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7 Benefits of Smart Garage Door Openers

Written by Jeffrey Sanford on . Posted in Commercial Garage Doors Indianapolis, Garage Door Installation, Garage Door Openers, Garage Door Repair Indianapolis, Garage Door Replacement Indianapolis, Garage Door Services Indianapolis, Garage Doors Indianapolis. No Comments on 7 Benefits of Smart Garage Door Openers

If you’re a smart home enthusiast, smart garage door openers offer even more automation. New features continue to be added, contributing an even greater level of convenience. A Wi-Fi enabled garage door opener has changed the way you open, close, and interact with your garage door. Here are seven benefits you may not have known about.

1. Improved Security

The garage is a common entry point for burglars, who use an ever-evolving array of techniques to open garage doors. Criminals know people store all kinds of valuables in garages. You can lock your door remotely and even receive alerts on your smartphone when it opens and closes. Some systems have built in smart cameras with feeds you can view remotely, including those with streaming night vision video.

2. Never Forget to Close Your Garage Door

Have you ever left your house and had that nagging feeling you left the garage door open? Like most people, you probably have. Now, you can just check your smartphone to verify your suspicion, and just tap the screen to close the door. A smart garage door opener may even automatically close after a certain period of time. You may also get an alert if it senses the door is open, even if you’re just outside doing yard work.

3. Open Your Garage Door from Anywhere

Your garage door opener may sense when your car is pulling into the driveway. A family member may have arrived home and doesn’t have or lost their key. Rather than risk sharing access codes, you can open the door from anywhere in the world.

4. Set a Schedule

If you leave for work and come home the same time every day, or your child departs and returns from school on a regular schedule, you can set your smart garage door opener when to open and close. Is your neighborhood relatively safe? On the weekend, you can program how long to leave the garage door open while the children play outside.

5. Keep Track of Things at Home

The app with your smart garage door opener keeps a log of all activity. You can see every instance in which your garage was opened or closed, and at what time. There are even apps that provide two-way audio so you can communicate directly with visitors. It’s in your power to let someone in or not.

6. Protect Your Deliveries

Far too many delivery packages end up being stolen. Bad weather can ruin a package as well. Amazon offers a service for LiftMaster garage door openers that enables delivery personnel to enter and safely store your package. The garage door will automatically close again afterward.

7. Great Features

Some smart garage door openers now include additional features such as:

  • Pairing with smoke/carbon monoxide detectors: An alert is sent to your phone if smoke, fire, or dangerous fumes are detected.
  • Laser guidance systems: Activate once you pull your car into the garage to help park perfectly instead of risk hitting any objects or storage units.
  • Temperature monitoring: Smart systems often have sensors to track temperature, which can help determine if your garage door is open and/or it’s too hot or cold for equipment, food, or other temperature-sensitive items.

Smart Garage Door Openers from Garage Door Doctor

At Garage Door Doctor, we install, repair, and service all brands of garage door openers, including smart systems in our Elite Series® and Premium Series from LiftMaster. Several models are available to meet the needs of your home. To learn more, feel free to reach out to us online or call (317) 342-4995.

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How to Tell If Your Garage Door Sensor Is Out of Alignment

Written by Jeffrey Sanford on . Posted in Garage Door Installation, Garage Door Openers, Garage Door Repair Indianapolis, Garage Door Replacement Indianapolis, Garage Door Services Indianapolis, Garage Doors Indianapolis. No Comments on How to Tell If Your Garage Door Sensor Is Out of Alignment

The garage door safety sensor is the reason your heavy garage door reverses if something is in the way. If it is misaligned, your garage door may not work properly. It might reverse for seemingly no reason or not work at all if the sensor fails. Dirt on the lens is a common issue, but it’s also possible for a sensor emitter or receiver, or both, to go out of alignment.

A garage door sensor, or photo-eye, consists of two devices. One sends a signal and the other receives it on the other side of the garage door opening. This creates an invisible beam that, if broken by anything in its path, triggers the garage door opener to reverse and return the door to its original open position.

What to Look For

If you believe a garage door issue is caused by a misaligned sensor, first check whether an object or stored item is obstructing the light beam between the two units. Perhaps you stored a toolbox nearby or a child’s ball rolled in the way. Remove any potential obstructions. If nothing is in the way, and there doesn’t seem to be damage to the sensors or their wires, then:

  • Find your garage door’s photo-eyes. One sensor is installed on the left-hand side and the other on the right. Both are mounted on the inside of the garage door opening, about six inches off the ground. The actual appearance, shape, and design differs depending on the sensor brand and manufacturer.
  • Determine the status of each sensor by looking at the LED light on its side. Each should have a steady green light. A flashing red light or no light on at all means there may be a misalignment. If the sensors are properly lit and the door still doesn’t work, check the lens for dirt, dust, or debris and clean off any you find with a soft cloth.
  • Measure the height of each sensor unit and use a level to determine if they are aligned. It’s important for both sensors to be at equal heights and facing each other. If not, they may have been installed improperly or the mountings may have been damaged. The best step is to call a garage door repair professional to find and fix the problem.

Can I Fix a Misaligned Garage Door Sensor?

