“At Marietta Garage Door Repair we are proficient in providing repairs for garage doors. Do you have a garage door that will not fully close? Does yours tend to close very slowly recently? Does it seem to be a bit wobbly when operating? Maybe you can hear that the motor for the opener system is working, but parts are not moving the way they are supposed to.”
If you have a steel garage door that could use a good cleaning, you are going to want to make sure you do things correctly. You don’t want to cause any damage to the door, of course, and you want to do a thorough job. The purpose of cleaning the door might be to simply remove grime and make it look nicer. Or you might want to clean the door because you are preparing to paint it, and you want everything to be smooth. Regardless of your reason for cleaning the door, there are some tips you might want to consider!
There are do’s and don’ts that our mobile garage door service has put together for readers. It is our hope that if you are looking for information on how to clean a pre-finished steel door, you will find this article to be valuable. We always encourage calling an experienced garage door company for services such as repair, maintenance and installation. But now, we will provide some basic details on cleaning!
If you have a pre-finished steel door, you are going to want to use a mild detergent solution for cleaning. This might consist of a cup of detergent that is dissolved into approximately five gallons of water. Using warm water is recommended and using detergent with less than .5 percent phosphate is encouraged. This solution should help with the removal of dirt and build up.
Next, be sure to look in crevices and corners, such as behind weather-strips. Be sure to clean these on the top of the garage door and along the sides. You should also wipe the surface of the door and make sure any particles are removed. You can do this using a cloth or even a sponge.
These are just some of the basics involved with cleaning a pre-finished steel garage door. But are there any things you should avoid? The short answer is yes – there are certainly things you should not do when cleaning this type of door. You might assume that you can pressure wash the door, but we recommend not doing this. Do not pressure wash your pre-finished steel door. Another thing you should avoid is using detergents with more than .5 percent phosphate. Bleach is a common cleaning product, but this is not something you will want to use on this type of garage door. So avoid mixing detergents or cleaners with bleach. Do not use a solution of bleach mixed with water. It is best to avoid bleach altogether. Cloths that are too rough can end up scratching the garage door, so we recommend avoiding using rough or hard cloths. We also want to point out that it is important to avoid cleaning solutions for windows, gritty cloths and any solvent-based cleaners.
If in doubt, you can always contact the manufacturer of your garage door, or you can reach out to an experienced garage door service.
If you are cleaning your pre-finished steel door because you are getting ready to paint it, make sure that surface scratches are removed during the cleaning process. You can do this through light buffing or even sanding the surface. It is important to avoid over-buffing or sanding the garage door, though, because if the door is too smooth, then the paint will not adhere to the door. Does your steel door have a finish representing stucco or even wood grain? In this case, you might want to avoid removing scratches and instead consider painting over them using a primer.
Pre-finished steel doors are popular. They are installed at homes and other buildings due to their durability and the fact that they are relatively lightweight. Over time, however, they can begin to build up layers of grime and dust, or even pollen. They can start to look dirty. Simply doing a wipe down with soap and water can do the trick, or even turning to a cleaner commonly used throughout the house (such as vinegar) can help. Of course, we have provided details on other steps you can try in an effort to properly and thoroughly clean your re-finished steel door.
If your garage door has become very dirty, you might want to try vacuuming it before using any sort of solution on it. This can be a good way to remove cobwebs without getting your bare hands dirty. You can then try using some dish soap and warm water to clean the door. Dip a sponge into the soapy water and make sure to wring it out so it does not soak the door. Perhaps you don’t even need soapy water but instead just need a microfiber cloth. This is certainly something to try. But if these steps do not prove effective, you can reference the beginning of this article for more detailed cleaning instructions.
Just remember – do not try to pressure wash the garage door. You don’t want to do this and have it cause damage to the material or to the garage door in any way. Do wipe down the garage door – we recommend wiping the door from top to bottom. If you start at the bottom, you might find water or cleaning solution ends up dripping down to the parts you have already cleaned, which can be frustrating and it can create even more work. Going from top to bottom can be useful.
We are a mobile garage door company that is proficient in maintenance, cleaning, repairs, installation and other services for pre-finished steel garage doors.
Steel garage doors are great to have. They are durable. They are protective and sturdy. If you have a pre-finished steel door and you are wondering how to clean it, whether the purpose of cleaning it is just to make it look nicer or even to prep it for painting, then we hope you have found this information to be useful.
