Is It Time for a Garage Doors Repair?

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Canadian Garage doors - broken garage

Garage doors repair can be easy or tricky. When things suddenly go bad just like when you sense something is wrong with your garage door – you walk in and out of the room, you pace back and forth and then the first thing that comes to your mind is: “Oh yeah, I can fix this. It’s just a piece of cake!” But as you take a better look at it, you think, “Oh maybe I should call a garage doors repair technician.”

 

Trying Your Luck

The garage door is perhaps the largest moving part in the house. Even if it just glides up or down with the press of a button, the fact remains that it is comprised of several moving parts that need to be maintained. If you are a handy person, lucky for you because you will be able to do some of the garage door repairs on your own.

 

Majority of the repairs needed for the garage door or the garage door opener are simple and can be accomplished by you. If screws, door tensions, metal tracks, hinges, and rollers are your thing, you could probably indulge in a garage doors repair yourself. You just need the right tools handy, and you might give it a try.

 

Inspecting the Garage Door

The very first thing that you should do when your garage door seems out of hand is to inspect it. You need to check what has really messed up your garage door.

Basically, a garage doors repair would entail checking if the door smoothly opens and closes. With that you will be able to conclude if the torsion springs are working well.

If not, then you will need these tools: a mallet, screwdriver, level, powdered graphite, garage door lubricant, and a household cleaner.

You should also check for loose hinges or some worn rollers.

The mounting hardware should also be tested if they need to be replaced.

Lubricating the rollers and hinges might be necessary to ensure that the garage door is in tiptop shape.

Dropping penetrating oil like the ones used in motorcycles or those three-in-one oils should be applied on the hinges and rollers once in every year.

Checking Those Springs

There is a torsion spring that is attached to the wall of the garage door. You need to take care of this spring because its useful life spans only 7 years. When these break, they explode like a big bang. That is why these have to be installed with a great amount of pressure on it so that it can lift the heavy garage door up and down. It is best to seek the help of professionals such as garage doors repair technicians when installing or repairing these.

 

Maintaining the Garage Door

Maintaining the garage door is the best thing to do to avoid garage doors repair. These may not be on our top list of regular things to do, but we might need to add it even just for once annually to keep our garage doors rolling.

Check all the tiny parts of the garage doors and squirt a few drops of penetrating solvent or one that is citrus based. Lubricating the pulleys and bearings of the extension spring openers and the torsion springs will avoid the rust to build and bind up.

Wipe out the solvent clean and apply a 3-in-1 lubricant or light oil to all parts of the garage door to prevent garage doors repair.

As you are cleaning and lubricating, watch out for stuck hinges and rollers. You will need to soak them in kerosene to put them back in shape. With the help of an old toothbrush, brush in kerosene onto the cracks. You can also use a steel brush or a steel wool to wipe the parts clean before applying the lubricant.

For opener that utilize the chain or drive screw system, you also need to apply lubricant to the full length of the chain or the screw.

Weather stripping might be present on the sides of the garage door. You might need to adjust it if it seems jammed. Otherwise you will need to call a garage doors repair technician for it to be replaced. For wood garage doors, maintaining it involves having them sealed and repainted. You should consider adding a touch of weather stripping on the bottom.

For electric garage door openers, refer to your manual for minor problems. The manual would show details on how to make adjustments on the various settings of the garage door opener and would also assist in solving some problems.

If you think that maintaining and repairing your garage door is beyond your capacity, then you should find a good Canadian garage doors repair technician to maintain and fix it. Otherwise, you might end up backing your car halfway through your garage door. That would look bad for you and your car so don’t wait for this to happen.

Garage Door Sizes

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Garage Door Sizes canadian garage door vancouver

Canadian Garage Doors – Garage Door Sizes

Choosing a garage door is like science – there are several things to study and think about: type – swing-up, side hung door, or roll-up;
size – standard or customized, single, double, or triple; color – neutral or coordinated with house design scheme; style – flush or with windows or glass inserts;
Material – wood, aluminum, steel, or fiberglass?

Making a list and evaluating the options are, by themselves, a challenge, apart from the practical considerations, such as installation, security, and maintenance.

While the size of your garage is the ultimate factor to consider in choosing your garage door size, other considerations, such as vehicle type and size, your lifestyle, and your home’s architectural design are equally important. There are different garage door sizes for various types and sizes of vehicles. Standard garage door sizes of 8’x7’ (width x height), 9’x7’, or 10’x7’can house a single car. Sizes of 8’x8’, 9’x8’ and 10’x8’ are also available to choose from, to accommodate taller vehicles, such as SUVs and vans.