You can adjust a misaligned sensor if there is no damage. First, loosen the screws on the pivot bracket. Then you can move the device up or down and direct one sensor to be in line with the other. Once the sensors are aligned, the LED light will come on.

Test the sensors after the adjustment is complete. To do so, place a cardboard box or other relatively soft object under the door and activate the switch to close it. The system should detect the object and stop the door. However, if a sensor problem persists, the door will close on or even crush the box or object. In this case, you should call a repair professional right away to service your garage door.

Contact Garage Door Doctor for Help

Serving Indianapolis and surrounding areas, Garage Door Doctor can help if your garage door sensors are misaligned, damaged, or not working. Our team of experienced service professionals can address your problem 24/7. We can service all types, makes, and brands of garage doors, openers, and parts. Call (317) 342-4995 today to request same-day service or contact us online to set up a free consultation.

Providing Premium Garage Doors in Indianapolis

Written by Jeffrey Sanford on . Posted in Commercial Garage Doors Indianapolis, Garage Door Openers, Garage Door Services Indianapolis, Garage Doors Indianapolis.

Garage Doors of Indianapolis: Everything in One Place

It is incredibly easy to take advantage of a functioning, smoothly-operating garage door. It’s supposed to be simple — you push a button, the door opens, you carry on with your plans. It’s when things go awry and a vital component in your garage door fails that your day can derail.

Fortunately for those who live and work in Indianapolis, there is a team that is available to help you 24/7. Garage Door Doctor has been providing the Indianapolis area with friendly, professional, affordable, and fast garage door services for years. If you find yourself in a situation where you need immediate garage door repairs or maintenance, or if it is time to replace your garage door altogether, Garage Door Doctor can be your one-stop-shop for all of your solutions. We believe in providing customer support that goes above and beyond expectations, and we offer a wide range of doors for every household, business, and budget.

The Benefits of Trusting Garage Door Doctor

As soon as you contact Garage Door Doctor, you’ll see that we’re not your ordinary garage door company. Here are just a few of the benefits you will enjoy from our services:

24-hour emergency garage door service
Same day service
Absolutely free garage door consultations
A team with over a decade of experience in Indianapolis
Wide range of residential garage doors
Commercial garage doors that serve the needs of any business
Residential and commercial garage door opener service and repair
Let these perks of our business give you the peace of mind that knowing you’ve trusted the best garage door team in Indianapolis. The safety and security of our customers’ homes and businesses are our number one priority, and we stand behind the quality of all of our garage doors.

Residential Garage Doors

The typical residential garage door has a life expectancy of less than 15 years, and that’s if it has been well maintained. You may have purchased a home with a garage door that has seen better days, or the garage door you have may have been exceptionally stylish 20 years ago. Whatever your reason, when you find the need for a new garage door for your home, our friendly contractors can install a new premium garage door that exceeds the durability, security, and reliability that you expect.

For your convenience, we’re happy to provide absolutely free residential garage door consultations! We want to make every effort to ensure that you have the garage door that is right for your home and family’s needs. Our years of experience makes us qualified to offer recommendations based on our assessment of your property.

With our services, you will have attractive, quality garage doors from trusted brands, such as C.H.I. and Haas. These brands are well known for their ability to reduce noise, protect your garage from the effects of severe weather, provide superior insulation, and keep your home secure. If it’s time for a new garage door, or you believe that it’s time for an upgrade, contact us today to get started!

Commercial Garage Doors
If you’re a business owner in Indianapolis, you already have enough on your plate, and you shouldn’t have to worry about the functionality of your garage doors. When you do find yourself in a bind, we offer the same 24-hour emergency services and free consultations to businesses that we offer to residents. Our inventory includes only the absolute best, high quality, commercial-grade garage doors that improve productivity in your operations.

Not every business is the same, and one business will have a different need for their garage door than the next. It doesn’t matter if you’re using a garage door for storage, a stylish storefront, or for a loading area, we have the commercial garage door solution you need! We have access to insulated sandwich doors, ribbed steel pan and pan insulated doors, aluminum commercial garage doors, and more! In most cases, we’re able to provide same-day service on garage doors, so contact us when your business needs garage door services or an upgrade!

Garage Door Openers

In some cases, you may find that your garage door itself is still in the prime of its life, but the opener is beginning to leave something to be desired. Your garage door opener is likely to wear out long before the physical door, and when that time comes, you can trust the professionals at Garage Door Doctor! It doesn’t matter what size or brand of garage door you own — if it’s a garage door, we can fix it! We have access to an impressive line of garage door openers that fit the needs of all of our customers, both residential and commercial.

Our LiftMaster Elite Series® offers quiet operation, several unique security features, timer-to-close settings, and can even be operated when there is a power outage. Similarly, our LiftMaster Premium Series® provides industrial strength performance and couples that with the most advanced security and connectivity features on the market.

For businesses and industrial facilities, our heavy-duty line of LiftMaster® commercial garage doors can handle the toughest jobs. Models include gearhead, advanced trolley systems, hoist operators, jackshaft operators, and more, ranging from light to heavy-duty strength. Don’t let an unreliable or broken garage door opener stand in the way of you being able to conduct business! Contact us today for a free consultation, or if it is urgent, we’re always available with 24-hour emergency support.

