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Tag: Garage Door

How Often Should Your Garage Door Be Professionally Inspected?

Your garage door has many components, and, like any technology, they have the potential to fail at any time. To lower the risk of failure, preventative professional inspection and maintenance is strongly encouraged on an annual basis. During this inspection, a technician can identify potential problems and provide maintenance to ensure your garage door functions optimally.

What Is Professional Inspection and Maintenance?

Professional inspection and maintenance involves a technician coming to your home and thoroughly looking over all the components of your garage door system. Through inspection, the technician can identify any parts that may be damaged or nearing the end of their lifespans. There are many aspects to this routine maintenance that we’ll discuss below.

Perform Safety Tests

Your garage door weighs up to 200 pounds. The door may seem light thanks to the belts, rollers, and other moving parts. However, that just isn’t the case. If your door does not open and close as designed with working safety mechanisms, you are at risk of significant injury or property damage. As part of the inspection process, your technician will test the safety of the door. During this safety inspection, the technician will disconnect the motor, causing the door to operate manually. When the door opens, it should stay in place when let go and not drop back down. Manual reversal is another safety feature that requires inspection. With this, the door should reverse directions from closing to opening when it senses an object in its path. The technician can safely test this feature by placing a brick or log on the ground where the door closes. If either of these safety tests fails, you should refrain from using your garage door until repairs occur. If not, you may be crushed or have your vehicle or other belongings severely damaged if the door falls on them.

Adjust the Springs

The weight of your garage door is balanced by springs for smooth and steady operation. These springs may become worn or loose over time. Your garage door technician will inspect these springs and make the necessary adjustments. If the springs are excessively worn or loose, they may require replacement. The springs on your garage door are under high tension and should only be handled by a professional to avoid injury and damage.

Adjust the Motor

An electric motor provides power to your automatic garage door. This motor lifts and lowers the door upon receiving commands from a remote or a control on the wall. Your motor is hardwired to your electrical system and may have a backup battery. The motor works in conjunction with the balancing springs to ensure safe and easy functionality. Indications that your garage door motor may need adjustment include the door opening too quickly or closing too hard. Additionally, if you have an issue with your garage door opener and have already changed the batteries, the technician will look at the motor to determine if it is the source of the problem.

Lubricate Moving Parts

There are many moving parts in your garage door system. These moving parts create friction when they rub against each other or other components. Your garage door professional will lubricate certain moving parts to reduce wear and tear and premature damage. The rollers, springs, and hinges require lubrication to keep them moving smoothly. However, never lubricate the tracks your garage door moves on. Lubricant in the tracks will mix with dirt and debris and create a gunky mess. This buildup can get in the way and affect the operation of the door. Although your professional technician will handle lubrication during inspection and maintenance, it is also something you can do on your own. Lubrication is one of the only parts of garage door maintenance that you can take care of without the help of a professional.

Service the Chain or Belt

Your garage door operates with help from either a chain drive or belt. Your technician will inspect the chain or belt, checking for signs of damage or deterioration. If the technician discovers excessive wear to these components during the inspection, they need to be replaced immediately. A damaged chain or belt can lead to faulty operation, meaning your garage door may not work automatically.

Examine Garage Door Hardware

Hardware in your automatic garage door system includes bolts, fasteners, rollers, springs, and lift cables. Each piece of the system should be inspected. Bolts and fasteners may require tightening to keep the system on track. The technician will inspect the rollers on your door for signs of damage. Nylon rollers may crack as they age, and steel rollers can rust or have worn bearings. The technician will also assess the springs and lift cables for rust, corrosion, or other deterioration. If any of these components appear damaged, the technician will make repairs or replace them immediately.

Check Seals and Weather Stripping

The bottom of your garage door has a weather strip to provide a barrier for dirt, debris, and moisture. The weather strip also helps block out cold and heat to better regulate the temperature inside the garage. Your technician will inspect this seal as it can become worn out over time or damaged with use. The strip is often made of rubber and can crack or break when it becomes brittle, especially in cold weather. When damaged, you may notice dust and dirt coming through underneath your garage door. You may also get moisture from rain and snow. Let your garage door technician know if you spot any indication of damage or improper sealing. The annual maintenance appointment is a suitable time to have this weather strip replaced.

