If your garage door isn’t closing all the way, then it may be stuck. Common garage door issues like these can be inconvenient and frustrating. With Door Doctor’s help and guidance, you can identify the problems quickly and contact our professionals accordingly.

Further, to help you determine the best plan of action going forward, here are the five most-common garage door problems.

• Broken Garage Door Springs

Garage door springs are designed to lift the garage door, and if they are broken or damaged, the garage door may open halfway or not at all. Our professionals can diagnose the problem and determine if the springs need to be replaced. When considering replacing garage door springs, it is better to work with professionals, as adjusting springs on your garage door can be dangerous if performed without supervision.

• Garage Door Closes And Immediately Opens Again

This issue is probably due to the alignment of your garage door’s photo-eye, a safety sensor located on either side of the garage door. This photo-eye sends a beam to the opposite side of the door. If something obstructs the path of the beam, the garage door may retract.

These sensors are sensitive and can misalign easily. If you have issues with your garage door’s movement, it may mean a problem with the photo-eye. Generally, the photo-eye just needs to be adjusted and realigned, but you can still call our professionals if you’re unsure about anything.

• Garage Door Is Reversing Immediately After Touching The Floor

This problem is most commonly caused by broken or damaged springs. Often, the most budget-friendly option is to replace all the springs at the same time. Over time, garage door springs tend to wear, so replacing them at least every two to three years is ideal.

• Dead Garage Door Remote

If the garage door remote won’t open your garage door, try replacing the batteries. Garage door remotes do last a long time, but it’s necessary to replace the batteries every so often to avoid opening your garage door manually. It may be time to replace the remote if changing the batteries doesn’t enable garage door access.

• Loud Grinding Noises When Your Garage Door Moves

If loud grinding noises appear out of nowhere, it can be a cause for concern in many situations. However, grinding noises when your garage door moves may not be as serious as you think.

Loose or squeaky parts are some of the most common reasons you may hear grinding noises when your garage door opens or closes. Try to locate and lubricate the noise source. Also, determine if the parts need to be tightened, as this is often a quick and easy fix for any grinding or squeaking noises from your garage door. If the noise persists, get in touch with our professionals at Door Doctor.

If You Need Help For Your Garage Door Repair, Contact Door Doctor Now

Now that you know the five most-common garage door problems, you can make an informed decision about whether you need to contact a professional for garage door service.

If you are dealing with a garage door issue, or you require a top-quality second opinion, it is always a good idea to work with Door Doctor, a highly recommended garage door repair company. 

Let’s consider Remodeling Magazine’s National “Cost versus Value” rankings for 2020 for a second. As expected, garage door replacement ranks as one of the highest returns on investment (ROI) among remodeling projects for the fifth year in a row. In 2019, garage door replacement came in at 92% ROI.

So, if you plan on putting your home on the market or are looking to improve your curb appeal, upgrading the outside can go a long way toward adding value to your property. But here’s the catch: not every available upgrade will yield a considerable return, and if you choose the wrong improvements, you could stand to lose your hard-earned money.

Don’t fret; a new garage door installation offers the highest potential yield of all exterior home improvements. As a bonus, depending on the type of material you choose, purchasing a new garage door generally requires a small initial investment compared to many other exterior home improvement projects.

At Door Doctor, we’re committed to helping Montreal, Ottawa, and Kingston homeowners improve the overall look, performance, and value of their property. Below, we’re discussing how new garage door installation delivers one of the highest ROIs in the home improvement industry; read on to know more.

Why a Garage Door Replacement?

Garage door replacement is high in these rankings for two reasons. The first is curb appeal. Visibility is key for curb appeal. Your garage door is one of the most-visible parts of your home from the curb. It can make a massive difference in the home’s look if the garage door is replaced, especially if it is upgraded even a little.

The second is resale value. As a wise home seller, you’ll do well to repair the garage door. It will not only improve the curb appeal, but it’ll also increase the resale value of your home by an amount equal to the cost of the new garage door.