Contact Garage Door Doctor Today!

Hopefully, now that you know a little bit more about Garage Door Doctor and the services and products that we offer, you’ll know who you can trust with your doors! We’re confident that our commitment to customer service and satisfaction will make the difference between us and the competition. We’d like to invite you to contact us with any other questions you may have regarding our products and services, and to schedule an appointment with one of our friendly technicians! We look forward to serving the residents and business owners of Indianapolis with garage door service unlike any other.

What Makes a Good Garage Door?

Written by Jeffrey Sanford on . Posted in Garage Door Installation, Garage Door Services Indianapolis, Garage Doors Indianapolis.

Buying a New Garage Door in Indianapolis?

There are a lot of things to consider when you’re hunting for a new garage door for your home or business. Sometimes, it is necessity that drives you — such as your current garage door has given up its ghost, and you need a new garage door right away. Other times, your garage door just isn’t performing up to the standard that you expect, and it’s time to upgrade. In either case, Garage Door Doctor has compiled this checklist of things to consider when you’re in the market for a new garage door. Follow these tips for the best results!

Get a Quote from a Real Live Person

There may be a convenience factor in simply ordering a garage door online, but you may be setting yourself up for a major headache if you go that route. To ensure that you’re getting a garage door that’s right for your property and tics all of the boxes for your needs, it’s best to get a quote from an in-person garage door technician. Did we mention that we offer this service for free? Don’t get misled by vague online descriptions of garage doors — instead, let us guide you and make a recommendation based on our years of experience and our value of excellent customer service.

Choose the Material That’s Right for You

Those fancy wooden garage doors may look spectacular, but are they right for your home? On the other hand, those industrial-strength commercial doors look secure, but are you getting a garage door for a home or a penitentiary? Garage doors can be made from all sorts of materials, and there is one out there that is right for you. You can get steel doors that look like wood, textured or smooth, colored or neutral— the list goes on. The point is that you should consider what amount of maintenance you’re willing to put into your doors, and let that guide your material decision.

Consider Insulation

Do you plan on spending a lot of time in your garage? During the cold winters and warm summers, proper insulation in your garage door could be your best friend. If your desire is to have an area set up in the garage as a studio or shop, or if you’re looking to save money on energy costs, it may behoove you to invest in a more insulated garage door. Depending on the insulation, some garage doors can be over twice as effective as standard models.

You Usually Get What You Pay For

Most garage doors are rated to operate reliably for a few years before they need maintenance. It should go without saying that when you start with a higher-quality product, the components that make everything jive well together will last longer than if you go for a more bargain-based model. Doing as little as opting for a higher quality torsion spring can effectively double the expected lifespan of your garage door! That’s some smart shopping.

Spring for a New Opener With Your Door

As long as you’re upgrading your garage door, you should take the opportunity to make sure your garage door opener is up to snuff. You’d be amazed at some of the things that garage door openers can do today — including smartphone connectivity, added security features, and whisper-quiet operation. As an added bonus, when you get your new garage door and your new opener installed at the same time, you can potentially save a lot on labor costs!

Consider Door Volume

If the overall volume of your garage door is an important factor in deciding which door is right for your home or business, there are some options that you should consider. Noise from your garage door can be significantly dampened by the insulation in the door, as well as the type of rollers that you choose. Nylon rollers tend to be much quieter than traditional metal rollers, for example. When it comes to the garage door opener, models that use belts rather than chains tend to be much quieter. The experts at Garage Door Doctor can recommend models based on their overall volume!

Windows or No Windows?

You’d be surprised at how much natural light that windows can provide to your garage. If you’re planning on having that shop or studio in your garage, windows are certainly something that you should consider. Many windows are also available with a high insulation rating, so you won’t compromise your garage climate.

Always Go for Durability

You never know exactly what life is going to throw at you, much less your garage doors. Some models of doors are made of thinner metal to lower the price point, and while you may save a few bucks, you may end up having to deal with unwanted dents and poorer insulation. Once again, the garage door experts can help you determine what gauge of steel is best for the amount of activity you predict to be around your garage doors!

Trust a Professional to Install Your Door

Sure, you could install your garage door yourself, but unless you’ve had years of experience doing big installation projects like this, you could be looking at a days-long project. Garage doors may look fairly simple, but there are a lot of moving pieces, some of which require special tools and substantial strength to use properly. Tackling this project yourself might seem like a good way to save some money, but the wiser decision is to trust someone like Garage Door Doctor to get the job done right and in a timely manner. Garage doors are what we do!

Contact Garage Door Doctor in Indianapolis

With decades of combined experience, the experts at Garage Door Doctor can recommend, install, and repair any garage door in the Indianapolis area. We hope that this handy checklist has helped you narrow your focus in regards to choosing a garage door for your home. The next step is to contact us, let us come out to your home for a free estimate, and get started on installing your new, perfectly suited garage door! Contact us today! We look forward to working for you.

Advantages of Roller Shutter Garage Doors

Written by Jeffrey Sanford on . Posted in Commercial Garage Doors Indianapolis, Garage Door Installation, Garage Doors Indianapolis.

