One basic step to ensure the durability of your garage door is to understand its key components, their operation, what they do and how to keep them operating optimally. A garage door is made up of many different parts that work in harmony to enable it to open and close safely. Some of these parts and accessories include:
- Garage door opener
- Remote controller
- Safety photo eyes
- Springs
- Rollers
- Hinges
- Cables
- Pulleys
- Weather seals
For decades, we’ve installed and repaired issues related to garage doors, whether they are used in commercial or residential applications. We pride ourselves in providing not only the highest quality products, but offering the best in customer service. We don’t use subcontractors, but instead rely on our extensively trained, experienced employees, so you can have peace of mind.
We’ll take a closer look at the most important garage door accessories you ought to know about.
Important Garage Door Accessories: Vital Information
Remote Controls
Remote controls are the accessories used in initiating the command to open or close a garage door. They are used to send/transmit a signal to the garage door opener signaling it to open or close the door.
There are many different types of remote controls available, including:
- Hand-held transmitters
- Key operation controls
- Transponders
- Beacon systems installed in the car
- Cigarette lighter or other convenient locations
- Push-button keypads
- Biometric recognition remote control systems.
A professional garage door expert can advise you on the best option to choose depending on your needs, tastes and preferences.
Garage Door Opener
This is a key part in a garage door. The most common garage door openers use a chain, belt or screw-drive mechanism. Each system has its pros and cons, and each system also requires different types of maintenance.
A belt-drive system offers a smoother operation and is quieter than a chain-drive system. Chain-drive systems are, however, cheaper but require frequent lubrication. A screw-drive system requires no additional maintenance and provides great power and speed.
Safety Accessories
There are two mechanisms commonly used to provide safety in garage door operations—namely, the mechanical and photo-eye systems. The mechanical system works by reversing the direction of a garage door when it touches an object in its path.
To test whether your mechanical safety system is working right, place an object on the door’s path and then close it. If the door reverses its direction upon touching the object, then it’s in good working condition. If not, contact a professional garage door expert for repair.
The photo eye safety mechanism uses two sensors positioned on both sides of the garage door’s path. If the sensors detect an object in the path when the door is closing down, they automatically direct the garage door to reverse its direction. If your garage door uses this system but the photo eyes are not working correctly, seek professional help.
Springs
Springs are the crucial components that help balance a garage door. The most commonly used springs are torsion and extension springs.
- Torsion springs are installed parallel and horizontal to the top section of the door, while extension springs are installed above the horizontal track and perpendicular to the closed door.
- Extension springs work by stretching while torsion springs work by winding and unwinding to provide garage door lift power.
Damaged springs should only be repaired by a professional. (If you’re tempted to DIY, keep reading–we’ll explain in greater detail why that isn’t a great idea.)
Garage Door Tracks
A garage door track is important as this is what the door glides on when opening and closing. Always make sure that the tracks on both sides of the door are cleaned and free from dirt and debris. In case the tracks are out of line and need adjustments, consult a professional technician for repairs.
Need Assistance? Safety Tips? We’re You’re “Go-To” for Information on These Vital Garage Door Accessories
These are the main components of a garage door that you should be aware of. There are many more accessories that you can learn about by consulting us at Overhead Door Fayetteville. The better you understand each one of them, the easier it will be to undertake simple maintenance services on them.
We mentioned that springs were an important, key element of your garage door. For many, it’s tempting to try to replace and adjust these springs as a DIY project. However, doing so can be extremely dangerous and unsafe. We’ll explore this topic further about why you should only trust this job to the experts.
Thinking of Garage Door Springs DIY? 4 Reasons Why You Should Leave It to the Professionals
Has your garage door opener started to strain when raising and lowering your garage door? Do the torsion springs creak or grind when you try to operate your door opener? Is there visible damage or do they look broken?
You may have a garage door torsion spring that needs to be replaced. While they may last the life of your home, extension springs are one of the most common repairs homeowners need in their garage.
Torsion springs and cables see a lot of daily use and can fail or break due to wear and tear – in fact, it’s not uncommon to need to replace them every four to eight years under heavy use.
