Kennesaw Garage Door Repair: Garage Door Won’t Stay Open

Garage doors at a glance are simply the gateway into your garage. However, as any expert will tell you, the garage door is a rather complicated mechanism that needs regular attention or will eventually prove to be the most costly repair you can have in a home. Occasionally, you may move your garage door up just a bit and for some reason, the garage door won’t stay open. While many people may put this off as just the garage door acting normally, this is actually a sign of a failing door.

Don’t be alarmed however, just because a door has started to fail doesn’t mean it’s time to replace it outright, as Kennesaw Garage Door Repair in Kennesaw, GA would tell you, there are a few things you can do to possibly fix the problem without having to replace it completely.

Debris In The Track

One of the major issues that can cause a garage door to not stay open has to do with debris in the track. Luckily, this has a very easy evaluation and fix to try and you can actually do this regularly.

To understand why this could cause a problem, you’ll need to know a bit more about how garage doors operate. Essentially, garage doors are made up of a few key components: the garage door itself, the garage door springs, and a track and roller system. When any of these are out of whack, the problem of your garage staying open will arise and will need to be fixed.

To begin to see if you have any issues with debris in your tracks, close your garage door and from within the garage, look for any warping or issues in the track. If you see anything on the metal that looks out of the ordinary, this requires a different step but as long as they look the same on both sides, you can begin to look for debris.

Debris can come in the form of dirt, spider webs, or even insect nests. These accumulate overtime and if not cleaned correctly, can prevent proper garage door function. To fix this issue, you can clean the tracks using a Swiffer or broom to knock anything down and clean them as best you can. From there, try to open your garage again and see if it begins sliding down on its own. If it does, that means that debris was not the issue and it may be something a little more important.

Garage Door Springs

The garage door springs are, in most garage door specialist’s opinion, the most important part of the garage door. The springs actually provide “spring force” equal to the weight of the garage door and keep it supported while moving up and down correctly. If there is any issue with them, this can easily cause the problem of keeping the garage door open.

To check for this, with the garage door closed, look to see if the springs located near the top of the door are damaged in any way. Typically the garage door springs look like giant coiled metal and in older houses may be rusted. They are meant to be in one complete piece and clearly connected to the door mechanism on the cable.

When looking at the garage door spring, if you notice a snap that makes it look like two distinct pieces or that it is significantly NOT connected to the door, this is cause to worry.

Unfortunately, no matter how savvy you are with tools, unless you are certified as a garage door repair service technician, it’s advised to not try and replace or repair a spring on your own. The spring, as mentioned earlier, is essentially the life force of the door itself. When they go, the door goes, and you’ll have to replace the whole mechanism. A specialist is capable of evaluating the spring and can maintain it perfectly so you can avoid any unnecessary damage to yourself or the door.

Garage Is Unbalanced / Misaligned

Finally, one of the hardest methods to fix on your own is an unbalanced or misaligned garage. Misalignment occurs when maintenance is neglected for an extended period of time and instead, many cycles are run on a garage door that is already in a failing state.

For instance, if you have noticed an issue in your garage door springs or debris in the track and continued to use it, your door becomes worse and worse the longer this goes on and can actually cause warping of the metal on the tracks, brackets, or even the rollers themselves.

To test for this, try to carefully do the following two tests.

First, raise your garage door to the mid height level and take a step back. If it is sliding down, that is a bad sign but you may also see that the bottom of the door itself is angled upwards or downwards. The side that is typically lower is the one with the worst spring and needs service ASAP. The other test you can do is to sit inside the garage during the day and look for any gaps in the garage, especially under the bottom. If you see a lot of light coming in from gaps in the door, this is not what is supposed to normally happen. The garage door is meant to form a seal so if a significant amount of light is seeping in from the bottom, chances are there is something wrong with your tracks that is not forming a firm seal with the ground.

What’s The Next Step?

After you’ve tried this and identified the possible cause of your door not staying open, speak with an expert. There are many technicians out there trained in garage door repair and service who are more than happy to speak with you and evaluate exactly what the issue with your door may be.

By taking a proactive approach to garage door maintenance, you can prevent any costly repairs in the future when the whole thing comes crashing down because you put it off till tomorrow. Keep your home running at its best and make sure to look for any of these telling signs today!

