Having your garage door working safely is a huge part of keeping your home’s property safe and well cared for. That's why, as a homeowner, it's essential for you to tend to any garage door issues before they even happen. By keeping on top of maintenance and practicing safe, routine cleanings and check-ups, you'll be putting your home at a greatly decreased risk of security breaches, intrusion, and weather damage. If you haven't given serious thought before now to the part your garage door plays in home safety, it's time to start.
Whether you're interested in taking better care of your home, fixing a recurring issue, or just learning more about how to make your garage door last, we want to help. DoReMi has been working with homeowners for years to guarantee a better, safer approach to garage door maintenance. We're not just here to help when your door needs fixing: We want to be there even before the trouble starts. Call us today to book a consultation or an appointment.
About Us
Each member of our experienced staff prides themselves on knowing all the ins and outs of garage door maintenance, repair, and replacement options. Our customers trust us to know what the best remedy is for their situation, and when we're faced with a problem, we take a patient, knowledgeable approach. That's why our clients find themselves coming back to us again and again for our expertise and wide-ranging knowledge of door types, styles, quick fixes, and more.
How Much Do You Know About Your Garage Door?
When it comes to keeping your garage door working smoothly, knowledge is power. Here are a few of the key garage door types and maintenance areas to keep in mind:
Drive Types
Your garage door drive works in one of three ways, operating via chain, belt, or screw. Knowing which drive your door uses will help you address common problems quickly without having to frantically search the web for DIY solutions.
Important Parts
Wondering if a missing or damaged part is the cause of your garage door malfunction? The first thing to know is what parts you should be paying attention to even before they wear down or break. Knowing the difference between a cable, a torsion spring, and a roller can go a long way towards helping you diagnose problems right from the start.
Maintenance Check-Ups
How often are you taking the time to thoroughly check your garage door for functionality issues? Whether it's doing an all-over check to make sure everything's running smoothly, performing a deep clean of your garage door's tracks, or testing your door for balance, home checks are important. By keeping up with your door's required maintenance checks, you could be stopping trouble in its tracks.
The first step toward keeping your garage door working safely is to keep your eyes and ears open. Performing a routine check at least once a month will alert you to any pre-existing problems that might be on the verge of getting worse, as well as allowing you to prevent any further damage. Keeping your garage door track clean and your parts well oiled is a great way to ensure that your door will last. Try to do a visual check at least once a month and make a checklist of parts that need to be cleaned or replaced.
Materials
If you're looking to do a remodel of your garage, you'll want to make sure to pick the best possible material for your door. From classic wood to aluminum and vinyl, different door materials come with different benefits. Only you can know what's right for your home. Before deciding on materials for your door, ask yourself the following questions:
- How much noise am I willing to put up with?
- Do I want my garage insulated?
- What's my budget?
- How much weather protection do I want from my door?
- What aesthetic am I going for?
Once you have a sense of your priorities when it comes to installing a new door, you'll be in a better-informed place to select your materials, drive type, and more.
Choosing the Best Door for Your Home
There's more to a great garage door than how great it looks or how well it performs. Choosing the best possible option for your home has a lot to do with the home itself. For instance, how are you primarily using your garage, and what do you want your garage to do for you? If you're focusing on your garage as a storage space or a place to house your vehicle, you might not be interested in putting too much thought into the choice of materials, drives, and style for your door. However, if you're thinking about your garage as an extension of your home, it's important to take a closer look.
How noisy is your neighborhood?
When choosing a drive, it's important to consider your surroundings. Do you live in a noisy area with a lot of street traffic and activity? If so, you might want to invest in a sturdy chain drive. If you're in a quieter, more secluded area, it's a good idea to opt for a silent belt drive.
How private do you want your space to be?
Again, only you know how you're using your garage. It could be used as a storage space, an office space, or a private gym. If you're looking at your garage as an extension of your home, looking into extra benefits for your garage door, like sliding wood paneling and insulation, could help to make the space that much homier.
How harsh is the weather where you live?
If your garage is attached to your home, you don't want all the cold air from the outside finding its way into your house through the garage. If you deal with a lot of snow, dirt, and debris all year round, you'll want to think about purchasing a sturdier type of paneling for your door's exterior to avoid damage.
How much maintenance are you willing to do?
