If you are a homeowner here in the Houston area stuck with a garage door that won’t close, that is more than just a concern, that is a security issue. It can lead to thieves getting into your garage, breaking into your vehicles or even your home. There are some things you can immediately check to find the culprit of why your garage door won’t close, as well as things you could do to fix the issue. Let’s look at the reasons.
Reasons Why Your Garage Door Won’t Close
Your Garage Door Sensors
If you have an automatic garage door opener and your garage door won’t close all the way, there might be a problem with your door’s sensors. Most garage door openers have safety lasers near the floor along the door’s tracks. If anything breaks the laser beam between these sensors, your garage door will either stop or start to move back up. If this is your culprit, all you really need to do most of the time is move whatever is blocking the sensors. If you have a cluttered garage that is a little too full and disorganized, something might have fallen in the way of the sensors and is breaking the beam. If you haven’t cleared out the leaves in your yard lately, something might have blown in their way. Move whatever is blocking the sensors, and make sure that they stay clear.
If there is nothing blocking the sensors and your garage door still won’t close, take a closer look at the sensors themselves. It is possible that they need to be realigned so the sensors are able to read each other. If this is the case, just simply loosen one of the sensors and adjust it until you see a solid (non-blinking) light on both sensors, and tighten it so it stays in place.
Your Garage Door Tracks
If your garage door will not move past a certain point even though your sensors are working just fine, there might be something wrong with your garage door’s tracks or the rollers. If there’s an obstruction on the track, your garage door will either stop or start to move back up instead of trying to force its way through. This is not a bad thing since it protects your door from any further damage. If you think this is the case, check the tracks thoroughly, especially where your garage door stops. If there is an obstruction that you can safely remove, do so. If you don’t feel comfortable removing it or you can’t remove it, don’t hesitate to contact a Houston garage door repair service to fix the problem. Trying to do anything on your own when you don’t know exactly what you’re doing will just make things worse.
It is possible that the reason why your garage door isn’t closing is that the track is bent or otherwise damaged. If this is the case, there isn’t much you can do on your own. Contact someone to fix the track. Again, trying to fix things on your own could just make things worse.
Your Garage Door Opener Trolley
The trolley is the mechanism that pulls your garage door open and lowers it when you want it to close. It’s usually hanging from the ceiling of your garage with a rope hanging down from it. Pulling this rope will disengage the door from the garage door opener itself. If your garage door simply won’t close no matter how many times you push the button on your remote, pull this rope to see if you can connect the garage door opener to your garage door again.
Broken Garage Door Spring
If your garage door opener’s sensors and trolley seem to be working fine and there is nothing wrong with the tracks, your problem might be a broken garage door spring. These springs connect your garage door to the garage door opener, and they can break or become misaligned. If this is the case, your garage door might still move up and down, but it might be crooked or it might not close all the way. If the problem is particularly severe, your garage door opener might not work at all.
A broken garage door spring can be a serious matter, one that you shouldn’t try to fix on your own. The springs themselves are usually close to the ceiling of your garage, making them hard to reach. They also support your garage door, which could fall quickly if your springs are too badly damaged. If you think you have a broken spring, contact a Houston garage door repair company right away to fix the problem.
Your Opener Remote
Finally, check the remote control for your garage door opener. It could be that you need to change the batteries, or it could be that a power surge wiped out the memory on your remote. Both issues will keep your remote from working, and both are a pretty easy fix. You can always buy more batteries for your remote at just about any store, and while reprogramming your remote is a hassle, your garage door opener’s manual should tell you how to do that.
Even though you can troubleshoot a problematic garage door most of the time, you should still never hesitate to contact a garage door repair company near you if you aren’t comfortable fixing things on your own. If the issue you are having is not a simple DIY fix, you can get help from the Houston Garage Door Repair Experts Spectrum Overhead Door LLC. For over 15 years, Spectrum Overhead Door LLC has been the go-to for Houston area garage door repair, giving fast, same-day garage door repair.
Garage doors are an integral part of the home. For some homes, the door takes up a sizable portion of one part of the home’s exterior side. And even though garage door maintenance and repair can extend the life of your garage door, there will come a time when you ask yourself how do I know if I need a new garage door?
