Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my garage door only close when I hold the button?

– This likely means your garage door’s safety sensors are misaligned or obstructed. Holding the button bypasses this safety feature. Check for debris or misalignment and clean the sensor lenses.

What kind of paint Should I use for garage doors?

– Use a high-quality exterior latex paint designed for metal surfaces. Avoid oil-based paints, which can crack and peel. 

How to make the garage door quieter?

-Lubricate the rollers and tracks with a silicone-based lubricant. Weatherstrip the bottom of the door and add rubber stops to the opener arm.

How to oil garage doors?

-Use a silicone-based lubricant on the metal hinges, rollers, and tracks. Apply a light coat and wipe away excess. 

Why won't my garage door close?

-There are many reasons – check the safety sensors, remote battery, opener power, or for loose parts. A malfunctioning spring or opener could also be the culprit. 

Why won't my garage door open?

-Similar to closing issues – check the remote battery, power source, safety sensors, and for any blockages in the door’s path.  A broken spring or opener could also be the problem. 

How much does it cost to replace a garage door?

-The cost depends on size, material, and features. You may contact us to request a quote for your garage door replacement.

How long do garage door springs last?

-Torsion springs typically last 10,000 to 15,000 cycles (about 7-12 years).  Signs of wear include uneven door movement or difficulty opening/closing.

How to manually lock the garage door?

-Most garage doors have an interior release handle you can pull to disengage the trolley from the opener track. This allows you to open/close the door manually. Consult your garage door manual for specific instructions.

Why is my Chamberlain garage door opener beeping?

Beeps often indicate errors, low battery, or safety sensor issues. Refer to your Chamberlain manual for specific beep codes and their meanings.

Why is my garage door squeaking when opening?

-This is likely due to a lack of lubrication. Apply a silicone-based lubricant to the rollers, tracks, and opener screw to eliminate the squeak. 

What color should garage door sensors be?

-The indicator lights on the sensors will be different colors. Typically, one is green (receiving sensor) and the other is yellow or red (transmitting sensor).

Why are garage door springs dangerous?

-Garage door springs are under high tension and can cause serious injury if they break.  Always leave repairs to a qualified technician.

Can I replace a garage door spring myself?

-Replacing a garage door spring is dangerous due to the high tension involved. It’s recommended to call a professional for this task.

Light doesn't activate on garage door opener when you cross safety sensor beam

-This could be a misalignment issue with the sensors, dirty lenses, or a problem with the sensor itself. Check alignment and clean lenses first.

Why won't my garage door stay closed?

-Possible reasons include misaligned safety sensors, a damaged weather seal at the bottom of the door, or a malfunctioning opener. Refer to your manual for troubleshooting.

What batteries do garage door openers use?

-Most openers use common household batteries like AAA, AA, or CR2 batteries.  Check your manual for the specific type required by your opener model.  

Why would my garage door randomly open?

-There are a few reasons. A stuck button on your remote, a malfunctioning wall control switch, or faulty wiring in the opener could all cause this.  Consult a professional if needed.

Why is my garage door sensor yellow?

-The yellow light on the sensor typically indicates it’s transmitting a signal. The other sensor should have a green light (receiving signal). Check your manual if there are specific light color meanings.

Garage door squeaks when opening and closing

-This is likely due to a lack of lubrication. Apply a silicone-based lubricant to the rollers, tracks, and opener screw to eliminate the squeak.

How much power does a garage door opener use?

-Modern garage door openers use very little power on standby mode (around 1 watt).  The power usage increases briefly during operation (up to 100 watts).

How to get a new garage door opener clicker?

-You can program a universal remote or order a replacement remote from your garage door opener manufacturer.

Why is my garage door so loud when opening?

-Worn rollers, loose tracks, or an unlubricated opener can all contribute to noise.  Lubrication and part replacement can often quiet things down.

What is the red string on the garage door?

-The red string you see is likely the emergency release cord.  Pulling it disengages the trolley from the opener track, allowing you to manually open/close the door in case of power outage. Do not pull it unless the opener malfunctions.

Why is my garage door crooked?

-A crooked door could be due to loose hinge pins, bent tracks, or a malfunctioning opener arm. It’s important to have a qualified technician diagnose and fix the problem to prevent further damage.

Why is my garage door so heavy to lift?

-A broken spring, worn rollers, or a misaligned track can all make the door feel heavy.  Don’t attempt to force it and call a professional for repairs, especially if you suspect a broken spring (which can be dangerous).

Why is my garage door opener not responding to the button?

-This might be caused by a dead battery in your remote, the remote being out of range, or it needing to be reprogrammed to your opener. Check the battery, try using the remote closer to the door, and consult your manual for reprogramming steps.

What does it mean when my garage door light flashes?

-Generally, a flashing light might indicate errors, low battery in the remote or opener, or safety sensor issues. The meaning depends on the light color and blinking pattern. Refer to your opener’s manual for specific codes. 

Why does my garage door opener open my neighbor's garage?

-This is unlikely unless your remotes and openers share the same frequency (rare). More probable causes are a misprogrammed remote accidentally set to your neighbor’s opener, or very rarely, a malfunctioning opener sending a stray signal that opens another door nearby. Re-program your remote and consult a technician if the issue persists.

What is a dip switch garage door opener?

-A dip switch garage door opener is an older model that uses small physical switches to set things like opener codes and remote frequency. You would use a tool to set these switches according to your manual. Modern openers typically use digital methods for programming.

Why does my garage door only close when I hold the button?