Article source here: Kennesaw Garage Door Repair: Garage Door Won’t Stay Open

Choose the Right Garage Door for Your House

When you are in the market for a new garage door, you’ll need to give it a considerable amount of consideration; this is a major investment. If you select the right door, it will add a lot of character to your home. You should think about how your garage is used. Those who use their garage as an extension of their home for a home gym or office will need a different type of door from someone who uses it simply to store their car and some of their belongings. You will also need to consider the material, style, R-values, price, safety features, construction and the amount of curb appeal that your door will provide. A garage door ranges in price from $300 for just a standard, insulated double garage door to over $10,000 for a custom-made garage door. The price of your garage door will vary based on where you live. The estimate that you will receive for your door should also include springs, vinyl stops, tracks and hardware expenses. If you are simply replacing your garage door, you might be responsible for the removal of the door and its disposal. You’ll likely be responsible for paying for the technician to reattach the garage door opener. In some instances, depending on the type of door you have, you might even have to purchase a different type of opener. You might be charged $75-80 to install your garage door inside of a new opening.

 

When it comes to asking the right questions, make sure you inquire about glass inserts, insulation and panel styles. These are some of the things that will ultimately affect the appearance of your door and can also inflate the cost. If you do not anticipate living in the home for a long time, you may simply choose a less expensive type of garage door. However, if you are having a home built, you will certainly want to invest in something more solid and durable of high-quality construction.

 

At Kennesaw Garage Door Repair in Kennesaw, GA, we want our customers to be happy with what they purchase. This is why we are discussing the things you should look for when choosing a new garage door for your home.

 

Tips for Choosing a New Garage Door

 

• Size

It is important that you know the size of your garage door opening. There are standard doors that can be fit inside of any opening but it is always better and more cost-effective when you have a door fitted to the exact measurements of your garage opening. Once you have measured the opening, have it ready for our sales associates so that they can help you find the right door.

 

• Appearance

Even if you invest in a simple garage door, you can still give it some pizzazz by adding double-paned windows or window panels. You can also tint the windows or hand decorative handles to the outside of the door.

 

• Panels

When you select panel designs, you are changing the appearance of your home and adding interest. You can choose a flush panel that has the texture that will complement your home but not draw too much attention to the door. Painted panels add flair to any plain garage door. Long raised panels offer a more sophisticated look to your home. If you have a Victorian-style house, we would suggest you have a door with short raised panels installed. There are plenty of panel designs to choose from depending on the type of garage door that you choose.

 

• Construction

You can choose from vinyl, steel, metal, wood or aluminum when you are choosing a garage door. If you don’t want to pay the high price for a wood door, you can opt for a door with raised doors to look like a high-end wooden garage door. If you invest in a wood door, you can get several types. Some can be painted and stained, while there are some that cannot. Make sure you purchase the right type to get the look you desire.

 

• Cost-effective

It is a steel garage door that tends to be the most cost-effective. It is also the most common garage door sold today for its many benefits. They come in various colors or can be painted a color that you approve of. The steel door is offered in a single layer, stamped from galvanized steel and will fit even the most meager budget. You can also choose a double layer door with galvanized steel skin on one side and polystyrene on the back. The double layer door offers great insulation and soundproofing. Finally, there is the triple layer door, which is constructed of galvanized skin, polystyrene with another layer of steel on the outside. If you have a triple-layer steel door installed, you can choose a thermal resistance rating.

 

• Purpose of Space

When you are purchasing a new garage door, make sure you keep in mind exactly how you intend on using the space. Will your garage serve as an extension of your home? Are you planning on making it into your studio for painting or a home gym, office or a space for arts and crafts? If you’re planning on using it for anything other than storing your car, it will undoubtedly change the type of door you’ll have installed. You’ll need a garage door with an R-factor in order to use it as an extension of your home. You should have an R-value of at least 3 if the temperature is moderate, however, if you live in a colder climate area, an R-factor of 10 is best.

 

Choosing a new garage door doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience. Just take your time and make sure you ask the right questions before you take the leap. You can get a great door for your home at a price that will fit your budget if you do your research. Choose a door that suits your needs and your personality.

 

Article source here: Choose the Right Garage Door for Your House

DOOR CLOSURE PROBLEMS

Have you noticed? Garage door closure problems always seem to happen when you are in the midst of something important! You might be leaving with your spouse to see your child in the school play. Or, you might have merrily jumped into the car, eager to have your first date with that special person you just met. It’s almost like your garage door knew that you had something of importance to do, and that’s when it decided to “act up.”

It opened just fine, but when it came time to close your garage door, it wouldn’t stay closed! What do you do now? You can’t just leave your garage door open and then leave? You have other vehicles, bicycles, storage items, garden tools, lawn equipment and lots more inside.

Keep calm!