Average Lifespan of a Garage Door
The average lifespan of a garage door can vary greatly but usually fall between 15-30 years. Well-maintained aluminum garage doors can have lifespans of up to 30 years. Steel garage doors that are well maintained can also last 30 years. If you find yourself considering a new garage door, one of the first things to look at is age. If it’s over 30 years and has other issues, it’s probably best to replace the garage door.
Reasons You Should Consider a New Garage Door
Safety Concerns
Garage doors are heavy and operate under high tension, making safety a top priority. Older doors may lack the latest safety features, such as photo-eye sensors or auto-reverse mechanisms. These features prevent the door from closing on objects or people in its path, reducing the risk of accidents. If your current door lacks these safety measures, it’s crucial to consider upgrading to a new one to ensure the safety of your family and pets.
Dents
Your garage door panels can be dented from all sorts of impacts, from a vehicle bumping the door to a tree limb to a basketball. There are two kinds of panel dents, cosmetic and structural. If your dent is more in the middle of the panel, way from the edges of each panel touch, then it is a cosmetic dent and it’s possible to fix that on your own. If the panel dent Is near the edge of the panel, that is a structural dent. Those can affect the way your garage door opens and closes. If you have one panel that is dented, you might be able to just replace that panel instead of the whole garage door. However, if two or more panels are damaged structurally, it might make sense just to replace the whole garage door. If you have had several cosmetic dents, these over the years can add up, weakening your garage door and dropping your home’s value at the same time.
Noisy Operation
Garage doors that produce excessive noise during operation can be a nuisance for you and your neighbors. While some noise is normal, if your door has become unusually loud, it may be an indication of underlying problems. Worn-out rollers, loose hardware, or damaged springs can contribute to the noise. A new garage door equipped with modern technology and quieter components can significantly reduce noise levels. For example, switching out old rusted metal rollers for newer more quiet nylon rollers would reduce the noise greatly. The same could be said for the hinges on the door itself. Old rusted hinges can make the door incredibly noisy. Changing out the door would also come with new hinges that would make the garage door that much quieter.
Broken Garage Door Parts
There are times that parts on your garage door are going to break, that includes rollers, hinges, handles and cables. This again kind of goes back to the age of your garage door. If it’s a newer installation, you probably should just replace the parts and you should be fine. However, older doors may have repeated parts breaking or being damaged. That is probably a sign you need a new garage door.
Security
If you have an older garage door or a lightweight one where you are worried about someone breaking into your garage, it might be time to think of a new garage door. Older garage doors don’t have the high level of security that we see on new models today. Construction methods, materials, and features have evolved over time resulting in garage doors that have more security.
Energy Efficiency
An outdated or poorly insulated garage door can lead to significant energy loss, impacting your home’s energy efficiency and increasing utility bills. If you notice drafts, cold air seepage, or excessive heat transfer through your garage, it’s time to consider a replacement. Modern garage doors are designed with energy-efficient materials, insulation, and weatherstripping, allowing you to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your garage while reducing energy consumption.
Change in Home Design Or Updating Curb Appel
If you are looking to remodel your home to update the look or drive up its curb appeal, a new garage door can go a long way in helping you with that. Your garage door plays a crucial role in your home’s overall curb appeal. If it’s worn, outdated, or clashes with the architectural style of your property, it can diminish the overall aesthetics. Upgrading to a new garage door can instantly transform the look of your home, enhancing its curb appeal and increasing its value. With a wide range of designs, materials, and finishes available, you can choose a door that complements your home’s style and makes a lasting impression.
Conclusion
Sometimes the answer the question of getting a new garage door is a simple one to answer, and sometimes it is not. If you live in the Houston area, Spectrum Overhead Door LLC has been installing new garage doors since 2006. We have won multiple awards in service because we believe every customer should be treated with dignity and respect. If you are on the fence about either getting a new garage door or repairing your garage door, contact us and we can set you up with a free consultation.
Your garage door is not just an entrance to your home; it’s an essential component that ensures the safety and security of your property. Whether you need a repair or installation service for your garage door, it’s crucial to choose a reputable and reliable company that can meet your needs efficiently. If you are looking for a professional Houston garage door repaircompany, there are 100’s of choices out there, so it can be difficult to choose the right garage door company for you. Here are some tips for choosing the best garage door company in Houston.