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Shutter Doors Could Give You An Edge

So you’re considering getting shutter-style garage doors for your commercial space? If you need some more details to finally help you decide which garage door is right for you, then you’ve come to the right place! Garage Door Doctor in Indianapolis would like to walk you through some of the major benefits that come along with shutter garage doors.

Enhanced Security

When you own and operate a business, the safety and security of that business is your number one priority! Roller shutter garage doors can provide your commercial and retail spaces with optimal security. These garage doors feature lasting durability and are very strong, deterring would-be intruders. The material that these doors are made from can also vary depending upon your budget! They are available in steel or aluminum, and both options provide you with strong security and safety to ensure your business space stays safe.

Improved Functionality & Appearance

Shutter garage doors are ideal for commercial spaces that require a lot of use of their garage doors, and have the frequent need to move large materials or vehicles through them. The sleek look of rolling shutter garage doors also provides your commercial space with a level of professionalism that your customers will appreciate. The design of these shutter doors is also very economical, being naturally very sound-proof, and can reduce noise from inside your outside of your commercial space. That can come in handy when you’re in a noisy part of the city!

Premium Weather Protection

When the weather turns chilly or the summer heat starts to get you down, you want to be able to have at least some control over the temperature in your commercial space. Harsh weather conditions will not affect the operation of these strong doors, and they will keep your commercial space at the temperature that you desire most. These doors have the additional benefit of containing fires to one area, in the unfortunate or unlikely event that a fire occurs.

Super-Gloss Appeal

These roller-shutter doors are available in super-sleek aluminum glossy finishes. Because of this, you don’t have to worry about your garage door looking dingy and industrial— it can be functional and aesthetically pleasing at the same time! This is a big selling point for small businesses that use garage doors as their main entrance. A nice doorway, even if it is a garage, can leave a lasting first impression on your customers.

Simple Operation

A great selling point for these rolling shutter-style garage doors are their ease of operation. There are no complicated levers or operating systems— they function very similarly to your garage door at home! The sturdy material of these garage doors also means that they are very unlikely to cause you mechanical problems down the road.

Protect Your Storefront Windows

Some businesses use shutter garage doors to protect the storefront windows of their businesses. Not only does this protect your windows when your commercial space is closed, it is also a great security feature and deterrent from anyone who could be seeking to break into your business.

Let Garage Door Doctor Be Your Garage Door Solution!

If you’re interested in the installation of durable, dependable, sleek and easy-to-use shutter garage doors for your commercial space, contact us today! We can handle installation, maintenance and repair of all garage doors in the Indianapolis area! If you have any further questions about this great option for commercial garage doors, please do not hesitate to contact us! One of our garage door specialists will be more than happy to answer any questions you have. We look forward to working with you and keeping your business safe, secure, and looking fantastic![/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Keeping Your Garage Safe in Indianapolis

Written by Jeffrey Sanford on . Posted in Garage Door Services Indianapolis, Garage Doors Indianapolis.

Garage Door Security 101

Even the most modern garage doors can be vulnerable to evildoers seeking to do your family harm. Garage Door Doctor would like to impart to you some practical wisdom to keep your home and garage safe, secure, and out of harm’s way! You’ll be thanking yourself for taking these precautionary measures. Don’t let garage security be something you wish you’d have done! With that said, here are our best recommendations for keeping your garage locked up tight.

Keep Your Garage Locked Up Tight

Hold it right there, we just said that twice! That’s right, because it’s that important. If you have an old garage door that you need to manually open and close (first of all, hello from the future! We have automatic doors now!) it goes without saying that you need to lock it up when not in use. That being said, however, even modern garage doors are not immune to being opened by someone with ill intent. If you plan on going out of town for an extended period of time, it may not be a terrible idea to place a padlock on the inside of your garage door that would inhibit it from opening. Even if your garage door sustains damage from someone trying and failing to pry it open, that will be a favorable alternative to someone making off with all of your tools.

Assess Your Garage for Burglary Potential

Something handy that you can do is to take a few moments and take on the role of burglar. Look at your garage and think about how somebody could try to break in or take advantage of a weak spot. If you could think of a way in, rest assured that someone who makes a living out of theft can think of it too. You might just see a crack in the armor if you take a moment to assess your property.

Do Not Leave Garage Doors Open Unattended

Imagine removing an entire wall of your home, free for anyone walking or driving by to see all of the things you’ve stored away, and just letting it sit there for hours, unattended? That is essentially what you’re doing if you leave your garage door open unnecessarily. We’re sure you’ve seen this before around Indianapolis — someone was taking the groceries in and forgot to close the garage door, or somebody was working in the garage, then ran out to get something that should only take “a minute or two.” You would be surprised how easy it would be for a passersby to casually walk up to an open, unattended garage, and pick and choose from your belongings like it’s a buffet. Always be aware of the state of your garage door!

 

Update Your Old Garage Door Opener

More recent models of garage door openers are difficult to take advantage of, but older models can be vulnerable to tampering. If you’ve had the same garage door opener for years, have never changed the code, or aren’t even sure how it works, you need to call your friends here at Garage Door Doctor. We can determine the safety value of your garage door opener, and recommend a replacement if we think it is necessary. There are several smart garage door openers available today that let you remotely control your garage doors, making it easy to check the status of your garage from your smartphone! Now that is handy.