If you are experiencing a garage door that won’t close, you are not alone! Here at Kennesaw Garage Door Repair we often get calls from worried folks that need to go somewhere but feel that they can’t, due to a non-closing garage door. It’s important that you get and remain calm; losing your wits now won’t help you one bit. Just follow our advice and you might just save yourself some money and lots of time!

Check your safety sensors!

Here in Kennesaw, GA when garage doors won’t stay closed, it is usually a safety sensor issue. Check yours to see if the beam is not being interrupted. Your safety sensors are also known as your photo electric safety eyes. One sensor sends a beam to the other which acts as a receiver. If the something gets in the way of the beam or if the sensors are not aligned, the beam will not connect properly with the other sensor and your garage door opener will reverse course, keeping your garage door from closing. These safety eyes can be bumped by accident or when something falls or leans against it. Many times, in garages full of garden tools, skateboards and hobby equipment, it is easy for an item to get too close to one of your sensors and throw it off alignment with its weight. Also, rodents and small animals can chew on the sensor wires and either pull them out or fray them to the point that they stop working.

Your set of sensors is easy to re-align. Simply adjust them gently so that the beam is on again and aimed directly at the receiver. You can also gently clean the sensor lenses. Use a soft cloth and wipe them free of debris, dust and any cobwebs, leaves or mud that might have accumulated on them. Dirty sensor lenses are much like trying to see out of dirty eyeglasses; it’s very difficult!

Also, keep an eye out for spider webs and other insect homes that might be interfering with your sensor beams. Spiders and other bugs love the dark environs of your garage and your safety sensors are perfect for building webs to catch their spider prey.

Garage door resistance

Your garage door has a built-in safety feature that sometimes can cause it to not close on demand. This safety feature sends your closing garage door back up if any resistance is encountered. This is the same safety feature that prevents your garage door from hitting your dog or child when it runs under it while it is closing. Or, if you don’t pull into the garage far enough, the closing garage door won’t hit your car and dent its roof or trunk because of this resistance feature.

Resistance is not always obvious and it is up to you to find it. Here’s one way. Reach up and pull the red knob at the end of the emergency release latch. This will disconnect the garage door from the opener system and allow you to manually operate your garage door. Now, with this disconnected, try manually lifting the garage door and at the same time check for any resistance. Does the door open smoothly or does it seem to catch on something and go up in a choppy way? If so, you may have a damaged spring, a broken wheel or a bent track. The bad news is that these are not do-it-yourself fixes and you will most likely need to call in a professional. The good news is that these are not expensive repairs and your favorite local Kennesaw, GA garage door repair shop can make the adjustments without a big expense or taking up lots of your time.

Other factors

Sometimes, other factors can contribute to your garage door not staying open. These can include dirty or clogged tracks, tension spring problems and broken cables. Your garage door tracks are important because your door is designed to roll forward onto them. If they are clogged with dirt, mud, lint, leaves, small rocks or even gum, the garage door will simply stop descending and go back up. It’s always a good idea to keep your garage door’s tracks clean and unobstructed. Doing so can save you lots of hassle and some money as you won’t have to schedule a service call.

Also, worn cables and tension springs can cause your garage door to not stay up. These are designed to allow your door to lower gently and not just drop. When worn or damaged, these springs and cables can cause your garage door to work erratically and not close or remain shut. Again, repairs for these items should only be done by experienced garage door professionals.

It’s up to you!

If you feel comfortable making these simple adjustments, do so and in the process, save yourself the added expense of a service call. On the other hand, it your time is limited, or too valuable to spend tinkering with garage door repairs, be sure to call on a trusted Kennesaw, GA garage door repair shop. Most offer 24-hour emergency service, free price quotes and on-location mobile service, so call one and get your garage door back in working and dependable shape!

Article source here: DOOR CLOSURE PROBLEMS

HOW TO FIND A SUPERIOR GARAGE DOOR SERVICE COMPANY

Is your garage door on the blink? DON’T TRY to fix the garage door yourself! Make sure you know what you’re getting into. Repairing a garage door or hanging a new one ~ and ensuring that every wire, track, and cable is installed correctly with the utmost safety and precision, is no simple task. Torsion springs, found on a good number of garage doors, can cause serious injury, and even death, if not dealt with properly.

 

If your garage door goes on the fritz, there are numerous reasons you could be having difficulties. Some you may be able to handle yourself, but others will require a professional garage door technician. Your garage door is a significant part of your property’s value and curb appeal, so it’s important that you hire someone you can count on. Find a reliable expert who will be completely honest about your garage door ~ whether or not repairs are needed, and if so, what’s actually required; or, if you ought to buy a new garage door instead.

 

 

DIY. There are many measures you can take before you have to call a professional to service your garage door.