When it comes to garage doors, DIY repair is common even when it comes to replacing springs. A quick internet search for “How to Install Garage Door Springs,” along with a basic explanation of what to do does not make anybody an expert and certainly does not make you able to DIY.
Professionals advise homeowners to never tackle the issue of DIY spring replacement for a variety of reasons. Here’s a few reasons you shouldn’t attempt to replace your own garage door springs:
4 Reasons Why You Should NOT Attempt to Replace Your Garage Door Springs Yourself
1. Torsion Spring Danger
The most important reason you should leave garage door spring repairs to an experienced technician is because it’s extremely dangerous.
The average garage door can weigh between 200 to 500 pounds. Even when garage doors are broken, they are under extreme tension. When not properly removed with correct tools, tension can be released in ways that will put you at risk of injury.
At least 2,000 people in the U.S. are injured every year attempting repairs of springs and cables. It’s no fun to end up with broken fingers or laceration injuries from uncoiling springs.
2. Using the Correct Springs
It’s difficult to determine which springs are the correct ones for your garage door just by looking at them. Even professionals with years of experience find it challenging to make sure they select the correct springs. There are a variety of measurements that need to be taken in order to find the appropriate replacement springs. Different springs that are the same length could have different diameters, weights or strengths. Using the correct parts is crucial.
Using the wrong parts or incorrect tools can put too much tension on springs, causing them to wear out quickly, resulting in your door breaking or falling through. Using the wrong springs while you attempt to do a quick DIY repair could cause you to end up in the hospital.
3. Garage Door Spring Installation
Installing garage door springs is an art. There is a lot at stake if even one thing goes wrong when you are trying to fix them yourself. In addition to choosing the correct springs, and using the proper tools, springs have to be calibrated carefully to ensure that the door movement is even and smooth. If the calibration is off, jerky movements could damage your opener tracks and garage door. If you damage an expensive door by improperly installing garage springs, it could result in hundreds of dollars of repair bills making your garage door spring replacement more expensive than it should be.
4. Save Time and Money – Call A Garage Door Specialist First
Inevitably, when many DIYers try replacing garage door springs, they end up having to call in the help of a service professional because it really is a harder task than imagined. Maybe you won’t get injured, but you’ll probably end up wasting time running to the home improvement store repeatedly only to find you can’t complete the job.
Save time and headaches – call on one of our professional service technicians when your garage door springs need replacing.
A Short Guide to Garage Door Spring Repair: When to Call the Pros
The spring is one of the most important parts of any garage door, and when it breaks, it can be a big problem. Without a functional torsion spring, opening and closing the door can become difficult to impossible.
Fortunately, there are ways to tell when the torsion spring is in trouble. With careful observation and by being proactive, you can get help from a professional before the situation becomes dire. Here’s what you need to know.
What Does the Garage Door Spring Do?
Typical garage doors weigh between 130 and 350 pounds. For any normal adult, lifting a small door can be a challenge, and lifting a large, heavy door can be nearly impossible. That’s why the spring, also called the torsion spring, is important. The spring over your door counteracts the forces of gravity to make lifting the door easier.
For an automatic garage door, the spring lightens the load on the motor and reduces wear and tear on the unit. If you’re lifting the door manually, the torsion spring reduces pressure on your back and helps prevent injuries. In the event of a power outage, when the automatic garage door opener may not be working, the spring makes moving the door possible.
What Are the Signs You Need Garage Door Spring Repair?
If the torsion spring suffers damage, you’ll notice problems like:
- Spring is rusted or has corrosion on it
- The door is harder to lift than it used to be
- The garage door opener closes faster than it used to
- The spring is sagging in the middle
Trouble with the spring can happen because of general wear and tear, or because of problems like leaks, causing the spring to rust or become corroded.
How Can You Keep Your Garage Door Spring in Good Condition?
You can keep your torsion spring in good condition by getting it serviced at least once annually by a garage door repair person. During your annual tune-up, your garage door contractor will inspect the spring, oil it if needed, and suggest repairs, if repairs are warranted.
What Happens When Your Garage Door Spring Breaks?
Torsion springs are under high pressure, and when they break, parts of the spring may shoot across the garage and cause serious injuries or property damage. It’s important to get your garage door spring repaired at the first signs that it’s in trouble.
