Don’t Wait for Spring Breaks: Replace Garage Door Springs Before They Fail

Garage door springs are so reliable that most people don’t notice a problem until the springs completely malfunction. However, waiting until it’s too late may cause further damage to the door or cut off the homeowner’s access to the garage, compounding the issue.

Here are the most common reasons why garage door springs suffer damage, along with some helpful maintenance tips.

Rust buildup

The springs need regular lubrication to function correctly. As the rust spreads, it eats away at the steel and weakens the springs. Over time, the coils won’t withstand constant movement, causing the springs to break. Older doors come with only one spring, and when damaged, homeowners are left with no way of opening their doors.

Springs exposed to wet or humid climates are particularly prone to rust accumulation. Engaging a professional ensures that both the door and springs remain in perfect condition.

Colder weather

Sudden temperature drops impact the life span of garage door springs. The coils become more fragile due to the cold and snap easily. The increase in moisture also raises the chances for corrosion.

Increased usage

We measure the durability of garage door springs with a certain number of cycles. Whenever the springs work to open and close a garage door, it counts as one cycle. The standard spring can perform up to 10,000 cycles, equating to about 6-10 years of operation. However, when homeowners use their garage as an additional home entrance, the springs will quickly go through their cycles.

Frequent use may damage the steel or stretch out the coils, causing the door to malfunction. It’s best to use the garage door only when necessary to help the springs last longer.

Door jams

Dust, dirt, and waste latch onto the edges of the door, infiltrating the cracks and crevices. When this buildup grows, it stops the roller and jams the garage door. This puts pressure on the springs, wearing them out until they stop working correctly. Alternatively, they could cease functioning altogether or leave the door halfway open.

Improper maintenance

Applying a silicone-based lubricant to the door springs twice a year will combat rust and maintain the garage door system’s high performance. When trouble occurs, fixing the issue without professional help can be dangerous and expensive. Inexperienced homeowners without the proper tools could damage other elements of the door system.

Garage doors are also weighty, and mishandling them can lead to bruising, abrasions, and even severe injuries.

Not replacing all the springs

Homeowners usually have a technician replace only the malfunctioning spring. However, the first failure is a warning sign that the second spring will soon fail. Replacing both springs helps the door system last longer and spares homeowners from the cost of additional repairs. Also, using a newer spring in tandem with an old one puts pressure on the door roller and may result in more extensive damage.

Contact a reputable garage door service today

Broken springs endanger the other elements of the garage door system and the home’s safety. Once homeowners notice a problem with the springs, it may be too late to avoid costly replacements.

Reaching out to a professional team ensures that the springs are healthy and working correctly. Through regular inspections, they’ll identify the weak spots and replace the damaged springs before they can harm other parts of the door system.

Three Kinds of Garage Door Openers and Their Benefits

When garage doors break down, the entire opener system usually needs to be replaced with a newer model. Knowing which type of garage door opener you had combined with knowledge of the most popular options on the market will make it easier to choose a door opener to suit your needs. Garage door openers can frequently last for 15 years or more, making them a considerable investment that needs to align with the owner’s goals and requirements for the foreseeable future.

Our guide will detail the benefits of the most common garage door opener types and when each kind makes the most sense to use.

Chain and belt drive openers

Garage door openers most commonly utilize a metal chain or a rubber belt to run the trolley that opens and closes the doors. The chain-driven model is the most economical option available on the market, and is extremely durable to boot. With infrequent lubrication, chain-driven openers will work perfectly for years before they need to be replaced. One major downside of using a chain opener is that it makes significant noise while moving the trolley. Rooms near the garage won’t be spared the metallic cacophony, so it’s advisable to put living rooms and bedrooms further from the garage if possible.

Belt-driven garage door openers are a bit more expensive than chain-based versions, but they work relatively quietly and are faster. They are perfect if you have a bit more room in your budget and the garage is not sound-proofed. The quiet operation is usually worth the premium cost, and higher-end models typically require less maintenance and have better warranties.

Screw drive openers

Screw-driven openers use a threaded steel rod to move the trolley directly via twisting. A screw-based opener has fewer moving parts than the chain or belt opener and usually requires less maintenance. It’s also less of a hazard if it breaks because the rod won’t swing around wildly and damage property. These opener types are not as quiet as belt-driven openers but are less noisy than a chain door opener. However, it requires lubrication to run flawlessly.

Wall-mounted openers

When space is at a premium, wall-mounted garage door openers (also known as side-mount or direct-drive) are the perfect solution. These openers don’t use a rod or a belt to drive the trolley, letting the motor do the heavy lifting entirely. The pulley system these openers use makes very little noise while working and requires minimal maintenance. It’s usually a more expensive solution than chains or belts, but it’s the best option for owners that need more usable space in the garage.

When you’ve chosen the perfect garage door opener type, make sure it’s installed correctly. Professional garage door services will ensure flawless installations, provide accurate and generous warranties, and repair any broken openers without a hitch.

