Today Garage Door Services | Serving Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Arizona https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/ Phoenix Garage Door Repair Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:06:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-garage-4-32x32.png Today Garage Door Services | Serving Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Arizona https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/ 32 32 Guide to Maintaining Your Garage https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/blog/guide-maintaining-garage/ https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/blog/guide-maintaining-garage/#respond Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:02:30 +0000 https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/?p=1324 We all want to extend the life of the things we own and it should be no different when it comes to your garage. Most people tend to perform little to no maintenance on their garage whether it’s out of laziness or simply not aware of its benefits. Many components of your garage can actually […]

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We all want to extend the life of the things we own and it should be no different when it comes to your garage. Most people tend to perform little to no maintenance on their garage whether it’s out of laziness or simply not aware of its benefits. Many components of your garage can actually last longer with routine maintenance. These components include the flooring, rollers, springs, sensors, the track, and the physical door. Let’s explore each. 

Garage Flooring

We have an in-depth analysis in a different article of different considerations when it comes to choosing your ideal flooring, but we didn’t do a deep dive into the maintenance. Aesthetically, it’s important to clean your floor with water and a proper degreaser that will react well with your floor material. If you’re not sure which degreaser is best, any associate at most hardware stores should be able to help. This will help maintain the appearance of your floor. 

best garage flooring choice

Specifically for epoxy flooring, it’s important to avoid soap based cleaners as they will leave a layer of film that once set and is very difficult to remove. Also, avoid letting the floor air dry if you are in a colder climate as this can lead to the floor cracking. If you do plan to clean your floor in a cooler climate, manually dry the floor with either large towels or fans if you have them on hand. 

Rollers and Springs

Depending on when you had your door installed or who may have installed it, you may have different rollers. Whether they’re steel, plastic, or nylon, each can have their life extended with proper maintenance. Proper lubrication is paramount when maintaining certain types of rollers .If you need assistance with choosing the right lubricant, check with an associate at a trusted hardware store as it will depend on the type of rollers you have. 

Similarly, springs can be maintained with proper maintenance. With springs, we recommend thoroughly spraying the springs with a lubrication like white lithium grease or silicone spray. Any product that reads “garage door lube “ should be suitable.

Garage Door Sensors

Sensors are certainly the easiest to maintain. Maintenance would include removing any cobwebs on and around each sensor and cleaning the “eye” of each sensor. In addition, use a lightly damp microfiber cloth to clean these to avoid issues caused by scratches or residue build up that has attached to the sensors. We recommend checking the sensors regularly and keep in mind the sensors are fragile so do NOT apply too much pressure when cleaning them. 

garage door sensor not working

Garage Door Track

Maintaining the track includes both lubrication of the rollers and consistent inspection making sure tracks are tight and secure . We don’t recommend lubricating the track itself , it’s vital to  ensure the wheels have room to roll unimpeded. There is no need to apply heavy duty grease or lubricate the tracks. Instead if dirty you can clean dirt or debris from them. This can help quiet down noisy operation.

Routine inspecting is always helpful. When closing the door from the inside, we always recommend occasionally watching it close in its entirety to spot any areas the track may be bent, cracked, or diverting from the mount. 

The Physical Garage Door

Inside of Garage Door

The inside of the door has a metal brace that should always be inspected for any damaged components. In addition, we recommend cleaning the interior of the door on an “as needed” basis. Just like the floor, avoid letting it air dry in a colder climate and manually dry with towels or with the use of fans to avoid any cracking.

Phoenix Garage Door Repaired November 2

Outside of Garage Door

Inspecting the exterior of the door after it closes should allow you to spot any major issues such as cracks or dents. Most hardware stores will sell “sealers” that can be used, just check which product is compatible with your garage door material.

Chandler Arizona fixed garage door that was falling off

Lastly, you should inspect the seal both from the interior and exterior of the door to ensure it’s not damaged. Should you notice areas where it’s cracked, you may be able to purchase a sealer that will work on a temporary basis, but it’s important to have the entire seal replaced ASAP to ensure proper functionality. 

Overall, maintaining all components of your garage is important to extend the life of the products and ultimately saving you money in the long term. Each component has their own price point, labor costs, and time it takes to replace. Should you notice any issues with any of the above products, we can assist with the replacement, just give us a call! 