Replace the Battery and Bulbs

Your garage door motor usually connects to a battery for backup power to ensure that everything continues to function if you lose power in your garage. You also have light bulbs to illuminate the area. The bulbs and battery should be replaced periodically to ensure they do not go out unexpectedly and leave you in a bad position. The technician can inspect the battery and bulbs to decide if they are ready to be replaced.

While you may think of a garage door inspection as being an extra expense, you should think of it as being a strategic investment that will contribute to the upkeep of your home. Taking this measure also helps preserve any property that you may store in your garage, such as vehicles, power tools, and lawn equipment.

If your home has an automatic garage door and you have not had an inspection in some time, you must schedule one straight away. Without this extra bit of care, your door and its components can wear out much sooner than designed. At [company_name], we pride ourselves on being experts in everything related to garage doors. We offer maintenance, installation, and repairs. We also help with garage door openers and provide emergency services if your automatic system fails.

Call the experts at [company_name] today to schedule your annual garage door inspection and maintenance.

Can You Paint A Garage Door? What To Know

If the garage door goes up and comes back down, most people tend to forget about this part of the home. If you live in a community that has a homeowners association, however, someone might take notice of smaller details, such as chipped or faded paint, an unapproved paint color, dents, scratches, or broken windows. Many HOAs encourage garage maintenance, including painting. If you want to avoid violations or fines, though, it’s important to contact a professional garage door company to handle the details for you.

Becoming Familiar With HOA Guidelines

A primary function of an HOA is to create and enforce rules intended to maintain a residential community. Maintaining a community often includes preserving the original architectural and aesthetic theme of the area. The rules help ensure one or even a handful of properties doesn’t stand out too much from the others.

Each HOA is different, so it’s essential to read through your HOA’s handbook and keep a copy close by any time you plan on making changes to the exterior of your property. Many HOAs also require you to receive approval before commencing the work. While your HOA will have unique guidelines, you can usually expect the following regarding garage door painting.

Approved Colors

You may love the idea of a brilliant shade of blue or green to make your garage door pop, but your HOA might not. It’s likely your HOA has provided you with a list of approved paint colors or makes one available on their website, in their office, or even at your neighborhood hardware store. Be sure to share this list with the garage door company you work with so they can help you choose a color or colors that will complement the rest of your home. Choosing from this list will help speed along the HOA approval process and allow you to get started on your specific paint job that much quicker.

If you have your heart set on a shade that you can’t find on your HOA’s approved list, there could still be hope. Some HOAs allow homeowners to deviate from the list but require swatches to be painted so they can get a look at the color on your house before approving or rejecting it. We recommend using these small sample patches even if HOA guidelines aren’t an issue. After all, you want to ensure you really love the color before you’re stuck with it.

Appropriate Designs

Unfortunately, you probably can’t just ask your talented artist friend to paint a beautiful mural on your garage door. Along with paint colors, you’ll want to have a design in mind that you can submit to your HOA for approval. A solid coat covering the entire door is usually simple enough. However, accent colors around the windows, on any hardware, or along the trim could give your HOA reason to pause. Even if all of your colors are on the HOA’s approved list, seek approval of your planned design before taking on any of these intricate details.

Proper Maintenance

The painting might be finished, but your work isn’t done yet. Garage doors require maintenance to keep them running properly and looking great. Your HOA likely wants you to keep your garage door in a presentable condition, but cosmetic damages are bound to occur over time. Make sure you work with a dependable garage door company that can come back to touch up chips or scratches and even repair dents and cover them up with a fresh coat of paint afterward.

Hiring a Dependable Garage Door Company

In the Indianapolis, IN area, Garage Door Doctor can help you sort through HOA guidelines and leave you with a refreshed garage door you’ll love for years to come. A paint job might seem simple enough, but hiring professionals ensures the project is completed right and delivers long-lasting results. This is especially important if an HOA is involved.