 

1       Does your garage door opener run a few seconds, then turn off? If the garage door won’t budge one bit, this can occur while it’s shut and the motor tries lifting it, but it won’t move. First off, examine the springs. Next, inspect the track for any small obstacles. Then, see if maybe your garage door has a built-in lock engaging by mistake. This frequently happens with older garage doors.

 

2       What if your garage door won’t open? The transmitter batteries are probably low. Perhaps if you replace them, the garage door will finally open.

 

3       What if your garage door won’t shut? The photo eyes could be out of alignment. The garage door has a photo eye on each side. Between them is an invisible beam, which keeps your garage door from closing when it’s broken. Find out if they’re misaligned or grimy.

 

4       Does the garage door go all the way down, then open again? The open-and-close limit settings of your garage door opener are likely out of order. The settings tell the garage door opener how far to move before it’s shut completely. If it’s set too high, the garage door will hit the ground before the opener thinks it should, presuming that it’s touching something in its path. If so, it will reverse so as not to crush the object. Your operator’s manual has instructions on setting the open-and-close limits yourself.

 

5       Does the garage door opener run, but the garage door doesn’t open? If there’s a power failure, your garage door opener has a disconnect switch, which allows you to shut or open your garage door by hand. This switch, typically attached to a rope or knob, can come undone accidentally. Here’s what to do: First, open or close the garage door all the way. Then, reattach the hook firmly. Finally, try opening or shutting the garage door again with the transmitter. It will probably function now.

 

6       What if your garage door opens and shuts randomly? If your garage door opens or closes by itself, even while you’re away, this is a security risk. The first thing to do is to make sure the transmitters aren’t stuck under an object that’s inadvertently pushing on the control mechanism. For example, the transmitters may be under some forgotten items in your vehicle, or something else nearby. If this isn’t the problem, find out what the frequency of the transmitters is. Your neighbor may have the same exact frequency.

 

7       If your garage door still doesn’t go up, or slams down with a bang, it’s time to hire a professional.

 

 

If anything more critical is happening with your garage door, then you’ll need to hire an expert garage door repair technician. Let’s discuss how to find the right one for you.

 

1       Ask friends, family, and colleagues for their recommendations. Word of mouth from a satisfied customer is your best bet. If that gives you no results, do some homework.

2       Do your research. Look in the telephone book and the Internet to explore garage door companies located in your area. For the ones you find, note the addresses and phone numbers. Verify that the street address genuinely belongs to that company, so you know that it’s a local business. Using the Web, match addresses with phone numbers. If the person who answers doesn’t tell you the complete business name and its physical address, cross that company off the list.

3       When you have your list of feasible garage door companies, investigate each one. Ask folks you trust whether they know anything about any of the companies on the list. The Website for each company alone will provide lots of information along with a first impression. You can consult the Better Business Bureau to see if there are complaints on file. Check with your local consumer protection agency and the office of your state’s attorney general.

4       When you’ve narrowed it down to three, consult with each one, asking for advice regarding your specific garage door issues, and write down what each one says. It’s essential that you feel comfortable with the person you choose to repair or replace your garage door and/or its components.

 

5       Once you have three formal estimates, analyze the details, check references, and get all your questions answered. Compare prices. Remember, you get what you pay for. Ultimately, follow your instincts, and you’ll be choosing the one garage door company you can rely on.

 

It’s beneficial if the garage door company you land upon offers a free consultation and a free total written quote before starting any work. Moreover, the mobile garage door specialists on staff ought to possess exceptional experience and knowledge of current developments in the garage door industry, as well as in-depth skill, and display the utmost integrity. For instance, if you’re in Kennesaw, Georgia, consider hiring a local reputable company such as Kennesaw Garage Door Repair.

Article source here: HOW TO FIND A SUPERIOR GARAGE DOOR SERVICE COMPANY

KENNESAW GARAGE DOOR REPAIR: GARAGE DOOR MAINTENANCE

Your garage door is a major component of the outside of your home. Depending on the layout of your home, your garage door can be one or two thirds of the exterior of your home. You want to keep it looking good. You also want to make sure your garage door opener is in good working order. Seeing as your garage door is used daily, multiple times per day – you will want to make sure it is in proper working order. Here are some quick tips you can use to stay on top of any maintenance issues.

 

Visual and Sound Check

This is the easiest tip to undertake. All you have to do is be observant of your door each time it is in use. Since you look at your garage door go up or down daily, you will easily be able to notice if the door starts operating unusually. If your door usually goes up and down smoothly, but now operates with a jerking or stuttering motion – this is cause for concern. If the door goes up, but does not look symmetrical (one side is higher than the other), then you know there is an issue. Likewise, if you hear grinding, scraping or rubbing noises when you operate your door, this is indicative of an issue you should look into.