Have a Broken Garage Door Spring? Contact the Pros
Overhead Door Company of Fayetteville fixes and maintains garage door springs in and around the Fayetteville area. If your spring is showing signs of wear and tear, contact us today to set up an appointment for garage door maintenance.
Of course, springs aren’t the only garage door issue. Next, we’ll outline some of the most common problems and challenges centering around your garage door.
5 Common Garage Door Issues and How to Spot Them
Garage doors, as is common with any huge operating structure, are bound to have performance problems every now and then. The major problems arise from malfunctioning operation mechanisms or accessories such as garage door openers and remote controllers. It is important to understand various common problems with garage doors and their signs, so that you can take action to remedy them early enough.
Here are some of the 5 most common garage door problems:
1. Dead Transmitter Batteries
You may wake up one day and find out that your garage door just won’t open. This is a common garage door problem associated with dead transmitter batteries. If a transmitter has no power, it won’t be able to send a signal to your garage door and open it. Check if the transmitter on the wall inside your garage opens the door when pressed, and if it does, then the transmitter inside your car just needs battery replacement.
2. Misaligned Photo Eyes
Photo eyes are two signal transmitters placed on each side of the garage door that help detect whether there is an object in the garage door’s path as it closes. They are a safety measure designed to ensure that a garage door doesn’t come crashing down on someone or something, resulting in injuries and property damage. They keep a garage door in an open position if they detect an object in their beam’s path.
If your door is opening normally but isn’t closing when the remote controller is pressed, it could be because photo-eyes are not matching. It could also be that the eyes are dirty hence their beams are being blocked. You can easily correct this problem by cleaning the eyes and aligning them properly so that they face the same direction and are set at the same angle.
If the problem persists, call one of our professionals to look at your door.
3. Loud Noises When Operating a Garage Door
This is a common problem with worn out garage doors that have been in operation for a long time without adequate maintenance. If you notice loud screeching, squealing or grinding noises emanating from your garage door, it could be as a result of dirt and debris accumulation within its track. It could also be a lack of adequate lubrication leading to excessive friction during operation.
4. Broken Tension Springs and Cables
If your garage door is falling down fast when lowering it, it could pose a great risk to you, your family or property. In most cases, a door will fall too fast because of broken cables or loose tension springs. If the problem is with your garage door springs, do not attempt to carry out repairs by yourself but instead call a professional garage door repair technician right away. Spring and cable repairs require specialized tools and expertise that only professional technicians can offer.
5. Misaligned Track
If your garage door track is misaligned, you may have a serious issue at hand. Your garage door runs on a metal track that must be well aligned with the door for it to move properly. If the track is out of alignment, you will notice gaps between the rail and rollers or bends in the rails themselves. You will also notice that your door produces a rubbing noise or slows down when it reaches a certain point on the track.
Do These Problems Seem Familiar? Contact Our Team for Assistance
These are some of the most common problems with garage doors. There are many more problems associated with garage doors that aren’t always easy to identify by yourself, so seek professional help from our experts in Fayetteville.
Key Takeaways:
- The main garage door accessories you should know include: remote controls, garage door openers, safety accessories, springs and garage door tracks.
- The spring is a vital element of your garage door. It enables you to easily lift the heavy door. If it breaks, it creates huge problems.
- While it may be tempting to work with garage door springs yourself, this is a job best left to the pros because it can be extremely dangerous if you try to DIY.
- Not only is replacing your own garage door springs dangerous, but it requires extensive experience and careful precision. If you’re unsuccessful, you’ll end up wasting time and money.
- Getting your garage door services yearly is a good way to pinpoint any potential problems with the spring and repair them before extensive damage occurs.
- Some of the most common issues with garage doors include: dead transmitter batteries, misaligned photo eyes, loud noises, broken tension springs/cables, misaligned tracks.
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Source:
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Safety Council and the Industry Coalition for Automatic Garage Door Opener Safety.“Automatic Garage Door Opener and Garage Door Safety & Maintenance Guide” https://www.schoolofprofessionalhomeinspection.com/lib/garage-door-safety.pdf