If you are interested in making upgrades to your garage door, you might want to consider upgrades that could potentially cause an increase in value. There are certain things that might add value to this part of your property, for instance, you could focus on adding curb appeal by ensuring the door is aesthetically pleasing. Just like cabinets can add appeal to a kitchen and even value, a garage door can add value to a home.
Focus on energy efficiency. Newer garage doors tend to be energy efficient. If you are concerned with energy efficiency regarding your door, consider insulation and the difference it could make. The ability to keep colder temperatures and hot temperatures outside of the garage is important. When the home is able to stay at a temperature that is comfortable, it can use less energy and therefore lead to a lower electric bill. When you have an attached garage, think about energy efficiency and insulation as an upgrade to increase value. Weatherstripping is important as well when it comes to energy efficiency and keeping unwanted elements out of the garage, which can in turn add value.
Insulation is also a way of keeping noise away. Reducing noise coming in can make the garage a more enjoyable spot overall, whether it is a place you use for packing away items or even making repairs to vehicles and bikes. Reducing outside noise is a bonus, and can certainly be an addition to value.
Since garage doors are such a large part of the exterior of a home, they can potentially add to curb appeal. Customizations can certainly play a role in adding to curb appeal. What should you focus on?
Consider the material for your garage door. Whether your garage door is made of steel, wood, fiberglass or faux wood, you can add to it to increase value. Aluminum and glass can serve as unique materials that draw attention to a garage door. But let’s say for years you have used a certain material and do not have an interest in changing it.
You can always make changes to the color and style. Changing the color of the garage door to one that complements your home can add value. Features such as trim, pillars and stonework can be a nice addition, or window trim and light fixtures. Some of these features might depend on the material of your garage door but they are things to consider.
When you have a garage door that keeps your property as safe as possible, this can add value. With sensors, you can ensure the garage door will not close fully when something is in its path. This is important because it can keep people, pets and of course your belongings safe. You don’t want the garage door to fully close if something is in its path, as this would show that something is wrong with the garage door, therefore taking away from value. There are also codes that you can use to prevent unwanted access to your property, adding to security. Security and safety features are, undoubtedly, beneficial when it comes to your property.
The style of your garage door should be a match for the rest of your house. Maybe you would like the look of a double hung window made of wood, or perhaps just a small window to add some more natural light into the garage. Windows can certainly add value as a home improvement measure, and they are worth looking into.
You could opt for handles that are decorative or iron hinges as additions. These can be a nice addition to a garage door, and they can make it more visually appealing.
Whether you have a plan to sell your house and get it listed on the market, or you would like to increase your home’s curb appeal, consider how the garage door could play a role. Having a garage door with upgrades is smart and cost-effective. If you have a clean looking garage door with nice features, it can be inviting to potential buyers. You want the garage door to make a great first impression whether this is on your neighbors or potential homebuyers.
If your garage door is not in good working condition, for instance, if it makes squeaking or grinding noises, you will want to make sure the parts do not need replacement. Damaged or worn parts can negatively impact the value of a garage door. If the garage door is not opening or closing smoothly, there could be wear and tear on parts that might require replacement. If you have components repaired or replaced as needed, you won’t have to worry about damaged parts taking away from the value of the garage door.
Materials, decorative components, repairing damage so that the garage door is working smoothly and even considering the addition of windows can add to overall value. It is a good idea to consider features that could potentially cause an increase in value. As mentioned, just like cabinets can add appeal to a kitchen and even value, a garage door can add value to a home.
Hopefully, you have found this information provided by our mobile garage door team to be beneficial. The garage door is an important part of any property and there are always things that can be done to make it even more valuable, whether that might entail adding decorative features or even weatherstripping and insulation to save on energy costs.
Marietta Garage Door Spring Repair – Marietta, GA
Do you know about your garage door springs? Most people know that they are there; doing the heavy lifting and lowering of your home or business garage door, but do you know which system you have or what your springs really do? Here at Marietta Garage Door Repair we are sometimes asked about these powerful metal coils that do so much work for us. If you ask most people on the street what makes their garage door move up and down, they will tell you that it’s their garage door opener. While this is partly true, it’s your set of springs that really does all the work!
Why do I need to know this?
At this point you may be wondering if knowing about garage door springs has any significance. Can’t you just fix them yourself if they break? Can’t you just hire a repairman to service them and be done with it? No on the first question and maybe on the second; it all depends on your time allotment and budget. A much smarter way is to know at least the basics about your springs so that you understand what is really going on each time your open or close your Marietta, GA garage door.