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Garage Flooring – Which Is Best For Me?  https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/blog/how-choose-best-garage-flooring/ Wed, 30 Oct 2024 01:25:25 +0000 https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/?p=1295 Are you in the market for a new garage floor but not sure what your options are? We’ve all been there, just like trying to choose the ideal garage door, and that’s why we wrote this article, so we can help make this decision a bit more simple for you. A few things to consider […]

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Are you in the market for a new garage floor but not sure what your options are? We’ve all been there, just like trying to choose the ideal garage door, and that’s why we wrote this article, so we can help make this decision a bit more simple for you. A few things to consider would include appearance, durability, and stain resistance. We’ll walk you through each below.

Appearance

Owners of classic cars, sports cars, or those who tend to service their own vehicles tend to consider highly of the appearance of their floor compared to the average garage owner. Whether it be for photos, videos, or simply to impress visitors, there are a wide range of flooring options to cater your specific needs. 

The most customizable option for your flooring to enhance the appearance would be tiling. Tiles for your garage floor can include any solid color or pattern you desire. Our friends at Garage Flooring LLC provide options here. (insert link)

When your priority is appearance, you may sacrifice durability as most tiling options are not as durable or stain resistant as other material. 

Durability

Should you be using your garage frequently and not just for excess storage, durability should be taken into consideration. Durability would include the ability to respond well to normal wear and tear including various weather conditions.

According to Express Flooring, the most durable option would be concrete flooring, polished if possible. This option does have the best response to wear and tear and changing weather conditions. We highly recommend this option if you are in an area that experiences extreme temperatures (both high and low) or experiences a lot of precipitation (both rain and snow). 

The drawback here would be appearance as options are limited and not as sleek as some of the custom tiling options. 

floor of a garage

Stain Resistance

Owning an older car has its benefits whether it’s the lower monthly payments, having no payments at all, inexpensive maintenance, etc, but you may notice small fluid leakage from either the A/C unit, power steering, or exhaust from time to time. If this is the case, you will want to make sure your flooring is both stain resistant and easy to clean.

Epoxy flooring typically offers the best stain resistance and is able to be cleaned easily. Routine maintenance is required for this option including cleaning stains immediately. Cleaning products that are intended for epoxy flooring specifically are a must as normal soap-based cleaners can leave an ugly haze that is difficult to remove

You may experience more wear and tear than polished concrete flooring, but with routine maintenance, you should be able to maximize the life of the floor. Customization is limited, but possible depending on the provider. 

floor of garage door

Recap

Appearance, durability, and resistance to stains are all considerations you should have when choosing your garage flooring. Options include tiling, polished concrete, and epoxy with each having their own benefits and drawbacks. Your number 1 question may be the cost associated with each option. We chose not to dive deep on those as each can vary drastically depending on which provider you choose for the material as well as who you choose for install. 

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New Garage Construction – A Guide To Choosing The Ideal Garage Door  https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/blog/guide-to-choosing-the-ideal-garage-door/ Fri, 25 Oct 2024 23:42:14 +0000 https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/?p=1277 Is building a garage in the plans for your next project? Whether you’re looking to take down your current garage and rebuild or you’re a new home/landowner and are starting from scratch we have a few things that you should consider and we’ll help address those for you. There are many things to consider when […]

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Is building a garage in the plans for your next project? Whether you’re looking to take down your current garage and rebuild or you’re a new home/landowner and are starting from scratch we have a few things that you should consider and we’ll help address those for you.

There are many things to consider when planning your new garage build such as the size of the door including the space needed, style of door, springs, motor, and the remote. It can be a bit difficult to plan this whole project since there are many options within each of these considerations and varying costs associated with each. That’s why we’re here, we’ll help you explore all the options and give you some things to think about before diving into the project. 

Size and Style of the Garage Door

When it comes to the sizing and style of the door, you want to consider what your goal is. Are you looking to store 1, 2, 3, or more cars? Is curb appeal a priority? What’s an estimated cost for each? 

Lucky for you, we  have two detailed articles written to assist you in answering these questions and more! 

New Garage Door Needed? A Buyer’s Guide To Choosing The Right Door!

This blog will help you understand what to think about and plan when it comes to getting a new garage door. From budgeting to steps it takes to getting a new garage door. 