Outdoor paint jobs, like garage door painting, aren’t your typical paint jobs. To ensure complete customer satisfaction, our team follows a meticulous painting process.

Prep Work

The prep work may vary depending on your particular garage door type and its condition. Generally, we’ll begin by removing old paint with a wire brush, scraper, and sanding pad. Once we’ve got a clear, smooth base, it’s time to clean the surface of the door with soap and a wet cloth. To ensure everything is removed, we’ll give the door a rinse with a hose or pressure washer.

After the garage door has been cleaned and allowed to dry, the next step is to apply painter’s tape to areas that shouldn’t be painted. With expert hands, our team will tape off the trim, any windows, gaskets, handles, locks, or other hardware. It’s also important to protect the area in front of your door and the inside of your garage, so we’ll lay down drop cloths where necessary.

Primer

To ensure the paint goes on smoothly and lasts as long as possible, we’ll begin with a coat of primer. Using a paintbrush, our team applies the primer to each individual panel, the stiles and rails, and the edges of the garage door. The primer then needs to dry for 12-24 hours before painting can begin.

Painting

Once the primer is dry, we can apply the high-quality (and HOA-approved) exterior paint we’ve helped you choose. Following the same pattern as the primer application, we’ll carefully paint the garage door panels from bottom to top and work our way outward, cleaning up any excess drips as we go. After the first coat of paint has dried, we’ll apply a second coat to make sure there are no missed spots or uneven patches. This may require a 12-hour drying period between coats.

Cleanup

Following an inspection of our work to ensure everything’s completely covered as it should be, we’ll clean up the area. Our team will take the time to remove all painter’s tape, dispose of any drop cloths, and clean up all of their protective gear and equipment. And just like that, you have a garage door that looks better than it did the day it was installed and that’s HOA-compliant!

Call Us Today

Although garage door painting seems straightforward, it’s an easy project to mess up if you don’t have the experience or proper tools. Fortunately, we have the right equipment, know what kinds of paints to use, and can get the job in no time for you, all at an affordable price. We’ll be happy to help you sort through the details of your HOA restrictions as well.

At Garage Door Doctor, we offer a wide range of garage door services. Whether you require maintenance, repairs, an entire door replacement, or door opener services for your residential or commercial garage door, we’re the company to rely on. Contact Garage Door Doctor to learn how we can get your garage door in Indiana looking brand new.

Dents Getting You Down? Reasons You Should Never Attempt to Fix a Garage Door Yourself

Garage doors serve an important functional and aesthetic role for the home. According to Popular Mechanics, the average homeowner opens a garage door three to five times each day. This translates into 1,500 times per year. Because you look at your Indianapolis garage door quite frequently, it is understandable that you might notice any sudden appearance of dents or defects. While it may feel tempting to grab a can of paint or a handful of tools to fix it yourself, tampering with the garage door is the last thing you should do. Any attempts to alter your garage door will likely cause more harm than good. A look at the main reasons to leave repairs to the experts can help protect your property and ensure that it gets the care that it deserves.

What are the Most Common Causes of Dents in a Garage Door?

It happens to the best of us. Dents can easily occur when you accidentally bump or reverse your vehicle into the garage door. All of a sudden, the garage door becomes the proverbial object that was “closer than it appeared.” Dents can even occur from wayward bicycles or delivery trucks. While dents may look like minor dimples or scratches, they can actually represent a great deal of underlying damage. The top causes of garage dents include vehicles, weather-related incidents, and sports equipment, among others.

Vehicles

Whether your own a car or a guest’s vehicle accidentally bumps into the garage, any impact can cause substantial damage. Dented garage door panels can eventually cause the entire structure to warp. Dents can also cause bending that puts stress on the garage door’s torsion springs, bolts, or other hardware. You should never underestimate the damage that can occur from the force of impact. Did you know that the average pickup truck weighs 3.0 tons? What looks like a small dent at first can actually knock the garage door rollers out of alignment or damage the garage door track. After a vehicle hits your garage door, it is important to have an expert evaluate the situation and professionally fix the door so that it is back in workable shape.

