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Tag: garage door repair

Garage Door in Indianapolis, IN

What To Do When the Chain on a Garage Door Opener Comes Off

Written by garagedoordoc1 on . Posted in Garage Door. No Comments on What To Do When the Chain on a Garage Door Opener Comes Off

Most automatic garage door openers are chain driven. The chain is connected to two sprockets that work to drive the carriage or trolley so the door opens and closes. One sprocket is located at the motor and the other is at the end of the rail just next to the garage door itself. Garage door chains require a bit of slack in order for the motor to smoothly open and close the door. The issue is that the constant vibration that occurs whenever the motor runs can start to loosen the chain to where it starts to drag on the rail or disconnect entirely.

If the chain ever does come off, the opener won’t work and you’ll need to manually open and close the door. This is one reason why it’s always a good idea to have your garage door professionally maintained every year as the technician will always check and tighten the chain. Fixing a chain that has come loose may seem like a simple job; however, attempting to fix it yourself can be dangerous. One wrong move, and you can cause injury or even death. If the chain on your garage door comes off, a call to a repair technician is warranted. Of course, there is nothing wrong with being curious about how the technician will repair your garage door. Below are the steps the technician will take to reattach your garage door chain.

Disconnecting the Door From the Opener

The first thing the technician will do is disconnect the door from the opener. There will be a cord with a red handle hanging from the carriage, which is the part that moves the door along the trolley or rail.

If the chain comes off when the door is fully open, the technician will not worry much as the door will normally stay up even after he or she disconnects the carriage from the trolley. However, there is always a chance that the door can come slamming down upon disconnecting the chain. Technicians are aware of these risks, and they have the training and the tools to mitigate them.
After disconnecting the carriage, the technician will then need to close the door by hand so he or she can access the chain. To do this, the technician will pull down on the rope that is connected to the door.

Unplugging the Motor

Once the door is disconnected and closed, the technician will climb on a ladder to unplug the motor from the outlet. This is essential as the technician will not want the motor to suddenly come on while working as it can lead to injury or even death.

Putting the Chain Back on and Then Adjust for Tightness

Depending on how loose the chain is, the technician may simply be able to slip it straight back onto the sprockets. They will make sure that the chain is fully on the sprocket at the motor. Depending on the specific model, the technician may need to use a screwdriver to pry off the cover to access the sprocket.

The technician will then need to take a ladder and climb up to the end of the trolley next to the door. He or she will see a second sprocket at the end of the trolley. If the technician can’t get the chain to easily slide back on the sprocket, he or she will first need to loosen it to secure and retighten it.

The technician will see a bolt that goes through the carriage and attaches to the chain with two nuts threaded on one side of it. The nut that is closest to the opener is the locking nut, and the nut closest to the door is the tension or adjustment nut.

The technician will first need to slightly loosen the locking nut with pliers or a wrench and then loosen the adjustment nut until the chain sags enough that he or she can enable it to slip back onto the sprocket. Once the chain is back in place, the technician will then start to turn the adjustment nut in the opposite direction to tighten the chain. The technician has the experience to know that tightening the chain too much can cause it to break or the opener to not work correctly. He or she will test if the chain is too tight or too loose by pushing down on it with one finger. The chain should only give by about an inch. Any more give and the chain is still too loose, and any less give means it is too tight.

Once the chain is properly tightened, the technician will retighten the locking nut to ensure it stays in place. The technician knows that forgetting this step will cause the chain to quickly come loose and eventually fall off again.

Plugging the Motor in and Testing That Your Door Works Correctly

The last steps are to plug the opener motor back in and then test that everything works as it should. After plugging the opener in, the technician will reconnect the carriage to the trolley. This is done by pulling the red emergency cord back in the direction of the opener until the carriage clicks back in place. When the carriage re-engages, the technician will usually notice that the chain suddenly has a bit more slack. This is normal and the chain will tighten back up as soon as he or she opens the door.

Once everything is reconnected, the technician will test your garage door to ensure that it opens and closes smoothly. If the technician notices the chain slightly dragging on the rail when the door opens and closes, he or she will disconnect the carriage again and tighten the chain a bit more.

If the door opens and closes as it should and the chain doesn’t drag, then the technician’s job is done. If the motor doesn’t work for any reason or the chain immediately falls off again, then the garage door technician will inspect the opener further to determine what is causing this problem.