What’s the Average Garage Door Size?

This blog will help you understand the sizing of garage doors. It’s not normally something we know just off the top of our head, so we want to make it easy for you to understand what size will suit you best. 

Garage Door Springs

When deciding on springs, it’s important to take into account how frequently you will be using your door since these springs help counterbalance the door. The “cheaper” the spring, the less likely it’ll last which could cause future headaches. Two options for springs would include standard springs and high cycle springs.

According to our friends at Garage Door Guide, “High cycle springs have an IPPT (Inch Pounds Per Turn) rating the same as standard springs, but with far more coils storing the same amount of tension. This allows them to last up to 5 times longer than standard spring”. 

Garage Door Motors 

While there are many brands of motors, all at different price points, we recommend going with a Chamberlain motor which includes their signature Liftmaster. We view this as the best motor for longevity and efficiency. Their website is very easy to navigate and clearly lists the pricing for each product, the description, and reviews.

Garage Door Remotes

Universal is always the way to go. On the bottom or back of your motor, it should list the product info and just make sure the remote you choose is compatible with the motor you choose. 

Just like anything else, read the reviews of the remote to ensure the remote is reliable. Other than that, it should come with setup instructions to easily get it working.

If you are having us install your new motor and have the remote already, we can program it for you at the time of install as well! 

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Garage Door Has Power, But Isn’t Working? https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/blog/my-garage-door-has-power-but-isnt-working/ Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:23:43 +0000 https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/?p=1046 Are you experiencing issues with your garage door opening, even though you know it has power? We’ve all been there. It’s a headache that can be tough to figure out and continues to cause issues that you don’t get why they are there.  If you’re finding yourself with a garage door that has power but […]

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Are you experiencing issues with your garage door opening, even though you know it has power? We’ve all been there. It’s a headache that can be tough to figure out and continues to cause issues that you don’t get why they are there. 

If you’re finding yourself with a garage door that has power but isn’t working, we’ve got you!  We will visit several reasons for why this might be happening, what to check, and most have solutions you can do yourself. 

Check All Sensors

garage door sensor not working

Make sure the lights are on

This will tell us whether the sensors are receiving power or not. If the lights are on, check the wiring to make sure none are frayed or covered in dust as this can cause issues with the connection. If they are not lit up, that means that you might have a bigger issue at hand. Give us a call and we can come out to restore power to your garage door. 

Make sure all sensors are clear

While this sounds fairly obvious, some garage door sensors will pick up random items you wouldn’t think are in the way. If you feel like all of the sensors are clear of potential items blocking them and you’re still having trouble, you can clean the front of the sensors with a damp paper towel to remove any dust that may be causing an issue. 

Check the light color

Most garage door sensors will display either a red, green, yellow (or amber/orange).  Both green, red or a combination of the two means the sensors are properly powered and whatever color is displayed varies based on the manufacturer of the sensor.

Yellow, amber, or orange sensor lights indicate the garage door sensors are not aligned or something is in the way. If this is the case, give us a call to come out and get them re-aligned or rewired if needed!

Check Garage Door Wall Console and Remote

If you haven’t already, check to see if BOTH your remote and the wall console (button that is mounted inside) are out of order, potentially need new batteries or replacement. Occasionally, one or the other may or may not be working, so it’s important to check both the garage door wall console and the garage door remote together.

old and broken remote pad

Garage Remote not working, but the wall console is?

First you should look to replace the batteries in the garage remote and if that doesn’t solve the issue, it may be time to replace the remote. Your make and model should be on the back of the overhead motor to help guide you. From there, find a remote that’s “universal” and in the description, verify it pairs with your specific garage motor. MOST garage door openers are in stock at major retailers such as Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon, etc. 

Wall console is not working, but the remote is?

This may be as simple as an unplugged wire or dust accumulation, or as complex as needing to redo the wiring from the overhead garage door motor and the console. 

To see if it’s a DIY situation, remove the cover over the mount and check for any unplugged wires and blow out all the dust. Once completed, try working the door. 

Verify there is light behind the plastic. If so and it’s not working, it’s likely a wiring issue, and if not, the issue likely lies with the overhead motor which we’d recommend giving us a call for the repair.