Torsion springs
Your garage door’s torsion springs are sometimes called by other names. Sometimes, they are referred to as spring systems as opposed to pulley systems which are often referred to asextension springs. Think of these terms along the lines of tissue and Kleenex. These are words that mean the very same thing even though one is a noun and one is a brand. Theyare often used interchangeably and people generally know what you are talking about. If you have a newer opener system, it is probably of the torsion spring variety. Is there a way to tell which one you have? Yes, and it’s easy, too.If you have torsion springs at your home, they will be located over the top of your garage door. You’ll see a torsion bar attached at the top of your garage door, on the inside. The actual torsion springs themselves are mounted on this bar. It has a drum at each end with cables that attach it to the bottom bracket at each end of your garage door. Every time your garage door operates up and down, these same cables move up the length of the garage door and around the drums. Torsion spring systems like these come in different sizes which correspond to the weight and dimensions of your garage door.Torsion springs are a little more expensive than extension springs but they make up for this by lasting almost twice as long. For example, most torsion springs varieties enjoy a span of 15 to 20 thousand cycles. A full cycle is considered one garage door opening and one closing. If you operate your garage door an average of 3 times a day, you will go through 1095 cycles annually.
Extension springs (aka pulley system)
Accessories Garage Door – Marietta, GA
The other, older type of spring system is the extension spring type. They have the advantage of being less expensive than the torsion variety but the disadvantage of only lasting half as long. People sometimes refer to these as pulley system springs because of the fact that they use pulleys to move your garage door. While your torsion springs are located on the inside of your garage door at the top, your pulley system springs can be found on the sides and are attached vertically. These springs make use of pulleys and cables to move your garage door up and down. In order to achieve safe and smooth operation, your pulley springs need to be balanced properly and in good working condition. Our garage door shop usually recommends servicing both of your springs as they do tend to break down at roughly the same time. Do it yourself spring repair is highly discouraged by us as both torsion and extension springs are dangerous to work with and pack tremendous power that can cause injury or eve death when they break. We encourage our readers to be safe and work with experienced garage door professionals for any kind of torsion or extension spring repair or installation.
Which springs are best for your needs?
You may not have a choice right now. Maybe you are already living in a home that you either bought or rented and it has a set of springs already attached. Owners have the choice or making a change but renters usually do not. If you are in the position of actually deciding which is best for you, we encourage you to talk it over with a local full time garage door professional in your area. Choosing the right springs for your garage comes down to more than simply cost. How long are you planning on living in the property? Will your house be going up for sale anytime soon? Most home buyers tend to want the longer lasting and safer torsion spring variety. Adding these or replacing your extension springs with these can be a selling plus. Are you keeping your home but maybe renting it out? You might opt for less expensive springs as tenants tend to put extra wear and tear on properties that they don’t own.
Ask questions
If you are local, feel free to call our experienced and licensed garage door technicians. We love to hear from our customers and we can help you with price quotes and additional details. If you don’t live in the area, call an established garage door repair shop in your locale and find out more. Ask about more than just pricing and installation or service times. Check on warranty coverage, availability of emergency service, top brands, safety and performance checks and ongoing maintenance involved with each spring type. Treat your springs well and they’ll last for many years while giving back strong and reliable performance that you can rely on.
How long has it been since you had your garage door installed? Is it a year? A few years? Or perhaps you’re not too certain because it was there when you moved in. Well, no matter how long you have been using that garage door, you should know that your remote may give a few problems at some time or another.
When you find that you have problems with your garage door, whether it is the remote or the door itself, make sure that you give us a call at Marietta Garage Door Repair. We can handle any garage door problem that you are faced with.In fact, if you have a problem with your garage door, please do not try to fix it yourself. No matter where you are living, there should be a reputable garage door technician there that can rectify the problem for you.
Garage Doors come in all shapes and sizes. But, they are all dangerous to work with. Why, you may be wondering? Well, have you ever thought about how heavy your garage door is? It is pretty heavy. And, the bigger the door, the heavier it tends to be. It certainly may not end well if an inexperienced person tries to repair problems to that really big and heavy door. Always let the professionals handle it. After all, that’s why they are there.
