Manual garage door vs electric garage door; pros and cons

We modern day humans like our choices. We eat out in restaurants and pour over menus with dozens of entrees and drink options. We shop for cars in auto malls and look at endless arrays of models and style choices. We can go online and browse through page after page of shopping choices with even more options for delivery. It’s much the same for our garage doors and openers. We can choose garage doors in just about every size, color, weight and style imaginable and our garage door opener options are almost as varied and extensive. Here at Pro East Cobb Garage Door we provide our local customers with a seemingly endless selection of these garage door components and one choice that is always open for them is whether to opt for a manual garage door opener or an electric one. You don’t have to live here in East Cobb, GA to make this choice. Both garage door opener options are available worldwide. Read on and see the pros and cons of each; it’ll help you make up your own mind!

You didn’t always have a choice… 

It’s true; there was a time in the not too distant past when everyone used to open their garage doors manually. You had to; there was no other way to do it! With the advent automatic garage door openers, everything changed. It suddenly became not only popular, but virtually necessary to have one of these convenient and security enhancing garage door openers. They are so commonly used now that many people have no idea that they have a choice of garage door opening methods. But that brings up the question; if automatic garage door openers are so good and so popular, why would anyone opt for the older, manual method?

Pros of opening your own garage door 

Remember when we said that people like options? While that is very true, it’s also true that people like nostalgia. Having to manually open or close your own garage door is reminiscent of a time when life was simpler, more carefree, and hard work was required to get by. Nostalgia plays a big role in folks opting for not having an electric garage door opener. It’s much like gardening and making your own clothes. You really don’t have to grow your own food or learn how to sew but it’s fun and therapeutic for many. Plus you can actually save money by doing many of these tasks and chores yourself. Lifting and lowering your garage door provides exercise, too. You have to physically get out of the car and back in when you operate your garage door this way. You can compare it to climbing stairs or taking the elevator. People do both and there are pros and cons to each method. Don’t forget the money savings involved. After all, you don’t have to actually buy, install, service or repair that cumbersome garage door opener! After a while, not having all those bills adds up. Who couldn’t use one less thing to worry about in today’s hectic and stressful world?

Pros of opting for the electric (automatic way) 

Much like a political debate, the ‘other’ side has its own arguments for choosing their way of opening and closing a garage door. Proponents of electric garage door openers boast of time savings and added convenience as you never have to get in or out of your vehicle to operate your heavy garage door. There is no heavy lifting, or getting wet during rainy season; just stay put inside your climate controlled vehicle, tap your opener remote and drive in or out of your garage with ease, comfort and security. Speaking of security, electric garage door openers offer enhanced protection as you never have to leave your car in order to move your garage door up and down. It makes sense; you are distracted and pre-occupied with manually lifting your garage door. Your car door is probably still open and your motor is still running. You are at risk for being accosted, attacked, or even abducted. Your vehicle is also at risk as the keys are still in the car along with your purse or wallet, driver’s license, registration, insurance, home address, and lots more.

Cons of both 

As we said above, having to get out of your car to open or close your garage door leaves you and your vehicle vulnerable to crime, bad weather and the elements in general. It can also become quite tiresome if done over and over. Another problem involving manual garage doors is that having one can hurt your home’s resale value. It’s a fact; most home buyers prefer having an automatic garage door opener and the fact that you don’t have one already installed can make them pass on your home and opt for one that does. If they do happen to make an offer on your house, it will for a lower amount as they have now (mentally anyway) factored in the price of a garage door opener to be added in the near future.

The only ‘con’ that is really obvious that comes with having an electric garage door opener is that it will cost you more now and in the long run. You will have expenses for purchasing and installing your opener but if you use the right garage door repair shop, those will be very minimal. There are also repair expenses if your opener unit breaks down. We recommend getting a good warranty and having periodic maintenance done on your unit as recommended by the manufacturer and your garage door repair technician.

The bottom line 

The choice is yours. We recommend that you contact a full service garage door repair shop in Marietta, GA for further details and recommendations. Weigh carefully your different wants and goals and speak to one of our garage door technicians or one near your locale. Doing so will result in a garage door opener choice that is right for your budget, goals and desires.

Why Your Garage Door Continues to Open and Close On Its Own

When your garage door opens and closes on its own, it can be rather dangerous. That is because it could open or close when you do not want it to. It could just close on top of you while you are moving in or out. Worse yet, it could fall on top of one of your loved ones. You may be wondering why this is the case, at Pro East Cobb Garage Repair in East Cobb, GA, we are here to tell you why this sometimes occurs and what you can do to prevent it.