If your garage door is something you'd rather not have to think about, it might seem convenient to go for the most cost-effective options when it comes to drive types, paneling, materials, and springs. But don't be tricked into thinking that low cost equals low maintenance. Quite often it's the other way around. If you want a door whose security functions you can simply set and leave alone, it's best to shop around and compare different door remotes, features, and models before settling on the most basic one.
Safety and Privacy
How protected do you want your garage to be? Are you someone who can't rest without knowing that every door and window in your home is locked and secured? If so, you'll want to look into higher-tech security features for your door that won't leave a stone unturned when it comes to safety. Want to know every time your door opens? Some security programs allow you to be alerted via app. Anxious about who comes and goes from your garage? Using the latest technology, you'll be able to monitor activity, set codes and more.
Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Garage Door?
Even if you're happy with your current garage door, it never hurts to think about how you can improve upon its safety and functionality. By taking a moment to install a few new features, you could be creating a more secure home environment for your family and your possessions.
How to Perform At-Home Safety Checks
Along with regular visual checks, it's important to make sure your door is properly balanced and that your springs are intact. Opening your door manually every so often will help you make sure your track isn't bent and your door isn't putting more stress on one side than the other. When doing your visual check, also make sure to check your cables for signs of fraying or strain.
When to Involve a Professional
While it's possible to fix a few common garage door problems on your own, like cleaning and ordering replacement parts, sometimes you'll need the help of a professional. That's where we come in. Call us immediately if you encounter any of the following issues:
- A broken torsion spring
- A straining or groaning noise made by your door
- Fraying or stressed cables
- Outside damage on your door's paneling
- Security malfunctions (your door has stopped responding to sensors or locking properly)
- Your door is closing too quickly or keeps getting stuck
- Your track is bent or is in the process of warping
- Your garage door is out of balance
- Your garage door opener is damaged
If you're ever in doubt about an issue, it's always best to call us rather than risk a potentially dangerous repair job on your own. Don't be afraid to reach out to us anytime, day or night.
When to Replace vs. When to Repair
In many cases, you'll know when a part or external piece of your garage door needs replacing. When it comes to larger parts, however, like panels, gears, or tracks, it might help to consult with a professional first. Some garage door parts, like paneling, can be replaced piece by piece, while others, like the track, require a complete overhaul. If you're in any doubt about whether to repair or replace a part, call DoReMi today.
Troubleshooting 101
With certain issues, all it takes are the right tools to get the job done. Here are a few of the more common problems garage door owners face from month to month and how to handle them. However, if any of these problems keep coming up, give us a call at once.
My door is stuck
Try manually opening your door and inspecting the track to make sure your rollers haven't popped out. If everything looks fine, give the track a good cleaning and lubrication before trying again.
My door won't open
Try checking your garage door opener first, resetting the system to make sure it's not a technical malfunction. Next, check your sensors to see if they're in alignment. If it's not a technical problem, try opening your door manually to inspect the track more closely.
My garage door keeps coming off the track
Check your rollers to see if they're dirty or worn. If they are dirty, give them a cleaning, as well as the track itself. If they're worn down, you can easily order replacement rollers online or at your local hardware store.
I can't figure out how to measure for a replacement part
If you're measuring for an external part, you can take normal measurements with a tape measure. However, if you're measuring for a broken spring or inside panel, give us a call. We'll be glad to help you through the process.
One of my panels needs to be fixed/replaced
If you're noticing damage on one of your bottom door panels, dry placing padding underneath to reduce contact with the ground. Using a garage door lip or a piece of Styrofoam should do the trick until you can install the replacement part.
My cable is fraying or broken
Call us immediately for a replacement part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you do same-day repairs?
Yes, we do. We are available from 9 to 5 on weekdays and can be available for repairs at night and on weekends as well.
What's your warranty policy?
We offer a warranty on every job to guarantee customer satisfaction.
When are your office hours?
Our hours are 9 to 5, plus select night hours and weekends. Whenever you need us, we can make ourselves available to you.
Where can I find you?
We can be found in locations across Southern California.
How much will it cost?
The repair cost will depend on the size of the job. Give one of our offices a call for a consultation, or to ask for a quote.
Which jobs require a service fee?
We charge a $25 service fee on each repair. However, if the total cost of your repair exceeds $100, we will waive this fee.
Reach Out to Us Today for More Information.