Garage Door Problems
There are many things that can go wrong with your garage door. Whether the source of your problem is the remote or opener you use or parts on the garage door, there are ways to handle these problems. Unfortunately, some problems may be irreparable and you will have to purchase a new door. But, for the most part, most problems that you experience with your garage door can be repaired easily.
Don’t get it twisted! An easy repair does not necessarily mean an inexpensive one. Some garage door problems can be quite extensive and expensive to repair. But, let’s focus on the problem at hand- your garage door won’t open or close when you use the remote.
What’s Causing the Problem? Do You Know?
Several things can cause your garage door remote not to work. Figuring out the exact source or cause of the problem, may take a little work. But, if you know what to check, it may not take a very long time for you to figure it out. If you’re lucky, you may be able to fix the problem yourself, but you may not be so lucky and it could cost you some money to get your garage door remote working again.
If you notice that your remote isn’t opening or closing your garage door, here are some things that may be causing the problem.
This is a common oversight. You’re trying to use the remote to open or close the garage door but you have locked it manually. We all forget things at some time or another. Just double check to make sure that your manual lock is not engaged before you start panicking. If it is engaged, there is no way that you will get your garage door to open.
One of the easiest and quickest fixes for a non-functional remote is the replacement of dead batteries. If you press the buttons on the remote and you do not see any light in it, chances are that the batteries are your problem. This is especially true if you are able to close or open the garage door otherwise. Try replacing those batteries and see if that does the trick. If not, you will have to move on and check something else. It also means that the problem may require professional help.
Dead batteries are not the only problem that your remote may face. If you change the batteries and the remote still doesn’t work, it may mean that there is some damage to the remote. Depending on what has gone wrong, you may be able to repair that remote. But, sometimes it will be a much cheaper option to get a new remote. Whatever the case, replacing your remote may allow you to open and close your garage door again.
Okay, so your remote for the garage door isn’t working, but have you checked to see if the door will open or close without using that remote. If you haven’t, now is a great time to check for that. If you find that you cannot move the door, it may be because it is stuck. Check to see if there is any large object that is impeding the movement of the door. check the tracks too. There may be some small debris or items in there that is causing it to be stuck too.
The springs on a garage door are very important. If they get damaged or broken, your garage door will not be able to move. No matter how many batteries you change in that remote or how hard you press those buttons, spring damage has to be repaired before that garage door will move with any form of garage door openers. Your best bet will be to open the door manually, but this can be a very dangerous task.
How to Fix Your Garage Door Remote
Fixing your garage door remote problem is a very easy task. All you need to do is call a local garage door repair expert to handle it for you. Before you call, make sure you check for problems that you can easily handle on your own. You may not want to hire a technician to provide a service that you could have done yourself. Not sure which repair company to call? We know the perfect one- Marietta Garage Door Repair. We service all types and sizes of garage doors in the Marietta, GA area. Once you have a problem with your garage door, let us know. We will be there for you, but if you need a garage company in your area be sure to do your research and hire the best one!
You might not know what the big deal is about having a sectional garage door installed versus having a solid or single door garage installed. At Marietta Garage Door Repair, we are here to tell you that there are some significant differences that you should be aware of. Getting a new garage is about style and design preference. Most importantly it is about functionality. When you are choosing a brand new garage door, you’ll have some serious decisions to make. You may have the decision of choosing between a sectional garage door or a solid garage door. In order to make the right decision, you will need to be equipped with information about both types of doors. Our job is to provide you with this information.
What is a Solid Garage Door
At one point in time, there were far more solid garage doors being installed than sectional. It could be simply because people were more familiar with the solid door than they were to the sectional. Once introduced, people were not quick to make the change to the unfamiliar. The solid door is just that. It is a single slab of material (aluminum, fiberglass, etc.) that slides up or down. It goes directly above the garage door entrance. Most are installed on a hinge, attached to your door jam. Once everything is in place and the springs are attached, you can begin using your solid garage door. While both types of doors utilize roughly the same amount of space, the way they operate is very different.
Advantages of a Solid Door
There are certainly advantages and disadvantages to everything, including having a solid garage door installed. We would love to discuss the things that homeowners see as an advantage in having a solid door installed.
You may still be inclined to go with the sectional door rather than a solid door for whatever reason. You’re certainly entitled to have the type of door that you believe will be best suited for your needs. However, now that you know why some people might prefer the solid door, here is why they might prefer a sectional garage door.