Depending on the specific cause, you may need to have the chain replaced, or you will potentially need to replace the opener. If the chain constantly falls off, it usually means that the teeth on the sprockets have worn down to the point where they can’t properly grip the chain. As such, you may need to have the sprocket, motor or both replaced.

If you need to have your garage door chain put back on or you need your garage door or opener serviced in any way, the expert team at Garage Door Doctor is always here to help. We specialize in all types of garage door repairs, and we can also help if you need a new door or opener installed. We service both residential and commercial clients, so give us a call today if you need any garage door service in Indianapolis, Carmel or the Bloomington areas.

Garage Door Service in Indianapolis, IN

Signs Your Garage Door Needs to Be Repaired or Replaced

Written by garagedoordoc1 on . Posted in Garage Door Services Indianapolis. No Comments on Signs Your Garage Door Needs to Be Repaired or Replaced

A quality garage door may often last for many years. However, you may be debating whether to replace or repair your door if its best days are behind it. You should take into account a number of considerations before deciding whether to repair it or replace it with a new one. This practical guide may help you decide whether repair or replacement is your best course of action.

When to Replace Your Garage Door

It may be time to replace your garage door if you observe any of the signs below.

Weather Damage

Garage doors can sustain a lot of damage from the elements, including snow, rain, wind, and even the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Over time, dirt, leaves, and other junk can become stuck within the garage door’s track, producing friction and leading to track misalignment problems. It’s time for a new garage door if your current one has sustained significant weather damage, such as rusting, warping, or discoloration.

Your Safety Is Jeopardized

A faulty garage door is not just inconvenient; it is also dangerous. It might fall on someone, causing serious harm or worse. A broken garage door also raises the likelihood of a home invasion by allowing vandals easy access to your house. It is likely that since your previous installation, garage door tech has advanced significantly, and modern doors have safety features such as voice controls, improved illumination, and more.

Need a Makeover

Your door may still function well, but if it is outdated and you want to improve your home’s aesthetic appeal, a garage door replacement may be best. Similarly, if you want to convert your garage space into a living area or workspace, you’ll need a door with superior insulation. Whatever the cause, your home’s outside mirrors the interior, and an improved curb appeal will give you greater satisfaction. In addition, a garage door replacement may also increase the value of your property. A new door will increase your home’s appeal to buyers and alleviate their concerns about having to replace it after buying the house.

Your Door Lacks Safety Features

Older garage doors lack the safety measures that contemporary garage doors provide. One of the best features of current garage doors is the presence of safety sensors that prevent the door from opening or closing if it senses children, pets, or anything beneath it. Modern sensors can help avoid unfortunate accidents from happening. Sensors can also prevent damage to your property, like your car, by signaling the door to stop before a collision occurs. While aftermarket add-on sensors for outdated garage doors are available, they are not necessarily the most effective option.

Rotten Wood

In damp situations, wooden garage doors are prone to deterioration. If your garage door has wood rot, it is best to exchange it with a modern model. Contemporary garage doors are constructed of more robust and weather-resistant components than their wooden predecessors.

Increasing Energy Costs

You may have noticed that your utility bill has been increasing. Your door could be the culprit if your garage is attached to your house. In the winter, an older door with poor insulation and damage may let a lot of cold air into your house and warm air out, causing your HVAC system to work harder. In the summer, the opposite may be true. Installing a new, modern door can improve your home’s overall energy efficiency and lower your energy bills.

When to Repair a Garage Door

There are times when you don’t need garage replacement. Minor problems may be fixed, saving you money. Here are some of the most frequent garage door problems and how to remedy them.

Sagging Garage Door

Your garage door’s opening and closing system is most likely malfunctioning if you have a sagging garage door. Garage doors are powered by balanced springs, which lower the power required to raise them off the floor. When your garage door is unbalanced, the lifting system has to work more to raise and lower the door. This deterioration might eventually lead to worn or damaged springs and drooping doors. In most cases, an expert garage door technician can resolve this problem by adjusting the system or replacing worn-out parts.