 

Inspect and Replace Rollers

Garage door rollers are either steel or nylon. Rollers have a lifespan of approximately seven years. After that time, the rollers should be replaced altogether. It is a good idea to inspect your rollers once or twice per year (if you use your garage door a lot, this inspection should be increased). If your rollers are worn, cracked or chipped, then they should be replaced. You can do this by removing roller brackets that are not directly attached to the cable system, and then reinstalling them. If you are uncomfortable with this, you should call a professional technician to handle this for you.

 

Clear the tracks

The tracks of your garage door can become filled with debris such as grass, leaves, dust and cobwebs. Just as you sweep out your garage, sweep out your garage door tracks from time to time. This way none of the debris will get into the mechanisms of your garage door opener. To do this, simply use a broom to brush away any debris.

 

Check the door cables

Please bear in mind, do not mess with the garage door cables. These are high tension cables, and they operate under a great deal of force. They can cause grave injuries if they are not handled correctly. With that being said, you can take a look at them. If you see broken strands, please call a professional for help.  The best place to look for broken strands is where the cable attaches to bottom roller bracket, this is because this area is most exposed to moisture.

 

Test the auto reverse

All doors made after 1993 are required by law to have: reversing mechanism and a photo eye or edge sensor. If your system does not have these features, we recommend you look into replacing your system. These safety features were added to avoid entrapment issues. The auto reverse on your door can be tested a few ways. For the first test, place a brick on the ground in the door’s path. When the door closes, it should automatically reverse once it touches the brick. To test the sensors of your door, close the door then interrupt the sensor beam by passing a foot or broomstick through the beam’s path. The door should reverse.

 

Lubricate any moving parts

Just like your bicycle chain needs to stay properly lubricated, the same applies to your garage door. The moving parts need to stay greased up to ensure the door continues to operate smoothly. For your garage door springs, you should purchase a silicon based spray lubricant. Your garage door manufacturer should have a list of products they recommend. For your doors chain and screws you can use white lithium grease which can be purchased for a few dollars at your local hardware store.

 

Periodically tighten the nuts and bolts

Because your garage door is in use so much (generally around 1000 times per year), the constant motion and vibrations can cause the hardware to loosen. Take a look near your roller brackets and tighten any nuts and bolts that have loosened. Also take a look at the support brackets, there are bolts that hold the rails, and they should also be tightened.

 

Replace worn out weatherstripping

The bottom of your garage door has a dense rubber weather strip. When this strip starts to go, you will notice it becoming brittle and cracked. You can buy new weatherstripping at home improvement stores. Depending on your type of door, the installation can be as quick as sliding the new stripping into the grooves. If you have a wood door you may have to use roofing nails to attach the new weatherstrip. As always, if you are uncomfortable with the process please call a professional to come out and help you.

 

Check the balance

Your door should be balanced in order for it to work correctly, and to make sure that undue strain is not being placed on other areas of your garage door system. To check the balance, disconnect the door from the automatic opener. Once this is done, lift the door. The door should lift easily and run smoothly on the tracks. Now close the door. The door should not slam down, and should start to shut with minimal use of force. If this is not the case, call a technician to come out and have a look.

 

By following this easy steps once or twice per year, you greatly help in the maintenance and upkeep of your garage door. When maintained correctly, you can get years of service out of your garage door opener. If you are in Kennesaw, GA and have questions or concerns about your garage door, please call the experts at Kennesaw Garage Door Repair. Their local technicians are happy to share their expertise with you.

Article source here: KENNESAW GARAGE DOOR REPAIR: GARAGE DOOR MAINTENANCE

How to Replace or Revamp Your Garage Doors

by houzz.com

A garage that faces the street (especially a large two- or three-car garage) can take up a lot of visual real estate. If your garage doors are in poor shape, clash with the style of your home or are just uninspired, replacing them can greatly increase your home’s curb appeal. Here are the need-to-know facts about updating your garage doors, covering style, cost and more.

 Updating your garage doors can enhance your home’s curb appeal, and in the case of attached garages, make your home more secure.

Best time to do this project: Since it is outdoor work, it is ideal to replace garage doors during warm, dry weather. That said, unless you are painting or installing a more elaborate custom feature (like a pergola), the weather does not matter too much — as long as it’s not freezing and you’re not in the middle of a thunderstorm, your pro should be able to tackle the job in a few hours.

Read more: How to Replace or Revamp Your Garage Doors

Related Article: Garage Redo