For housing two cars, standard garage door sizes available are 12’x7’, 14’x7’, 16’x7’, and 18’x7’, as well as 12’x8’, 14’x8’, 16’x8’ and 18’x8’. Most manufacturers offer the same standard garage door sizes. However only a few have their ideas for particular models.

Garage Door Sizes canadian garage door vancouver

Garage Door Sizes Canadian garage door Vancouver

Garage Door Size considerations

Another key factor in garage door size selection is your lifestyle. Are you keeping one or two cars? If you have one car but plan to have two soon, then a double car standard garage door should be your choice.

If you have a sedan and a second vehicle, such as a van, pick-up truck, or SUV, the size of your larger vehicle would be the primary consideration for choosing garage height. Size selection would also depend on your other planned uses for your garage. If you plan to use your garage as a workshop or laundry area additionally, then, definitely, a larger garage door size would be a must.

Another consideration is your local building code. For example, hurricane wind load zones, such as particular areas in Florida and Texas, may not allow 18 ft.

Full garage doors. It is best to consult with your local manufacturer to guide your decision-making in this regard.

It is best to consult with your local Garage Door Company to guide your decision-making in this regard.

Last, but not the least, consideration in choosing your garage door size is overall look. Remember, your garage door is more than 40% of your home’s exterior, and is among other things that people see first in your house. If you have a narrow frontage, a double car garage door could take up most of your home’s front view.

In this case, you can compensate the “look” with stylish and modern designs that create an illusion of width. Whatever your choice is, make sure that it complements your home’s architectural design and landscaping.

Finally, ask yourself these questions in making a final size selection:

  • What is my current need?
  • What is my immediate plan?
  • Does my choice fit with or complement my home design?
  • How much do I want to spend?

The above questions also apply in evaluating options on garage door type, material, style, etc., and considering possible constraints, such as space or budget.

If space is a constraint, the roll-up would be a better choice than the side hung the door. If budget is a constraint, then, undoubtedly, you cannot go for wood Garage doors or steel, which is more expensive than fiberglass or aluminum, nor can you go for brand names or commissioned designs, which would cost much more. Wood, though attractive and allows for more innovative designs, requires insulation and high maintenance, adding to the initial material cost. Security, however, is one of the things that you need to spend on. There is a wide variety of choices that could match your budget.

Selections vary from the highly secure voice recognition or pattern identifier systems to the older, but less secure, thumb scanning system.

before you call to garage door installation company

Reading various garage door reviews should assist you in your garage door selection. These reviews offer advice and tips in choosing the right garage door for you, based on the first-hand experience.

Look for reviews that provide objective views on pros and cons of various selections of garage door types, sizes, materials, colors, styles, accessories, and prices, as well as those that touch on issues such as garage door security, installation, maintenance, and problems. Beware, though, of reviews written by advertisers, as these would, of course, be biased towards their products.

You Looking For a New Garage Doors at best price? Call Canadian Garage Door Repair Vancouver – 24 Hour: 778-805-4911

Garage Door Security

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garage door security

Garage Door Security Discussed

As most homes around the nation are built to cater to families that own cars, having the best garage door security (GDS) possible installed at home is essential.

For one thing, the garage itself can be the most enticing place for burglars to break into and raid given the fact that many families store a lot of stuff in the garage other than just their vehicles. Other than the cars, the garage can be used to store items like bicycles, lawn mowers, gardening tools, computers and several home improvement projects and tools to name a few. In many cases, the garage is often where one can find the entrance to the home’s attic where some various items are placed like old books, clothes, paintings and more.

Just how can the homeowner secure the garage?

To put things in perspective, the garage always has its door (the garage door) which can be closed or opened with the use of a machine called the garage door opener. The openers are controlled via switches that are placed by the way (normally placed near the door leading into the home for convenience) as well as via remote controls installed in the vehicle.garage door security

 

Those are the basics for having a functional garage door. When it comes to garage door security, one can visit a local security specialist or search online for whatever products, techniques and services can be availed.

For one thing, having door opener security is a good way to start. This means getting technology that ensures the changing of security codes each time the garage door gets opened, and in fact, this very technology patches the security loophole that often comes with remote controls. In the past, it was easy for burglars to steal security codes of the homeowner via cellular phones and be able to use them to open garage doors using different remote controls. Current technology available solves this problem thanks to the use of billions of possible codes that the homeowner can use conveniently and safely whenever he or she opens the garage door.

