Common Summer Garage Door Problems

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Your garage door can take a beating during the summer. Extreme heat, direct sunlight, and severe weather can cause problems that affect the door and various components. If your garage door opener gets stuck open in 100°F+ temperatures, it can affect how your air conditioning works and make your home uncomfortable, but it also creates safety and security issues. A damaged garage door can be extremely dangerous considering its heavy components and parts that are under high tension. Common Problems and Solutions Here are some of the most common problems faced by Las Vegas homeowners to help you focus your garage door maintenance efforts and to determine when a garage door technician is needed. Sensor Issues Due to Direct Sunlight The safety sensors, or photo eyes, are built-in to detect obstructions and reverse the garage door if anything is in its path. They can avoid crushing an object or someone below the door. But sometimes a sensor can mistake a beam of sunlight for an obstruction, causing the garage door to open for seemingly no reason. Solutions to the problem include: Installing sensor eyeshades: You can sometimes order them from the sensor manufacturer; if they’re not available, you can make DIY eyeshades out of cardboard or aluminum foil. Flip/adjust the sensors: A technician can flip the receiver and sender sensors to eliminate interference from sunlight. Get an insulated garage door: Insulation is one of the most effective ways to keep your garage cool and make sure excess heat doesn’t damage sensitive components. Power Outages Due to High Winds Wind and thunderstorms may occur during the summer, sometimes resulting in power outages or surges that can cause equipment failure. You can protect your system by using a single-plug surge protector or installing a battery backup system. This enables your garage door opener to function even during a power outage. But in case all else fails, learn how to operate your door manually. Practice using the red emergency release cord so you can open or close the garage door and avoid getting locked in or out. Garage Door Fading Due to Sunlight The paint on a garage door can fade with exposure to direct sunlight. Fading can be addressed by applying a fresh coat of paint or exterior stain finish. This can be done annually or when the appearance of the door begins to deteriorate. Wooden garage doors are most prone to fading, although steel doors can be as well; a liquid wax can protect them against harsh sunlight and other elements. Another issue with sunlight is it generates heat, increasing the temperature of the door’s surface and inside parts, which can cause electric components to malfunction. Garage Door Noises Hot weather can cause lubricant on tracks and other moving parts to dry out. With a lack of lubrication, your garage door may start to make loud noises, such as screeching or grinding, during operation. Over time, excess wear and tear can make the system less reliable and lead to expensive repair jobs. Lubricate hinges, rollers, tracks, chain drives, and other parts every month using a lithium grease or specialized garage door lubricant. This can make your garage door quieter and more efficient. Contact Precision Door Service of Las Vegas Precision Door Service of Las Vegas is available this summer and year-round to provide garage door installation, repair, and maintenance. Following social distancing and other recommended guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic, our expert technicians are prompt, courteous, and able to correct any problem. Our live operators are available 24/7. Call 702-637-2700 for help addressing common summer garage door problems or to reach us for emergency garage door service.

