A few simple changes make your garage warmer and protect it from moisture damage throughout the winter months. They take some effort, but these garage tasks make a big difference when the snowflakes start to fall. The tasks give you plenty in return, both in the garage itself and inside your home.

Inspect Your Door:

Perform a thorough inspection of your garage door before you start making repairs or changes. Look at the door with it open and closed. If the door seems to operate well with the opener, test the door by opening it manually.

This ensures the door slides smoothly and there are no obstructions on the tracks. It also checks for problems with the springs.

When in manual, if you found it easy to open your door with one hand, then the springs are in great working order. If it was difficult to open, you will want to determine the cause.

If you have a difficult time sliding the garage door open manually, there may be a problem somewhere in the system. Contact our professional garage door service team to investigate the problem. Do not try to fix this yourself as it can cause serious injury.

Insulation and Weather Stripping / Seal:

Look at the door from the inside of the garage while it is closed. Can you see daylight in certain areas? If the light can flow easily through cracks in the door, so can the cold air. These are areas to focus on when sealing, insulating and repairing the door. Closing up all those gaps can make your garage a lot warmer and prevent snow from blowing inside this winter.

Add Garage Door Insulation:

The garage door takes up a large portion of your garage’s exterior wall, so the door is a major source of cold air entering your garage. If your garage door doesn’t have insulation, adding a layer can make a big difference in the temperature inside your garage. Insulation also prevents potential door problems caused by moisture. On an uninsulated garage door, moisture can build up and freeze into ice.

Replace the Weather Stripping:

The weather stripping around your garage door is essential in keeping cold air and weather elements outside. Inspect the weather stripping and if you see any damage, replace with a higher quality weather stripping system as it is more effective in keeping cold temperatures and moisture out of the garage.

Check for these potential problems:

• Hardened areas due to heat exposure
• Cracks or tears that won’t provide adequate protection
• Missing weather stripping

Carriage House Steel garage doors offer old-world style while maintaining the integrity of the classically American architecture.

Designer Fiberglass resembles the warmth and appeal of wood garage doors without the high maintenance they require.

Contemporary Aluminum garage doors offer sleek and eye-catching designs.

Designer Steel features tall section heights and a full-section embossment design for a dramatic look that is sure to catch the eyes of neighbors, friends and anyone walking by.

Classic Steel garage doors can be designed to match virtually any architectural style. In addition to various window designs and colored glass options,

Whether you’re looking to up your home’s resale value or simply overhauling your home’s style, our Wayne Dalton Garage Doors has the magical touch when it comes to transforming homes! As the fall season is the perfect time to have your garage door serviced or a new garage door installed.

Fresh Batteries Prevent Breakdowns:

Your technician will first look to see if the batteries in your opening system and your hand-held remotes are weak or failing. If the door lags or the system isn’t using full power like it used to, replacing batteries is the first step toward safeguarding against breakdowns.

Weatherstripping Keeps Out the Cold:

Next, your technician will assess the energy efficiency of your door. Does it close fully? If necessary, they will clean and repair all weatherstripping, ensuring heat is kept in and cold is kept out, so you’re prepared for when the temperatures drop.

Our Recent Garage Door Installation in Albuquerque’s North East Heights

Get Rid of Grease Buildup:

The lubricant is necessary for smooth door operation, but using the wrong type or too much can lead to hardened grease buildup, causing unnecessary wear and tear on the door’s opening mechanisms. Your technician will use a cloth to clean off rollers and tracks, then recoat them with the proper lubricant for more efficient operation.

Check Springs, Pulleys, and Rollers:

No garage door part lasts forever, including springs, rollers, and pulleys. Checking these components regularly can help you know how much life is left in each so you can replace them proactively before they break and cause inconvenient, more expensive problems.

Keep Your Garage Secure:

Your technician will assess the security of your door as well, making sure it locks firmly and doesn’t have any weak points. Your garage is one of the main entrances to your home, it should be secure.

Count on Over the Top Garage Doors for a complete garage door tune-up service this winter, and ensure your home is ready for the cold months ahead.

While there are times you may be able to fix it yourself, yet there may be reasons it to leave the repairs to the professionals. Age and wear will trigger issues with your garage door. In most cases, your door will be problem-free for years, if not more than ten to fifteen years. But then one day your garage door will not open, making noises or it just simply fell. To help you troubleshoot your garage door issues, here are the top reasons your garage door won’t work.

Transmitter Doesn’t Work:

This may sound obvious, but the transmitters need the power to work.