Reasons that Your Garage Door Opens on Its Own

1. Someone in your neighborhood has the same remote frequency
   

This will also interfere with your garage door and cause it to open or close without your attempting to do so.

This can be remedied by changing access code on your garage door opener.

2. A shortage in the button on the all
   

This is something that should be trouble shot by a professional.

It is necessary to remove the wiring fro the button in order to do so.

3. Short in the keypad wiring or the wiring that leads to the wired keypad
   

The keypad should be removed from the opener for troubleshooting.

4. Short in your sensor’s wiring
   

The wiring will need to be replaced.

It might be necessary to upgrade from 22” gauge wiring to 16” gauge. When it is too cold, it can sometimes affect the wiring of your sensors. Check for things, such as fraying that can eventually cause the wiring to be cut.

5. Safety Beam Sensor Shortage

You Safety beam sensors may be damaged.

If you have two of the same type of garage door opener, you should remove the sensors from one opener, apply them to the other to determine if this is the problem.

6. Short in the Opener Logic Board

The logic board may be damaged.

You should have the circuit board removed in order for a trained professional to troubleshoot the problem. You can troubleshoot on your own by removing the circuit board and applying it to another logic board to see if this resolves the problem.

7. Receiver board has a short in it
   

The receive board might be defective.

The receive board should be replaced. Sometimes it is found inside the power head and sometimes is on the outside of the power head.

8. The external receive may have a short in it
   

This means there is a receiver board that is defective

You can troubleshoot by placing the openers receiver board on another opener.

9. The wiring that runs from the external receiver to the opener
   

This wiring may have a short in it or be defective.

Follow the steps suggested for ‘defective receiver board’ to resolve the problem.

10. Random signals from your remote
    

This is an easy fix, it could be as simple as replacing the old batteries with new ones. If this doesn’t resolve the problem, it may be necessary to replace the remote.

11. Nearby radio tower

It will likely be necessary for you to have the access code to your remote reprogrammed. If the problem still exists, you could try another receiver to see if this is the fix you need.

12. CB radios causing interference
    

You can replace your receiver or your transmitter with one that is on a different frequency. You will have to check your frequency on the receiver.

13. Police Radios

Apply the steps above for ‘CB radios causing interference’ to remedy the problem.

14. Hospital in the vicinity of your home
    

Apply the steps above for ‘CB radios causing interference’ to remedy the problem.

15. Faulty garage door wiring
    

Try plugging the garage door opener into a different outlet to resolve the problem.

16. Shortage in electrical outlet

Apply the steps above for ‘Faulty garage door wiring’.

You may have never imagined that you would have to take care of your garage door in order to continue using it without an incident from occurring that could be of harm to you and your family. Yes, caring for your garage is a responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly. You should definitely make sure you know what you can expect when you hear strange sounds or when your garage is acting unusual. You certainly shouldn’t ignore it.

We want to do our part in helping you maintain a safe garage and that is why we are offering the following suggestions when you experience the problem with your garage opening and closing on its own.

• If your door is opening and closing on its own, make sure you unplug your garage door opener upon leaving for the day.

• Make sure you also unplug the garage door opener whenever you plan on going on vacation.

• Never leave batteries in remotes that are not working, this can short your remote and send signals to the garage door without your wanting it to.

• Never share your keypad access code with your neighbors. Whenever you have to do so just make sure you remember to change the code back in order to avoid the door from opening when you are away.

• If you are still trying to determine why your garage door is opening or closing with out your wanting it to, never go to sleep with the opener still plugged in. Unplug the opener before retiring for the night. This will help you to avoid any uninvited intruders.

• Use a heavy-duty appliance module so that you are able to control your electrical outlet with your door remote instead of using the garage door opener remote. This will serve as additional security for a faulty garage door.

If you are not good at troubleshooting and would simply prefer for the job to be handled professionally, give us a call at Pro East Cobb Garage Repair. We will be happy to troubleshoot and repair the problem so that you can go on using your garage.