Physical Location
Though a physical location is not necessary, it does allow you to gauge information like the size of the company, number of employees and the legitimacy of the business. Check google maps for images of the location. All too often you will find garage door companies listed out of places like self-storage units. When that happens, it’s hard to tell if they are a legitimate company.
Experience & Reputation
You want to find a garage door company that has the experience to get the job done right the first time and the reputation to back that up. Testimonials are a great way to gauge this. Testimonials are the most important tool to decide the credibility of a business. If the early consumers are satisfied with their services, you can find satisfactory testimonials online about a business. This gives peace of mind when contacting the garage door repair company of your choice.
Use Directories To Further Check Reputation
In order to ensure that you are dealing with a reliable and trustworthy service provider, it is also important to ensure that the business is listed in the top business directories such as Angie’s List, Home Advisor, the BBB of Houston, Best Pick Reports etc. Business listings give collaborative evidence to the legitimacy of a garage door service company.
Guage Experience By How Long They Have Been in Business
You always want to check how long the company has been in business and generally want to find one that is no less than 3 to 5 years old. This is for two reasons. The first is the younger the company, the more of a possibility it is not to have the full experience to do the repair in the most efficient way possible. An experienced company will have encountered various types of garage doors and repairs, making them better equipped to handle your specific requirements. Additionally, inquire about the qualifications and training of their technicians. Well-trained professionals will be able to diagnose issues accurately and provide effective solutions. Second, you want to make sure the company you choose is going to be around long enough to service any warranties.
Check For Liability Insurance.
Verify that the garage door repair company you intend to hire carries adequate insurance coverage. Accidents can happen during the repair or installation process, and you want to ensure that you are protected against any liability. Ask the company for proof of insurance and verify its validity with the insurance provider. This step will provide you with peace of mind, knowing that you won’t be held responsible for any damages or injuries that may occur on your property.
Check Warranties and Guarantees:
Inquire about the warranties and guarantees offered by the garage door repair company. Reputable companies stand behind their workmanship and provide warranties on parts and labor. A warranty not only protects you from any faulty parts or workmanship but also indicates the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction. Ask for clarification on the duration of the and what it covers. A longer warranty period is generally a positive sign of the company’s confidence in their services.
Ask if You Can Get a Free Estimate.
Garage door companies that offer free estimates show that they want to help their potential customers instead of just worrying about their bottom dollar. In the end, garage door companies are services companies and need to show that choosing them makes sense. Free estimates are a great way to do just that.
Ask What Are Their Service Areas.
It is important to check whether that garage door repair company services your area. Depending on where you are located in conjuncture with where their location is, they may charge a premium if you are far from that location.
Check Garage Door Service Availablity.
It is important to understand the availability of your Houston garage door contractor. Houston is a city on the move and the company you choose needs to understand it is unsafe to leave a broken or damaged garage door unattended, especially in the unpredictable Houston, TX weather. Check on how soon the company can come out, whether they can come to do repairs on evening and weekends and if there are extra charges involved.
PRO TIP: Make Sure Company Marked Vehicles Are Well Stocked.
When your garage door repair contractor shows up to your home, it should be in a company-marked vehicle. If it is not, it is likely that the person fixing your garage door works for 2 or 3 different companies. It should be pretty easy to see the company vehicle carrying the tools, parts, and accessories required to fix the vast majority of problems, in one visit. You don’t have to inspect the truck, but if it looks like it just pulled out of a dirt road and have very little tools and equipment, it might be best to seek a different garage door company.
Whether you are building a new home, remodeling the outside look of your home, or replacing your old garage door, installing a garage door for your Houston home is a big investment. The overall look and security depend on getting the right garage door for you and having your garage door installed properly. However, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the process of getting a new garage door to the point where you are not sure what to ask when buying a new garage door. We have been installing garage doors for Houston since 2006 and have helped hundreds of new garage door customers get the right garage door. From our experience, here are a few tips on what to ask when buying a new garage door.
Questions to Ask About the Garage Door
Garage Door Size
The size of your garage door is a crucial consideration. Before you begin shopping, measure the width and height of your garage opening. Most garage doors come in standard sizes, but if your opening is an unusual size, you may need to order a custom door. Make sure you measure both the width and height of your opening, as well as the depth of the garage to ensure you get the right size door. From there, when you talk to a garage door company, you can ask ” do you carry (insert your size) garage door?