Pro Tip: Consider using a garage door opener that attaches to your key-chain. Leaving a garage door opener in your car is just about as safe as leaving the keys to your house on the front porch.

Invest in Appropriate Exterior Lighting

Having exterior lighting around your garage can be an incredibly simple deterrent for potential thieves. Motion-activated lights behave like little sentries that you can set around your home, making your house a less-likely target for exploitation. You’ll want to install these lights high enough that a burglar couldn’t simply walk up and unscrew them, defeating their purpose.

Replace Damaged Garage Doors

If you’ve been living with a damaged garage door, then you really need to give us a call! Garage Door Doctor has been serving the Indianapolis area for years, and we love taking care of our neighbors. Having a damaged garage door only puts you at risk for a burglar having a free-for-all in your garage. If you notice any gaps or openings around your garage door, contact us today, and we’ll come out to your home for a free inspection and estimate on getting you fixed up with a new garage door.

Be Careful of What You Store in Your Garage

We know, it’s incredibly tempting to store things willy-nilly in the garage for the mere convenience of it. However, if you’re storing something very valuable in the garage, even if you leave valuable items inside of unlocked cars, they become prime targets for break-ins. If you have something particularly valuable, try to consider a better place to store it than in the garage.

Help Your Neighbors By Being a Good Neighbor

Can we agree that we’re all in this together? If you notice anything suspicious about a neighbor’s garage, live up to the high expectations set by the great people of Indianapolis and communicate with them! When a garage door has been open for hours on end, with nobody in sight, give your neighbor a call or go knock on their door and make sure everything is okay. You would hope that your neighbors would do the same for you, right? Of course, if something seems fishy or dangerous, don’t put yourself at risk, but use discretion, and be a good neighbor. That’s what we’re all about at Garage Door Doctor.

Call Us For a Free Inspection!

If you need a new garage door or just want to make sure that your current garage set-up is optimized for safety, give us a call and we’ll come out for a free inspection. We love serving Indiana with superior garage door repair, maintenance, and replacement. We look forward to hearing from you, and stay safe out there neighbors!

6 of the Most Common Garage Door Repairs

Written by Jeffrey Sanford on . Posted in Garage Door Repair Indianapolis, Garage Door Services Indianapolis, Garage Doors Indianapolis.

Garage Troubles Getting You Down In Indianapolis?

If you’re reading this, we’re betting that you’re in the middle of dealing with a garage door that is misbehaving. When this happens, it’s a literal roadblock in your day. Luckily, Garage Door Doctor is here to provide residents and commercial businesses with the absolute best, friendliest, and high quality garage door repair services in Indianapolis. We’d like to provide you with a rundown of some of the most common repairs that we encounter around our great city, so that you know that you’re not alone in your garage troubles and that there is a fast solution — Garage Door Doctor! Contact us if you’re experiencing trouble with any of these situations.

Garage Door Opener Failure

This one can really get your goat. You’ve pulled up to the house, you’ve got a van or car full of kids, you hit the garage door opener and… nothing. You push it again. Still nothing. You now have an expensive bendy wall between you and getting your family inside after a long, busy day. You may even notice the door making a valiant attempt at rising, only to limply fall back into place, exhausted. In most cases, this is a mechanical failure of the garage door opener. The fix for this could be as simple as adding lubrication to reduce friction; however, the problem may go deeper, in which case, it’s time to call your friends over at Garage Door Doctor.

Garage Door Fails to Close

This one is fun if you want your home to look like a nutty person lives there, with a garage door askew, open just enough to admit neighborhood cats or raccoons so they can shelter in your garage. In some cases, it may not even want to close at all, leading your neighbors to believe you’ve decided to throw an impromptu garage sale. This could be caused by several factors. Sometimes, the safety sensor is being tripped inadvertently, which will make the garage door refuse to close. Alternatively, the rollers could be jammed, or there could be another mechanical failure that a professional may have to diagnose — professionals like us at Garage Door Doctor! We know you love Indianapolis as much as we do, but you’d probably rather not have your garage door stuck open for all of the city to see. Give us a call if this is happening to you.

Remote Failure

In most cases, remote failure is due to a.) being too far away, or b.) the batteries are dead. If this is the case, we recommend the following strategic actions.

  1. Move closer to the garage door.
  2. Put new batteries in the garage door remote.

All joking aside, it is true that what mostly affects the performance of remotes are distance and power supply. However, this isn’t necessarily always the case. There could be a problem with the antenna that communicates between remote and opener, or your remote could have a malfunction that merits a replacement. If common sense solutions to remote malfunction have proven fruitless, then it’s time to involve your friends at Garage Door Doctor! We’re experts at determining the mysterious causes to remotes failing. We even usually have batteries with us, just in case.