GARAGE DOOR WON’T OPEN OR CLOSE WITH REMOTE CONTROL

Technology was created to help us and mostly, it does. We might be using a power drill on a woodworking project or cooking up a masterpiece with our kitchen appliances. We pay good money for our household tools, appliances, and gadgets and we expect them to work on-demand. When they don’t, they get donated, returned or thrown out. Another household tool that we use a lot and expect to function is our garage door opener remote. Here at Pro East Cobb Garage Repair we often get calls concerning a non-functioning unit. Should the customer get it repaired? Or, should they buy a new one? There are so many questions as to what should be done! In actuality, you may not need to repair or replace your garage door opener! Follow these simple steps and you might just save yourself some time and money!

It never fails!

It never fails to happen when you least expect it; garage door opener remote failure, that is! Maybe you are leaving for a much anticipated dinner date. Or, you might be on your way to your first day on the job. Your mind is pre-occupied with the events soon to befall you, when all of a sudden you notice that your remote doesn’t work. Here’s where the first problem lies; is it your opener that has stopped working, or is it your remote that is the problem? How can you tell and what should you do about it?

First of all

Check your remote’s battery before you do anything else. It may be drained or leaking, and it costs nothing to check on your battery status. If you have a home tester, check the battery for power and if you don’t, you should consider getting one. They are inexpensive and sold by East Cobb, GA stores in the local area. Speaking of local stores, you can take your batteries for free testing at any area Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, Target, Home Depot, or Best Buy locations and they will be happy to do it for you with no obligation to buy a new one.

Your terminals

Be sure to check your remote terminals. They may look just fine but be slightly loose and this is often enough to stop your batter from transmitting signals to the main opener unit. Squeeze your terminals together gently so that they hold your remote battery snugly and then see if this helps. If you notice any battery fluid that has leaked onto your terminals be sure and clean that up with a dry cloth as leakage like this can also greatly interfere with your remote’s performance.

Worn remote buttons

Your remote’s buttons may be worn out. Signs of this are having to hit the button several times in order to make the opener work along with the buttons sticking in the process. Unfortunately, if this is the case you will need to buy a replacement from your manufacturer or if you have a spare unit, use that one.

Reprogram your remote

If your remote is older and worn, it may have lost its programming. This causes it to lose its memory and stop working. While this won’t apply to newer remote models, the older ones may need to be reprogrammed. You can refer to your owner’s manual for directions on how to do this or if you don’t have one you can watch any number of online videos that can walk you through the steps.

Photo electric safety eyes

What? Why are we talking about your safety sensors? Some local East Cobb, GA customers have assumed that their remote has stopped working, when in reality it was the safety sensors that were off, and not the remote control at all! Be sure to check your safety eyes and see if the sensor LED beam is lit. If not, or if they are blinking, you may need to call a repairman. Always keep the area surrounding your sensors clutter free as items can fall against the safety eyes and move them out of alignment or cut the wires. Pets should also be kept away from the sensors as wires can be chewed or disconnected from the unit. Spiders love safety eyes to build their webs around. These webs can block signals but also, since they are so sticky, they attract dead bugs, leaves, twigs and other debris that can sensor signals and even scratch the senor lenses. Keep these clean and free from dust, mud and other debris by wiping with a clean, dry cloth. Most safety sensors are made so that you the consumer can align them on your own. Simply adjust them manually until the beam matches up and the garage door works again. Test by using your remote and also by lowering your garage door and intentionally blocking the signal to see if the door reverses.

Lock button

Your opener unit may have a lock button that can stop your remote from working. This lock button is located on the wall switch inside the garage. This is a safety feature designed to prevent anyone from using your remote while you are away on vacation or away from home while the remote is still in the car (or at least, not with you!).  This lock button is sometimes activated and then forgotten about. Or, it may be activated by accident and no one realized it until your remote seemingly stopped working. Check your opener system and if it does include this wall lock button, unlock it and see if your garage door works as it should now.

Call the pros!

If none of these tips work it may be time to call in the professionals. You are always welcome to call our shop, or your favorite East Cobb, GA garage door repair experts, and have them come to your aid. It helps that you tried and tested several of the above tips; be sure and tell your technician what you did. This saves him time and effort since he won’t have to re-do your work.

IF YOU’RE HAVING GARAGE DOOR PROBLEMS, HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO!

After opening and closing thousands of times as the years pass, your garage door is bound to require some close attention. There are many reasons for garage door troubles. Let’s look at some of the most probable possibilities and solutions.

Easy Issues

Check your transmitter batteries. Perhaps they simply have to be replaced, and it will work fine now.