Noisy Garage Door

A fully functional and optimal garage door should be quiet. A loud garage door is a warning sign that something is amiss with the overall mechanics. Sound and appearance are closely linked, just like a shaking garage door would indicate something wrong with one or several components that make your door move; a noisy garage door is indicative of a problem with one or more parts that make up the door itself.

If your garage door becomes extremely loud, it might be a sign that something is going to break. In other terms, today’s noise might lead to failure or collapse tomorrow. If you hear weird, unpleasant noises in your garage door’s operation, call the Garage Door Doctor for garage door repair before any of these possibilities play out.

Opening or Closing Problems

When your garage door fails to close and open correctly, you have a faulty garage door. The door may be reacting to control cues in an erratic manner. Or its movements may be jerky or stuttering. In the worst-case situation, it may have stopped working altogether. No matter what is occurring, you have noticed that your garage door is not operating as smoothly as it used to when opening and closing.

Once you’ve clicked the activation button, the door should react in less than a second. If it doesn’t, it is probably time to call a professional to have it fixed.

Shaking Garage Door

A garage door should operate steadily and smoothly, with no tremors or unusual movements. If your garage door is wobbly, it’s most likely due to a problem with the tracks, belt, rollers, or lubricant. In any event, a shaky garage door should be serviced as soon as possible before the ailment worsens. If the problem is not addressed quickly, an unstable garage door may eventually become a damaged garage door. That is why, if your garage door begins to wobble, you must act quickly and contact the Garage Door Doctor for repairs.

Chipped or Broken Sections On Your Garage Door

The garage door receives the most harm from the outside world of any component of a house’s exterior, behind only the roof. Though your garage door is not directly affected by hail, snow, rain, or falling debris, it may receive a lot of objects thrown at it, owing to the playground role that driveways frequently provide for children.

As a result of this damage, your garage door’s panels, bottom-rubber lining, and edges can chip away and progressively come undone. No matter what is chipped or cracked, these little defects do not constitute a faulty garage door. However, left unattended to, these little problems tend to get worse. Avoid having to replace a garage door by having a repair specialist touch it up every few years.

Rely on the Professionals at Garage Door Doctor

We can assist you if you have difficulty deciding if your garage door should be repaired or replaced. Our skilled staff can evaluate your door and advise you on the best option.

At Garage Door Doctor, we’re proud to be an experienced, trusted, and highly rated garage door company in Indianapolis, IN. Our family-owned and -operated company has been offering commercial and residential garage door service since 2009. Contact the Garage Door Doctor today to make an appointment.

Garage Door Spring Repair in Indianapolis

Written by garagedoordoc1 on . Posted in Garage Door Repair Indianapolis, Garage Door Services Indianapolis.

Garage Door Doctor Repairs Torsion & Extension Springs

You may be thinking that undertaking the repair of the torsion springs on your garage door yourself is a good idea — Garage Door Doctor in Indianapolis, however, would strongly caution against this! We’ve had combined decades of experience with all types of garage doors, and unless you’ve been properly trained in fixing these high-tension springs, serious injury and property damage could occur. Your safety is our highest priority, and we would love to be able to be of service to you and your family!

How Can You Tell Your Springs Are Broken?

If you’re unsure that the torsion springs are the problem that is occurring with your garage door, there are some telltale signs that point to them as the culprit, some more obvious than others. We’re always more than welcome to come and assess the problem with your garage door and provide you with a report and estimate on repairs. Here are some of the signs that you have a problem with your springs:

Cables Appear Broken

When a torsion spring breaks, the first thing you may notice is that there are bunches of cables that have come loose, and your initial assessment may lead you to think the cables broke. In reality, what probably broke was the spring, which was providing tension to the cables. Now that the tension is gone, the cables have too much slack and appear broken.

A Valiant Effort

If there’s a problem with your spring, most newer models of garage door openers will stop the door operation after it tries to open about six inches. Many openers will sense that there is an abnormality in the door function, and cease operation as a safety precaution. If your garage door seems like it’s trying its hardest to open but just can’t manage, you more than likely have a spring issue.

Going Out With a Bang

When a garage door spring suffers a catastrophic and sudden failure, the resulting release in tension can cause a very loud banging sound to occur. Imagine a heavy-duty slinky toy banging around in your garage in the middle of the night, and you’ll have some idea of how startling it can be. Be careful around broken springs, because you never know if all of the tension has been released. It’s best to let a professional assess the damage and give the all-clear!