Inspect The Overhead Motor

If all else has failed, it’s probably time to check your garage door motor. There are a few things to check with the motor so be sure to check each of them before moving on. 

the garage motor is old and not working

Check the garage door motor lights

First thing first, make sure the lights are on. This will determine if the motor is receiving power in the first place. If those lights aren’t on, it’s probably a bigger issue. You can check the other steps below but we can also come out on a service call to identify the cause of the power loss whether it’s a motor issue or the electrical wiring in the actual garage.

Unplug and replug the motor

Next, try unplugging the motor for 10 seconds, replug, and wait ~30 seconds before trying again. A simple recycle may be all it needs as simple as it might sound. 

Check the garage door motor wiring

We don’t recommend doing this due to safety issues but the last check you can do is the wiring in the motor. Safely remove the cover on the motor to reveal the wires. Similar to the wall console, inspect the wiring and make sure none are compromised and blow out all dust. 

Hopefully this article was helpful. Whether you identified the problem and can’t repair it yourself or still unsure, just submit a request below or give us a call at 480.256.9929.

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The Importance of Garage Door Seals https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/blog/importance-of-garage-door-seals/ Thu, 03 Oct 2024 01:07:48 +0000 https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/?p=782 Many people overlook the importance of the garage door seal and underestimate the impact a damaged seal really can have on the garage space and the potential of garage door repairs. We will explore how to tell if your seal is damaged or old as well as the things you may experience with a damaged […]

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Many people overlook the importance of the garage door seal and underestimate the impact a damaged seal really can have on the garage space and the potential of garage door repairs. We will explore how to tell if your seal is damaged or old as well as the things you may experience with a damaged or old garage door seal. 

How do I know if my garage door seal is damaged or old?

Checking your seals on a monthly basis is highly recommended, especially when the weather is hard to predict. Below, are 3 ways to check if your seal may need to be replaced:

  • Turn your interior garage light on and roll the garage door down all the way. From the outside, look in (through the seal). If you see the inside light, it’s time to replace your seal. 
  • Roll your garage door down all the way and lightly spray your hose at the bottom of the door. Check inside and see if there is any seepage. 
  • Roll your garage door up and run your hand across the seal. It should be completely flat with no holes or cracks. 
the garage door seal is damaged

What happens if I don’t replace a damaged/old seal? 

Defective seals can cause various complications. Below, we listed the 3 major complications resulting from a bad seal: 

Increased Condensation

Condensation most certainly will make its way through an old or damaged seal. Signs may include cloudy windows, moist feeling inside, musty/fishy smell, or in extreme cases, even small pools of water may form at the base of the seal. 

Dust/Debris Accumulation

Large cracks or missing chunks of the seal can allow water, dust, small rocks, or even small animals to come through the bottom of the the garage; each causing their own unique situations. 

Temperature Changes

With a damaged/old seal, your interior temperature of your garage will be closer to that of the outdoors, than that of your house. Garage door seals do in incredible job at regulating the temperature and saves you hundreds of $ yearly on your electric bill. 

My garage door seal needs to be replaced, can I replace it myself?

Short answer, yes, but we recommend against it. There are many steps involved and tools needed to complete this replacement (see here for a how to). Should you skip a step or not have the right tool, you could experience any of the above issues. 

Short answer, yes, but we recommend against it. There are many steps involved and tools needed to complete this replacement (see here for a how to). Should you skip a step or not have the right tool, you could experience any of the above issues. 

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How Does Weather Affect My Garage Door?  https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/blog/how-weather-affects-garage-doors/ Fri, 27 Sep 2024 10:52:54 +0000 https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/?p=769 Here in the desert, the weather tends to be predictable with the same weather patterns year over year. While you may not consider weather to be much of a factor on the wear and tear of your garage door, it can actually be a pretty big factor. There are different components that will wear more […]

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Here in the desert, the weather tends to be predictable with the same weather patterns year over year. While you may not consider weather to be much of a factor on the wear and tear of your garage door, it can actually be a pretty big factor. There are different components that will wear more or less given the particular weather event. 

We will go through a couple exterior garage door components given various weather conditions to assist you in deciding if it’s time for an upgrade, replacement, or install

Garage Door Seals

There are different seals you can use for your garage door depending on what your goal is: keep the heat out? Leave no residue behind? Save as much $ as possible? The 4 major seals are the Brush, Bulb, Vinyl, and Rubber bottom. 

damaged broken garage door seal

Brush Seals

Brush seals are great for keeping dust out and light rainfall. Minimal sealing capabilities which may cause your HVAC to run harder to keep your garage cool.