Weather

Weather is another culprit for causing dents. Hailstorms release a torrent of solid precipitation that can easily damage your garage door. In addition, hail ranges in circumference from icy pellets the size of peas to large spheres the size of marbles or even golf balls. Since hailstorms are often sudden, there is usually no warning and no way to protect your garage door from the onslaught. Most people work with a professional after a hailstorm to address any garage door nicks or dents. In addition to hail, even common windstorms can create garage door damage. If the wind speed is strong enough, it can cause rocks or even lawn furniture to slam into your garage door. The combination of force and velocity can cause major damage to your door. A professional home services company can fix any weather-related damage before it becomes an eyesore or escalates into a structural problem.

Sports Equipment

Sports equipment can dent your garage door within a few moments. Many people do not think about the risk of this type of damage before it is too late. For example, hockey pucks and baseballs can easily damage the door upon impact. Since many households have a basketball hoop installed above the garage door in the driveway, stray basketballs can also dent the door. Cricket balls, golf balls, and soccer balls can cause similar damage. In addition, even sports equipment like skateboards can damage garage doors if they get close enough. If sports are popular on your street, pay close attention and get a professional to make repairs as needed.

Inconsistent Maintenance

Garage maintenance is another key to a lasting garage door. Most experts recommend reaching out to a garage door company twice a year as part of your seasonal maintenance checklist. During a routine checkup, a garage door professional can fix any dents before they morph into greater damage.

Can You Fix a Dent in Your Garage Door Yourself?

Once you notice the dent in your garage door, you may feel tempted to roll up your sleeves and turn it into a DIY project. While homeowners have tackled other errands around the home with varying degrees of success, the garage door is an entirely different scenario. Did you know that the garage door is usually the largest and heaviest moving part of any home? Attempting to fix a garage door yourself can be ineffective and even quite dangerous. It is important to let a trained professional efficiently repair any door problems.

Risk of Injury

Attempting to fix a garage door puts you at substantial risk of injury. A garage door that swings loose from its moorings can cause severe injury or even death. Some doors weigh over 300 pounds and are usually several yards tall. Even the springs that open and lift a garage door operate under enormous tension. If one of these springs breaks off, it can also create a missile effect that causes injury. People who work for professional service companies undergo years of training to hone the skills necessary to work in garages. A professional also has the equipment necessary to complete the job correctly.

Risk of Compounding the Problem

Fixing a garage door dent is not a simple job of patching or painting over an area. Knowing the right way to fix each type of dent involves training. Any effort to fix a dent on your own can compound the problem instead of resolving it. Homeowners who attempt to “correct” a dent themselves can end up taking things too far and causing the dent to bow out the other way or spread. This creates an even more difficult and costly issue to repair than simply calling a professional to fix the original problem in the first place. Moreover, some dents involve underlying structural problems that the average person can miss. If a large automobile has hit your garage, there is a strong likelihood of underlying issues with your panels or frame. Resolving the issue is more than a matter of painting over a slight ding. Allowing a garage door professional to troubleshoot the issue saves you a lot of trouble in the future.

Risk of Voiding the Warranty

While some people skip the fine print of a garage door warranty, the terms are usually quite clear. Most manufacturers will only honor the warranty if you can prove that a professional has completed any repairs. If you attempt to complete the repairs on your own, the warranty becomes null and void. The reason is simple. An untrained individual can inadvertently worsen garage door problems without realizing it. A manufacturer is not liable for any errors that you make on your own. Retaining your warranty is especially important in the event of recalls or rebates. To avoid the risk of your warranty being cancelled, always consult with a garage door services company so that you have a proven record of all repairs.

Risk of Losing Time and Money

Attempting to fix a dent on your own often involves rudimentary research as well as purchasing all the equipment and materials yourself. Unfortunately, watching a few tutorials is no comparison to the training that garage service technicians undergo to complete their jobs. Garage door companies have relationships with component manufacturers and already possess the necessary parts that you may never find at your local hardware store. When you add up the opportunity cost of time and supplies, it is much more economical to schedule an appointment with a garage door company instead.