Look Out Below!

If you are able to close your garage door and it decides to fall very quickly, a broken spring is your most likely culprit. Garage door openers are not designed to be able to carry the whole weight of a garage door by themselves, and when a spring isn’t properly functioning, the garage door can slip down its track much faster than usual, potentially causing damage to people and property.

Garage Door Opens & Closes in a Wonky Fashion

A broken extension spring on your garage door setup can cause some unexpected alignment results. When a spring is broken, the garage door can become very unbalanced, and even get stuck in its tracks. If your garage door opens and closes in a cockeyed fashion, springs may be to blame.

How Torsion Springs are Supposed to Work

Springs become functional when they store up mechanical energy through compression. The torsion springs on your garage door store up energy by twisting and coiling on themselves. This stored energy is what is used to assist in the lifting and closing of your door. When one of these springs fail, they can fail spectacularly, potentially causing serious injury or even death for someone in the wrong place at the wrong time, or someone attempting to make a spring repair without the proper training.

We can’t stress enough that working with high-tension springs can be dangerous. Garage Door Doctor brings years of experience with us on every job, along with the specialized equipment that is needed to safely disassemble broken springs and their accompanying components.

For Garage Spring Repair in Indianapolis, Trust Garage Door Doctor

We’re able to handle repairs on all types of garage doors, from standard residential models, all the way up to heavy duty industrial garage doors. When you suspect that a broken spring is the reason for your garage door’s bad attitude, give us a call, or fill out our contact form. If your garage door hasn’t been serviced at any time in the last five years, you’re more than likely overdue for maintenance!

Trust the experts to handle your garage door spring repair safely and in a timely manner. The last thing we want is for you to be injured or worse trying to fix your garage door yourself! We know that dealing with a malfunctioning garage door can bring your schedule to a screeching halt, and we’ll always do our best to get everything up and running again as soon as possible. We also offer 24-hour emergency garage door service in Indianapolis, so don’t be afraid to call us at any time of the day or night, and we’ll get to work on your busted door right away! If your need is not immediately urgent, schedule your free consultation, and we’ll be onsite quickly, usually on the same day you call! Please feel free to contact us with any other questions you may have about our garage door repair services. We look forward to working for you!

Commercial Garage Doors in Indianapolis

Written by garagedoordoc1 on . Posted in Commercial Garage Doors Indianapolis, Garage Door Installation, Garage Door Repair Indianapolis.

Commercial Garage Door Installation and Repair

When a garage door in your commercial space malfunctions, it can bring your company’s production schedule to a grinding halt. You need garage door installation and repair that lives up to the quality that you would expect from your own business, and you’ll find it with the garage door experts at Garage Door Doctor in Indianapolis! Your business has enough on its plate to have to worry about your garage door going bust. We take pride in only installing the absolute best garage doors in the industry, so you can rest easy knowing you have a quality product installed and an expert team to back it up.

Types of Commercial Garage Doors

Depending on your commercial business needs, Garage Door Doctor can install or repair several different varieties of garage doors. Every business is different, and Garage Door Doctor can help you determine which garage door choice is right for you.

Insulated Sandwich Doors

These simple, sleek doors are designed to look great and keep the climate controlled in your commercial space. When the weather outside is freezing cold, these will help keep your space warm, and when it’s muggy and hot in the summer, you can keep the air conditioning stable inside. Insulated sandwich doors are ideal for warehouses, shipping and receiving docks, and even fire stations.

 

Ribbon Steel Pan & Pan Insulated Doors

These commercial garage doors are designed to hold up under the stress that comes with a high volume of movement. When your garage door needs to open and close several times throughout the day, you should consider a ribbon steel pan garage door. This variety of garage door offers high performance, reliability, and a durability that will keep things moving smoothly for years to come. These doors are great for storage facilities, industrial manufacturing, loading docks, and factories.

Aluminum Commercial Doors

This variety of commercial garage door is the show pony of the bunch. The design of these doors makes them the perfect candidate for restaurants, repair shops, car dealerships, or any other business where a garage door could also function as a window display into your business. These doors are clean and modern, while retaining the durability that you need from a commercial garage door. These doors are also easily customizable, with easy-to-remove panels that allow for quick and easy window installation. These garage doors look so good, they’re even quite common in residential projects!