Arizona Garage Door & Repair offers professional, affordable garage door tune-up, repair, and replacement services for Phoenix Valley area residents. Same day and emergency service! Call 602-600-6069 today!

How to Stop a Garage Door Opener From Beeping

Premium garage door openers come with many advantages. However, the ones with newer technology can quickly confuse first-time owners. For instance, a garage door opener continuously beeping is quite annoying but is a relatively straightforward issue to troubleshoot and fix. Here’s why the garage door opener might beep and how to fix it.

Using a timer

If the garage door opener runs on a set timer, it sounds off to notify people nearby when the doors start to close. The opener beeps, and lights flash just before closing as a warning for people to get out of the way. Unfortunately, timer-based systems don’t come with a silence function. The only option to prevent beeping in the future is to forgo the timer and use the garage door opener like a traditional device.

Beeping every two seconds

If the garage door opener beeps every two seconds when running, it indicates that it is using battery power. Modern openers have a failsafe battery backup when the main power supply is out. The opener will also maintain a solid orange light on its power display. Therefore, if you don’t have power in the rest of the garage or home, there’s no reason to worry. As soon as the main power comes back, the beeping stops on its own.

However, if the garage door opener runs on battery power even while connected to a working power supply, it could signal an underlying issue. Plug another appliance into the outlet reserved for the garage opener to check whether it’s producing power. If there’s no power to that outlet, call an electrician. But if the garage has power and the garage opener won’t use it, contact a local garage service for a thorough inspection. In the worse cases, it could mean the opener has a loose connection or a failing supply and needs repairs or replacement.

Beeping every thirty seconds

The garage door opener also beeps if its backup battery power is running down. It will continue beeping whether it’s working or idle. The opener will display a solid red color. The only way to permanently stop the beeping and continue to use the opener is to replace the backup battery.

Fortunately, the beeping can be stopped temporarily. If you unplug the unit and remove the battery, plugging it back in gets rid of the “low battery” warning. The garage door will then work only while the main power is on and won’t have a backup system until the new battery is installed.

Garage door issues don’t occur often and can take homeowners by surprise. Luckily, a beeping garage opener is only a warning and generally a simple fix that doesn’t require professional assistance. For anything more troublesome, contact a qualified garage door repair service for help.

The Benefits of a Smart garage door opener.

As Smart things become more ubiquitous, we have to ask ourselves how and where the money we put into our Smart products will do the most good for our ease of living, peace of mind, and control.

 

A Smart garage door will fit this bill and then some. Far from being an unnecessary luxury item, it will be a product the homeowner will use multiple times a day, at just the moment when convenience is paramount. Here we talk about some of the features a Smart garage door opener can offer:

 

Alerts

 

Get alerts when someone is using the garage door, so you never have to wonder if your loved one got home safely again. Alerts don’t just extend to informing you of the arrival of your school-age children or newly-licensed teen. A Smart garage door opener can give a homeowner the higher end security that Smart monitoring offers.

 

History

The history of the garage opener will tell the homeowner when and for how long the garage door was open. We have all arrived at work or some other away spot and had the momentary anxiety about whether the garage door was secured. A Smart garage door opener will have that on record.  It will also record when the door was opened and closed, a handy reference for the homeowner who wonders if someone in the family took out the garbage.

 

Access

 

Also, should anyone ever need access to the home through the garage, a Smart garage door opener can control up to three garage doors. The app allows a homeowner to offer others access, provides a video feed, and even has a night vision feature. Whether it’s Amazon wanting to drop off a large package, or relatives arriving unexpectedly to your home when you’re miles away, this access offers more than access to the homeowner when they’ve forgotten their keys.

 

Chain drives

 

Some chain drives have the Wifi option built into them, making this noisier option a way to integrate a Smart door opener immediately. If a chain drive doesn’t already have that feature, a home bridge can be purchased to control it. Chain drive openers also may or may not have the Smart feature.

 

A chain drive also has the added benefit of being stronger than a belt drive. For some heavy garage doors, it’s the safer option.

 

Keypads

 

A keypad is another feature that some families want. When a family member arrives or leaves via the garage, a keypad will give him the means to shut the garage by using the external keypad.

 

Compatibility

Not all Smart garage devices will be compatible with all home systems, and sometimes, there will be a monthly fee attached, depending on the device. So, it’s worth a homeowner’s time to shop wisely to make sure he gets what he wants and what will work with his home hub. But, with WiFI, Bluetooth, and cellular options, there is something for everyone in the world of Smart garage door openers.

 

Support

 

We offer professional installation of a Smart garage door control. Some homeowners have their new controller installed and schedule a yearly garage door inspection at the same time. Regardless of what a homeowner chooses, a Smart garage control is well worth consideration for the convenience, control, and peace of mind it offers.

Arizona Garage Door & Repair offers professional, affordable garage door tune-up, repair and replacement services for Phoenix Valley area residents. Same day and emergency service! Call 602-600-6069 today!