Choosing the Best Garage Door for Your Needs

If you’re planning to invest in a new garage door installation, how do you determine the type of door that best meets your needs? The first and perhaps the most important thing for you to consider is curb appeal. A new garage door is an excellent way to make a strong first impression, either for prospective buyers or just for passersby. To create a genuinely appealing exterior aesthetic, consider the following: 

Balance – Think about what type of architectural style your home possesses and your exterior colour scheme. Select a garage door that complements the overall design of your home and the colour palette of your siding, trim, soffit, and fascia.

Insulation – Determine whether your garage shares adjacent walls with any frequently used living areas. If so, opting for an insulated and energy-efficient garage door will help reduce your annual cooling and heating costs while limiting operation-related noise levels. Insulated garage doors usually command a higher ROI than their non-insulated counterparts. 

Contrast - If you want your garage door to make a statement, opt for a contrasting colour scheme that can make your new door stand out as one of the exterior design features of your home.

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of a new garage door installation, contact Door Doctor today

If you’re ready for a new residential garage door to add value to your home, our team at Door Doctor is ready to help you. For many years we’ve been on a mission to deliver the finest residential garage door selection, installation, and repair to Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, and the surrounding areas. We stand by our commitment to that goal every day. 

Our garage door specialists will install to ensure smooth operation, excellent appearance and a beautiful door. This garage door will boost the curb appeal of your home, offer the qualities you want, and stay within your budgetary limitations. To learn more about our garage door openers, other services, and product selection, give us a call. When you contact us, a member of our team will reach out to you promptly. 

Whether you realize it or not, chances are your garage door is likely one of the most neglected parts of your home and is in dire need of maintenance or repair. Think about it, when something goes wrong with your air conditioner, you call a professional. And when you need a new alarm system configured, again, you call someone to install it.

Your garage deserves the same kind of upkeep. For this reason, we recommend that you schedule regular garage door maintenance. That way, your garage door remains in top working condition, and it will keep out the elements, intruders, and other unwanted animals away from your vehicle and storage space.

Here, we’ve got 5 reasons why you should be maintaining your garage by checking it for issues regularly.

Safety

If your garage door is not operating correctly, it can be a hazard to you and your family. Each year, thousands of people get injured in garage door related incidents, but you can avoid many of these accidents if the appropriate preventative maintenance and repairs are carried out.

If your garage door starts malfunctioning, it can close on a person or your car, which is extremely dangerous and can cause damage & injuries. Your door is both heavy and powerful, and it can put you at great risk if it’s not operating effectively. If you begin to notice any issues, you should call us to have your garage door professionally inspected, maintained, or repaired as soon as possible.

Convenience

Perhaps your garage door is the most used entrance and exit to your home. But if it malfunctions or doesn’t work properly, it can cause you a lot of inconveniences. One fine day, you may even find yourself stuck on either side of the door. Moreover, if you lead a busy lifestyle, the last thing you need is a faulty garage door that keeps you waiting every time, especially if you use it a lot.

Avoid unexpected repairs

If your garage door suddenly breaks down, especially when you’re not expecting it, it can be costly to repair or replace. While general repairs are not particularly expensive, suddenly being hit with a faulty door can be costly.

Our experience tells us that many garage door replacements are a result of a lack of maintenance. Remember that many unexpected faults and repairs can be avoided by simply carrying out regular maintenance throughout the year. Neglecting your garage door can lead to a heck of a lot of issues that can quickly burn a hole in your pocket. Keep in mind that the worse your garage door problems get, the more expensive they’ll be to repair.

Increase lifespan

Considering that your garage door is an investment, therefore you must look after it properly. Neglecting proper maintenance can shorten the lifespan of your garage door. For instance, unaligned tracks, faulty safety sensors, loose volts, and lack of lubrication, can prevent your door from working correctly and damage it in the long run. It’ll shorten its lifespan and will need replacement sooner than a door that is correctly maintained.

As we mentioned previously, replacing your garage door can sometimes be expensive. Therefore you must call us to carry out the correct maintenance and to make sure that you don’t end up spending unnecessary money on issues that could have been avoided easily.

