How to Prepare Your Garage Door for Winter
How to Prep Your Garage Door for Winter
As the weather gets colder, you perform maintenance tasks to prepare for the incoming snow, like cleaning your gutters. Winterizing your garage protects it from moisture and other damage during the coldest time of the year.
The Impact of Cold on Residential and Commercial Garage Doors
While your garage door can withstand the highest and lowest temperatures, long-term exposure to the elements can damage it. For example, cold weather can dry out the lubricants which strains your opener each time it operates. Winter conditions can also cause the springs to become stiff and increase the risk of your garage door failing.
Preparing your garage door for colder weather can keep it in good working condition throughout the year.
Identifying Typical Garage Door Problems During Winter
Colder temperatures and harsh weather conditions in winter often the reason for garage door problems, including:
1. GARAGE DOOR WON’T OPEN IN COLD WEATHER
Metal contracts in cold weather, which can lead to the door locking in place since there is no give to allow the door to move up and down. As the metal contracts it can also cause the garage door to get off track.
Additionally, cold weather can cause cracks and damage to electrical sensors and wires, which prevent your garage door from opening. If ice and snow build up under the door, the door may freeze to the floor or become hard to close all the way. Keeping your garage door area clear will help prevent this problem from happening.
2. CREAKING DOOR NOISES
Another common complaint during the winter is a noisy, creaking garage door. This may be caused by a lack of lubrication due to freezing temperatures or from contracting metal. The creaking, squeaking noises often occur when the runners become slightly misaligned. If lubrication does not help, you may simply have to wait for warmer temperatures.
3. THE GARAGE DOOR OPENER WON’T WORK
In the cold weather, the garage door opener may strain to open the door or may not work at all. This could be because of an issue with the door itself or because the cold is affecting how the electronic sensors interact. For example, the photo eye sensors can become fogged over because of the cold, which will cause the garage door to think there is something in the way and remain open.
How to Insulate a Garage Door for Winter
Before you begin the weather sealing process, you’ll need to measure the width and thickness of your door to find the right seal size and consider its process. Will you use your garage for something other than storage? Do you want something that can withstand high rain and wind?
Once you choose the proper weather stripping, remove your current stripping and any raised wooden strips with a hammer and pry bar. As you cut each piece of weather stripping, trim the top and bottom at a 30-degree angle so it sits seamlessly on the sides.
Install the weather stripping using the provided nails or screws with the door closed, and then apply caulk where the stripping meets the door frame. Our team is happy to perform professional weather stripping installation services to ensure your door is ready for winter.
If weather stripping is insufficient, consider insulation options such as rigid foam and batt insulation.
Other Winter Maintenance Tips for Your Garage Door
Here are some other maintenance tips to be aware of:
- Lubricating any moving parts: Before the cold weather sets in, lubricate parts like the springs, hinges and roller to prevent them from drying in the cold air.
- Check and adjust your garage door opener: Check and lubricate your garage door opener throughout the winter.
- Clear snow and ice: Keeping the door free from snow and ice can keep your garage door running smoothly and prevent damage to the weather stripping.
Choose A Better Door Co., Inc. as Your Partner in Winter Garage Door Preparation
Whether you want to know how to keep a garage warm in the winter or discover ways to protect your overhead door from the cold A Better Door Co., Inc. is here for all your garage door needs. In addition to our regular repair services, our team can perform maintenance services before winter arrives to ensure your garage door is ready for the coldest parts of the year.
Start enjoying peace of mind this winter by contacting the team at A Better Door Co., Inc. today!
How to Fix a Noisy Garage Door
How to Fix a Noisy Garage Door
Your garage door plays an essential role in your home. It protects you from extreme temperatures, shelters your cars during harsh weather and locks out intruders. That’s why it’s so important to keep up with maintenance and fix problems as they arise. If your door is noisy, it might be more than an inconvenience. Do some research to ensure it’s nothing serious.