Our Trusted Brands

Garage Door Doctor doesn’t trust just any brand of garage door. We have high standards for quality, because we believe our customers deserve the best. That’s why we offer doors from C.H.I. Garage Doors and Haas Garage Doors. C.H.I. doors are rugged and built to last, requiring as little maintenance as possible for the lifespan of the door. Haas doors have a reputation for industry-leading energy efficiency, sound transmission, durability, and insulation. Regardless of the environment of your commercial space, Haas doors are incredibly reliable.

Contact Garage Door Doctor Today!

Don’t hesitate to contact the expert garage door technicians at Garage Door Doctor today for your commercial garage door needs! We’ve served the Indianapolis area for several years, and we intend to continue offering quality service, installation, and repair for years to come. Contact us today for an on-site consultation, and let us provide you with a garage door your business can depend on! If you need repairs to your existing door or would like us to install a brand new product, we’ll work with you through the entire process from start to finish. We look forward to hearing from you!

6 of the Most Common Garage Door Repairs

Written by garagedoordoc1 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.

Reasons You May Need Emergency Garage Door Repair in Indianapolis

Written by garagedoordoc1 on . Posted in Garage Door Repair Indianapolis.

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Updated: October 2023

 

Your garage door is typically there when you need it. It’s not until it begins to malfunction that you realize how much you rely on it, whether it be for personal or business use. Many smaller repairs can wait until business hours, but what happens when your garage door stops working at night or on a holiday? How do you decide if it’s necessary to have it repaired immediately or wait for the next business day? In this blog we will discuss the reasons that you may want emergency garage door repair. Contact The Garage Door Doctor of Indianapolis! We offer 24/7 emergency garage door repair.

You Rely On Your Garage Door For Business

If you work at an auto body shop or car repair garage, you rely on your garage door working in order to conduct business. If your door breaks, you can’t sit around waiting until the next available repairman has time to come out, you need help now.

You have customers relying on you to repair their cars so that they can get back to their normal routine. A garage door breaking at a business that needs it in order to operate, should call a garage door company that offers emergency repair. Doing so will ensure they can get their business back up and running quickly.

You Require Climate Control in Your Garage

If your business requires climate control in your garage for any reason, you need your garage door fixed immediately. You don’t want to risk losing inventory because of a faulty garage door. The extra expense of calling an emergency garage door service will be minute compared to the amount of inventory that you could possibly lose.

Your Inventory is Stuck Outside

If you own or work at a store that has inventory delivered to a dock on the back of the building with a garage door, a broken door could be detrimental to the business. The delivery driver could be stuck outside waiting, or depending upon the situation, the inventory might just be left at the door. Whatever the case, your garage door needs to be fixed promptly. Calling an emergency garage door service is well justified.

You Get Stuck Outside Of Your House

Imagine it’s late at night, you just got home from work or a night out with friends, and your garage door won’t open. You don’t have your door keys because you have never had an issue with your garage door before, and there’s no open windows. What do you do? Call a 24/7 emergency garage door repair company. If this happens to you call The Garage Door Doctor in Indianapolis for a quick repair.

Your Garage is Stuck Open, Jeopardizing The Safety of Your Family or Business

We’ve been discussing problems that occur from your garage door being stuck shut, but garage doors can cease working when they’re open as well. When you can’t get your door to close you may be jeopardizing the safety of your family, your business, or exposing the property that is in your garage to theft. This is another time when emergency garage repair services should be utilized. You don’t want to risk anyone’s safety or possibly lose your personal or business property to theft because of a broken garage door.

If You Need 24/7 Emergency Garage Services in Indianapolis Call The Garage Door Doctor Today

If your garage door breaks at an inopportune time, outside of normal business hours, or while you’re trying to get work done for your business, be assured in knowing that you can give The Garage Door Doctor a call. Contact us anytime, day or night, weekend or holiday, and The Garage Door Doctor will be there to fix your garage door.

Also read more about how to best avoid needing emergency garage repair service!

 

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Most Common Causes of Garage Door Replacement

Written by garagedoordoc1 on . Posted in Garage Door Replacement Indianapolis.