Get Help From Experts Today

Contact the experts for professional assistance. Garage Door Doctor provides services for homes and businesses in Indianapolis, Bloomington, Carmel, and the surrounding areas. We offer diagnosis, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repairs for every type of garage door. Our company also provides 24/7 services in the event of a garage door emergency. Contact Garage Door Doctor today to get the help you need.

Tips for Choosing the Right Garage Door Style

In Indianapolis, your garage door does so much more than protect your garage from the elements. It also helps to protect your home against burglars and offers an additional level of security. Choosing the right style is important because it helps to add curb appeal and the overall appearance of your home. When you are in the market for a new garage door, there are several decisions to make to ensure that you make the best choice. Learning about your options and how to best coordinate them with your home makes this choice a lot easier.

Overhead Garage Doors

This is the most common style for garage doors and there are different types available. These are the type that either lift or roll up when you open them.

The swing type looks like it has two panels. When you open the door, they separate and swing open. They can have decorative hardware and windows to add some more personality. You can also have them look similar to a barn door.

The bifold type has at least four panels. Each of the panels hinge together so that they function similar to a bifold closet door. There are numerous panel options so that you can best match the door to the rest of your home’s exterior.

The trifold type has at least three sections. Each of the sections hinge together. You can opt to have more than three panels to customize the look, but each of these has to be in multiples of three.

The first type of overhead garage door that hit the market was the traditional stile and rail type. There are panel inserts and mortise and tenon joinery to create this type of garage door. You will notice different horizontal rails and vertical stiles to create the overall design of this option.

Non-Overhead Garage Doors

If you prefer a door that opens out or sideways, these types of garage doors are an option. They do not go overhead, so there can be some additional flexibility in the overall style.

The side rolling type opens to one side. This leaves most of the opening free from obstructions, but it takes up a bit more wall space compared to other styles. While they share a lot of similarities with bifold styles, you can automate them more easily.

Barn-style doors either use a slider style or a swing style. There are usually few to no windows and no horizontal rail, and the top section is solid. You can have some windows in this style if you want, but they have to be at the top section and usually have to be rather small.

The true bifold style folds off to either side of the opening after parting in the center. This type is a good choice if you are replacing a wall with a garage door or your existing door is particularly large. You can also customize this door type with decorative hardware and windows.

The gliding and sliding type of garage door works like a traditional barn door. The doors slide to the side on a track. Compared to the opening, the doors will be larger to ensure complete coverage of the opening. The track is twice the door width to ensure they can open fully.

The true swing type use heavy-duty hinges to swing open and then close. There will be one door on either side of the garage opening. You open them outward, so you have to ensure adequate space in the driveway to do this.

Consider the Style of Your Home

The style of your home plays a major role in the garage door style that will look and function the best. Learning more about the most common home styles and which garage doors are the best fit help to narrow down your options.

If you have a colonial home, you might consider wooden garage doors since they fit the classic style. Look at the doors that swing and have two tones for a sophisticated look.

Cape Cod homes tend to work best with composite or wood carriage-style options. Look at garage doors with raised rectangular panels that are symmetrical.

Barn-style doors can work well with a craftsman-style home. You should look for styles that can accommodate windows and recessed panels. You can also get away with garage doors made from glass if your home’s style is modern.

A contemporary home combines well with more minimalist garage door styles. Consider designs that have neutral colors, sleek lines and windows that are a bit off center and vertical. You might also think about glass doors or wooden doors that do not have trim boards.

The mid-century modern home looks good with a garage door that has sleek lines utilizing negative and positive space. Use only a few decorative elements and consider prairie-style windows with no trim on the door panels.

A farmhouse home can benefit from the rustic appearance of barn-style doors. Divided window grilles and buck overlays are also good style elements for this type of home.

A ranch home benefits from a garage door that is elegant and classic. Consider dark finishes and a door with a streamlined design to complement the home.