New Garage Door Ideas

There is no better way to improve curb appeal, add property value, and reduce downtime than to purchase a new garage door. This project can also help increase the safety and security of your home. The annual Cost vs. Value Report indicates that garage door replacement is an easy upgrade that yields big returns as well. This year’s report reveals that an upscale garage door replacement, costing approximately $3,500 delivered an estimated $3,502 when the house sold. That’s a 98.6% return on investment (ROI)!

Choosing a Garage Door, Opener, and Springs

Modern Materials

Many stylish options are available when you’re looking to replace a battered or weathered garage door. While materials like steel and wood remain popular, glass and aluminum are becoming more and more appealing to homeowners. Be sure the material you choose will withstand your local weather. Another important consideration is maintenance. Some materials require additional upkeep than others. For example, wood may need to be sealed or refinished every couple of years.

Thermal Efficiency

Homeowners are increasingly choosing insulated garage doors. Apart from mitigating heat loss, insulation can contribute to overall home comfort, and increased door strength and durability. Polystyrene and polyurethane are both appropriate materials. R-values and U-factors greatly influence the performance of insulation. Look for high R-values and low U-factors. Equally, weatherstripping provides an effective barrier against moisture, insects/critters, and debris.

Innovative Technology

Is there anything technology can’t do? Smart automatic openers allow you to easily monitor and control your garage door. You can also automate your entire home using an IFTTT applet (a fee may be required). For example, you can set your lights to turn as the door is opening or set the door to open/close automatically when you’re within certain perimeters. To take advantage of these features, after the opener is installed, simply download and program the LiftMaster MyQ® app.

High-Cycle Torsion Springs

Torsion springs are one of, if not the most, important parts of the garage door. By creating, storing and releasing an excessive amount of mechanical energy, their job is to counterbalance the weight of the door each time it opens and closes. Standard torsion springs are rated for 10,000-cycles, whereas, high-cycle springs are rated for 25,000-cycles. Converting cycles to years is dependent on daily usage. For busy households, with two or more drivers, high-cycle torsion springs are the only way to go.

DIY or Professional Installation?

Installing a garage door is not for the faint of heart. Not only can its weight, a minimum of 150 pounds, make maneuvering it difficult but there are lots of moving parts that must either be installed or adjusted to ensure it functions properly. DIYers are strongly cautioned against installing a new garage door. Hiring a licensed and professional service company is best. Professionals are also a good source of information both during and after installation.

Arizona Garage Door and Repair serves the entire Phoenix metro area, providing a broad range of services, from installation of your garage door to replacement of broken torsion springs. We haven’t met a garage door or automatic opener that we won’t service. Get installation and repair projects done right with the help of Arizona Garage Door and Repair by contacting us today at (602) 396-4717.

Best Holiday Gifts for the Garage Enthusiast

Let the countdown begin: There are 28 shopping days to go!

At Arizona Garage Door and Repair, we are here to help you snag the best holiday gifts for the garage enthusiast on your list. If he/she thinks outside the box and uses the garage for alternative purposes, such as working on cars, getting fit or building DIY furniture, we have you covered. We have also included ideas for the person who just needs is a little more room to park their vehicles at the end of the day.

Here are a few of the best holiday gifts for the garage enthusiast.

Bluetooth Speaker

For the garage enthusiast who enjoys listening to music, consider a Bluetooth speaker. The nice thing about Bluetooth speakers is that they are portable. They are also available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. There are even water-resistant speakers. The UE Boom 2 has been rated “the best Bluetooth speaker” by TechRadar.com. Weighing 1.2 pounds, it features a waterproof design, 15-hour battery life and a wireless range of 30+ feet.

Mechanic’s Tool Set

A Mechanic’s Tool Set is a necessity for anyone who likes repairing, maintaining, or restoring cars. The key is to look for a set that includes both SAE and metric-sized sockets and drive tools. Most sets available online or at local auto stores come in an easy-to-carry bag or case. In addition to a tool set, some other ideas for the mechanic on your list include work lights, portable jump starters, and creepers for sliding comfortably under cars and trucks.

Overhead Storage Racks

Do you know someone who could benefit from more storage space? One of the best tools to help them control clutter is an overhead storage rack. These racks make use of space not normally utilized, freeing floor space for more important things, including sheltering the car from harmful UV rays. 750-pound capacity (ceiling mounted) and 1000-pound (ceiling and wall mounted) overhead storage racks are available. These racks are designed to prevent swaying as well.

Garage Fitness Equipment

Working out is crucial for optimal health and well-being. The American Heart Association recommends that adults exercise for a minimum of 150 minutes per week. That is less than 30 minutes a day! If the garage enthusiast on your list is active, consider gifting them with the sports and fitness equipment they need crush their goals, whatever those may be. Some great ideas include strength training weight racks, exercise benches, power cages, and plyoboxes.

Smart Garage Door Opener

Is someone on your list interested in home automation? A smart garage door opener should be on your short list then. Smart garage door openers will allow the recipient to control their garage door from anywhere, anytime, assuming they have a reliable connection to the internet. This is achieved using an iOS or Android app. Some smart garage door openers even feature automatic closing through geofencing.