The life expectancy of a garage door can be anywhere from 15-30 years. Variables that affect its lifespan can include: the quality of the door and hardware as well as the amount of use that the door gets. There are several common causes of why you might want to replace your garage door rather than repair it, and we are going to cover the most popular of these causes in this blog. If you would like a free consultation from the Garage Door Doctors, Contact us today!

Hitting the Garage Door with Your Car

We all occasionally space out while doing common, everyday tasks. Sometimes we do things like forget where we put our keys or absent-mindedly leave our phone at home. And once in a while we make one of those mistakes that ends up costing us a lot of money. We do something like forget to open the garage door before we back out. Unfortunately, this is a common enough occurrence that it made this list, so if this has happened to you, know that you are not alone.

If you just gently bump your garage door, you might be able to get away with a few simple repairs, but chances are if you’ve hit your door with a vehicle, it is damaged beyond repair and needs to be replaced. Give the Garage Door Doctors a call today to have your garage door repaired or replaced!

Hardware Being Replaced Frequently

If you have replaced your springs, cables, hinges, and other hardware and they just continue to break and cause problems; you are probably better off just replacing everything. This is especially true if you have an older garage door that is near the end of its life expectancy. There’s no reason to continue to put money into repair after repair, when you could just invest one-time, and have a new working garage door for years to come.

Excessive Noise

Older garage doors, and older garage door opening systems can make an excessive amount of noise. This is typically because they are no longer functioning properly. Hearing noises such as grinding, squeaking, and banging coming from a garage door usually signals to the owner that it needs to be replaced.

New Technology

If you park your vehicle in your garage, then your garage door is something that you use every, single day. If you’ve had your garage for years or it’s so old you don’t even know when it was installed, chances are that technology has made some strides in garage doors since yours was put in place. One of the most common causes of garage door replacement is because people want the most updated technology in their lives, and this includes in their garage door.

Security and Safety

As technology creates new and exciting options for garage door owners, it can also help protect us. Older garage doors might have malfunctioning or easy to pick locks. Updating your garage door can allow you to ensure the security of you and your family.

In addition to security, there can also be physical safety concerns with older garage doors. Doors are heavy and if they aren’t functioning correctly they could potentially hurt you or a loved one. If the sensors that don’t allow your garage door to close when there is something or someone below it aren’t working properly, imagine the possible results. This is when it is best to invest in a new garage door rather than taking chances.

If Your Garage Door Needs to be Replaced, Contact the Garage Door Doctor Today!

If you’re concerned about the age of your garage door, you find yourself spending more and more money on repairs, or your concerned for the safety and security of your family, it may be time to replace your garage door. The Garage Door Doctor can repair or replace your garage door. Contact us today for a free .

How To Repair Garage Door Dents

Written by garagedoordoc1 on . Posted in Garage Door Repair Indianapolis.

Your garage door is an important part of your home. They not only keep your vehicles inside your garage safe and secure, but they also are typically the first thing guests and neighbors see when visiting or passing by. Unfortunately, garage doors experience a lot of wear and tear over time. And perhaps there is nothing more frustrating than having something as expensive as your garage door system get dinged up.

Dents are one of the most common issues that can happen to your garage door. When your garage door is dinged up, the curb appeal of your home suffers to some extent. Even if the dents are minor, they can cause an issue down the road if you are planning to sell your house in the future. Additionally, more dents can occur or worsen with continued use, which can potentially cause your garage door to malfunction and hinder your daily routine.

How Do Garage Door Dents Happen?

A garage door may suffer a dent for many reasons, some causing more serious damage than others. For example, something as simple as a basketball bouncing into your garage door can leave behind a small imprint, while something like running your vehicle into your garage door is likely to cause the entire panel to bend. Because there are a variety of ways that garage door dents can occur, our garage door contractors always recommend high-quality garage doors that offer incredible durability and are able to withstand minor dents and dings.

How To Repair Garage Door Dents

If you find that your garage door has been dented, it is best to address the problem sooner rather than later. Of course, we always suggest contacting a professional for garage door repair jobs so you can ensure the work is done right, but issues like garage door dents are something that many homeowners have fixed on their own. Not all garage door materials are easy to repair, though. Generally, only homeowners that have garage doors made of stainless steel or aluminum can repair small dents with the right tools. Continue reading to learn how to easily repair steel or aluminum garage door dents.

