6 Reasons Not to DIY Garage Door Repair
The average homeowner uses their garage door three to five times per day. That comes out to just under 1,500 cycles per year! If at any time your garage door develops issues, the question then becomes: Should I call a professional or fix it myself?
DIY garage door repair may sound like a good idea, but the truth is that it could make the problem worse. The team at Madison Local Garage Door Pros is here with six reasons you shouldn’t try DIY garage door repair.
For a top-rated garage door company in McFarland, contact us today!
1. You Don’t Have The Right Tools
The primary reason you shouldn’t try fixing your garage door is the lack of tools. Garage door contractors have specialized equipment for replacing springs and realigning garage door tracks. You will have a much harder time if you don’t have the equipment.
Professionals like the Madison Local Garage Pros team have the right tools to get the job done, no matter how large or small. Hiring a professional will get the job done faster so you can resume using your garage door.
2. Broken Garage Doors Are Dangerous
Garage door springs exist under an incredible amount of tension. For example, if your door weighs 200 pounds, your springs are under at least 200 pounds of pressure. If these springs snap while performing repairs, they can seriously injure you.
Also, broken garage doors can fall and injure you. The typical garage door weighs over 100 pounds, so a falling door can easily break bones or cause another severe injury.
Hiring an expert is the best option for dealing with broken springs. Experts understand the dangers of working with broken garage door systems, so they are careful and safe with their work. By standing back and letting them handle repairs, you keep yourself safe.
3. You Don’t Have Experience
Unfortunately, no number of instructional videos online can substitute for actual, practical experience. No matter how well you prepare, if you aren’t familiar with working with garage doors, your results from DIY garage door repair will likely be subpar.
Garage doors have several small parts and components that work together to make the system work. Professionals have in-depth knowledge of these mechanisms and understand how to apply that knowledge to individual jobs to get the best result. They’ll get it right the first time.
4. You Might Buy the Wrong Parts
Garage door parts have some degree of standardization, but many designs may still require specific parts. If you don’t have experience working with garage doors, you may waste money buying the wrong parts. Experts can diagnose the problem and find the correct replacement parts.
5. You May Not Have the Time
Most homeowners don’t have the time to field an entire garage door repair project alone. Between work, family, and social obligations, it can be challenging to fit garage door repairs into an already-full schedule.
When you hire a professional, you can schedule repairs for any time that works for you. Whether you want to get things done in the morning, afternoon, or evening, expert garage door contractors can fit their work into your timeframe to make things as streamlined as possible.
6. You May Make the Problem Worse
Lastly, working on a garage door without the proper experience might just worsen the problem. You could crack your door panels, damage the door track, or break your garage door openers. The last thing you want is to make repairs even more expensive and time-intensive.
If you don’t want to pour even more money into repairs, your best option is to hire a professional to fix your overhead garage doors. Our experts at Madison Local Garage Pros have the skills and know-how to provide 100% customer satisfaction every time.
Contact a Local Garage Door Expert Today!
You might think fixing your garage doors on your own would save you time and money. The reality is often the opposite, though. When it comes to your garage doors, DIY garage door repair is usually a bad idea, and you will want a professional to get the job done.
The team at Madison Local Garage Door Pros has years of experience serving the community. When you hire us, you can rest easy knowing you are in the hands of professionals. Feel free to read our blog to learn more tips about removing rust from the garage door.
If you require garage door repair in Madison, WI, contact us online or call today at (608) 420-5846 to request an estimate!
7 Garage Door Problems to Watch Out For
Don’t battle your garage door problems alone. Call Madison Local Garage Door Pros at (608) 420-5846 for fast, professional help.
Garage doors open and close more than 1500 times a year. Therefore, they are bound to break down from time to time. The problem could be as simple as a dead battery in a remote or as complex as a damaged spring system.
Either way, it is usually easy to evaluate the problem. That said, many homeowners don’t know the signs of trouble on sight. An expert garage door service in Madison, WI, can give your door a thorough examination and uncover any hidden problems.
Below are some common garage door issues and their possible remedies.
Garage Door is Noisy
Loose parts and inadequate lubrication are the main reasons for garage door noise. You can often rectify the problem by tightening the screws on all exposed parts of the door and applying lubricants to the rollers. If you notice any loose springs, contact professionals immediately, since these can be dangerous.
Wall Switches and Remote Controls Don’t Work
The first thing to do when your wall switches and remote controls don’t work is to check the batteries. They may be grounded or discharged, and a replacement will likely fix the issue.
If your garage door uses a wall switch, you must confirm that the wirings remain intact. There may be de-soldered wires in there. Reconnect the wires (if you feel comfortable doing so yourself) and check the switch.
If your best efforts don’t yield any results, you should call a professional for help and advice.
