Buyer’s Guide – Upstate Garage Doors Repair

Garage Door Buyer's Guide & FAQ

A garage is one of the most valuable additions to your home or business, providing protection for your vehicle and other stored belongings. For this reason, it’s essential to maintain your garage doors in good condition. Garage door issues can stem from problems with the mechanism or the door itself. Mechanical components may rust or wear out over time, while metal doors can become dented and wooden ones may crack or break. Below are some common garage door problems and helpful suggestions for addressing them.

Care & Maintenance

Door Does Not Open

An electric garage door opener consists of a power unit and an electric motor. The door opens and closes when the motor receives a signal from a wall switch or remote control. If your door isn’t opening, start by checking the battery in your remote control. If that’s not the issue, the problem may lie with a faulty switch. To check, unscrew the switch from the wall and touch the two wires together. If the door still doesn’t open, it’s likely time to replace the switch.

Garage Door Mechanism

Maintaining your garage door components is essential for smooth and efficient operation. If you hear squeaking or grinding sounds, it may indicate that the door mechanism needs attention. Applying special grease to the chain and screw, along with lubricant spray on the springs, can resolve these issues. These products are readily available at most home improvement stores. Always ensure the door is down when working on it to prevent injury from unexpected movement.

Garage Door Springs

Garage door springs recoil when the door is raised and extend when it is lowered. To ensure they function properly, they should be greased periodically. There are two types of springs—extension and torsion—and both need to be replaced if they break. If your door becomes difficult to lift, it’s likely a sign of a broken spring

Garage Door Rollers

Metal garage door rollers are housed inside a sleeve attached to the door and are prone to rust or corrosion over time. They can be easily lubricated and are relatively inexpensive to replace if necessary. If your door becomes difficult to lift, it may indicate that the rollers are stuck or broken.

Garage Door Tracks

Garage door tracks are essential for keeping the door properly aligned. Loose tracks can be dangerous, as they may cause the door to fall unexpectedly. The tracks are secured by brackets that must remain parallel to each other to ensure proper function and alignment, guiding the door into its weather stripping. Fortunately, fixing loose tracks is relatively simple.

Garage Door Maintenance

Maintaining your garage door in good condition is crucial. This includes regularly oiling the parts and checking for rust or worn-out components. Hiring a professional to inspect your garage periodically can help prevent the issues that come with a garage lockout. Such problems can disrupt your daily plans, like getting to work, keeping appointments, or taking the kids to school.

FAQ

Why Won’t My Garage Door Close?

If your garage door opener isn’t starting, or if it starts to close but then quickly opens again, the problem could be with the sensors on your garage door opener (you may also hear a beeping sound from the motor). These sensors are designed to prevent the door from closing if an object is obstructing it, as a safety measure.

Start by cleaning the sensors to remove any dust or dirt (as shown in the images below). If that doesn’t fix the issue, gently adjust the sensors so they face each other—sometimes they get knocked out of alignment. The sensors must be properly aligned to allow the door to close.

Next, check the wiring from the sensors to the motor, as wires can break or become loose over time. If none of these steps resolve the problem, it’s best to replace the sensors. Contact our technicians, and we’ll safely install new sensors and ensure your garage door is working properly.

Why Should I Replace My Garage Door Opener?

While repairing a garage door opener is typically more affordable than replacing it, there are certain situations where a replacement is recommended. First, if the opener is beyond repair, replacement is the only option. Second, according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), garage door openers manufactured before 1993 should be replaced, as they lack essential safety features such as infrared sensors and external protection elements. All new garage door openers installed by New York Garage Doors meet the latest CPSC safety standards.

When it Comes to Garage Door Safety- What Should I Look Out For?

There are several garage door parts and features that can enhance the safety of your garage door, including:

Safety Cables for Extension Springs: These cables are designed to contain a broken extension spring if it snaps while the garage door is closed, preventing potential harm from the high tension.

Safety Sensors: Safety sensors are crucial for reducing accidents by cutting off the closing circuit of the garage door opener if they detect an obstruction. For example, if a family member is accidentally caught under a closing door or if fallen items are blocking the door, the sensors will stop the door from closing and force it to open again.

Our technicians are fully qualified to recommend and install the highest quality safety features for your garage door, ensuring peace of mind for you and your family.

Garage Door Safety

The garage door is one of the largest moving objects in your home, playing a key role in the daily movement of your family and vehicles. It also provides security and protects against the elements. Because of its importance, it should be properly maintained and operated to avoid posing a safety or security risk. If neglected, a malfunctioning garage door could lead to serious injury.

While there are some simple maintenance tasks you can do yourself, such as lubricating parts or checking for wear, more complex tasks like garage door installation or spring replacement should be left to professionals.

It’s also important to educate your children about the dangers of the garage door and its operating system, emphasizing that they should never play with it. Always refer to the manufacturer’s installation and instruction manual for safety guidelines. Below, you’ll find safety and security tips for both adults and children. Reviewing these with your entire household will help ensure everyone stays safe and secure.

Garage Door Safety and Security Tips

• A garage door and its opener are not toys. Keep the garage door opener control button or remote out of reach of small children. Children should never be allowed to play with the garage door or its opener button, and they should never stand or play near a moving garage door.

• Entering or exiting while the garage door is moving might look cool in movies, but it’s dangerous in real life. Never stand near or under a moving garage door, as it can lead to serious injuries.

• Always keep a close eye on the door while it’s opening or closing. Make sure no one—adult, child, or pet—tries to enter or exit while the door is in motion.

• Be cautious with your fingers when operating the garage door. Never place your fingers between the door sections, as this can cause painful injuries. When manually operating the door, use the handles or safe gripping joints. For added safety, consider installing garage door panels designed to prevent pinching.

• Proper maintenance is essential for the safe and efficient operation of your garage door. Annual inspections and maintenance by a trained professional are highly recommended to keep everything in good working condition.

Do Not Install a Garage Door By Yourself

Installing a garage door can be dangerous and is strongly discouraged for amateurs. Incorrect installation can lead to accidents and malfunctions. For safe and secure garage door installation, trust the trained technicians at New York Garage Doors to get the job done right.

Replace Squeaky and Old Springs

The springs on your garage door are one of the most important—and potentially dangerous—components of the system. If the springs wear out, they can break, leading to accidents. If your garage door is old, it’s crucial to inspect and, if necessary, replace the springs. Because of the risks involved, it’s best to seek professional help for spring replacement.

If your garage door is making squeaky noises, it doesn’t always mean the springs are worn out. Often, a spray-on lubricant can solve the issue. However, if the squeaking persists, it’s advisable to call a professional to inspect the springs.

Electric Malfunctions

The garage door uses electricity that can cause injury if mishandled. If the garage door malfunctions, contact a trained professional to come and perform a service.
A regular service and maintenance are required so that you and your family members can always be safe and secure. It is thus advisable to have a trusted garage door repair and installation company near you that can be readily available and offers quality services. Companies that care for the safety of you and your family are hard to come by. New York Garage Doors is one of your caring partners when it come to ensuring the safety and security of your home and more importantly, your family.