Is your garage door not closing? Your garage door has a photo eye on both sides, and between the two is an invisible beam, which, when it’s broken, keeps the door from shutting. See if these sensors are misaligned or grimy.

Does your garage door go down all the way, yet open again? The open-and-shut limit settings of your garage door opener are most likely on the fritz. Read the manual for how to set the open-and-shut limits. These settings inform the garage door opener on how far the garage door should move before closing completely. If the settings are too high, the garage door will hit the floor before the opener thinks it should, assuming the door is touching something in its path. It will reverse automatically, to prevent from crushing it.

Does your garage door opener run, but the garage door won’t move? In case of a power failure, your garage door opener comes with a disconnect switch that allows you to manually open or shut your garage door. This switch is attached to a knob or rope, which can come unhooked. Shut or open the door manually all the way, and then reattach the hook securely. Then, using the transmitter, attempt to open or close the garage door again. It should work fine now.

Does your garage door opener run several seconds, but turn right off? If your garage door still doesn’t budge, the door is closed and the door motor is attempting yet failing to lift the door up. Examine the springs. If that isn’t the problem, examine the track for any obstacles. If neither of these is the problem, then find out if your garage door is the kind with a built-in lock, and it’s engaging by mistake. This is common with older garage doors.

Does your garage door close and open randomly? If the garage door is opening or closing all by itself, it’s definitely not safe. The solution may be that all you have to is inspect the transmitter. Make sure it’s not stuck beneath an object that might have inadvertently depressed the control mechanism. For example, the transmitter may be found under items you forgot inside your automobile, or somewhere else nearby. Also examine the transmitter’s frequency. Your neighbor could have the same exact frequency as yours.

Complex Issues

Your garage door track may possibly be out of alignment. This is bad. Your garage door’s metal track won’t move unless it’s correctly aligned. Look for any bends in the rails, or any gaps between the rail and rollers. The garage door’s weight can compound these issues over time, so don’t procrastinate; investigate! Your garage door can become dangerous. Hire a professional.

What if your garage door slams with a bang? There could be a broken tension spring, which ought to be countering the door’s weight. Or, the cables connected to the tension spring are broken. Either problem is hazardous. Contact an expert.

Does your garage door close part way, but open again? A garage door is designed with a reversing mechanism to stop it from smashing an object in its path. The reversing instruction is activated by anything on the ground blocking the door’s path, such as a box, trash can, or bicycle. But there might be a buildup of debris on the garage door’s tracks ~ grime or a minute object ~ which will prevent the rollers from moving forward. This is a serious problem, needing professional attention.

Is your garage door not opening at all? It’s probably garage door spring failure. Your garage door might be the type with one or two torsion springs. If either of these is broken, the door will malfunction. Hire a professional for spring repair or replacement.

Finally, please don’t adjust your garage door, unless you’re an engineer! If not serviced correctly, a garage door spring can cause injury or even be deadly. The garage door bottom brackets, drums, and cables may also need adjustment. Hire a local trustworthy professional garage door repair company. If you’re in East Cobb, Georgia, consider a reputable company such as the aptly named Pro East Cobb Garage Repair.

Prevent Future Garage Door Problems

Monthly, examine the components of your garage door system. If there are worn parts, replace them. Tighten loose bolts. Scrutinize any strange noises you hear upon closing and opening.

Schedule a yearly inspection with a reliable local garage door repair company. Springs, cables, pulleys, and wires require additional attention from a professional garage door technician.

Every two years, clean your garage door, and you’ll prolong its life. Wash it on each side with a sponge and mild dish soap and water. Rinse it well. Don’t forget the garage door opener sensor eyes; wash them with a dry, clean cloth. Keep the perimeter around the sensors free of cobwebs and dirt. If your garage door is steel, apply car wax for cold-weather protection. If your garage door is wooden, at the first signs of peeling or chipping, apply a new coat of paint.

Set up a garage door maintenance schedule. It’s smart to keep your garage door in tiptop condition so it will last longer. If your garage doubles as an office, workshop, or game room, then you should keep it especially well-maintained.

Lubricate your garage door springs, hinges, and rollers, with just a light coating ~ each year before winter arrives. Without lubrication, the springs will rust, and the coils will bind. Use a top name brand, so it won’t dry out.

Garage door maintenance takes minimal effort. It’s certainly worth it. You’ll spend a lot less on any repairs that do arise, and it’s likely you won’t have to replace it for a good many years.