Garage Door Doesn’t Open or Close Completely
This is one of the more prolific garage door problems. There are many reasons why your garage door will not open or close entirely, including:
- Broken springs
- A dirty photo eye
- Misaligned tracks
- Misadjusted limit settings
- Obstructions at the bottom of the door
Troubleshoot for each of the above and try to open and close the garage door again. If the door still performs suboptimally, it’s time to call in a technician.
Garage Door Reverses Before Closing
Most modern garage doors feature designs that keep them from closing on a pet or child. If the garage door lowers partway but reverts to the open position, its sensors may be detecting obstructions that aren’t actually there.
Check to confirm that the two sensors on both sides of the garage door frame are aiming correctly at each other across the width of the frame. If either needs replacing, call for service.
The Garage Door Sags
Old garage doors may start to sag as the stress of opening and closing over the years manifests. Sagging garage doors move a lot more slowly. Professionals repair the sagging doors with tension rods.
However, it may be best to consider replacing the door with a newer model that will move smoothly and improve your home’s aesthetic appeal. This is especially true for doors that need regular repairs.
The Garage Door Doesn’t Respond Sometimes
The common cause of this garage door problem is a dying or weak battery. However, if you change the battery and the situation doesn’t change, the problem may lie elsewhere. Some people with older garage doors have reported interference from their neighbor’s garage door remotes.
The Door Comes Off The Hinges
A garage door unit that comes off its hinges likely has misaligned level tracks. If you’ve ever hit the door with your car, that can also throw off the alignment.
If your garage door has fallen off the hinges entirely, don’t attempt to fix it, even if you have help. Garage doors are simply too heavy, so there is a risk of physical injury. It’s best to call in a professional to mount the door and correct the reason for the detachment.
Get Expert Help For Your Garage Door Problems Today
Are your garage door problems beyond your DIY skills? Don’t ignore them and hope they go away. In many cases, they will only get worse.
Depending on the problem, you may also be putting your family at risk. Don’t hesitate to ask for professional help. At Madison Local Garage Door Pros, we can help restore your garage door to optimum condition.
Even for DIY repairs, we can provide the guidance you need to get it right. For example, here’s a post for those who want to know about setting the limits of a garage door opener.
Call Madison Local Garage Door Pros at (608) 420-5846 for fast solutions to your garage door problems in Madison, WI.
Garage Door Closes Unevenly: Prevention, Reason, Solutions
If your garage door closes unevenly, you probably notice it every time you drive in and out of the garage. Although it may seem like a small problem, an uneven garage door can lead to costly repairs.
In this blog, Madison’s reliable garage door experts explain why a garage door may be closing unevenly, some potential solutions, and how you can prevent these issues from arising.
Why Do Garage Doors Close Unevenly?
Garage doors utilize somewhat complex systems to open and close smoothly. With improper installation, damage, or age, garage door components may fail, causing uneven movement and other issues. If your garage door closes unevenly, one of the issues below could be to blame.
Failing Garage Door Springs
Depending on the model, your garage door may use overhead or extension springs to lift and move the heavy door during opening and closing. Due to how these springs work, spring failure may not prevent the door from moving. Instead, a garage door with one broken or failing spring may sag or hang unevenly during movement and while closed.
Damaged or Jumped Cable
Alongside garage door springs, sets of cables help supply torsion and tension that stabilizes the garage door during movement. When one cable fails, the garage door has weakened movement on one side, resulting in uneven closing.
Cluttered or Damaged Garage Door Tracks
Garage doors extend and retract along tracks installed on the walls and ceiling of your garage. If these tracks become bent or clogged with dust, dirt, or other debris, your garage door may become stuck on one or both sides. In many cases, a damaged or dirty track causes one side to hang unevenly during operation before eventually causing damage to other garage door components.
The Garage Door is Crooked
If your new garage door closes unevenly, installation or product defects may be the culprit. A misaligned garage door may close unevenly from the first use. If you notice this issue, contact your garage door company to ask about warranties and other related services.
No matter why your garage door closes unevenly, seek a solution as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your garage or garage door.
What to Do if Your Garage Door Closes Unevenly
Many homeowners neglect to repair their garage doors, fearing an expensive bill. The truth is that fixing a garage door when you first notice the issue can save you time, money, and frustration on any budget.
Visual Inspection
Troubleshooting any garage door issue should begin with a visual inspection. Check the mechanisms on the side of the uneven side of the garage door, including the springs, cables, tracks, and other features. Note any debris, buildup, frayed cables, or damaged springs you may see before calling a repair service.
While many homeowners attempt DIY repairs, these jobs carry significant risks. Garage doors weigh a considerable amount and become unstable when components fail. Skip the hazards of a DIY repair and place your trust in the experts. If your garage door closes unevenly, call Madison Local Garage Door Pros for affordable, guaranteed repair services today.