Bulb Seals

Seals in the cold and keeps out the heat better than a standard rubber seal. Prone to crack under extreme constant heat.

Vinyl Seals

Great for high heat, stable weather conditions. High winds, debris may crack this causing issue.

Rubber Seals

Most common, least expensive. Likely need to be replaced regularly, but inexpensive. Less protection than bulb style.

Windows

Should your garage have windows, they definitely can be impacted by weather. According to Glass Genius the thickness can vary as it “depends  on the user’s preferences, weather conditions, and type of glass. However, the standard single-pane tempered replacement glass for garage door windows could be 1/8”, 3/16”, and 1/4” in thickness”. Here in the valley, we really only get severe weather part of the year and the hail is rarely large enough to break glass. We would recommend either the 3/16” or ¼” thickness to ensure they don’t shatter. Other weather conditions such as extreme heat, blowing dust, rain, etc. should not affect the windows if they’re installed properly.

Garage Door Material

The climate here in Arizona can also affect your garage door differently depending on the style of door you have.

Steel Doors

Steel is great for the weather here in the valley as it’s durable and has the most curb appeal. Couple drawbacks: dents from hail, scratches from blowing debris, may have poor insulation, especially with an old weather strip.

Wood Doors

Wood is most certainly the most cost effective option. These really are only recommended in specific climates as they swell during monsoon season and will crack when they dry out.

Fiberglass or Aluminum Doors

If you need a door that responds to weather well, but don’t want to spend the money on a steel door, fiberglass or aluminum may be an option. Couple things to consider as these can crack under intense heat (make sure they aren’t facing direct sunlight throughout the. Also, the paint will fade quicker on these doors vs the wood or steel doors.

Garage Door Frame

The outside frame of your door also can be affected by weather. Frames are usually wood (most common), aluminum or steel and each has their pros and cons. 

Wood Frame

Most visibly, the paint of your door frame wil fade with the amount of sunlight we receive here in the valley. Standing water is the most damaging element here in the valley. It’s paramount to ensure your gutters are consistently clear and make sure no debris is around the door that could pool water.

Wood is the most common frame material as it’s cost effective and easy to repair/replace.

Aluminum Frame

Most garages here in the valley do not utilize aluminum considering the lack of moisture. However, these may be added for aesthetic purposes. Aluminum tends to scratch and dent easily, so it’s important to be extra cautious when pulling in and make sure any branches are trimmed near the door.

Rarely is aluminum recommended here in Arizona. If you want an alternative to a wood frame, it would just be worth it to upgrade to a steel frame. 

Steel Frame

By far the most durable and has the most curb appeal. They are usually scratch resistant and sturdy upon light impacts (touch when pulling in, light hail, small branches, etc). Rust and corrosion can occur overtime, but considering the lack of rainfall/moisture, you won’t likely see any issues for quite some time. 

Steel is by far the most costly option, but by far the most attractive and most durable. If you are concerned with saturation, value curb appeal, or have extra room in your budget, steel framing would be your best bet! 

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Why is my Garage Door Squeaky? https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/blog/why-garage-door-is-squeaky/ Sat, 07 Sep 2024 00:31:18 +0000 https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/?p=765 There are many things that can cause a squeaky door and we will walk you through both how to identify the cause and let you know what can be done to address the noise. While this article is specific to finding the source of a squeaky door, we have a full list of considerations about […]

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There are many things that can cause a squeaky door and we will walk you through both how to identify the cause and let you know what can be done to address the noise. While this article is specific to finding the source of a squeaky door, we have a full list of considerations about DIY here

Below will be the steps you should take to identify where the squeak is coming from and what to do in each given case.

Check and make sure the door is opening evenly 

First you’ll want to manually release the door which you can learn how to do with this quick guide on how to open your garage door manually.

This is very important to point out to determine how severe the issue may be. Should there be a squeaking noise associated with an uneven door, please call us ASAP for a repair. This may be a result of the supporting brackets or springs and they may be about to break which can launch projectiles which can be very dangerous.