Maintenance on a noisy garage door can be a quick fix if the problem is simple. Whether you have old parts that need replacing or need to lubricate hinges, you could have a quietly functioning door in no time. Try the following solutions if your garage door is making loud noises.
1. Clean and Properly Secure Garage Door Parts
A straightforward fix is to clean your garage door parts and make sure they’re correctly installed. As your garage door opens and closes throughout the years, it’s bound to accumulate dust and dirt. Remove these particles to ensure your garage door is running right. Take a damp towel and wipe the hinges, rollers, springs and rails.
After cleaning the parts thoroughly, you should also check that the nuts and bolts holding these parts together are tight and secure. A rattling noise is typically a sign of loose parts, especially rollers or rails. Use a socket wrench to retighten areas as needed.
2. Inspect and Lubricate Moving Parts
Squeaking and grinding noises usually come from parts that are worn down. Most commonly, you’ll find that your rollers, springs and hinges need lubrication from the door’s constant movement. Have someone open or close the garage door while listening closely to where the sound is coming from.
Once you’ve located the problematic area, use a garage door lubricant to facilitate the part’s movement. Afterward, check on that part often. If you run into issues with it again, it may be time to replace the piece altogether.
3. Perform Garage Door Opener Maintenance
If you have a garage door system with a chain, the chain could make a lot of noise if it’s not maintained. Your garage door could suffer damage if the chain loosens. Be sure to inspect the chain and adjust the stress as you see fit. Lubrication is also critical.
Another garage opener system is the belt-drive. Like the chain-drive system, the belt-drive uses a belt to move your garage door up and down. Like a chain-drive, the belt can loosen or create slack, which negatively affects your garage door. Ensure that your belt is well-adjusted to open and close the garage door efficiently.
Have a Professional Take a Look
If you’ve tried these solutions and are still wondering why your garage door is noisy, give A Better Door Co., Inc a call. Family-owned and run for 30 years, our company has loyal and trusted employees that will service your garage door and provide the maintenance it needs. You’ll receive constant communication from our office until you are fully satisfied with our work.
Endorsed by the Better Business Bureau, we have a reputation that speaks for itself. To learn more about our professional garage door maintenance services, contact us today.
Garage Door Cable Maintenance & Replacement Guide
Garage Door Cable Maintenance & Replacement Guide
Imagine pressing the garage door button, and the door opens crooked or doesn’t open at all. It just makes an awful sound instead. When you’re running late to work, the last thing you need is for your garage to malfunction. Your garage door contains many parts that work together to lift your garage door. Problems with one part cause issues for the entire door.
One of the essential pieces to your garage door opener is the cables. Maintaining and replacing these lines is critical to the smooth operation of your door.
What Are Garage Door Cables?
While springs are an essential part of the garage door opener, they are not the part that lifts or lowers the door. The springs transfer energy to the cables. The cables, located on each side of the garage door, then pull the door up or lower it. There are two types of cables based on different spring systems:
- Torsion springs: The torsion springs store energy by coiling. When the spring transfers energy to a drum, the drum uncoils the cables to lower the garage door. The cables recoil when the door lifts.
- Extension springs: Extension springs store energy by extending. They run parallel to the garage floor, and they extend when the door closes to recharge. They have a pulley that contains a cable, which does the lifting or lowering of the door.
How to Care for Garage Door Cables
Your cables play a critical role in the operation of your garage door opener. That makes it all the more vital that you check them for needed maintenance. To make sure your cables are in good condition, you should:
- Use lubricant sparingly because cables can accumulate dirt.
- Examine your cables for fraying and kinks.
- Ensure you keep your cables clean of dirt, grime and other particles over time.
- If you have extension springs, check your pulleys for wear and tear.
Replacing Garage Door Cables
You may be wondering when you should replace garage door cables. The lifespan of your lines will depend on their quality. It’s a good idea to examine them once a year. Cables carry a heavy responsibility, and sometimes malfunctions happen. Consider replacing your cables if:
- A cable has snapped or broken.