First, check to see if the transmitter on the wall inside your garage still opens your garage door when pressed. If it does, then the transmitter in your car likely just needs a simple battery replacement.

Second, if your door is opening and closing and you’re sure that your transmitter isn’t being pressed, then there may be an issue with the frequency. It could be picking up signals from a neighbor, in which case you simply need to change the frequency. You can find instructions for this in the owner’s manual.

If this still doesn’t work, you may need to reprogram it. In most cases, you simply need to press and hold a button, wait for a blinking light to appear, and then press another button. However, some devices differ, so you should check the manual.

Door Not Opening or Closing All of the Way:

Designed to close steadily and to stop when there is something in the way. So, if your door is not closing all of the ways then you should first check to make sure there is nothing underneath it.

If the path is clear, then check the photo eyes. There may be a build-up of dirt that is stopping the rollers from moving past a certain point.  Gently wipe away any dirt or residue that has built upon the eye and be careful not to oversaturate as excessive wetness can cause dirt to stick to the eye more quickly.

Also, they can eventually become misaligned, causing the eyes to not match up on both sides. The eyes should be pointing in exactly the same direction and at the same angle. If they’re off, they won’t register that the other one is there, and it’ll assume something is in its path, causing the door to stay in the open position.

Once you have the eyes cleaned and aligned, test your door to make sure it opens and closes normally. If you’re still experiencing issues with the photo eyes, it may be time to call the professionals to come out and diagnose the problem.

Rubbing Noise; Gaps between Rollers and Rail:

If there is a gap between the rollers and the rail, or if the rail is not straight, then you need an immediate fix. This misalignment will only get worse with repeated use, and you may also hear a scraping/rubbing sound when the door opens or closes.

Fortunately, you can fix this yourself. Simply loosen the screws, knock the track back into place and then tighten the screws.

Door Closed with a Bang:

If your garage door all of sudden won’t go up or you’ll hear a loud bang from inside your garage. Then you may have broken torsion springs.

Garage doors come with cables or springs that help them to gradually close. If these cables are broken then there is no support and the door simply falls closed. Not only is this incredibly dangerous for the homeowner, but it can also damage the integrity of the door with each closing.

There is very little that the average homeowner can do in these situations. It’s best that you get a professional to fix the springs as it could cause serious injury..

If your garage door all of sudden won’t go up and you’re sure the transmitters are working properly and power is getting to the motor, then you may have broken torsion springs.

Transmitters and Motor is Fine, But Door Won’t Lift:

If your door will not open and you’re confident that the motor and the transmitters are functioning correctly. There’s a good chance you have a problem with your torsion spring.

These are heavy-duty springs that do all of the hard work when opening your door. With repeated use, even the best springs and the lightest doors won’t last. They all have a limited cycle, and when that cycle is up then the springs may break.

If either spring is broken, the opener may struggle to lift the weight of the door or fail to open the door at all. If a spring is broken, call a professional for service as these can be very dangerous to work with.

The Door was Manually Locked:

Quite a few garage doors come with manual locks, especially older models, for added security for your house. These typically look like a knob or handle in the middle of your door with two bars running horizontally from each side.

There may be a small button on the top or side of the handle that you can press to slide the bars across the doors, thus locking the garage door from the inside. It can be somewhat easy to accidentally hit that button, especially if you’re getting large objects out of the trunk of your car near the door.

What most homeowners need to understand is that garage doors also require regular inspection and maintenance. Performing monthly inspections can help you determine whether the door is still functional and safe. So don’t wait for such grave issues to jeopardize the safety of your car and also your family. Instead, look for these signs, which may imply tell you that you need maintenance service or a new garage door.

It won’t Open or Close:

Sensor obstruction is one of the most common causes of garage door issues. Door sensors, or photo eyes, which are usually found at the base of your door’s track, can be prone to faulty wiring, misaligned sensors and more.

Before you call a professional, be sure to double-check that nothing is in the way of the sensors or blocking the door. Sometimes if a box or item is in the way of the sensors, your door will not open. However, if your door is clear of obstructions and still won’t open, be sure to call a garage door repair expert.

Slow Response Time:

Observe how long it takes for your door to respond to your commands. Typically, it must begin to open or close within a second or two after you pressed the opener. It must then open or close smoothly without any delay. If you observe any delay in the operation, it might indicate that something is wrong with your door or the opener.

It Makes a Loud Noise:

A noisy garage door is the result of loose hardware, worn rollers, or the garage door opener itself. There are simple fixes but to avoid the last-minute urgent need of a garage door repair expert, it is better to keep your ears open to the noise coming from the garage door that seems unusual to you.