Now that you are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of both types of doors, the choice is up to you. Consider which matters the most to you and how you can benefit the most. Don’t make your decision based on someone else’s. You are the one who has to live with your final decision. It will ultimately affect your bottom line, how much you have to spend in maintenance and repairs. Choose wisely.
Have you ever done this? Have you driven home and noticed to your horror that your garage door was open? A thousand thoughts go through your head; did you forget to hit the remote to close it? Is someone home and THEY forget and left it open? Is something wrong with your garage door and it opened on its own? What in the world happened?
As you drive into your garage, your suspicions increase. Is someone (crook, burglar) in your home now? Have they taken your valuables and turned your house inside out? Are your pets ok? As your mind tries to come to grips with your open garage door, you really don’t know what to think. Here at Marietta Garage Door Repair we sometimes get calls describing this type of scenario. Usually, the problem is NOT as dire as it appears. Sometimes garage doors open or close on their own. You always have the choice of calling a local Marietta, GA garage door repair technician but often, the problem is easy to fix and simple to find all on your own.
The culprit…
Take one of our customers for example. He started noticing that every day when he came home for lunch that his garage would automatically open by itself. After first thinking that his wife was had come home and was joining him for a quick sandwich, he soon discovered that he was still alone but that someone or something had opened his garage door! After a few days of this strange garage door behavior he realized that every time his garage door “acted up” that his new neighbor 2 doors down had also come home for her lunch break. They both shared the same manufacturer of garage door opener and as it turned out, she had recently reset her remote’s garage door code.
Do all opener remotes do this?
No! Newer garage door opener models deploy a rolling code sequence that eliminates this anomaly. It is the older garage door opener systems that have a set number of codes built in. Since there are fewer numbers involved, the chances are greater that one might be matched to yours and this can easily result in your garage door opening (or closing) without any assistance from you. By the way, our customer helped his new neighbor adjust her remote so that she had a different code all to her own and all the mysterious garage door activity soon came to an end.
Another possible culprit
Most mysterious garage door openings and closings are the result of matched garage door remote frequencies but sometimes, another culprit is to blame. The transmitter in your opener unit may need to be reset. Don’t worry; this is easy to do and you won’t need to call for a local Marietta, GA garage door repair expert either. You’ll need to find the learn button for your opener unit. Look for it under the light cover or over the antenna wire that hangs over the motor head. Look for the button that is red, yellow, purple or green. This learn button has two functions. One is to clear the opener’s memory, and the other is to program the opener’s accessories. Did you find it? Press down on it and hold it for a few seconds. Soon, you will notice the indicator lights have started to blink. Ok, now press the learn button again and this action will reset the transmitter. Try doing this and see if it doesn’t clear up your problem with those mysterious garage door openings and closings. If you need help, simply refer to your opener’s owner’s manual or look online for videos that show this simple process in more detail.
More possibilities
If your garage door is still opening or closing mysteriously, be sure to check the battery in your remote. A weak or run-down battery can give off random signals that might play havoc with your garage door as well as your neighbors. Check your battery at home if you have a tester. If not, you can go to most any local Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, Home Depot or Lowe’s store and have them test it. You are under no obligation to buy a new one from them but if you need one and they were kind enough to test your old one, why not? A new battery tester will run you about $20 so it might be a good investment over the long run. While you have your remote open, be sure to check on a couple of other things. Make sure that your battery is not leaking as battery fluid can also interfere with the signal sent. Loose terminals can prevent your battery from making proper contact so make sure that your remote’s terminals are tight enough to hold the battery in place firmly. If not, gently squeeze them together until they are.
It may be time
If none of these simple measures work, and your garage door is still acting erratically by opening or closing on its own, it may be time to upgrade to a new model. Whether you buy a new garage door opener from us or from another local Marietta, GA garage door repair shop, your purchase will provide you with more updated remote choices that include rolling codes with practically unlimited frequencies. New garage door opener models come in a variety of forms and price ranges. There is sure to be something ideal for your budget and garage door needs.
It might be a good idea to browse some opener models online or in stores. Read reviews and ask questions. Bear in mind that many store clerks will not have answers to all of your questions but you can call the manufacturer’s customer service number which is usually toll free. Local garage door repair shops also offer free estimates and no-cost, no-obligation details on any model that you might be interested in. You will have to upgrade sooner or later so if you are having spotty garage door performance, you should seriously consider doing so now.
