s also important to note that these statistics count only those injuries that required medical attention while many other injuries go unreported.

Garage doors can weigh over 400 pounds, and can be potentially lethal. Your garage door is essentially a movable wall and when combined with an automatic garage door opener, it is the largest and perhaps the most dangerous moving object in your home.

Most consumers choose to have their doors repaired by trained & certified door technicians. These professionals are trained in the challenging and time consuming task of door repair, and have the tools and background to repair your door properly.

If you're thinking about doing-it-yourself - think again.. and contact a professional!

The Garage Door Parts Most Likely to Fail

Garage door systems have many moving parts and all are susceptible to wear, tear and failure. However, three of these components are the most common to experience a problem.

Springs
Springs, especially torsion springs, frequently fail and are also the most expensive. Many manufacturers and service companies use un-coated springs rated at about 10,000 cycles. (A cycle is one Open/Close). This type of spring is expected to fail 3-5 years. Precision Door uses powder-coated commercial grade springs that resist rust and have cycle ratings of 30,000 or higher, meaning a much longer lifecycle. Always ask about the cycle ratings on all springs when considering replacement.

Rollers
Rollers help guide the door up and down the track. Most companies use a plastic or nylon tire on a steel shaft. These will generally show significant wear within 18 months of normal use. Rollers with bearings are typically better; Ask about the cycle and weight ratings on the rollers your technician recommends.

BearingsBearings are the third most frequent component to fail. A typical garage door should have three sets situated in the middle and both ends of the door. Many doors come with only two bearing sets and one plastic bushing.

Being aware of the garage door components most likely to fail will enable you to make a more informed decision when buying, maintaining or repairing your door system. The result is a longer lasting and smoother operating door.

Precision Garage Door Service is proud to serve you in Washington, Idaho, Utah, Arizona & New Mexico

The 5 Features Of A Garage Door Opener iPhone App You Simply Can’t Live Without

OK, there's so much you can do with your smartphone... why not control the garage door too...

1. Open and Close Your Garage Door

I bet you saw this one coming… sort of obvious I know, but having an app on your phone would let you get in and out of the garage whenever you please. For all you powers walking/bike riding enthusiasts, you no longer have to worry about bringing your keys along! What if I said you even have the ability to open your garage door from China? You got it, read on…

Having the opener ability on your phone will also let you take the remote out of your car permanently. I know it’s tough to imagine, but that garage door opener remote is a big security risk. It’s true, even the worst of thieves know that access to your home is attached to your driver-side visor…

2. Be Alerted When The Door Opens

Okay so you’re on vacation (a really awesome one, let’s say China) and your garage door opens. You find it weird that your door is being used, well, because no one is supposed to be home… “Houston, we have a problem.” Good info to have, eh?

If the garage is used as an entrance, this would also let you know when your spouse or kids gets home from a late night, which is pretty cool. Especially for all of parents out there, to know when your kids get home from a night of “partying” is good information to have.

3. Receive Alerts If You Forget To Close The Door

This one is both surprising and really useful. The app will use GPS and signal If you get a few blocks from the house and the door is still open. How many times have you driven a couple minutes down the road and turn to your spouse and say “Honey, did you close the garage?” Well, now those conversations that almost always lead to classic marital arguments are completely avoidable. Now that you know the garage door is always closed when leaving the house, that only leaves the oven, stove, iron, fireplace, and…well, I suppose a rather lengthy list still remains.

4. Check To See If The Garage Door Is In The Open or Closed Position From Anywhere

Have you ever gotten snuggled into bed, and you’re really comfortable (I mean REALLY comfortable), and then thought, “Shoot, did I close the garage door?” At this point you really don’t want to get out of your bed which has finally reached the perfect temperature after tossing and turning for the past 20 minutes. Wouldn’t it be nice just to reach over and check your iPhone which is right on the night table? I think we can all relate to that one.

5. You Can Now Open & Close The Garage Door From Anywhere

Your kid calls and he’s locked out of the house. Assuming you genuinely like your child and want him to get in the house, all you have to do is open the app… and voila! You no longer have to leave work and open the door for him/her or need to leave a house key with a neighbor. More importantly and all kidding aside, entry in an emergency situation is easily granted no matter where you are…

6. Hardware option: Webcam

Now that you can essentially open/close your door from anywhere, check the status of your door, and be alerted when you leave the door open, you can see who or what is outside your garage door. It allows you to check and make sure the cat is not under the garage door when you close it from who knows where. It would also be nice to get a wave from the kids when they get home from school along with the alert.

By Chris Copyright Precision Door Service