Why Your Garage Door Won’t Stay Open

If you have ever had an automatic garage door opener (or even if you haven’t), surely you can imagine that issues can arise from time to time. One issue that can be troublesome is a garage door that refuses to stay open. Perhaps you are doing work in your garage, and want the door to remain open so that you can monitor your children, or just so you are not working in an enclosed space. The last thing you need to deal with is constantly pulling up a garage door that keeps slipping down the tracks. There are a few reasons this could be happening to you. Keep reading to find out some common causes of this issue.

Most times when this problem happens, the culprit is your garage door springs. The springs do the heavy lifting for the door, and the tension in the springs is supposed to keep the door held up. If you are dealing with a door that is slipping down the track, your springs may need to get looked at. The spring issue could have arisen due to various factors, such as:

• Spring is old (age)
• Spring is broken
• Spring has been overextended
• Spring needs to be readjusted

If you are having issues with your garage door staying open, the first thing to check around for is a broken spring. Please bear in mind, you should call a technician to actually fix the problem. Just like electrical issues in the home, garage door spring issues can be dangerous and should be handled by a professional. Depending on your type of door, there may be multiple springs present. Take a close look and try to determine if you can find any separation in the springs. Some doors have springs on each side, so be sure to check all springs that are present. If you cannot find the spring, try opening the door. When the door is opened, that fully extends the spring. This will make it easier to see if there is a break somewhere. If your door uses extension springs, there is a built in safety mechanism in the spring system. The spring has a rod on the inside that prevents the spring from overextending too much. If this kind of spring is broken or damaged, the safety rods inside the spring will be visible to you.

Another reason your door could be given you problems is due to a lack of tension in the spring. Springs are imperative to ensuring your garage doors work properly. When the door is fully open, the springs are working at their maximum tension. This tension allows the door to stay up without falling down the track. One way to determine if this is the issue is to look at the garage door chain. If there is slack in the chain when the door is up, this points to a lack of tension in your springs. The chain runs between the bottom of the spring and your wall (generally). Instead of the chain being taut when the door is in the open position, the chain will have slack. To fix this issue, it is best to call a technician to help. It is very dangerous to work with garage door springs, and instead of taking an unnecessary risk you should call an expert to assist you.

Garage door springs are only manufactured to last a certain amount of time. This springs are operating at a great amount of tension, and are hefting a heavy load. The average garage door can be up to 250 lbs. So each garage door spring has a standard life cycle. This life cycle is generally 10,000 cycles for most standard springs. You can also purchase high cycle springs if you prefer. A garage door spring generally last 7 -10 years (depending on use).  Your garage door spring can age prematurely if you are not employing proper maintenance procedures. Keep the springs lubricated (using a silicone based lubricant). If your area is going through a cold snap, some homeowners use a space heater to warm up the garage. This is because in extreme cold weather, the garage door springs are under extra stress and you would hear a loud crack – your garage door spring snapping. This is not much of an issue in Georgia, but it is another point to keep in mind.

There is a reason (outside of your springs) that your garage door may not be staying open. This can be due to the door actually reversing closed. This issue has the potential to be damaging, as your personal property can become damaged if this is happening. This issue points to a limit switch problem. If you are comfortable in doing so, you can adjust the limit switch yourself and see if this fixes the issue. The limit switch tells the garage door opener motor when it has “hit the limit” and should stop operating. This switch is sometimes set up incorrectly and will cause your door to reverse closed on you, or not open far enough to begin with. The limit switch is located on the garage door motor unit and can be adjusted. You may have to do several adjustments to find the right setting for your home. If you are not feeling handy, or do not consider yourself a DIY’er, a qualified technician should be called to help. Most reputable companies will offer 24/7 assistance and can easily help you fix this issue.

In East Cobb, GA the expert team at Pro East Cobb Garage Repair is always there to assist you. They have years of experience, and offer fast, friendly and affordable service.  The team of technicians is able to help on your schedule, and will make sure your garage door is working correctly and safely. If you are in the area and looking for help with your garage door that just won’t stay open, look no further than Pro East Cobb Garage Repair. We have consultants standing by for help, and will provide a no obligation consultation free of charge!