Aluminum Garage Door Dent Repair

Lucky for you, aluminum is the easiest type of garage door material to fix. However, in order to properly get dents out of your garage door, you’re going to need a few things. First, grab a bucket of lukewarm water and add a drop of dish soap, stirring evenly. Apply the soapy water to the dented area(s), scrubbing it with a sponge to remove any grime or debris. Let the area air dry while you go find aluminum foil, a lighter, and a can of compressed air.

Once the dented area is dry, cut a section of tin foil to place it over the dent. To make things easier, tape the foil over the dented area. Next, apply the flame from your lighter over the tin foil until the heat is transmitted to the dented area. The aluminum foil protects your garage door from any scorch marks during the heating process, which should only take about a minute. Once the heat is transmitted to the dented area, immediately remove the foil and spray the condensed air across the area evenly. Due to the molecular structure of aluminum, the abrupt change in temperature causes the dent to reverse as the surface moves back into its original position.

Steel Garage Door Dent Repair

Steel garage doors are a little trickier to fix and require a different approach to repairing dents. Steel garage doors will likely require a steel door or auto body filling compound. You’ll need to start the same way you would with an aluminum garage door — a thorough cleaning to remove any dirt. Once the dented area is clean and dry, you’ll need to sand the dent with the suggested grit level of sandpaper and wipe the dust away. Next, you will need to use a putty knife to apply the compound material to the dented area. Once the compound dries, use a finer grit of sandpaper to smooth the area and then apply primer and paint to the area to match the original color of your garage door.

Contact Garage Door Doctor For Garage Door Repair

If you have a steel or aluminum garage door, fixing dents shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. But if you have a different type of garage door or can’t seem to get the dent out yourself, you can rely on the garage door experts at Garage Door Doctor for garage door dent repair! Our team will be able to help you restore your garage door and transform the blemished surface or offer many affordable garage door replacement options.

If you are interested in learning more about our garage door services or receiving a free estimate, contact us today!

Tips To Fix A Loud Garage Door

Written by garagedoordoc1 on . Posted in Garage Door Repair Indianapolis.

An automatic garage door is a complex piece of machinery that involves a lot of working components, so when you are dealing with a loud or noisy garage door opener you may not know where to turn. All garage door systems make noise when opening and closing, but it should not be loud enough to wake the neighbors.

Tips To Fix A Loud Garage Door System

If you are dealing with a loud garage door, you are in luck. In this blog, we are going to share some tips to help you find a solution.

Lubricate Metal Parts

If you live in the Midwest, it is important for homeowners to prepare their garage door system for different seasons. Metal parts of garage doors, such as rollers, hinges, springs, and tracks need to be lubricated in order to function properly and reduce the noise of a loud garage door. A good rule of thumb is to lubricate these parts every six months — before winter and summer. When these parts are regularly lubricated, you will not only increase the functionality of your door, but you will aid in noise reduction and extend the life of your garage door system.

Tighten Up Nuts and Bolts

As the seasons’ change and the temperatures fluctuate, parts of your garage door will expand or contract which can loosen nuts and bolts. Your garage door system has a variety of different nuts, screws, fasteners, and bolts. Even using your garage door every day can cause these pieces to loosen, which leads to more noise when opening and closing your door. If you have a loud garage door, check all the hardware, tightening any loose nuts, bolts, or screws that you come across.  A loose screw can be an easy fix to your load and distributive garage door.

Check Garage Door Rollers

If loose pieces or unlubricated parts are not the culprit of the noise, turn to the garage door rollers. Standard garage doors typically have five to six rollers on each side of the tracks. When rollers are worn and damaged they will not function properly. Of course, these are supposed to roll and not slide when opening and closing. When they slide, they will make a terribly disruptive sound. If it is because the rollers are damaged, they will require repair or replacement.

Inspect the Garage Door Tracks

Speaking of garage door tracks, they could be another reason why your garage door is making so much noise. If debris or other objects are in the track, they can lead to a disruptive noise when the rollers move along the track. To avoid this, be sure to inspect the track and clear any visible debris and objects that could get caught on the rollers.