Increase the value of your property

A brand new garage door has the potential to increase the value of your property. Potential homebuyers will always favour properties that require little work and maintenance. If your residential garage door is not working properly or requires repairs, this could put homebuyers off your property.

By taking the time to maintain your garage door properly, you ensure that it operates smoothly and efficiently and is more appealing to potential buyers. An efficient door is also convenient and can save you time when it comes to entering and exiting your home or office - something that’ll appeal to buyers.

Need some maintenance or repair done on your garage door? Our team of experts at Door Doctor will come to you to take care of it in a flash. Book a garage door repair anytime for skilled technicians that can come to you in no time. 

Although you might be tempted to save money on labour and parts by replacing just one spring, you should replace both garage door springs when one breaks.

Garage doors have two springs (left and right-wound), one on either side of the door. The springs exert the force that makes your door light enough to be lifted. When one garage door spring breaks, homeowners sometimes wonder if they need to replace both springs or if they can just replace the malfunctioning one. Read on to learn why you should always replace both garage door springs even when only one breaks.

Why Is A Balanced Garage Door Important?

The main function of springs is to keep your garage door balanced, ensuring that both sides of the door move up and down simultaneously. If one spring breaks, it throws off the function of the door, as now the two sides will rise and fall at different speeds.

You will also hear more noise when using your garage door, and the other spring will wear down faster with the higher workload, trying to balance out the issues on the other side of the door.

The average life expectancy of a garage door spring is about 10,000 cycles, including both opening and closing. For most garage doors, that means about seven to nine years according to the number of cycles, but some springs break within four or five years with frequent use.

Growing gaps between the coils in your springs indicate that the springs are failing and may need to be replaced.

Why Is An Unbalanced Garage Door Dangerous?

If one spring breaks, several things can occur:

• The door may close suddenly.
• Loose springs can crack or may fall out of the brackets.
• Your garage door might slow down or speed up. It may even become unpredictable and put you and your family in danger when you enter or exit your garage.

A malfunctioning spring leads to warping on the tracks due to wear on the wheels. The motor also experiences a greater demand for power when the garage door is pushed up and will need to be replaced sooner.

Can A Garage Door Operate With One Spring?

No, both springs have to work together to pull the garage door up and bring it down gently. Operating on one spring presents safety concerns and can also lead to wear and tear on the door.

Also, you should never try to balance a garage door yourself. While replacing both springs is imperative for your door to function again, only a professional can provide the repairs you need. Our garage door repair technicians at Door Doctor know how to perform tests on the door’s balance.

Garage doors are quite heavy—hundreds of pounds—and you don’t want to put yourself in harm’s way. The safest option is to enlist our help to replace both springs.

Contact Door Doctor For Spring Repairs And Replacements

Now you know why a balanced garage door is essential—it protects you and your family. If you have a problem with your garage door opener, or if you need a garage door spring replacement, call Door Doctor now.

We are a professional garage door installation and repair company, and our experts are known for the quality work they provided their clients over the years. We can solve all your garage door-related problems for you. Call us now.

A good garage door should easily last 10-15 years. It goes through the change of seasons and multiple daily cycles of opening and closing. But your garage door is still under some threats in winter that you should address.

When your garage door is stuck, it’s always bad, but getting your garage door stuck in winter can create all sorts of problems. If you leave your garage door open in winter, it allows warm air to escape your home, driving up energy costs. Also, the stuff in your garage, like your car, will be fully subjected to the elements. 

To help you with garage door winter maintenance, in this blog, we’ll tell you about why you should winterize your garage door and how to protect your garage during the winter.

Garage Door Cold-Weather maintenance tips to consider

You are well aware that maintaining and protecting your garage door in the winter is part of the essential service. Here are some tips to Prevent Garage Door Damage this winter. Ideally, you should start taking preventive measures at the end of fall, just as winter approaches, but if you haven’t done these things yet, no worries, just go ahead and do them even if winter is already here.

1. Lubricate All Moving Parts

Get some garage door oil and lubricate the springs, tracks, rollers, and any other moving parts that require lubrication. It will help as the new lubricant will less likely show cold weather effects like freezing or drying.