- There is unbalanced tension between the cables on each side of the garage door.
- The cables are unwound.
- The cables are fraying.
While some people attempt to replace or reattach their garage door cables on their own, doing so can be difficult — and dangerous. Incorrectly installing them could lead to problems later on, too. It’s best to contact a professional for your garage door cable replacement.
Contact A Better Door Co., Inc for Garage Door Maintenance Services
Your garage door depends on quality replacement work. For reliable cable replacement and other services that you can trust, contact A Better Door Co., Inc. We have over 30 years of experience in the Long Island area and a dedicated team prepared to service your home.
To get started, fill out a contact form or request an estimate today!
How Often Should I Lubricate a Garage Door?
How Often Should You Lubricate Your Garage Door?
While garage door models can be different, with most types of doors you should apply a light touch-up of lubrication to moving parts every three to six months or about 2-3 times per year depending on the frequency of use.
If you notice a grinding sound or if your garage door mechanism is not working smoothly, this may also be a sign your garage doors need lubrication.
Garage doors are made up of multiple parts working together. As the parts do their work, they can grind against one another and create friction.
In winter, contracting and expanding caused by the elements can also mean your door needs lubrication and maintenance. Proper lubrication is needed for many garage door parts to prevent grating and shearing, which can damage your garage door.
In this guide, we’ll teach you where to lubricate your garage door, what the best lubricants are, and how to grease a garage door properly.
What Parts of a Garage Door Need to Be Lubricated? 
You may be wondering where you should be lubricating your garage doors. The tracks, rollers, hinges and springs of your garage doors face significant stress and will need the most frequent lubrication.
In general, all moving parts (i.e. garage door springs, rollers, hinges etc.) will need lubrication often – every three months or possibly more with heavy use or in some climates.
The rails of your garage doors may need lubrication once a year but generally do not require much maintenance.
What Is the Best Lubricant for Garage Doors?
We often hear the question, “what should I use to lubricate my garage door?”. When it comes to grease for your garage doors, think light. Specially formulated products for Garage Doors or light silicon will provide the best results. While you may think of your garage door as heavy-duty, heavier products and greases are a bad choice.
They may coat parts of the garage door which don’t need lubrication. A heavy coat of thick grease may attract dust and debris, which can actually cause more friction and can shorten the lifespan of your garage door.
There are products specifically formulated to grease your garage door. These are the best way to lubricate your garage door because they are designed not to attract debris.
The packaging also typically makes it easy to target lubricant right on the hinges, springs and other parts of the garage door without overspray. If you can’t find these products, use a light silicon aerosol spray.
Can I Use WD40 to Lubricate a Garage Door?
You may be tempted to spray WD40 on your garage door because it’s a common household lubricant. It is best not to do this. WD40 is a light household lubricant made up of mineral spirits, mineral oil and carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, this combination is not powerful enough for a garage door mechanism that lifts over a hundred pounds of metal and parts.
After about a week, WD40 leaves behind only a small layer of mineral oil, which is not enough to lubricate the rollers and other parts of a garage door.
The oil will not stand up to the elements your garage door is exposed to. WD40 is a product best used for greasing indoor squeaky doors.
Contact Us for Garage Door Tune-Up Services
If you have a garage door making grinding noises or not opening and closing correctly, you may not be able to tell whether the problem is lubrication or a more serious issue. When that’s the case, contact A Better Door Co., Inc. for maintenance, including lubrication.
Our garage door technicians can ensure your doors are working correctly and stay that way. Since 1988, A Better Door Co., Inc. has been helping Long Island, NY homeowners enjoy reliable garage doors with our maintenance and tune-up services.
If you’re in Long Island, NY and you’re in need of garage door maintenance, give us a call at (631) 732-9654 to schedule a service appointment today!