Garage Door Automatically Reverses

Many modern garage doors have a built-in safety feature where they will automatically reverse if they encounter an obstruction, like a car, a lawnmower, or your cat. While this safety measure is appreciated and helps to reduce damage or injury to felines everywhere, it can begin happening for seemingly no reason whatsoever. If you cannot discern why your garage door is automatically reversing, it may be time to call in the specialists at Garage Door Doctor. We’re trained in all of the technical know-how that goes into testing your garage door’s auto-reverse safety function. It may be malfunctioning, or it may simply need to be recalibrated. If you’re tired of playing the fun game with your garage door where you try to get it to stay closed, give us a call, and we’ll help you out.

Continuously Running Motor

If you encounter a garage door motor that continues to run long after you’ve finished your business with the garage, it is very likely an electrical issue affecting your motor’s tiny little robot brain. The utmost care should be taken when dealing with electricity, so if you suspect an electrical malfunction, we highly recommend that you call us out to take a look at your garage. Our technicians are expertly trained to deal with electrical situations. The only thing that we want to be shocking is how fast, friendly, and knowledgeable we are! If your garage motor just can’t get enough of running on its own, let us know, we’ll take care of it. Your safety is our number one priority!

Sticky Door

As opposed to garage doors that stop, then reverse, a garage door that sticks and jams is most likely the result of a track misalignment. The rollers on your garage door could get stuck from debris, dust, or any other kind of built-up muck that finds its way into garage tracks. The solution could be as simple as cleaning out the tracks, or you may need to consider calling the Garage Door Doctors, and we’ll get it fixed up in a jiffy. Don’t let your car be rendered inaccessible! We’ll provide you with prompt service in the Indianapolis area and get everything running smoothly again.

Let the Garage Door Doctor Be Your Cure

We’re a family-owned business here in Indianapolis, and we love our customers. If your garage door is giving you a headache, let us be your remedy. Contact us today, and schedule a free consultation with one of our professional garage door repair technicians. We also specialize in garage door installation and replacement, not to mention 24/7 emergency garage door service. We look forward to meeting you, getting your garage back in order, and letting you be free to go about your day smoothly and without interruption.

The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Guide For Your Garage

Written by Jeffrey Sanford on . Posted in Garage Door Services Indianapolis, Garage Doors Indianapolis.

Now that the cold winter conditions are behind us and spring is finally here, many people have already begun their spring cleaning routine. From washing kitchen floors, vacuuming and dusting the bedroom, to reorganizing the living room — there are several tasks to knock out that will help revitalize the look of a home and feel of a home. However, amidst all of the areas in a home that are included in a spring cleaning routine, there is one area that is often overlooked or skipped.

Garages and the extra space they offer is a great addition to any home. However, the use of garages has developed into something more than just their intended purpose of housing cars. Many homeowners use their garages to store a variety of items and belongings. From old clothing, furniture, and appliances to out-of-season holiday decorations, there is no guessing what you may come across in a garage. If you are like most homeowners, your garage can certainly act as a “catch-all” for just about any item you can think of. Before you know it, garages can become a cluttered, unorganized mess. Sometimes, garages can become so cluttered that there is no longer any room to park a car. Plus, with the nasty conditions we had this winter it is likely that salt, water, mud, and debris was transferred into your garage. This makes the spring an ideal time to clean a garage and get it ready for summer!

Spring Cleaning Tips For A Garage

Cleaning a filthy and cluttered garage can be a daunting task, but it should not be left out of your spring cleaning routine. To assist homeowners, we put together some helpful tips to quickly declutter, clean and organize a garage this spring-cleaning-season.

1. Create a plan and set goals

Before starting any big home cleaning project it is important to first establish a course of action before tackling tasks. Simply putting garage cleaning on your spring cleaning to-do will not always be enough. Before you start cleaning out your garage, take a moment to analyze the area to get a good idea of what needs to be done. Create a checklist of certain tasks you want to accomplish and things you may want to get rid of. If you really want to be motivated, try setting some goals. Maybe those goals are fitting two vehicles inside instead, or creating enough space to install new garage cabinets. Creating a detailed cleaning plan and setting specific goals will help you get a better understand of what you want to accomplish.

2. Set aside enough time

Depending on how cluttered and messy your garage is, it is unlikely that you will be able to fully clean it in a few hours. Most garage cleaning projects can be knocked out in a weekend, or back-to-back days. Be sure to set aside enough time to sort, clean, and organize items and areas in your garage. If you want to make the cleaning process go by faster, consider asking a friend or family member for help! Be sure to provide them with food and drinks for helping you with a less than glamorous task!

3. Take everything out

In order to effectively clean and tidy up a garage, it is usually easier and less overwhelming to remove everything from inside of the garage to start the cleaning process. While this may seem like an exhausting and time-consuming task, it is ultimately worth doing if you want to have a tidy garage this spring and summer. The more you take out, the easier it will be to give your garage a top-to-bottom cleaning. Try to take out as much as you can — vehicles and all. If the weather allows, you can place the items from your garage in the driveway or yard. When removing items from your garage, take the time to group them five different categories: keep, sell, trash, donate, and recycle.