-This likely means your garage door’s safety sensors are misaligned or obstructed. Holding the button bypasses this safety feature. Check for debris or misalignment and clean the sensor lenses.

Why does my garage door open on its own?

-There are several reasons. Common culprits include misaligned safety sensors, a stuck button on your remote, or frayed wires. Check these first! 

Garage door jerks when opening

-This jerky movement could be caused by worn rollers, a loose chain (belt-drive openers), or a failing opener motor. Consider lubricating or replacing these parts. 

How to grease a garage door

-Use a silicone-based lubricant on the metal hinges, rollers, and tracks. Apply a light coat and wipe away excess for smooth operation. 

Why won't my garage door close all the way?

-Check for obstructions near the bottom of the door, misaligned safety sensors, or a damaged weather seal. These can prevent a complete closure.

Why is my garage door so loud?

-This could be due to worn rollers, loose tracks, or an unlubricated opener can all contribute to noise.  Lubrication and part replacement can often quiet things down. 

How to soundproof a garage door?

-Weatherstripping the door and adding foam insulation panels can significantly reduce noise from outside. Also, consider soundproofing the garage door opener itself. 

My garage door stops when closing

-This could be due to the safety sensors detecting an obstruction, a malfunctioning opener, or a failing spring. Check the sensors and consult your manual for troubleshooting. 

Who can fix a garage door?

-A qualified garage door technician can diagnose and repair most issues. Look for one with experience in your area.

Why does the garage door open by itself?

-There are several reasons. Common culprits include a stuck button on your remote, a malfunctioning opener switch, or faulty wiring.  Consult a technician if needed.

How many sensors for garage doors?

-Residential and commercial garage doors typically have two sensors.  These are safety sensors mounted on either side of the garage door opening.  They use infrared beams to detect obstructions and prevent the door from closing if something is in the way.

Why does garage door spring break?

-Normal wear and tear, improper maintenance, or exceeding the weight limit of the door can all lead to spring failure. 

I lost my garage door opener. What can I do?

-Most openers have a keypad or you can use the emergency release handle inside the garage to open the door manually.  Program a new remote or get a replacement from the manufacturer. 

What size torsion spring for a 16x8 garage door?

-Spring size depends on door weight, material, and height.  Consult a professional or your garage door manual for proper sizing.  Don’t attempt to replace a spring yourself. 

Why is the yellow light blinking on my garage door opener?

-Blinking lights often indicate errors, low battery, or safety sensor issues. Refer to your manual for specific blink code meanings. 

Why is my garage door not responding to the remote?

-Check the remote battery, ensure you’re in range, and that the remote is still programmed to the opener. Refer to your manual for reprogramming instructions if needed.

What kind of battery does a Genie garage door opener take?

-Genie openers use common household batteries like AAA, AA, or CR2 batteries.  Consult your manual for the specific type required by your model.

Why did my garage door opener stop working?

-Many reasons could cause this,  including a power outage, a faulty sensor, a malfunctioning circuit board, or a dead battery in the remote or opener.  If troubleshooting fails, call a technician.

What is a sectional garage door?

-A sectional garage door is made up of horizontal panels that hinge together.  These panels bend and curve as they travel along a track mounted on the ceiling, allowing the door to open vertically and take up minimal space.  Sectional doors are a popular choice for modern garages.

Why is there a solid red light on my Genie garage door opener?

-A solid red light on your Genie garage door opener could indicate a power issue, sensor misalignment, programming error, or circuit board malfunction.  However, for safety reasons, don’t attempt repairs yourself. Consult your Genie manual for specific error code meanings.

Why is my garage door opening slowly?

-Several things can cause this: a failing opener motor, a loose chain/belt (belt-drive openers), worn rollers, or a lack of lubrication on the parts.

What is a service door on a garage door?

-A service door, also called a man door, is a small door built into a larger garage door.  It allows access to the garage without opening the entire door.

Why is my garage door opener beeping every 30 seconds?

-Beeping often indicates errors, low battery, or safety sensor issues. Refer to your Genie manual for specific beep code meanings. 

Where to spray WD-40 on the garage door?

-WD-40 is not recommended for garage doors. It can attract dirt and dust, causing wear and tear. Use a silicone-based lubricant on metal hinges, rollers, and tracks.

Why is my garage door remote not working?

-There could be a few reasons:  a dead battery in the remote, the remote being out of range, or it may need to be reprogrammed to the opener.  Consult your manual for troubleshooting steps.

How do I replace the battery in my garage door opener remote?

-Most require a small screwdriver to open the compartment and replace the battery with the correct type (usually a CR2032). Consult the user manual for your specific remote.

Why do my garage door cables keep coming off?

-This might be caused by worn or frayed cables, a broken drum or pulley on which the cable winds, loose drum or pulley attachments, or improper cable tension. Call a professional for repairs, especially for cable tension adjustments as they are crucial for safety.

What would cause a garage door to open by itself?

-This might be caused by a stuck button on your remote control, a faulty wall control switch that keeps sending an open signal, or a defective circuit board malfunctioning within the opener itself. If troubleshooting steps fail, consult a technician for further assistance.  

Why is my garage door chain sagging?

-This might be caused by a worn or damaged chain that has stretched over time, or improper tension on the chain. Chains wear and may need replacement. A qualified technician can safely adjust the tension for smooth operation. 

What is a HomeLink garage door opener?

-HomeLink is a system built into some cars that allows you to program your garage door opener remote directly into the vehicle’s system. This eliminates the need for a separate remote control to open your garage door.

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