How to Organize a Messy Garage: 5 Tips
Organizing a Messy Garage: 5 Tips and Tricks
When you open your garage door, a clean garage can be a source of pride. An organized space can also help you find everything you need and can even be safer.
You’re less likely to trip over things or have items fall on you or your car if everything is in its right place. A clean space is also less likely to hide pests and mold. But you may be asking yourself, how do you organize a messy garage? Read below to find out!
Whether or not you’re trying to fit a car or other items into your garage, these five quick and cheap garage organizing ideas can help you keep your space tidy.
1. Throw Away Items You No Longer Need or Use
One of the most effective garage organization tips and tricks won’t cost you a dime. Before you start to organize your garage, throw away what no longer serves you. This can be a huge task if you have years worth of stored items in your space. If you need to, tackle the garage over several weekends and focus on one area at a time.
2. Organize Items by Categories
One of the most effective ways to organize a messy garage. Not only will it look really clean and organized, but you’ll always be able to find what you need if you keep similar items together. Once you no longer have too much stuff because you’ve thrown out what you don’t need or use, designate areas of your garage for specific items. One corner may be for tools, for example, while another may house your sporting items.
3. Use Bins Wisely
Bins are one of the most affordable and effective garage storage solutions. Once you’ve grouped everything into categories, place related items in large plastic bins and label them. This makes everything organized and easy to find and can also protect your stuff from the elements when the garage door is open. Color-coded and neatly stacked bins also make your previously messy garage now functional, attractive and organized.
4. Create a Hanging Wall
One way to transform a messy garage into an organized garage is to start using vertical space. If you keep your car in your garage, a hanging wall leaves more space around your vehicle. If you don’t store your car in the garage, a hanging wall still leaves more usable space for a workshop area or just more storage room.
You can create your own hanging wall by using sturdy Command hooks. These hooks can hold everything from hammers and saws to fishing rods and bikes, and they don’t leave behind any nail holes or adhesive.
5. Consider a Larger Storage Container
If you have lots of items, a larger storage container can keep them out of sight and keep your garage streamlined. This is an ideal solution if you don’t need the extra space for a car in your garage. As an added bonus, some larger storage containers can be used as seating areas. The largest containers can even divide your garage into multiple “rooms,” creating a space for recreation and hobbies.
Once you’ve tackled the interior of your garage, do you want new garage doors to make the space even more functional and accessible? A Better Door Co., Inc. has many garage door options in abundant style variations.
How to Open a Frozen Garage Door
Finding your garage door frozen to the ground is a common problem during the winter months. There are several reasons that may cause this to happen.
One common cause is the buildup of snow and ice on the ground underneath the door. Long Island, NY averages between 20 and 35 inches of snow each year!
Another reason your garage door may become stuck is that the weather seals are worn and in need of replacement. Cold weather can also cause the metal components of garage doors to contract, which can result in misalignment in the tracks and other mechanical problems. In some situations, such as in the case of mechanical problems, you should consult your preferred garage door technician. That said, in many cases, you can safely free your garage door on your own.
If you find yourself in this situation, what can you do to get your door unstuck?
Five Tips for Getting Your Garage Door Unstuck From Ice
If your garage door becomes stuck on ice or snow, try these five tips to open it:
- Check the door for any obstructions or broken parts. If you see something that looks particularly damaged or unsafe, contact a professional.
- If you are able to get inside the garage and nothing looks amiss, pull the manual release cord to disengage the door from the opener. Then, if you are able, manually open and close the door a few times to dislodge frost and loosen any frozen sections.
- If you can’t open the door manually, you likely have ice buildup under or just outside the door. Try applying heat using a blow dryer or heat gun set on low and go over these icy sections, steadily moving the heat blower back and forth. If your garage is heated, that will also help provide some relief to a stuck door.
- If you don’t have a heat blower, try chipping away at the ice, pouring boiling water on the frozen areas or applying rock salt or hot salt. If you have time to wait, the door may thaw out on its own if temperatures are going to rise above freezing, or you can try using a space heater.