4. Don’t be afraid to let go

When sorting through the items and placing them into different categories, don’t be afraid to add things to the “sell” and “trash” piles. Many people choose to hang on to certain items and belongings due to the fear of potentially needing it in the future. If you come across items you are unsure about, consider whether you will be using the item again in the near future, and whether or not it’s worth the occupied space and extra clutter. When you clean out your garage and throw away unwanted or unnecessary items along the way, it will be much easier to decide whether an item is worth keeping or selling.

5. Start cleaning

Once the garage is finally free of vehicles, items, and other clutter you can start cleaning the areas that would otherwise be hard to reach, such as the walls, floor, and garage door. These areas of the garage tend to be very filthy, especially after the winter. Although most homeowners don’t spend too much time in their garages, cleaning these main areas will help your garage look more appealing and comfortable. Follow these steps to give your garage a tidier look.

The walls

Over time, garage walls can become covered with dirt. This can be an eyesore, especially with white walls. Before scrubbing down the walls, first use a vacuum cleaner with a hose to remove any cobwebs or layers of dust that is calcified to the wall. Next, use a bucket of water with a mild detergent to start washing the walls. To quickly clean your walls, begin at the bottom of the walls, working your way to the top in horizontal layers. After reaching the top, lightly wipe away excess water to avoid streaks and stains.

The floors

The garage floor is likely covered with stains and debris, especially after the winter season. Start cleaning your floors by sweeping them, ensuring to remove as much dirt and debris as possible. Then using a garden hose and cleaning detergent, wash and scrub the flooring. Once that is done, finish by rinsing. If you garage does not have a floor drain, be sure to remove and dry any excess water remaining. If unsightly stains remain, consider hiring a garage floor coating service.

The garage door

Start by using a broom or brush to rid your garage doors of any loose dirt or debris. With the garage door close, spray the outside of the door with a garden hose to do a majority of the cleaning. After, use soapy water and a sponge to wipe both sides of the door down. Give extra attention to any stains that require it. Once the door is dry, be sure to quickly inspect areas that may need garage door maintenance or repair. Be sure to wipe the photo eye sensor lenses to ensure dust and debris isn’t getting in the way. Lubricate rollers, chains, and other parts as necessary.

6. Determine the best layout

Now that your garage is clean and tidy, it’s time to find a home for the items and belongings in the “keep” pile. If there are items that you frequently use in the garage, such as a fridge or recycle bin, be sure to place it near the door for easy access. To ensure you have enough room for vehicles, park them inside the garage and start transferring items neatly into organized areas or spaces.

7. Create extra storage space

One of the reasons garages become so cluttered is because there is not enough space to store items. However, there are many simple storage solutions to create more space in your garage. Consider installing garage cabinets and shelves, hang your tools on a pegboard. Taking things off of the floor and putting them into shelves and cabinets will clear up more space for other items and appliances.

8. Schedule garage door maintenance

The winter can take a toll on a garage door and the garage door opener. It is recommended that garage doors receive yearly routine service to keep it running smoothly. And now that you have a clean garage, it is the perfect time to schedule a garage door inspection with a professional garage door repair company. Scheduling routine maintenance with a garage door service company will make sure that your door is correctly balanced and aligned, properly lubricating rollers, hinges, and other necessary parts, and ensure that there is no visible wear or damage.

9. Prevent future clutter

Once your garage spring cleaning is finished,, you will want to make sure that all of your hard work pays off by maintaining its tidiness and organization. Do your best from allowing clutter to reclaim the space in your garage. Use the cabinets and storage shelves to keep clutter off of the garage floor. Be sure to sweep and hose down the garage floor to keep it free of dirt and debris.

Hopefully, these tips will help you with your spring cleaning routine and a cleaner, more appealing garage. Be sure to remember this blog to repeat the same routine next spring, for a clutter-free garage all year-round!

Need service for your Indianapolis Garage Door?

Now that the temperatures in Indianapolis are looking more and more promising, this is the perfect time to start spring cleaning your home and garage. When you finishing your cleaning routine it is best to have a garage door service come out and inspect it to ensure it is operating properly. When you need garage door service in Indianapolis, IN and the surrounding areas, you can rely on Garage Door Doctor! Whether you are in need of garage door replacement, repair, maintenance, routine service, or garage door installation — whatever your needs are, the experts at Garage Door Doctor can help. Request Indianapolis garage door service today!

Choosing The Right Residential Garage Door

Written by Jeffrey Sanford on . Posted in Garage Doors Indianapolis.

For many homeowners, garage doors are an important part of their lives. In fact, many potential buyers have garages on their checklist of wants and desires they are looking for while shopping the real estate market. And, for those who are putting their home for sale on the market, most homeowners realize that garages and garage doors are an essential factor in a home’s curb appeal. Of course, the exterior finishing and landscaping materials can surely make a difference, but a garage door is a huge factor due to taking up a large portion of a home’s exterior.

Because garage doors play such an important role in the security of our homes, curb appeal, and home accessibility, choosing the best garage door for your home can be difficult. With the variety of styles, colors, and materials continuously growing more varied to meet customer demands, choosing a residential garage door has never been more challenging for homeowners. That is why we decided to put together this guide on how to choose the right residential garage door.

If you are someone who is the market for garage doors but constantly are asking yourself, “Which garage door should I buy?”, then this guide is a great starting point!