Another way of securing the garage door is by using a keypad security that happens to be installed with many garage doors offered in the market. All the user has to do is input a numerical code, and he/she must take the responsibility of changing the code from time to time in convenient fashion.

 

If the garage door is not stable

If the garage door is not stable enough, one can use a variety of materials to enhance it. It is possible to use a metal rolling overhead door to replace the wooden material. Lastly, the old-fashioned locks are still very useful as they add a lot of strength for garage door security.

Garage Door Security Service

If the homeowner finds the tasks hard to do on his/her own and needs special service for security of the garage door, he/she can call a local garage door repair experts and invite the expert to examine the garage door for possible on-site work. The good news is that many security service providers nowadays offer packages that come not only with labor but also with a set of garage door accessories such as exclusive garage door locks, deadbolts, alarms, base defender and more.

There is no doubt that securing the garage is a must, even in the safest and most quiet neighborhoods. To understand the essence of garage door security fully, one can start by reading the garage door reviews (to gain insight on the value of the current garage door at hand) and home improvement articles followed by consultations with the local security service provider or home improvement experts.

Garage Door Problems

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Garage Door Wont Work

Common Garage Door Problems

It is obviously a most annoying problem especially if it comes at a most inopportune time, like when you‘re in a real hurry to leave the house, and then suddenly it strikes you that your garage door is not working (again?). Or that you find yourself unexpectedly locked out of your garage.
After a period and constant use, garage doors are bound to manifests defects.

Garage Door Wont Work

Here are some of the more common garage door problems and some do it yourself solutions:

Garage Door Won’t Open or Close – If your garage door is automatic and it won’t open then check your garage door keypad, and most likely it is not working, and there is something wrong with the programming. There could also be problems with wiring inside the keypad; if this is the case, then you have to contact a handyman or manufacturer. Or it can be as simple as just replacing the battery on the remote control.

Garage Door Gets Stuck when Opening or Closing – Check metal rollers of your garage door they might need some lubrication, or there may be some dirt clogged on the tracks of the garage door. Even the smallest obstruction like encrusted dirt could render the garage door stuck or limit its movements. You could try taking a rag and wipe down the tracks.

Garage Door Slams

Garage Door Slams on Floor when Closing – check garage doors extension spring if they are still pulled tight if not and they look all worn out chances are they need replacement.

If you have experienced these garage door problems, try to do maintenance work on your garage door. Clean your garage door tracks frequently and if possible with the use of microfiber cloth to avoid leaving stray fabric from the cloth behind. It is important to clean tracks garage door, as they are the usual cause of garage doors jamming or jumping.
It is important not to leave garage door partially open because the tendency is if you activate it again it may surprisingly travel downward and accidentally hit anything in its path.

Garage Door Problems

Another thing to do to minimize garage door problems: you should lubricate them again after some time. You can use either a light machine oil or graphite. To help in the even distribution of the lubricant on your tracks open and close garage door several times. Next, you need to check on the garage door hinges and inspect them for rust or dirt. Wipe the hinges as you did your tracks and lubricated them too.

What you can also consider part of your garage door problems is the garage doors security. To help ensure the safety of your garage doors try to make sure that the control button of the garage is not within children’s reach. Never, leave them in the car too as bad characters may chance upon them and gain entry to your house Test the garage doors reversing mechanism monthly to make sure that it is still in good working condition.

One other thing we may include in our garage door problems is if your garage door opener wakes people up due to the noise it makes or disturbs the household. If this is the case, then you may have to learn how to install a garage door opener or seek the help of a professional.

Don’t you think you should also name it as part of your garage door problems if your garage door does not open when the power goes out; apparently because the garage door opener is not working too? If this is the case, then check garage door accessories and check what they call an emergency release kit.

So in order not to let garage door problems bother you frequently then learn how to troubleshoot your garage door. There may be times that the problem is not exactly mechanical but simple interference like a garden tool leaning against garage door perhaps? Next, check if any bolts are loose and tighten them down. Look for any rusty part like cables or springs and replace them immediately. Four pulleys are operating on a garage door frame check on them too.

Garage Door Replacement

Finally, if you are just putting up a garage door or thinking of replacing your garage door it may be wise to check on the most reliable garage door brand, there is in the market. It may help lessen or at least prolong the time before you have to deal with garage door problems. Check garage door reviews online and carefully base your decision on what should be most dependable.

On a final note, make it a point to inspect your garage door opener at least once a year to make sure that it is running properly and that everything is in order. As a rule of thumb, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

 

Garage Door FAQ

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A wooden Garage Doors Burnaby BC

Common Garage Door Questions

Basic Garage Door Questions

Q: How do I know what size garage door I need?