Check the track

Check to make sure the rollers can travel freely up and down without hesitation and the door can sit flush along the ground. There might be a few things that could stop this from happening whether it be a bent track or something inside the track causing it to not roll as it should.

bent garage door track

Check the rollers

Most common cause of intense squeaking is old or damaged rollers. We addressed these in our “common issues” blog and if you need more information, it’s worth a read. Typically these can last between 2-20 years depending on the material.

Plastic Rollers are typically the #1 suspect, however any type of roller can have issues. Plastic rollers tend to only last a couple years and can wear unevenly, crack, and eventually break into pieces. Steel rollers also grind, metal on metal, towards the end of their life cycles. Some steel rollers come equipped with ball bearings which last a little longer than not having bearings, but at the end they can stick together making the door feel stuck/not open evenly. Nylon rollers can last between 1-2 decades and towards the end, it’s a gradual decline. As long as the track is even and not bent, they should wear out relatively at the same time and just become increasingly more difficult to open and close, but not necessarily squeaking. 

When manually raising your door up and down, you should be able to identify which type of rollers you have, and which roller(s) in particular are to blame. Please give us a call and have this information handy and we can get these replaced for you! 

Check the drums

The drums located above the left and right side of the door can be the source of the squeaking. “Cable Chatter” is the term used when the drums aren’t properly installed or are worn down, which will make a grinding and or squeaking noise.

The end bearings connected to the drum can also be the source of the squeaking. These may need to be lubricated, which typically a simple white lithium grease silicone spray will do the trick (as long as they’re not broken). Really any “garage door lubricant” will suffice. 

Check the hinges

Another source of the squeak may be the hinges. Similar to the bearings, these need to be lubricated. Typically these have a lifespan of 10-15 years, so if you’re close to this duration, you may need to have these replaced.

Check the motor

Lastly, there could be an issue with the rail and trolley that’s causing the noise. Both the rail and trolley require lubrication to function properly. We highly advise giving us a call to ensure the proper motor components are lubricated as you could potentially damage the motor if not done properly. 

There are a couple other components inside the motor that could be having issues and if you notice the squeak is not the rail or trolley, give us a call before opening up the motor yourself. Many motors covers can be difficult to close back up and have many screws, wires, etc. that may or may not need to be addressed. 

Overall, a squeaky garage door might not seem like that big of a deal since it’s only a “noise” to you but it could mean that there is a larger issue at hand, so don’t just ignore the noise, get it fixed today.

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What to Consider When Tackling Garage Repairs Yourself https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/blog/what-to-consider-diy-garage-door-repair/ Sun, 25 Aug 2024 23:59:14 +0000 https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/?p=761 “Doing it yourself” is usually synonymous with saving money. However, that’s not always the case and most certainly is not with garage door repair. Let’s explore a couple reasons why fixing, servicing, or installing your own garage door may not be a good idea.  Whether it be the actual monetary cost you incur, should the […]

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“Doing it yourself” is usually synonymous with saving money. However, that’s not always the case and most certainly is not with garage door repair. Let’s explore a couple reasons why fixing, servicing, or installing your own garage door may not be a good idea. 

Whether it be the actual monetary cost you incur, should the job not be sufficient, and there are also physical costs and the cost of time. Injury, low quality, and unnecessary time lost are three of the main reasons DIY is not worth it when it comes to garage door repair, service, or installation and we will walk you through all 3 below.

Risk of Injury

Obvious, but true. The #1 reason to avoid DIY is the physical risk you can put yourself in. The springs are under intense pressure and will explode if not released properly and the rollers can break into small shards if too much pressure is pushed on them. In addition, if you try and bend the metal track in place without proper equipment, you can end up with a severe cut on your hand. 

garage door spring fixed project 2

Even if you manage to fix your issue yourself, the disposal of old parts can be dangerous. Doors and tracks in particular are very sharp and can slice deep into any part of your body. If you have little to no experience with garage door repair, give us a call and spare yourself! 

The most horrific injury can occur when the garage is not dismounted properly, crushing you instantly. Doors can weigh upwards of 300 pounds and if the proper precautions are not taken, it will free fall from the track. Save yourself from physical injury and give us a call! 