Garage Door Materials
Garage doors are available in several materials, including steel, aluminum, wood, and fiberglass. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to consider your needs when choosing. Steel doors are durable and low-maintenance, while wooden doors offer a natural look but require more upkeep. Fiberglass doors are lightweight and resistant to dents, while aluminum doors are affordable and rust-resistant. If you are talking with a garage door company, and if you don’t have a material picked out, it may benefit you to explain what you are looking for in a garage door. For example, are you looking for something extra sturdy or to let natural light in?
Garage Door Costs
Keeping in line with the different types of material are garage door costs. Some of the most affordable garage doors 8 feet by 8 feet start around $800 (25 gauge steel garage door) without installation. Instinctively from there, the better the material and the bigger the size, the higher the cost. It’s important to set a budget before you start shopping and to consider the long-term value of your investment. A high-quality, well-installed garage door can add value to your home and save you money on energy costs in the long run.
Questions to Ask A Garage Door Installation Company
Deposits
One of the key things you want to find out is how is the transaction handled. If you call a garage door company and talk to their sales team, you will want to find out if there is a deposit or if all the money is paid upfront or upon completion.
Garage Door Labor and Installation.
When shopping for a garage door, it generally is better to have the garage door company install the door themselves unless you are a very handy person. That means you need to not only ask about the garage door cost, but also what the cost is to install it themselves.
Parts and Labor Warranty.
Different garage door installation companies in Houston offer different warranties. There are some that offer a warranty just on parts, some offer parts and labor warranty. Here at Spectrum Overhead Door LLC, we offer two-year parts and labor warranty on the garage doors we install. So, when you call a garage door company, ask what are your installation and parts warranties? Also ask if there is a manufacturer warranty.
Availability, Shipping, and Delivery.
Not all garage door companies carry garage doors in stock. Add in the fact you may want a custom garage door. So, you will want to ask, if you do not have this in stock, when can it be shipped and what are the shipping costs?
Liability insurance.
When an installation company comes to install your garage door, anything can happen, such as a slip and fall. A good garage door company will have liability coverage, so they cover the cost of any medical issues that arise from the installation instead of you. Ask, do you have liability insurance?
Issue Resolution.
There might be an instance where the garage door installer has left, and the door comes off the hinge the next day. Or if you ordered a white aluminum garage door and come home to an almond one instead. Things happen. The good question is, how does that garage door company resolve those issues? It’s best to know beforehand. So, a good question would be, if something was not done right or I did not receive what I asked for, how do you resolve that?
Use these questions when ordering a new garage door and you should get the most out of your order from a company you can trust. If you are in the Houston area and need a new garage door, call Spectrum Overhead Door LLC at 281-748-9542 and ask us these questions. We will be delighted to answer these and any other questions you may have so you get the most out of your new garage door.
Contact Us About Your Garage Door Issues and Get a FREE Quote Today :
Garage doors are like most things in your home, they wear out and need replacement over time. A new garage door and garage door installation can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the door. Understanding how long a garage door last can help you save money and time in the long run. That is why we wanted to provide some basic facts on how long your garage door should last and tips on increasing the lifespan of your garage door.
What Is the Typical Lifespan of a Garage Door?
The typical lifespan of a garage door is about 15-30 years. Metal ones such as steel and aluminum usually last over 20 years. Wood can last just as long if not longer with proper care. However, how long a garage door lasts also depends on several factors though. Frequency of use, maintenance, if there were any left-over issues from installation, and environmental conditions such as humidity, wind and hot sun can all contribute to the wearing out a garage door. However, proper maintenance and regular check-ups can help extend the lifespan of a garage door.
How to Maintain and Extend the Life of Your Garage Door
You should also inspect the door for any signs of wear and tear and have any repairs done as soon as possible. Extend your garage door’s life by following a few simple maintenance tips. For example, keep an eye on the weather stripping and replace it as needed to ensure a tight seal. You don’t want water to seep into the edges of your garage door.
Look for any chips or scratches in the paint. You will want to fix those right way to prevent rust. Here in Houston, we have seen rust happen fast because of the humidity. We have a great post, How to Fix Chipped Paint on a Garage Door to help you on fixing the garage door’s paint job.