- If none of these tips work, contact a professional garage door service.
How to Prevent Your Garage Door From Freezing Shut
To prevent your garage door from getting frozen shut, take the following preventive measures:
- Clear the garage door area: Remove any snow and ice from around the door area on a regular basis so buildup does not occur.
- Replace the weather seal: Weather seals or weatherstripping can become cracked and worn over time, which allows water to accumulate and freeze.
- Apply a light Silicone Spray: You can help prevent sticking by applying a lubricant such as a silicon spray to the bottom of your garage door’s bottom seal.
- Install a garage heater: A heater is a simple solution for preventing any freezing in the garage, but it does create an added expense. There are gas and electrical heater options, and gas is usually cheaper than electric.
- Perform and schedule regular garage door maintenance: Regularly inspect the tracks, wheels and door for any obstructions, cracks or breaks and schedule maintenance appointments with the professionals.
Contact A Better Door Company For Preventive Maintenance
Contact A Better Door Company for your garage door preventative maintenance services. We are a family-owned company that has served Long Island for over 30 years.
We provide spring repair, cable repair, opener repair and weekend emergency repair as well as maintenance and installation services throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Contact us online today for more information or give us call at (631) 732 -9654.
Garage Door Maintenance Tips
Are you a homeowner, property manager or caretaker on Long Island? Do you want to keep the home’s garage door in peak operating condition and avoid expensive repairs?
Regular garage door maintenance is essential for preserving the health of the door’s various parts, systems and components. While some maintenance steps are simple enough for do-it-yourselfers, you should also have a professional garage door service technician perform an inspection at least once a year. The tech can conduct a series of troubleshooting steps and make adjustments that can prevent significant problems and even extend the door’s lifespan.
Garage Door Maintenance Checklist
The items on any comprehensive garage door maintenance checklist should include:
- Lubrication: A garage door system contains a variety of moving parts such as rollers, hinges, tracks and chains. Applying a silicone spray or white lithium grease will lubricate these parts and components to keep them functioning smoothly. A well-lubricated garage door will also minimize the noise when opening and closing.
- Tighten the hardware: Your garage door’s roller brackets contain many nuts, bolts and screws that can loosen over time. Check and tighten these parts that connect the bracket to the rail and replace any broken or worn-out hardware.
- Check the balance: A balanced garage door will open and close smoothly and will hang at whatever level you choose to set it. An unbalanced door will work harder than usual and wear out more quickly. To test your door’s balance, disconnect the opener and manually raise or lower the door to the halfway point. If the door begins to ride up or fall, you’ll need a spring adjustment. Working with springs can be dangerous and requires the services of a trained garage door technician.
- Review the tracks: Check the tracks around the door for signs of damage, such as cracks, bends or breaks. Remove any debris that could impede the door’s movement. Also, use a level to make sure the track is plumb.
- Test the auto-reverse mechanism: Auto-reverse is a vital safety feature that will cause a closing door to move upward when it senses that an object (or person) is in the way. To test it, place a block of wood or another object on the ground. If the door won’t close all the way and reverses direction when it senses the object, the mechanism is working how it should.
What Are the Benefits of Preventive Garage Door Maintenance?
The benefits of routine garage door maintenance include:
- Avoiding mechanical issues that can pose safety risks or make your home less secure
- Reducing your long-term ownership costs and increasing the door’s lifespan
- Increasing your home’s resale value and preventing problems with the door’s operation that can deter prospective buyers
- Preventing damage to vehicles or property caused by a malfunctioning door
- Receiving functional upgrades that can improve the performance of your door and make it safer
- Having the comfort of knowing you’ll be able to get your vehicle out of the garage every morning
The professionals at A Better Door Co., Inc. can help you with your garage door maintenance needs on Long Island. Call us at (631)732-9654 or contact us online to learn more today.