Importance of choosing the right garage door

Before we dive into the core details, we thought it would be best to go over some of the reasons why making the right garage door choice is so important. As mentioned above, garage doors can increase the value of a home. In fact, garage doors are one of the most eye-catching and appealing home improvement projects for potential buyers. And, according to the National Association of Realtors, a garage door improvement project comes with an estimated project recovery value of 87 percent. Even if you aren’t planning to sell your home anytime soon, a new garage door is still a great investment for homeowners, especially if their current door is malfunctioning, outdated, or broken.

Choosing the right garage door is important due to the various ways a garage door actually impacts our lives at home. Think about it, garages are the largest area of a home, meaning a garage door is likely the main focal point for people driving by, which is why choosing a door with the right design is important. Additionally, being such a large surface, a garage door has a significant effect on the insulation of homes. If insulation and heating and cooling costs are a concern, it may be best to choose an insulated garage door. Another concern is safety —  due to the size and location of a garage door, many thieves and burglars will target garages. However, newer garage doors are much better at hampering intruders. And lastly, choosing a garage door that is safe is important to ensure that accidental injuries are avoided.

How to decide what’s the optimal garage door for your home

Now that you know why choosing the right garage door is important for homeowners, it’s time to move on to how homeowners decide what the optimal garage door is for their home is. A good start in deciding is for homeowners to consider what type of statement they want their garage door to make. For example, homes that have gray or beige exteriors will look tidy and aesthetically pleasing with the addition of a white door. In contrast, homes that are white should feature a garage door in a color that helps create color contrast and dimension. Additionally, there are many different types of garage doors to choose from, some better complementing homes than others. Check out a brief overview of the three common garage door options so you can choose which door is right for your home!

Aluminium garage door

Aluminum garage doors look great with contemporary homes. Although aluminum is a lighter material of steel, these garage doors are dent resistant and hold up well during all four seasons.

Benefits of aluminum garage doors

  • Lightweight and easy to install
  • Less strain on torsion spring, garage door opener, and other parts
  • Comes in a variety of styles, can be embossed, and is paintable

Steel garage door

Steel garage doors are a top choice for many homeowners. And the best part, steel doors can be manufactured to look like wood!

benefits of steel garage doors

  • Extremely durable
  • Available in a variety of styles and colors
  • More affordable than other materials

Fiberglass garage door

Fiberglass doors are a great alternative option for homeowners looking for durability, but not a steel garage door. Like some steel doors, fiberglass doors can be manufactured to closely resemble wooden garage doors.

benefits of fiberglass garage doors

  • Perform better in harsh environments
  • Can be less expensive than other materials
  • Available in many styles, colors and wood-like finishes.

Steps to choose a new garage door

As mentioned, purchasing a garage door can be a daunting task for many people. While knowing the different types of garage door materials will help with the decision, there are still many questions that homeowners need to answer before pulling the trigger on a new door. To make sense of it all and find the garage door that best fits your home, follow these simple steps.

Step #1: Understand options

As you saw above, there are a variety of materials, styles, and colors of residential garage doors that are available for homes. It is important to have an idea of which brand of garage door you want, the impact the garage will have on curb appeal, the style options and material choices available, which features are important, insulation benefits, and even the budget you are willing to invest into a new door.

Step #2: Determine Materials

Perhaps the most important factor of garage door selection is choosing the material. As mentioned above, there are multiple garage door materials that can be used for residential applications. All doors are not the same, and each material of garage doors has its advantages and disadvantages.

Step #3: Decide on insulation

If you have an attached garage or a garage that is adjacent to any kind of living space, like a kitchen or bedroom, it may be a good idea to choose a garage door that is insulated. Insulated garage doors will help those rooms remain comfortable, even when you live in a climate with harsh winters or summers. Plus, insulated doors are often much quieter.

Step #4: Think about the future

A garage door selection is one that should last and remain appealing for many years. You’ll want to consider choosing a garage door that is durable, able to withstand harsh weather conditions, long-lasting, and won’t require much maintenance or repair.

Step #5: Hire a garage door installation company

Once you’ve done your research and have determined, and decided on, specific factors, you are ready to find a local garage door company that specializes in garage door installation.
They will be able to provide you with expert advice and garage door services, leaving you with a beautiful, appealing garage door.

We hope that this brief guide will make choosing a residential garage door for your home much easier. A garage door is a big investment and choosing the right one for your home is essential to its security, curb appeal, energy-efficiency, and many other factors!

Looking for Marion County garage door installation?

If you are thinking about buying a new garage door in Indianapolis, or in other Marion County areas, there is not a garage door company that is trusted more than Garage Door Doctor! For many years, our team of experts has been providing Indianapolis with garage door repair, maintenance, and installation services. We are proud to install Haas Garage Doors, including the Haas American Tradition Series, in homes throughout Indiana. Our team of trained professionals can provide timely service for all garage doors! We are ready to help you select the perfect garage door for your home, like the Haas Model 360. And, we can even help develop your customized Haas garage door for your Indianapolis home. To learn more about our garage doors, or for help choosing the right garage door for your home, contact the team at Garage Door Doctor.