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT GARAGE DOOR SERVICE COMPANY

Are you encountering difficulties with your garage door? If your garage door has been acting up, there are numerous reasons you could be having trouble. Some issues you can probably handle yourself, and others will require an expert. Since your garage door is a major part of your property’s value and curb appeal, it’s essential to hire only an expert you can completely trust. Find a consummate professional who will tell you the truth about your garage door ~ whether repairs are required; if so, what’s genuinely needed; or, if you ought to purchase an entirely new garage door instead; and, if so, what type is best for you.

Before you hire a garage door technician in East Cobb, is there anything you can do yourself? There are indeed a good number of things you can try before you hire someone to service your garage door.

1       The garage door won’t close? The photo eyes might be out of alignment. The garage door has a photo eye on each side, and between them is an invisible beam, which prevents your garage door from shutting when broken. See if they’re misaligned or grimy.

2       The garage door won’t open? The transmitter batteries could be low. Perhaps if you replace them, your garage door will open.

3       The garage door opener runs, yet the garage door still won’t move? In a power failure, your garage door opener comes with a disconnect switch, which allows you to manually open or shut your garage door. This switch, typically attached to a rope or knob, can come undone inadvertently. What you can do: First, open or shut the garage door all the way. Next, securely reattach the hook. Finally, using the transmitter, you can try opening or shutting the garage door again, and it ought to function now.

4       Does the garage door opener run a few seconds, then turn off? If the garage door still won’t move, this can occur while it’s shut and the motor tries to lift it, yet it won’t move. What you should do is check the springs first. Then, look at the track to see if there are any obstacles. Now, see if the garage door has a built-in lock that’s engaging by mistake. This frequently happens with older garage doors.

5       Does the garage door go down all the way, but then open again? It’s likely that the open-and-close limit settings of your garage door opener are on the blink. The settings tell the garage door opener how far to move before it’s fully shut. If set too high, the garage door will touch the ground before the opener estimates it should, assuming it’s hitting something in its path. If so, it will reverse so it won’t smash the object. Your operator’s manual contains instructions on how to set the open-and-close limits yourself.

6       Does the garage door open and shut at random? If the garage door opens or closes by itself, even while you’re gone, that’s more than an annoyance; that’s a security risk. But here’s what you can do: First, you can look at the transmitters to be sure they’re not stuck under an object that’s unintentionally pushing down on the control mechanism. For example, the transmitters may be underneath some forgotten items in your car, or something else close by. Otherwise, test the frequency of the transmitters. A nearby neighbor may have your same frequency.

7       If your garage door still doesn’t go up, or if it shuts quickly with a bang, then professional attention is required.

Unless you’re already an engineer, YOU SHOULD NOT TRY to repair it yourself! Be sure you know what you’re getting into. Repairing a garage door or hanging a new one ~ and ensuring that every track, cable, and wire is installed correctly with the greatest safety, is definitely not an easy undertaking. Torsion springs, found on many garage doors, can actually cause serious bodily injury, and even death, if not dealt with properly.

Therefore, if anything more serious is happening with your garage door, it’s time to hire a garage door expert! Now what do you do?

First, ask friends, family, and colleagues for their recommendations. Word of mouth from a satisfied customer is always your best bet. If you don’t get anywhere, then you’ll have to do your homework.

Do your research. Look for garage door companies located in your area. Check your local phone book and the Internet. For each one, note the phone number and address. If there’s a street address listed, verify that the address belongs to that company so you can confirm that it’s really a local business. Using the Web, you can match addresses with telephone numbers. When you call each place, if the person answering the phone won’t tell you the full business name and its physical address, cross that one off your list and go on to the next one.

Once you have a list of potentially superior garage door companies, investigate each one scrupulously. Ask colleagues and friends if they know anything about any of the companies on your list. The Website of each company will provide you with plenty of information that’s bound to sway you one way or the other ~ or at least to give you a first impression. You can also consult the Better Business Bureau to check to see if there are complaints on file. You can also look to your local consumer protection agency as well as your state’s attorney general’s office.

When you have narrowed it all down to at least three, consult thoroughly with each one, asking for advice on your specific garage door issues, and see what each one tells you. It’s important that you feel comfortable with the person you choose to repair or replace your garage door and/or its components.

It’s highly favorable if the garage door repair company you choose offers you a free consultation and a free written estimate before any work begins. Moreover, the people on staff ought to have in-depth experience and knowledge of the garage door industry, as well as possess exceptional skill, and be the utmost integrity. Each staff professional ought to be trained at length, properly field-tested, and suitably certified.