The door is off the Tracks:

If your door is visibly off its tracks, it can cause your door to malfunction and become stuck. This tends to happen to old garage doors or doors that have sustained damage over the years. There is not much that you can do from home to alleviate this situation, as it may require specific parts and other necessary equipment.

Uneven Garage Door Sections:

Garage doors have a tendency to sag over time if they are not properly maintained. When the door is closed, you’ll see large gaps under the ends of the door.

It is advisable to check and test the balance of your garage door at least once a month. This involves disconnecting the opener from the door and manually operating it. When you bring the door at about midway and leave it there, it must not continue to rise or fall. If it does, there must be something wrong with the tension spring or other parts of your door.

Secure Your Garbage:

• You put the trash in the garage, so you don’t have to worry about it. But if you have bugs or pests going after it, you should worry.
• So store your garbage outside, whenever it’s possible.
• If you absolutely must keep trash in the garage. Clean out the can with bleach or another cleaning liquid on a monthly basis. Rinse well, and also be sure that all garbage bags are tightly tied before they go into the can.

Find the Entry Point:

• You need to see where they are coming in. There may be no visible holes, so you need to take a flashlight to all nooks and crannies.
• Remove all items from the garage, sweep the floors and use a portable fan to dry any areas with visible moisture. Moisture can attract certain insect species, and wood, pipes, furniture, clothing, boxes and other objects can offer shelter for small animals and insects.

Seal any Cracks:

• Inspect weather stripping on the top, bottom and sides of the garage door, windows and entrance doors. If any door or window appears damaged or you can see daylight when closed, replace the weather stripping.
• Go around the interior and exterior of your garage and look for any little holes or cracks that unwanted intruders may be using.
• Regardless of their size, cracks in garage floors can invite pests and vermin into your home. Though repairing concrete can seem like a daunting task, it can be relatively easy to do yourself, given the proper tools. You can also add a new coat of paint, which can add an extra layer of protection if it repels stains, water or bugs.

Declutter:

• Clutter and also dust make pests feel right at home. Spiders, snakes, and other creepy-crawlies tend to want to hide in tiny little nooks and crannies. The typical garage offers many such spaces! Cleaned your garage and get everything organized. You might consider keeping a can of insect spray nearby in case you find a happy family of six- or eight-legged critters.
• If you have reason to believe that you might find a snake, wear boots and gloves. If you find rodent droppings, clean them up with care, as they could harbor illness.

Call in the professionals if necessary:

If you have tried all of the above suggestions and are still having a problem, calling a professional exterminator service might be your best bet

For best results, you may need to have them come back every three to six months to keep the situation under control.

Many Wayne Dalton Products are Designed Specifically with Safety in Mind!

The garage door is usually the largest, heaviest moving object in a home. Family members open and shut it more than a 1,000 times a year. Making that a smooth and safe process is designed into Wayne Dalton garage doors. Built-in garage door safety features include:

• Pinch-resistant designs that pushes fingers out of harm’s way should they accidentally get too close to door panel joints.
• Tamper resistant bottom brackets connected to the door’s springs which are under extreme tension. Reducing risks by preventing the loosening of brackets by an untrained professional.
• TorqueMaster® Counterbalance — TorqueMaster® Plus is Wayne Dalton’s exclusive counterbalance system that contains garage door springs inside a steel tube. High-torque springs contained in a metal tube not only look better than exposed springs, they are free of dirt and grime. And, should they break, they are not exposed.
• The TorqueMaster® includes an anti-drop safety system. If a spring breaks while the door is up, the anti-drop system stops it from falling.

Wayne Dalton Garage Doors Take On The Elements

Mother Nature often poses a safety threat. Many Wayne Dalton garage doors feature wind load-rated reinforcements. Those with a Windsafe® logo comply with an assortment of approval agencies and those with an Impact logo are certified as impact resistant. Impact resistant doors have been proven to stop a 9 lb. 2×4 board moving at 50 feet per second.

Residential garage door models that can be upgraded with wind load reinforcements:

• Classic Steel Garage Doors (Excluding: Model 8024-8024PO)
• Carriage House Steel Garage Doors
• Designer Fiberglass Garage Doors
• Speciality Vinyl Garage Doors

When you see the WindSafe® logo, the door complies with the following approval agencies:

• Florida Building Code
• Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)
• Miami-Dade County (FL)Each month look at the door’s springs, cables, rollers and pulleys for signs of wear.