Quality of Work

Hate to break it to you, but chances are if you haven’t done a garage door repair/install before, there will be some sort of issue that will need to be fixed. Let’s say you end up saving a couple hundred $ between parts and labor; that’s great! But if it’s not 100%  perfect, there’s a chance for a break, bend, or total collapse which will now turn your savings into double to triple the amount you would have paid to call a professional from the start. 

Even if you know for certain you can successfully repair/service your garage, it still might be worth it to have a professional come out as you can’t put a price on peace of mind or safety. You can view our gallery of work here. We guarantee quality and we guarantee fair pricing. 

Time Needed and Spent

Not everyone has a whole day set aside to attempt to fix something they haven’t fixed before. Between shopping for parts for a few hours, waiting on delivery for a week or two, researching “how to” videos for maybe an hour, and actually completing the work which will likely take a couple hours, you’re likely asking yourself “why didn’t I just call Today Garage Door Services?” 

We typically can get most repairs/installs done within 30-60 mins with a few exceptions. As mentioned above, you likely would spend 3-4x the time to do it yourself, just to save a couple $. In addition, not all jobs can wait for you to have parts delivered. There are a laundry list of issues we’re equipped to help you with. You can see a list here.

The last thing we want is to come out and fix an issue you tried to fix. . If you’re even remotely hesitant about servicing your garage door, give us a call! 

Overall, we hope you contact us the next time you’re considering your garage door repair, service, or installation as a “DIY” situation. The risks far outweigh the reward as we outlined above. Call us today to save your physical well being, and have quality work being done in a fraction of the time! 

The post What to Consider When Tackling Garage Repairs Yourself appeared first on Today Garage Door Services | Serving Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Arizona.

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Broken Garage Door Single Spring: How We Fixed It Series https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/blog/broken-garage-door-single-spring/ Sat, 17 Aug 2024 10:37:13 +0000 https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/?p=717 The post Broken Garage Door Single Spring: How We Fixed It Series appeared first on Today Garage Door Services | Serving Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Arizona.

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In these “How We Fixed It” series, we go over projects that we worked on. We’ll discuss the initial diagnosis of the problem, what might have caused it, and how we fixed it. With these project examples, we want to showcase why it’s important to fix small issues early, why you shouldn’t work on your garage door without having experience, and how we can help fix whatever garage door issue you might be having.

Initial Diagnosis and Review

We were recently called to Surprise, Arizona to help a customer with a double car garage door that wouldn’t work, it was completely dead weight. When looking over the garage door we found that the single spring was broken and without that spring in working order, the garage door had no counterbalance to allow it to open as it should.

The homeowner wasn’t fully aware of what the issue was with their garage door before it completely fell off (like it’s seen in the images above) so they kept trying to open the door. As we’ve talked about, this normally causes additional issues and in this case it did. Since they continued to try and open the door, in result they ripped out the top strut and bent the door.

Potential Causes

While the reason for the door being bent and the top strut being ripped out is due to the constant try to open the door, the garage door spring being broken could be a few reasons.

Garage door springs are something that need to be replaced over time. They are constantly under pressure and strain when you open and close your garage door causing them to wear down. The more they wear down, the more they wear down, the higher the probability that they’ll break which makes the door become dead weight due to the motor not being able to pull up the full weight.

How We Fixed It

Since doing the initial diagnosis, we realized that the panels didn’t need to be completely replaced (saving a lot of money). There were a few things that needed to be replaced though.

We started with replacing the broken single spring with a pair of high cycle springs. This will help counterbalance the weight of the door so that it can easily be opened and closed without putting a lot of strain on the motor.

We then replaced the bent strut that was broken when trying to open the door without a spring with a new strut. We also added an additional one to the lower part of the top panel.

Last but not least, we reinforced the operator bracket and replaced the rollers with new ones so that the “friction” of the door isn’t causing other parts to work harder than needed.

All in all, we were able to get the door back in working condition and save the customer a lot of money by reinforcing and not needing to replace panels. Another successful garage door repair done. If you’re in need of repairs to your garage door, you can click the button below and we’ll give you a free estimate on whatever repairs you need!

The post Broken Garage Door Single Spring: How We Fixed It Series appeared first on Today Garage Door Services | Serving Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Arizona.