While you are looking for chips and scratches, clean your garage door. Dust and dirt can accumulate on the door over time. That crud can make it’s way into the garage door tracks and into your hinges. Clean it with a soft cloth and mild soap to keep it looking like new.
Lubricate and check your hinges to make sure they are not rusting. If any are broken, replace them immediately. If you don’t have issues, you soon will if you already have a broken hinge.
Check for other loose hardware. Check the screws, nuts, and bolts on things like your garage door track regularly to make sure they are tightened. Loose hardware can cause the door to operate poorly and increase wear and tear and shorten the lifespan of your garage door.
Another factor in the lifespan of your garage door is garage door springs Your garage door springs are what keep your garage door open and not slam down closed while they are up. The lifespan of a garage door spring is measured in garage door cycles, with the garage door going up and down one time considered a cycle. Most garage door springs are rated for about 10,000 cycles or 7-15 years. Make sure your garage door springs are lubricated twice a year, and if they look really rusty, consider replacing them before they break to prevent damage to your garage door.
One of the biggest killers of garage doors is dented panels. It should go without say that you should keep objects away from your garage door. If you do have something dent your garage door, it could be fixed with a garage door panel swap or adding strut braces. Leaving it should not be an option. A door with damaged garage door panels will often sag when the door is opened. This type of damage will get worse over time, and the door can eventually get jammed, or cause rollers to pop out of the track and damage the door further.
Your garage door should last you 15-30 years depending on the different factors and conditions we have laid out here. If you think it is time for a new garage door, call us at Spectrum Overhead Door LLC here in Houston. We have been installing garage doors in Houston since 2006. Call 281-748-9542 for a free design quote today!
Here at Spectrum Overhead Door LLC, we strive to provide excellent services to each and every call. We go out of our way for our Houston garage door repair customers. We understand that, in many cases, when customers call us they are in need of help and not in the best of moods or situations. It is our job to put their mind at ease and provide them with quality service. Here is one such case in their own works (Per Google Review).
Learned about Spectrum from a neighbor and called them about a garage door repair. They said they could have a technician out between noon and 1300 hrs. the same day!!! Sure enough Efrain the technician arrived at 1210 hrs. He analyzed the problems with the door, recommended the solutions, and provided the cost for the repair. Efrain was very professional and answered all my questions. Totally satisfied and will use them again. – Rich Philpot
We treat every client like they are neighbors and treat them the way we want to be treated. That also means keeping the pricing reasonable and competitive.
I highly recommend Spectrum Overhead Door. I was able to quickly get an appointment. Cory arrived on time, was friendly and quickly repaired the garage door. The pricing was very reasonable. – LaToya Stallworth
“Corey did an AWESOME job on installing door opener, and also replacing the old, noisy rollers on the garage door and installing a brace to keep our door from buckling any further than it had. He was right on time, did his work very efficiently, and left the garage neat and clean. Also want to say Michael was so great answering all my questions when I initially called for service and giving guidance about what different openers offer and their quality; he was so helpful! Their $150 offer (if you go buy the opener) is fantastic. Am totally impressed with this company and how much they care about the customer. I will always use them in the future for any garage needs!” – Deborah McCabe
We strive to treat everyone that calls our business the way we would want to be treated if we called a service business. We strive to be fast, fair, and friendly and really explain and show you what the issue is and what we did to fix the problem.
If you have a garage door issue, look up who you are going to call and read their reviews. In our case, we encourage you to look us up online. We have plenty of reviews and customer stories just like this one all over the internet. When you need garage door repair in the Houston area, give us a call at 281-748-9542. Most days you will speak with Michael who is now our office manager and dispatcher. He has years of in-the-field experience. When you describe the problem to Michael, in most cases he or our other experts can diagnose the issue and give you a quick quote. Give us a try, and like the people in this post, you won’t be disappointed.
Contact Us About Your Garage Door Issues and Get a FREE Quote Today :
When your garage door repair contractor shows up to your home, it should be in a company-marked vehicle. If it is not, it is likely that the person fixing your garage door works for 2 or 3 different companies. It should be pretty easy to see the company vehicle carrying the tools, parts, and accessories required to fix the vast majority of problems, in one visit. You don’t have to inspect the truck, but if it looks like it just pulled out of a dirt road and have very little tools and equipment, it might be best to seek a different garage door company.