Garage Door Maintenance Checklist

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All garage doors and their associated parts, no matter how high in quality, experience wear and tear. You won’t notice signs of impending trouble if you don’t look. But preventative maintenance can save you from not only inconvenient situations, but also from serious danger. This checklist includes parts and components to inspect to determine if your garage door system is functioning normally, or you need professional garage door maintenance or repairs. The Garage Door Cleaning the garage door takes just a few minutes, but is an often overlooked task. Dirt and debris can eventually damage the surface finish. The process also gives you the opportunity to check for dents, rust, and other signs of deterioration that should be addressed. Check the weather stripping as well to make sure it’s keeping moisture out and conditioned air in. Springs Springs are under high tension and are extremely dangerous when they break. If a spring looks worn, rusted, or broken, do not attempt to repair it yourself. Call a garage door professional. The only maintenance you should do yourself is an occasional lubrication. Rollers & Tracks A corroded, chipped, or damaged roller will make your garage door uneven and wobbly, which can increase wear. Rollers should be lubricated about every six months to reduce friction. Clean the door track often; there should be no debris in the way. If the track appears cracked, bent, or otherwise defective, contact a professional for service right away. Balance By performing a balance test, you can reveal hidden issues with garage door components. When the garage door is closed, disconnect it from the opener by pulling the red release cord. Then lift it by hand; the door should move smoothly and shouldn’t rise or drop to the ground when you let it go. If it does, there may be a hardware defect that can jeopardize the entire mechanism. Hinges, Bolts, Cables & Hardware The smaller parts of your garage door system are extremely important. A worn cable can snap and cause significant damage. Hinges, bolts, brackets, and other parts should be clean and tight. If anything is loose, it can increase vibration, possibly making your garage door unstable and, at the very least, increase the level of wear. Without maintenance, hinges may become unscrewed or a bolt can break off (which is rare). Cables can lose their tension over time. The effects may be subtle, but an occasional adjustment by a professional can ensure your cables are safe. Reverse Safety Features A safety sensor reverses the garage door if an object is detected or touched by the door. This functionality is effective at preventing injuries. However, your garage door’s safety features can develop problems as well. To test your garage door sensor, place a box or other object in front of it and close the garage door. The door should stop and return to its open position if the sensors are working normally. If the door continues to close, check that the sensors are aligned or dirty. Call a technician for issues that you can’t fix yourself (and if your older garage door opener doesn’t have a safety sensor, consider upgrading or having a modern replacement installed). Contact Precision Door Las Vegas These tips should help you be more aware of your garage door’s health. If you suspect anything unusual, contact Precision Door Service of Las Vegas for a professional inspection, routine service, and repairs. We are open to assist you with garage maintenance, repairs, and installation during the coronavirus pandemic and following social distancing and other safety guidelines. An essential business, we’re here to help every local homeowner get the most out of their garage. Call 702-637-2700 today to request service; live operators are available 24/7.

How to Fix a Slow Garage Door

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A slow garage door is a common problem that can test your patience. It is often due to normal wear and tear. Garage doors are controlled by hard-working springs, tracks, pulleys, and other components. The garage door opener itself may be the cause of the slowdown. A quick fix can usually resolve the problem, but a more significant repair may be required if other signs are present. Common Causes of Slow-Opening Garage Doors Residential garage doors are designed to move at about seven inches per second. It shouldn’t take more than 12 to 15 seconds for the door to fully open or close. Commercial doors can have a much higher operating speed, which can put homeowners, children, and pets at risk of injury, and limit the response time of safety sensors. They are also much more expensive and don’t have the aesthetic qualities of residential models. When your garage door moves slower than it should, the reasons may be: Improper/poor lubrication of components: Each hinge, bracket, and roller must be lubricated to reduce friction and function normally. Use a penetrating oil or grease to lubricate parts, such as a silicone or lithium grease spray. Worn parts: Daily use can lead to worn-down pulleys, torsion springs that lose tension, or a track becoming bent or blocked. A variety of other parts can wear and affect the function of your garage door, so it won’t lift as efficiently. Old age: Proper maintenance can prolong operating life, but the age of your garage door and garage door opener will eventually become a factor. Replacing components as they wear out can reduce the strain on the system. If you’re due for an upgrade, you may want to replace the entire system. How to Fix a Slow Garage Door Quick and effective methods to fix a slow garage door include lubricating tracks, brackets, and hinges, but it’s important to do so properly. Never use WD-40, as it can destroy the grease already in the system. Do not use a spray for plastic parts. Nylon rollers only need lubricant on bearings; don’t apply it to the wheels. For tracks, run a wet sponge up and down to keep them clean and free of debris. You can also adjust speed settings and controls. The garage door opener’s speed setting is often preset at the lowest speed by the manufacturer. Oftentimes, there is a screw to adjust with a flat-head screwdriver. The owner’s manual should explain exactly how to adjust the speed, although a garage door mechanic is well-equipped to help you if necessary. If lubrication or a simple adjustment doesn’t improve function, call a garage door professional who can troubleshoot the system. There may be hidden problems that could lead to further damage or safety issues. A technician can also look into why the door is less quiet than it used to be, or why the garage door opener, despite its horsepower rating, doesn’t seem to be running as well. Garage door repairs, when done by a professional, are usually completed quickly with little disruption. Call Precision Door Service of Las Vegas Our garage door service company in Las Vegas is trusted to fix a slow garage door or any other problem. Our technicians are familiar with all brands, including Clopay, Amarr, and Wayne Dalton garage doors as well as LiftMaster, Chamberlain, and Genie garage door openers. If your garage door needs maintenance or repairs, we are open during the coronavirus pandemic and also providing installation services. Call 702-553-4621 to speak to a live operator 24/7, get a free quote, and schedule same-day service.  