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Why Isn’t My Garage Door Closing All the Way https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/blog/why-isnt-garage-door-closing-all-the-way/ Sat, 17 Aug 2024 00:08:11 +0000 https://todaygaragedoorservices.com/?p=628 While having a garage door that is still operating is nice to have, if your garage door isn’t closing all the way, you’re losing the security that your garage door is supposed to provide.  We’ll cover a few reasons why your garage door might not be closing all the way and signs to look at […]

The post Why Isn’t My Garage Door Closing All the Way appeared first on Today Garage Door Services | Serving Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Arizona.

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While having a garage door that is still operating is nice to have, if your garage door isn’t closing all the way, you’re losing the security that your garage door is supposed to provide. 

We’ll cover a few reasons why your garage door might not be closing all the way and signs to look at when trying to diagnose the problem that might be outside the normal garage door issues you could experience. These might not be all of the reasons but hopefully it’ll give you a place to start when looking and if you can’t figure it out, reach out and we’ll help diagnose (and fix) the problem causing your door to not close. 

Garage Door Sensors Are Obstructed or Malfunctioning

First thing to look at if your garage door isn’t closing all the way is the sensors. Might seem obvious but sometimes the smallest thing might be catching these sensors and not allowing the door to fully close. 

Now assuming that everything is clear, this doesn’t mean the sensor isn’t the problem. If one or both of the sensors aren’t receiving power or emitting their signal properly your garage door likely won’t close all the way. You can look to see if there is any small fix to help with these two things but they are a bit more technical. 

garage door sensor not working

Tracks are Misaligned

Even the smallest bend, dent, or misalignment with your garage door tracks can stop it from closing properly. These are of course what guide your garage door up and down so if you have an issue on either side, you might need to get them fixed. 

While an option might be trying to hammer the dent out or fix them yourself, we highly recommend NOT doing this. The more you try to fix the issue with a “simple solution” the more damage can be caused and your door might not open or close at all if more track damage happens. 

Worn-Out or Damaged Rollers

While looking at the tracks, you can also check your garage door rollers. At times, these can either be extremely worn-out causing them to not roll freely or if they are damaged in anyway, it causes the door to not roll on the tracks the way it should. 

These small rollers play a big part in how your garage door operates so it’s important to have clean and working rollers. The more you let a somewhat damaged roller go along the tracks, the more damage you’ll likely cause to the tracks as well and you’ll need to get them both fixed instead of just a small roller.

bad garage door rollers that don't work

Loose or Broken Cables

If you’re wondering what helps lift and lower your garage door, it’s the cables. These are what “pull” your garage door up and down, allowing for a smooth open and close. Over time these cables can become very worn out causing them to fray, become loose, and ultimately break completely. 

Without these cables, your door just won’t work. If they are frayed or loose, the operation of your door is certainly going to be compromised and could be the reason your door isn’t closing all the way. 

Springs are Damaged or Worn-Out

We’ve talked about the garage door springs and how to notice if they need to be replaced but this could certainly be one of the reasons your garage door isn’t closing all the way. These springs help counterbalance the garage door, which is pretty heavy. 

If you choose to skip replacing or repairing your garage door springs, not only could you garage door not close all the way, the more you use it, the more damage you’re causing to the springs, the cables, and the motor. All things that you don’t want to completely go out. 

Electrical Problems

Now this could be a wide variety of issues. We already mentioned the sensors and how this could be the cause but there are two other electrical aspects that might be the issue. 

The first one being your garage door opener. If you opener is malfunctioning, well it’s probably causing issues with the door opening and closing correctly. It might be a simple fix but at times, there are more issues than just replaced batteries. 

The other electrical aspect is the motor. The motor is a very important piece to the garage door closing all the way and overall, operating as it should. Whether it’s because your motor has been working overdrive due to other issues or it’s just old, replacing this is something you shouldn’t do on your own. If you install a new motor incorrectly, just like many other issues, it’ll cause more problems with other parts of your garage door and lead to more needed repairs. 

Now these aren’t the only causes of a garage door not closing all the way but they are some of the more popular ones. You’ll want to give a quick look at all of these areas on your garage door to see if you can spot the issue. 

If you can’t spot the potential cause or have and need help with repairs, we’re here to help. We’ve assisted many residents fix their garage door, making sure it closes all the way, and get back the security to their garage that they deserve. 

The post Why Isn’t My Garage Door Closing All the Way appeared first on Today Garage Door Services | Serving Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Arizona.

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