No trim and vertical panels work well with a Tudor-style home. You can also take advantage of composite and real wood with decorative hardware and small windows.

If your home has a Spanish style, you should look at recessed panels and dark woods. Consider designs that have clean lines and decorative iron elements.

A Victorian home looks good with a real wood door to play to the historical accuracy. You can also get creative with decorative hardware and windows.

Maintaining Your Garage Door

The general recommendation is to have a professional come and perform an inspection on your garage door about once a year. They will examine the door itself and any related components, such as a motor for a power door. If they notice a problem, they can make any repair or replacement recommendations so that you can keep your door operating smoothly.

Whether your garage door is brand new or not, you want to ensure regular maintenance to keep it looking great and working right. There are several tasks that a professional can tackle during a maintenance session. It is important to have a professional do this to ensure proper completion of the maintenance.

There are multiple things they will do to keep your garage door in good condition:

  • Tighten the hardware
  • Test the door balance
  • Clear the tracks
  • Replace the weatherstripping
  • Lubricate the moving components
  • Test the auto reverse
  • Clean around the door

Professionals usually suggest that you should only use your garage door when necessary. The more you open and close it, the more wear and tear you are putting on the different components.

In Indianapolis, it is important to keep your garage door in good working order. We can help you keep it looking good, as well as functioning properly. Our company focuses on garage doors, so you can rest assured that we keep our focus on this industry. We are family-owned, so we offer the family experience to all of our customers. Whether you need a quick repair or you are ready for a completely new design, we can help.

Contact Garage Door Doctor today to schedule your next inspection and maintenance service.

How Long Does Garage Door Installation Take?

Scheduling garage door installation in Indianapolis, IN takes just minutes, but you may be wondering how long these projects take to complete. After all, for many homeowners, the garage serves as the preferred home entrance. If you park indoors and drive to the majority of your destinations, you might rarely use the building’s front door at all. Fortunately, you won’t have to wait days to see the results you want. Read on to learn which factors will determine the length of this project from start to finish.

Garage Door Installations in Brand-New Construction

If you’re having your home custom built and are eager to have your new garage door put in, you can look forward to a project that takes just two to three hours. In most instances, these jobs are straightforward and easy. There’s no old door to remove, no signs of stress-related wear on the surrounding building materials, and few items in the garage to work around, if any at all.

Unfortunately, most garage door installations aren’t this simple. When there are existing doors to remove, stored items in the space, and framing problems, installers usually need several more hours to get everything done.

Replacing a Simple Garage Door With the Exact Same Model

You might have a garage door that you really like, but it’s nearing or at the end of its expected lifespan. Replacing this unit with an identical model could shorten the duration of your project by eliminating the need to make refinements to the tracks or surrounding materials. This might be the best choice for your home if you want a basic and economical door design or if the door that you already have has all of the features you want. Identical door installations can take between two and four hours. However, it’s important to note that it might be better to explore your options in doors at the same price point or a similar price point before committing to the exact same door design.

Most garage doors last between 15 and 30 years. If it’s been nearly three decades since your current garage door was installed, you might be surprised by the wealth of innovations that have been made in these products. There are garage doors with side-mount systems, significantly higher levels of insulation, higher-than-average fire ratings, and more. Whether you want to reduce your carbon footprint by tightening your home’s envelope, increase the curbside and overall aesthetic appeal of your property, or limit your risk of indoor fire damage, there are a lot of worthwhile options to consider.

Upgrading to a More Modern and Feature-Rich Door Design

Upgrading to a more modern and feature-rich door design will likely increase your installation time by about two to three hours. In general, more complex installation projects take about six hours to complete. The mounting pads, surrounding wood, and back jambs will probably need to be modified or replaced in this case. If your old door has caused any structural damage or noticeable wear to these features, replacement is the most likely choice.

When garage doors and their openers come with advanced features, homeowners should be on hand to learn how to use them after they’ve been put in. When we complete these installations, we take the time to give our clients in-depth tutorials of their new equipment. Our technicians don’t leave until homeowners understand how to use their new doors and openers, how to maintain them, and how to identify small or developing issues.

