How often should I have my garage door serviced?

We recommend professional maintenance at least once a year to keep your garage door operating safely and efficiently. During a maintenance visit, our technicians will inspect all components, lubricate moving parts, test safety features, and make necessary adjustments. Regular maintenance can prevent costly repairs by catching small problems before they become major issues. If you use your garage door frequently (more than 4-5 times per day), consider scheduling maintenance twice a year. Between professional visits, you can help maintain your door by keeping the tracks clean, listening for unusual sounds, and testing the balance and safety features monthly.

What should I do if my garage door won't open or close?

If your garage door won't operate, start with these troubleshooting steps: 1. **Check the power**: Make sure the opener is plugged in and the circuit breaker hasn't tripped. 2. **Inspect the remote**: Replace the batteries in your remote control. If you have a keypad, try it or use the wall button to see if the issue is with the remote. 3. **Check the photo-eye sensors**: These sensors near the bottom of the door tracks must be aligned and clean for the door to close. Look for a steady light on both sensors. 4. **Look for obstructions**: Check the tracks and door path for any objects that might be blocking movement. 5. **Check the emergency release**: If you or someone else pulled the emergency release, the door is disconnected from the opener. Reconnect it by running the opener until the trolley catches. If these steps don't resolve the issue, or if you hear grinding noises, see a broken spring, or notice the door is off its tracks, call us for professional service. Attempting to repair springs, cables, or major components yourself can be dangerous.

How long does a garage door installation take?

A typical garage door installation takes 4-6 hours, but the exact time depends on several factors: **Factors affecting installation time:** - Removal of the old door (if applicable) - Size and type of the new door - Whether you're also installing a new opener - Any necessary modifications to the opening or framing - Weather conditions for exterior work **What's included in installation:** - Complete removal and disposal of your old door - Installation of new tracks, springs, and hardware - Door panel assembly and mounting - Weather seal installation - Opener connection and programming - Safety testing and adjustments - Clean-up of the work area We schedule installations to minimize inconvenience and always aim to complete the work in a single visit. Our technicians will give you a more accurate time estimate when they assess your specific situation during the quote process.

Understanding Garage Door Spring Replacement: What Homeowners Need to Know

2023-12-28 8 min read Mike Johnson

<p>The springs on your garage door are among its most important components. They counterbalance the door's weight, making it possible to lift a door weighing several hundred pounds with minimal effort. When springs fail, your door becomes inoperable, and attempting DIY repairs can be extremely dangerous.</p>

<h2>Types of Garage Door Springs</h2>

<h3>Torsion Springs</h3> <p>Torsion springs are mounted horizontally above the closed door. As the door closes, cables attached to the bottom corners force the springs to wind up, storing energy. When you open the door, the springs unwind and release that energy, lifting the door.</p> <p>Torsion springs are the most common type in modern residential garage doors. They're more expensive than extension springs but last longer and provide smoother, more balanced operation. Larger doors may have two or more torsion springs.</p>

<h3>Extension Springs</h3> <p>Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door. They stretch when the door closes and contract when it opens. You can identify them by the long coils that extend and contract as the door moves.</p> <p>Extension springs are less expensive than torsion springs but have a shorter lifespan. They also require safety cables running through the center of the spring, if a spring breaks, the cable prevents it from flying across the garage.</p>

<h2>Signs Your Springs Need Replacement</h2>

<h3>Visible Damage</h3> <p>Check your springs regularly for signs of wear. Look for gaps in the coils, rust, or stretched springs. If you see an obvious break in a torsion spring, the door won't work until it's replaced.</p>

<h3>The Door Is Heavy</h3> <p>If your door feels heavier than usual when lifting manually, the springs may be wearing out. A properly functioning door should feel almost weightless when you lift it, thanks to the spring counterbalance.</p>

<h3>The Door Falls Quickly</h3> <p>When springs lose tension, the door may slam shut rather than lowering smoothly. This is not only inconvenient but dangerous, a falling garage door can cause serious injury.</p>

<h3>Uneven Movement</h3> <p>If one spring is weaker than the other, the door may tilt or move unevenly. This puts extra stress on the opener and can cause additional damage to the door and tracks.</p>

<h3>Loud Bang from the Garage</h3> <p>If you hear a loud bang from your garage, it may be a spring breaking. The sound is similar to a firecracker. If this happens, don't attempt to use the door, call a professional immediately.</p>

<h2>Why Spring Replacement Is Dangerous</h2> <p>Garage door springs are under extreme tension. A typical torsion spring stores enough energy to lift a 200-400 pound door thousands of times. When that energy is released unexpectedly, it can cause serious injury or death.</p>

<p>The dangers include:</p> <ul> <li>Springs snapping and striking you with tremendous force</li> <li>Winding bars slipping and causing the spring to unwind violently</li> <li>The heavy door falling if improperly supported</li> <li>Using incorrect spring size causing continued problems or accidents</li> </ul>

<p>Professional technicians have the proper tools, training, and experience to safely replace garage door springs. They can also identify and correct related issues that might not be apparent to homeowners.</p>

<h2>What to Expect from Professional Service</h2> <p>When you call Garage Door Mission Viejo for spring replacement, here's what happens:</p>

<ol> <li><strong>Inspection:</strong> We assess all springs, cables, and hardware to determine the full scope of work needed.</li> <li><strong>Measurement:</strong> Springs must be precisely sized for your door's weight and height. We measure and select the correct springs.</li> <li><strong>Safe removal:</strong> We safely release tension from the old springs and remove them.</li> <li><strong>Installation:</strong> New springs are installed and properly tensioned for your door's specifications.</li> <li><strong>Testing:</strong> We test the door balance and operation, making adjustments as needed.</li> <li><strong>Lubrication:</strong> All moving parts are lubricated for smooth, quiet operation.</li> </ol>

<h2>Spring Lifespan and Warranty</h2> <p>Standard garage door springs are rated for about 10,000 cycles, one cycle being the door going up and down once. If you use your garage door four times a day, that's roughly seven years of life.</p> <p>High-cycle springs rated for 25,000 or more cycles are available and recommended for frequently used doors. While they cost more upfront, they provide better long-term value and fewer service calls.</p> <p>We offer warranties on both parts and labor for all spring replacements. Ask about our high-cycle spring options and extended warranty coverage.</p>

<h2>Need Spring Service?</h2> <p>If you suspect your garage door springs need attention, don't wait, and don't try to fix them yourself. Contact Garage Door Mission Viejo for safe, professional spring replacement. We offer same-day emergency service for broken springs because we know a non-functional garage door is more than an inconvenience.</p>

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