Garage door maintenance may be boring, but this guide isn’t

On your list of fun things to do, maintaining your garage door likely falls somewhere between getting audited by the IRS and hand-clipping your grass while reciting geometry theorems.

The only problem is you need a lot of things in your garage — your car, your tools and the cache of gold bricks you’ve been saving for the apocalypse — and a faulty door can get in the way of all that.

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Garage Door Troubleshooting Tips

Like any mechanical element in the home, garage doors aren’t without their share of minor issues. Many of us know the feeling of coming home after a long day and finding the garage door we thought was closed sitting wide open.

In many cases, this is due to a fairly simple issue that you can either fix or at least identify from home. At Expert Garage Doors, we’re here to help you anytime professionals are required – but here are some things you can do before our professional garage door service is necessarily required.

Keep an Eye Out

In some cases, you’ll simply be able to see the problem – or at least signs of it. Visible damage to springs or rollers is obvious reason for concern, and if you notice the light on the ceiling opener flashing as you hold the wall switch, this is a classic sign that something is going wrong within the opening or closing process.

Sensor Checks

Every garage has sensors that check to make sure nothing is in the way of the door that’s preparing to close, and some of the most common garage issues take place with these sensors. Check that nothing is in the way of these small beams of light, and make sure there hasn’t been any bending or disrupting of the sensors to change their angle. Finally, make sure they aren’t being disrupted by dust or other air particles.

Manual Closing

In other cases, the garage may not close due to an issue with the remote itself. In these cases, it will usually be possible to close the door manually by holding the pressure plate on your indoor switch. If this doesn’t work, you can often still use the hanging string to pull the door down manually. If it still won’t go down at this point, the issue is likely elsewhere. If it does go down, you know you probably have an issue with your remote or something in the electrical system.

Troubleshooting With Manual

If none of the above strategies gets the job done, take out the garage’s manual and follow troubleshooting instructions. If there are areas where the manual recommends consulting a professional, or if you’re uncomfortable performing any of these tasks, give us a call and avoid putting yourself at risk.

Want to learn more about garage door issues, or interested in garage door repair? Speak to the pros at Expert Garage Doors today.

Advice for Choosing Garage Door Style

Before you move forward with garage door installation, you have a few big decisions to make about your new door. First and foremost is your material and the style you’re going for, both of which set the baseline for all other decisions you’ll make during the process.

At Professional Garage Door Service, we’re here to help walk you through all of your options to help you make the right decision on style and materials. Here are some additional tips while going through this part of the process.

Climate and Materials

For the garage door to provide optimal functionality and protection, the materials and the climate need to go together. Metal and fiberglass doors tend to be more durable and last longer, and they offer some resistance to salt in the air – a consideration for Utah residents anywhere near the Great Salt Lake. Wood doors are more costly than metal, but they can be the top option for someone prioritizing aesthetics.

Match the Architecture

Once you’ve chosen material, it’s time to think more about the look of your door. With all the customizable options available today, you can match the design here with your home’s architecture easily – both in color and in other design elements. If your home is window-heavy, for instance, there are custom garage doors with miniature windows in them.

Ensure Safety Requirements

The garage door is a functional part of the home, and you need to ensure that this function – safety and protection – is kept up. Consider different styles based on the space in your garage and the type of door you’re using, and also ensure that it’s safe for the home’s occupants, particularly if any children are present. If needed, teach your family a few safety tips around the garage door.

Understand Required Maintenance

Like any other mechanical feature, the garage door should be serviced regularly to ensure the structural integrity remains sound. Ask your installation expert about what kinds of maintenance your door needs, and any signs you should be looking out for.

To learn more about garage door selection or any of our other garage door services, speak to the experts at Professional Garage Door Service today.