How to Prevent Uneven or Unbalanced Garage Doors
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Save money and time on expensive repair jobs by keeping up with regular garage door inspections, maintenance, and repairs.
At Madison Local Garage Door Pros, we help our clients protect their property investments. Our expert technicians can check your garage door for signs of wear, damage, or other issues that could lead to uneven closing. As a bonus, we offer comprehensive services, meaning we can take care of most repair needs on the spot without needing an additional service call.
If your garage door requires special parts, we’ll take care of the ordering for you, saving you time and stress during the repair process.
Find Expert Garage Door Services in Madison
Whether you need timely garage door repairs or a new door, our Madison Local Garage Door Pros team has you covered.
At Madison Local Garage Door Pros, we have the skills and experience to tackle any garage door project, from garage door opener repair to complete garage door replacement. Whether you want to overhaul your garage door system or need to troubleshot a garage door that closes unevenly, give us a call.
If your garage door closes unevenly, learn why your garage door won’t close and request a repair quote by reaching out to our team today. Call Madison Local Garage Door Pros at 608-515-1449 to get started.
Do Upgraded Garage Doors Increase Home Value: What You Need to Know
As a homeowner, you know that your re
sidential property represents an investment. One surprising way to protect your investment involves your garage door.
You may be wondering, “Do upgraded garage doors increase my home’s value?” Yes, they can. Did you know that even if your older garage door looks good and works well, it could be dragging down the value of your home?
At Madison Local Garage Door Pros, we help our customers improve the value and comfort of their homes. We provide professional garage door services in Madison, WI, and we have answers to all your questions about how garage doors impact the overall value of your residential property.
How Home Value is Calculated
Value can mean different things to different people, but when most consider a home’s value, they think of the property’s market worth.
The market worth or value of a property depends on several factors. For example, real estate agents may approximate a home’s market by considering:
- Location
- Current market trends
- Square footage
- Number of rooms
- Number of bathrooms
- Size and amenities in bathrooms
- Kitchen size and features
- Outdoor accommodations
- Build date
- Materials used
- Current condition
For homeowners considering placing their residential properties on the market, the property’s current condition helps determine a reasonable asking price. Homes in disrepair or featuring outdated amenities and appliances may fetch less than a property owner hopes.
Small home improvement projects provide an easy way to boost your home’s market value without the need for expensive renovations. You can start by updating older or outdated appliances, such as the door on your free-standing or attached garage.
Impact of Garage Door Quality on a Home’s Value
When most people consider updating their homes, the garage door may not even enter their minds. However, this often-overlooked appliance greatly impacts your home’s comfort, convenience, and selling potential.
Aesthetics
Simply put, homes in disrepair that look rundown don’t sell as quickly or for as much money as better-looking properties.
If you want to sell your home, you may consider updating the paint, window trim, and roof. However, an updated garage door adds an air of high-tech modernity to your home while completing a charming exterior look. A cleaner, updated look for your home may translate to a higher market price in the long run.
Functionality
When we hear the question, “Do upgraded garage doors increase home value?” a big factor in the answer is functionality. New garage doors offer a variety of features that older models may not, such as portable or automatic garage door openers, improved insulation, heavy-duty tracks, and more.
Modern features and an improved exterior automatically boost your home’s selling potential and thus its base price.
Benefits of Upgrading Your Garage Door
In truth, any improvement you make to your home has the potential to boost its market value. Upgrading your garage door, however, helps your home sell more quickly and offers many other benefits.
Improved Security
Upgraded garage doors often come packed with new security options, including thicker glass, automatic closing, and rotating security codes.
Boosted Energy Efficiency
Like most modern technologies, new garage door models offer energy efficiency improvements compared to their older counterparts. With better insulation and seals, an upgraded garage door can reduce your home’s energy costs and improve comfort.
Warranties
New garage doors come with manufacturer warranties as well as optional service warranties. Whether you decide to sell your home or not, these warranties help improve the value of your home by reducing the financial burden of unexpected repairs or damages.
Safety Features
Older garage door models may pose safety risks as they age and components fail. In many cases, new garage door models offer protective sensors that detect obstructions and automatically stop the door’s movement, preventing accidents.
Professional Garage Door Installation and Repair in Madison
Do upgraded garage doors improve home value? Absolutely. Swapping out your older garage door for a newer model significantly improves security, safety, aesthetics, and convenience. Each of these boosted features adds a selling point for your home, increasing its selling potential.
At Madison Local Garage Door Pros, we have what it takes to handle any garage door project. We empower our Madison customers to make informed decisions about their garage door installation or repairs. Learn about reconnecting garage door openers after an outage and much more by exploring our blog or giving us a call at 608-515-1449 today.