Make Sure Your Opener Is Working Right

If you have lubricated the moving parts and inspected the other areas mentioned above and your garage door is still loud, the issue could be your garage door opener. Garage door openers generally last 10-15 years depending on how well they are maintained. When the motors in these openers become noisy, it may be time to replace your garage door opener. To determine if you need a garage door opener replacement to fix a loud garage door, contact the experienced technicians at Garage Door Doctor.

How Our Garage Door Contractors Can Help

When you have exhausted all of the possible solutions and remedies for your noisy or loud garage door, it’s time to call Garage Door Doctor to diagnose the issue. Garage door repair experts can service or replace the following:

  • Garage door rollers
  • Garage door hinges
  • Torsion springs
  • Garage door opener motors
  • Garage door panels
  • Damaged or bent garage door tracks
  • And so much more!

At Garage Door Doctor, we are proud to provide professional garage door services in Indianapolis and throughout the surrounding area. Our experts always recommend professional installation and repair of your existing garage door to ensure your safety and the integrity of your door. If you have a loud garage door and can’t figure out the cause, our garage door technicians can come out and take a look. To request residential garage door service and eliminate your loud garage door, contact Garage Door Doctor!

What To Do If Your Garage Door Track Is Bent

Written by garagedoordoc1 on . Posted in Garage Door Repair Indianapolis.

If you have a garage, chances are your garage door sees some action each day. With extensive use, keeping your garage door system in tip-top shape is important. However, even with the utmost care and maintenance, your garage door system involves a lot of parts and components, and one small issue could cause the entire system to malfunction.

One common issue that can cause your garage door to not open and close properly is a bent garage door track. The tracks your garage door’s rollers ride through are two of the most important parts of the system, but its easy to overlook them. If they become bent or damaged, the rollers will not be able to roll through them as smoothly and could potentially lead to serious damage to your property and belongings stored within your garage. If you are dealing with a bent garage door track, contact Garage Door Doctor for same-day repairs! Until then, we’ll use this blog to help you figure out what you should do if you have bent garage door track.

How Do Garage Door Tracks Become Bent?

There are a variety of ways that the tracks of your garage door system can become bents. If any of the following events have occurred or you notice signs of a bent garage track, contact a garage door contractor to perform an inspection!

Collision

While it may seem silly, there are plenty of people that hit their garage door with their vehicle. Maybe it was an unlucky day, maybe it was dark outside, maybe they thought the door was already up — whatever the reasoning, colliding into a garage door is more common than most people would think but it happens, and when it does, your tracks can become misaligned or bent.

Broken Cable or Drum

The cables and cable drums are what is responsible for pulling and supporting your garage door. If one of them breaks or malfunctions, it will release a massive amount of unsupported weight onto your garage door tracks, causing them to bend or become misaligned.

Age

Just like most things, especially with extensive use each day, your garage door tracks may become rusty or corroded. Any damage to the structure of the tracks can — and likely will — cause them to bend or become misaligned.

Obstruction

Obstructions of any kind can throw off the mechanics of your garage door system. Sand, dirt, and other grit often accumulates in the tracks and can prevent the rollers and cables from moving, and the tension created can cause the tracks to become misaligned or slightly bent.

Signs Your Garage Door Track Is Bent or Misaligned

Ideally, you’ll be able to detect when your garage door track becomes bent or misaligned before it causes any damage to the rest of your garage door system. If you notice that your garage door has slowly become stiffer overtime, or doesn’t open and close as smoothly as it used to, this is a sign that the tracks have been damaged. If you suspect that your garage door tracks are bent, its best practice to contact a garage door repair company.

Can You Use Your Garage Door With Bent Tracks?

If you detect that your garage door tracks are bent or misaligned, you should halt any use of your garage door. Further use will likely cause the damage to spread and it could even lead to your garage door falling off its track. To prevent further damage and repair expenses, its best to not use your garage door until a professional can take a look at it.

When To Contact A Professional For Garage Door Repair

As soon as you notice that your garage door track is bent you should contact a garage door repair contractor to fix the issue. If the problem is addressed soon enough, your garage door contractor may be able to realign the tracks rather than completely replace them. Regardless, a professional garage door technician will be able to repair your tracks and keep you and your garage door system safe.

 

If you bent garage door tracks and need garage door repair in the Indianapolis area, contact Garage Door Doctor. Request a free estimate today!