Choosing and Sourcing Your Garage Door

Although even fairly complex installations rarely take more than six hours to complete, you could find yourself waiting weeks for the garage door that you really want. This is especially true if you choose the wrong company to handle your project. At Garage Door Doctor we’ve been installing garage doors for residents of Indianapolis for quite some time. This has allowed us to establish a solid network of reputable door suppliers. As a result, we can source a wide variety of in-demand door designs in a timely fashion and at reasonable prices. Our industry experience and our long-standing supplier relationships additionally allow us to source materials at impressive discounts and then pass the savings on to our clients.

If you want a unique door design or have very specific ideas about the door features you want, you’ll get the best results by working with a licensed garage door company like ours. Hiring a general handyman or attempting to tackle this project on your own can result in extended delays, functional problems just after installation, and the loss of your door manufacturer’s warranty.

What to Expect During the Garage Door Installation Process

For all garage door replacement projects, we start by assessing the condition of the existing door and the surrounding materials. These assessments allow us to determine which options in replacement doors will work best and which structural repairs must be made before any new door is put in. After this inspection is done, you can work with our in-house design consultants to choose an option that offers the level of insulation, fire protection, and convenience you want and need. We’ll explain your choices in door openers, and we’ll help you find one that optimally suits your schedule, budget, and lifestyle.

On the day of installation, we’ll take your current door down and disassemble it. If you’ll be replacing your opener as well, we’ll take this out too. Next, we’ll take out all wood sections that have been improperly installed or that are rotted or damaged in any other way. After all, even a well-made door won’t fit or function as it should if it’s attached to warped, soft, or bowed boards. All back jambs and mounting pads will also be replaced as needed.

To suit the dimensions and design of your new door, we’ll install new tracks on each side of the door frame. These will guide your door into and back out of the open position. Once these tracks are securely in place, we’ll install the actual garage door and opener. To optimize the connection between your garage door opener and your garage door, we can additionally install an operator reinforcement bracket (ORB).

Your new garage door will be wired into your home’s electrical system. This is done by running a wire from the ceiling to a nearby sensor and wall switch. Without this connection, an automate garage door won’t work. Finally, we’ll finish your project by testing your garage door and showing you how to use it.

When you hire us to install your garage door, you can look forward to the timely completion of your project. We’re staffed by a talented team of highly trained professionals who understand the complexities of this work and the nuances of individual garage door models. We use diligent dust control and noise control measures to minimize disruption during the installation process. We also remove all project waste materials when leaving.

We know just how important it is to have a secure and high-performing garage door for your home. Proudly serving residents of Indianapolis, IN and the surrounding areas, we offer an impressive selection of garage door openers and innovative garage door designs. We also provide spring repair services and general garage door repair services. To schedule an appointment, contact us at Garage Door Doctor today.

Signs That Your Garage Door Motor Needs Replaced

Your garage door motor is an essential component as it is what drives the carriage and opens or closes the door whenever you press the button on your remote or type your code into the keypad. When working correctly, the motor should turn on immediately when you signal the door to open or close, and the motor should fully open or close the door within a few seconds. As with any other motor, a garage door opener only has a limited lifespan and can experience various issues that prevent it from working properly. This means that there will always eventually be a time when you need to have your garage door motor replaced, and here are some of the signs that can indicate you need a new garage door motor.

Motor Makes Excessive Noise

A garage door motor will always make some noise, but it shouldn’t be excessively loud or make unusual sounds. If your garage door opener is excessively loud, it usually indicates that the motor is beginning to wear out and is struggling to open and close the door. Grinding, scraping and squealing noises coming from the opener are almost always a sign that the motor is failing and needs to be replaced or possibly repaired. If your garage door motor is much louder than normal or makes any unusual sounds, we would recommend having it inspected as soon as possible.