After you’ve obtained three formal quotes, analyze them closely. Look at the specifics and check references, and conduct any further research necessary. Finally, compare prices, and remember that you always get what you pay for. If you’re in East Cobb, Georgia, you may want to consider a local reputable company such as Pro East Cobb Garage Repair. Whatever you do, go with your gut, and you’ll eventually narrow it down to the one garage door repair company you know you can totally count on. If you follow all these guidelines, you’ll soon have a better-functioning garage door.

Reasons Why Garage Doors Won’t Work

You might be dealing with garage door that will work sometimes and sometimes, will not. When you have a temperamental garage door that will only do what it wants to do when it wants to do it, can be extremely annoying. Perhaps you have a good reason for not calling on the services of a professional garage door service in East Cobb, Georgia, such as Pro East Cobb Garage Repair. Maybe you find it an inconvenience to stop what you are doing to give us a call. Whatever the case might be, if you do not want to further frustrate yourself, simply contact a professional garage door service and allow them to find out why your garage door isn’t responding correctly. There is usually a very common reason why your garage door is acting the way that it is. With all of our experience working on residential and commercial garage doors, we certainly know a thing or two about garage doors.

Even though you can troubleshoot the problem yourself, it is best if you allow a trained professional to do this for you. One of the most logical things that a professional garage door will check is your remote to make sure you have batteries that work. If the batteries do not work, they will not communicate effectively with your garage door opener. This means that your door will not function correctly. When the batteries are just starting to go dead, your garage door may still work but not at full capacity. When the batteries are completely dead, the door will not work at all. This is one of the most common reasons why garage doors do not work. Save yourself some time and frustration by switching out your old batteries for new ones to see if this will solve your problem. You can easily do this by sliding off the back of the remote or unscrewing the backside of the remote to install new batteries. Be sure that you have the batteries properly installed before attempting to use the remote again.

As a safety precaution, more recently installed garage doors have a photo eye on either side of the door that detects when something is in its path and will prevent the door from closing. You don’t have to worry about walking under the door and having it fall down on you because the sensors will recognize something in the path of the door and prevent it from closing. Sometimes, small particles or debris can get on the lenses of the photo eye and this may also cause it to stop. If the eyes do not align this can also cause the door to malfunction. The beams have to connect in order for the door to function properly. If your door is misaligned, it can also cause the beams to become misaligned. You can clean the photo eye if you are extremely careful. If you’re not careful you might unknowingly scratch the eye of the photo eyes. Why make the situation any worse than it already is. Some simply opt to have an expert garage door technician to handle this for them to ensure the job is done safely.

Another common problem that will not allow your garage door to operate correctly is a track that is out of alignment. If the metal track, which the garage door slides on is not properly aligned, the door will not move. When there are spaces between the rails or rollers or the rails are bent, there is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Continuing to use the garage will only make the problem worse, even dangerous, if the tracks are already misaligned. When you start to notice an unusual noise when the door gets to a specific point on the track, you’ll know that the door is misaligned. An expert service technician will loosen the tracks screws, which hold the frame together. They will then tap it gently to reposition the tracks until they are realigned again. If the screws are not properly installed and screwed back in, this will cause you even further issues. The technician will perform this process on each track to ensure that it is properly realigned. In some instances, the tracks may not be able to be realigned and it may be necessary to have a new track installed.

Lets go back to something slightly more simple, your remote or transmitter. If you are out of the range of where your remote will be able to successfully communicate with your garage door, it may not open. Every door and remote has a certain range that will enable the door to function properly. If you are not in the range, the door will not open or close properly. Try to wait until you are directly in front of your garage before opening the door. This also serves as a safety precaution so that no one is able to quickly sneak into your garage. Only opening the door once you are in eyesight of it is a practice you should adopt on a regular basis.

If you are in front of your garage and it still doesn’t open, find the garage antenna on the opener to make sure there isn’t something blocking it. Your door will not get the signal that your remote is sending it if there is something blocking your opener antenna. Sometimes, your antenna may be damaged. This is definitely a reason for you to contact a professional garage door service technician. Most problems can quickly and simply be correctly even before you call for professional help. Just check to make sure nothing is blocking any of the sensors attached to your garage door or its opener.

A garage door can be a dangerous place if you have an uncontrollable garage door. Don’t allow yourself or anyone else to be harmed by your door. Contact a professional garage door service in East Cobb today to ensure your door continues working.