Smart Home Garage Door Options

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Home automation has revolutionized control over lighting, appliances, and climate control. Now, the smart garage is quickly becoming an essential part of the smart home. The functionality you’ll find brings a great deal of convenience. For instance, you’re halfway to work and realize you didn’t close the garage door. Just use your smartphone as a controller to restore your security. What Does a Smart Garage Door Opener Do? A smart garage door opener serves the same purpose as a traditional model. It lifts and lowers the door using a motor and trolley. You can still select from chain drive, belt drive, and screw drive models. The difference is the mechanical and electrical systems are interfaced with smart systems to: Let you use a smartphone, tablet, or other mobile smart device to open and close your garage door. If you have an infrared-controlled system, some smartphones have built-in IR technology, or you can add a micro USB IR blaster. Support Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to enable full control of your garage door opener using wireless communication. The latest versions are pre-configured to support these, but many traditional garage doors can be upgraded with a Wi-Fi controller. Monitor the position of the door via sensors (the same used to improve safety) and relays this information via mobile notifications. A mobile app shows whether the door is open or closed, reminders and alerts if it’s open too long, or closes the door if necessary. Door status may even be recorded for later reference. Features vary depending on the model and app. Some systems integrate voice control, scheduling, or geofencing, a service that responds when a mobile device is within a certain range. Others stream camera feeds and incorporate other security features, as garages are a common entry point for burglars. How to Set Up a Garage Door Opener for a Smart Home There are two options to install a smart garage door opener, including: Installation of add-on controllers: These units are wired to the motor and a sensor or laser to measure and record door position. There are many choices in this area. These add-ons can work with many types of motors, but compatibility with your specific brand and model is essential. Replacement units: Replacing all the traditional motorized hardware with a Wi-Fi compatible system is a more complex, expensive process. You’re essentially installing a brand new garage door opener system. This is more practical if replacing a broken or worn out unit. Smart Home Garage Door Opener Options Chamberlain/Liftmaster: Offers the myQ platform with standard smart garage door opener functions. You can set schedules and customize notifications. The controller, which includes an LED light and Key by Amazon integration (which allows Amazon packages to be safely delivered), is also compatible with other brands. Tailwind: The Tailwind iQ3 includes geolocation technology to open and close your garage door automatically. An included adapter enables you to use Tailwind with any company’s garage door opener. Even use voice control courtesy of Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Genie Aladdin Connect: Controls up to three garage doors simultaneously. You can set how long the garage door stays open, schedule when users are allowed to open/close the door, and configure other features. Remote operation and push notifications are included as well. Nexx Garage: Uses a wired open/close sensor that connects the control unit to the garage door. The Nexx Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Controller NXG-200 is available with a wired sensor too, and has built-in geofencing, carbon monoxide and temperature sensing, and a timer. Garageio: A wired device that mounts via adhesive strips. It includes a wired sensor and activator that mount to the door and frame and is wired to the open and close command nodes on the opener. Remote access is provided via the Garageio app, which supports multiple users. Contact Precision Door Service of Las Vegas We install these and other smart garage door opener options and repair models from any brand. Our operators are available 24/7, so you can call during an emergency and receive same-day service. We’re also taking extra precautions during the coronavirus pandemic, following social distancing and other safety guidelines to protect our Las Vegas area customers and staff. For a free estimate on installation or repairs, call 702-553-4621 or contact us online.