2. Get Rid of the Snow

If there’s any snow on or around the door, get rid of it immediately before it starts melting or freezing. Have a snow blower, shovel, or other snow removal tools handy to remove snow as soon as it appears quickly.

3. Check the Weather Stripping

High-quality, intact weather stripping is critical if you’re trying to prevent snow, moisture, and cold from getting into your garage. Even a small gap or crack in your weather stripping can render your door useless. Take time to make sure the weather stripping is completely intact by examining the frame and bottom of your door. If there are any gaps, cracks, or loose pieces, get in touch with us immediately.

4. Check Your Photo Eye Sensors

It is related to tip number three. One way snow can affect your residential garage door is by covering up the sensors that tell your door if someone or something is underneath it. It is an important safety feature, but if enough snow builds upon one or both of these sensors, they will not be able to make the connection that tells your door it is okay to operate. If your residential or commercial garage door is not coming down properly or is going back up intermittently, ensure that there’s no snow or other debris on the sensors.

Schedule an Inspection with Door Doctor

Another brilliant way to ensure your garage door winter preparation is sufficient is to schedule preventative garage door maintenance and repairs with a highly recommended company like Door Doctor. That way, you’ll prevent minor problems from turning into major mechanical issues.

With a full inspection, debris removal, parts lubrication, and other general steps, we will ensure that your garage door gives you reliable service all winter long. We also offer seasonal inspections to ensure your garage door operates at its best on the cold and snowy winter nights. Contact us to learn more about planned maintenance or to schedule an inspection or repair.

Like most people, you’ve probably been wondering how to make your house more energy-efficient. You may wish to decrease your home’s carbon footprint or reduce your energy bill—maybe both!

Whatever your reason, you’ve most likely heard a wide range of recommendations on how to achieve your goal. A new insulated garage door is an option that is often overlooked and can play a role in your house’s energy efficiency.

What’s An Energy-Efficient Garage Door?

An energy-efficient garage door reduces your family’s energy costs by helping to regulate the temperature in your home.

Which Garage Doors Are Most Energy Efficient?

The most energy-efficient garage doors are insulated, made up of numerous layers of steel. The most efficient products for insulation are polyurethane and polystyrene.

When it comes to efficiency, an insulated garage door goes a long way towards keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. An insulated garage door will keep the air in your home from escaping, thereby saving energy.

How Does A New Garage Door Decrease Energy Costs?

If you are looking for ways to make your garage or your home more energy-efficient, here are a few reasons you need to begin with your garage door:

• It Lowers Energy Usage & Ultimately Energy Costs

Lower energy usage equates to decreased energy costs, but the question remains, how can a brand-new garage door lower energy usage?

Now, you might have noticed everything comes back to insulation. Recent studies have shown that correctly insulating and air sealing your home can decrease heating and cooling expenses by 15%. It’s easy to ignore your garage door when it comes to insulation, but it undoubtedly makes a big difference.

• It Regulates The Temperature In Your Home

You probably don’t spend a lot of your time in your garage, but it’s still an extension of your house. If your garage is not insulated, cold and warm air can radiate from your attached garage into the rest of your home through shared walls. And if you find yourself adjusting your thermostat constantly, this may be the reason behind it.

You can save time and lower energy costs by updating to a new insulated garage door.

• It Can Make Your Car’s Battery More Efficient

You probably didn’t see a connection between your vehicle and decreasing energy costs in your garage, but it is an excellent bonus benefit. Severe heat in the summer is punishing for your automobile’s battery. Elevated temperature can cause liquid in the battery to vaporize, reducing its lifespan.

It’s Time To Upgrade Your Garage Door

Having a standard residential garage door and having an energy-efficient garage door for your home is different, and the difference is vast. If you want to upgrade your garage door to an energy-efficient one, we have got you covered.

Contact Door Doctor’s garage door installation experts today and get a modern garage door installed with no fuss whatsoever. We take pride in offering garage door repair and installation services to all our valued clients and are fully dedicated to delivering best-in-class customer service.

Don’t wait; start reducing your energy costs and contribute to reducing your carbon footprint.