A: Most homes have typical sizes for their garage doors. A standard single car garage door would measure 9′x8′, and a standard double car garage door would measure 16′x8′. When you’re getting a new garage door installed the technician will take expert measurements to make sure you’re getting the right size. To get an idea for yourself, measure the finished opening width and then the height.

Q: Do garage doors require maintenance?

A: It’s usually a good idea to provide regular maintenance for your garage door and garage door opener. Salty breezes from the ocean, sunlight, heavier-than-normal use and extreme temperatures can cause your garage door parts to wear quickly, and regular check-ups and lubrication can prevent expensive repairs down the road. You can even extend the life of your garage door with routine maintenance.

Q: Is it possible to only replace sections of my overhead garage door?

A: Yes, it is possible. If your garage door has been hit by a car or other object and only one or two sections of your garage door are damaged, you can contact the manufacturer to see if those parts are available. However, many garage doors are sold as a single unit, making it difficult to find individual sections, and some older garage doors might not be manufactured anymore. Additionally, the cost of replacing one or two sections of a garage door might not be much less than replacing the whole thing with all new parts.

Q: What’s the difference between torsion springs and extension springs and how can I tell which ones I have on my garage door?

A: Torsion springs and extension springs both help to open and close your garage door, but torsion springs work when pushed and extension springs work when pulled. Most modern overhead garage doors use torsion springs, so the chances are that’s what you have. A certified technician will be able to tell which type you have and perform a replacement.

Garage Door Opener Troubleshooting
Q: Can I manually open my garage door?

A: Yes, there is a red release cord on every modern garage door opener that you can pull to disengage it from the motor and put the system on manual. This is useful if there is a problem with your garage door opener or the power is out. Take caution when doing this with a garage door in the open position as it could potentially slam down.

Q: There was a loud noise in the garage, and now the garage door won’t open. What’s the problem?

A: This is probably a broken garage door spring. Garage door springs make a loud noise when they snap, and it’s impossible to open your garage door with a broken spring. This will require a service call.

Q: Can I replace only the broken spring or do I have to replace both springs?

A: It’s always recommended that you replace both springs even if only one is broken. Garage door springs work equally, which means they wear down equally. Putting a new spring in with an old one will cause an uneven balance and could pull your garage door off its tracks or cause expensive damage. Some warranties are only valid if both springs are replaced at once.

Q: The light on the garage door opener turns on, but the door doesn’t open. What’s the problem?

A: There must be a problem in the mechanics of the garage door opener (the light indicates it’s getting electricity and should be working). If you have an old garage door opener, you might consider replacing it. Either way, this is something that must be attended to by a certified technician.

Q: The garage door won’t close all the way, or will close and then open again. What’s the problem?

A: This is the result of one or both of your safety sensors thinking there is further to go before the garage door is closed and usually needs a close limit switch adjustment. You should also check to make sure there aren’t any objects in the path of the garage door that could be tripping the sensor.

Garage Door Safety
Q: Can I do garage door repairs by myself if I have the right tools?

A: It’s never recommended that you attempt to perform a garage door repair by yourself unless you have the right training or are assisted by a professional. Garage door parts can be very dangerous and cause significant damage or injury, so play it safe and call a professional. You could also be voiding a warranty by performing your repairs.

Q: Can thieves get into my house by using my garage door opener codes?

A: Garage door openers communicate with remotes using codes, and some old garage door openers use a single code which can be duplicated by thieves. Newer garage door openers use rolling codes to make duplication impossible, keeping you safe. If you have concerns about your particular opener, contact the manufacturer to ask if it has this safety feature. If it doesn’t, you might consider upgrading to a newer model.

Q: Should I be worried about my garage door opener if it was manufactured before 1993?

A: Yes. Garage door openers manufactured or installed before 1993 do not have required standard safety features that are highly valuable in preventing accidental injuries and deaths in children and pets as well as preventing property damage. Current safety features, including automatic reversal and photo-electric sensors, are now mandated by law and a professional garage door repair company should refuse to perform repairs on an opener that old because it is so unsafe. If you have a garage door opener from 1993 or earlier, replace it as soon as possible.

Q: What safety features do garage door openers have to keep kids safe?

A: Modern garage door openers come with a variety of safety features designed to keep kids and pets safe, including automatic reversal, photoelectric sensors, and pressure-sensitive sensors. Should any of these sensors be tripped, your garage door will automatically reverse and not close until it detects that it’s safe.