Garage Door Opens and Closes Slowly

As a garage door motor ages, it will often start to have more difficulties pulling the door open and closed. When the motor is in good condition and working properly, your garage door should fully open or close in around 10 to 15 seconds. If you notice that it starts to take more than 20 to 30 seconds for your garage door to open or close, it’s a fairly good indicator that the motor is wearing out and will need to be replaced.

Garage Door Suddenly Won’t Open or Close

Garage door motors typically fail over time, but there are issues that can cause them to suddenly stop working altogether. If your garage door suddenly won’t open or close, you should first go inside and make sure that the trolley carriage is still connected to the motor and that none of the rollers have come off the rails. You’ll also want to inspect the torsion springs and lift cables for any obvious issues and make sure that nothing is blocking the door. If everything looks as it should and the door still won’t open and close, you’ll want to have the motor inspected. This problem could be related to an electrical in the outlet that the opener is plugged into or it could be that the motor has burnt out and needs to be replaced.

Garage Door Stalls When Opening or Closing

A garage door opener that stalls or only opens or closes the door part of the way before stopping is a fairly common issue. This problem most commonly occurs because the tracks are bent or the rollers are broken. If the rollers and tracks are in good shape and look normal, it may be that the motor is defective and needs to be replaced. In either case, this is a problem that you’ll want to have a professional look at immediately as a garage door that gets stuck can be extremely dangerous and could cause serious injury.

Garage Door Opener Isn’t Always Responsive

Again, your garage door motor should always kick on immediately when you push the button on the remote or use the keypad. If you find that you sometimes have to push the button on your remote several times before the motor responds, the first thing you should do is replace the batteries in the remote. If this doesn’t fix the issue or the motor also sometimes doesn’t respond to the keypad, you will want to have your opener inspected. In most cases, this problem indicates that the motor has some electrical issues and may need to be either repaired or replaced.

Garage Door Opens and Closes on Its Own

A garage door that randomly opens or closes on its own is obviously a serious issue since it could allow anyone to get inside if the door opened while you were away or at night when you’re asleep. The buttons on the keypad or a remote can sometimes get stuck and cause the motor to open or close on its own. However, this problem more commonly indicates that there is an issue with the motor’s circuit board, such as a short circuit. A short circuit can signal the motor to run and cause the door to open or close on its own. If you do ever find that your garage door opens and closes on its own, you should have the motor replaced immediately both for the safety of your family and your home security.

Garage Door Reverses and Reopens After Closing

Another common issue is when a garage door closes and then the motor immediately reverses and reopens the door. This problem most commonly occurs due to some issue with the safety sensors, which work to prevent the door from closing if there is anything in its path. The first thing to do if you ever notice this issue is to make sure that the two sensors are aligned, and then clean the lenses on each sensor. You’ll also want to make sure that nothing is blocking the path between the sensors.

The safety sensors work by sending a beam of light back and forth. If the sensors are misaligned or the lenses are dirty, the beam of light won’t pass between them. This will usually result in the door never fully closing or reopening as soon as it’s closed.

If the sensors are clean and properly aligned and the problem persists, it usually indicates that the motor has electrical issues or worn-out components. In this case, you’ll need to have the motor inspected and repaired or replaced.

Garage Door Opener Is Old and Outdated

On average, a garage door motor will be able to complete around 10,000 open and close cycles before wearing out. This means that the motor will typically last for around 10 to 15 years at the very most depending on how many times you open and close your garage door every day. If your motor is 10 or more years old, we would definitely recommend replacing it as soon as possible even if it is still working correctly.

Older garage door openers aren’t all that secure as many units are programmed with the same access code and this code never changes. This means that thieves can potentially open your garage by using a remote from a different door that has the same model of opener. Newer garage door openers use a rolling access code that changes every time, and this type of opener will only ever work with your remote. By replacing your outdated garage door opener, you can both ensure your garage door works correctly and make your home much more secure.

If you need to have your garage door motor replaced or your garage door needs any repairs, you can trust Garage Door Doctor for help. We specialize in garage door installation and repairs, and we work on both residential and commercial garage doors for customers throughout the Bloomington and Indianapolis areas. For more information or to schedule a garage door inspection, contact us today.