Why Won’t My Garage Door Open?

Posted on March 26, 2020 - 8:14 pm by krisadmin

As residential and commercial garage
door professionals,
we’ve come across every issue you can think of when it comes to garage door service and repair. The most common issue we run into
is when a garage door just won’t open. We understand this can be frustrating,
and there are numerous reasons as to why your garage door might not be
operating properly. There are a lot of moving parts to be considered in a garage door system, and each of them must be in good working order for
your garage door to open. Here are a few
common reasons why your garage door might not be
opening:

Transmitter Batteries Are Dead: This may sound obvious, but if the batteries in your garage
door transmitter are dead, the transmitter won’t be able to send a signal to
your garage door to open. Check the transmitter inside your garage manually. If
this opens your garage door, then you’ll likely need to replace the batteries
in your car transmitter.
Unaligned Tracks: If your garage door tracks are unaligned, this could be a serious issue
regarding the functionality of your door. The metal tracks your garage door
runs on needs to be aligned for your door to move. If you see gaps between the
rollers and rail, you should contact a garage door professional to inspect the
situation.
Broken Garage Door Springs: If your garage door is not opening, but the motor is
running then it might be an issue with your garage door springs. Each spring has a maximum number of cycles, and once it has
exhausted its cycles, it needs to be replaced.

If you notice your garage door isn’t operating normally, the problem should be inspected as soon as possible. A1 Door Company provides garage door service for homes in Chester, VA, and the surrounding communities. Contact A1 Door Company whenever you need service for your garage door!

Components of Your Garage Door Explained

Posted on February 5, 2020 - 3:01 pm by krisadmin

Here at A1 Door Company, we want our
clients to understand the anatomy of their garage door – so, we’ve written a
blog post for you about it! While looking for a new garage door, or a garage
door repair, chances are you’ll hear various technical terms thrown around
without truly knowing what they mean. Garage doors can get complicated pretty
quickly; so before getting stressed, continue reading for a breakdown of the standard
components of your garage door.

Sections:
These are the panels that are secure with stiles connected with hinges and
rollers. You can replace sections without having to replace an entire door.

Bottom Brackets (or bottom fixtures): The bottom brackets are attached to the lower
corners of your garage door. They serve as structured supports that provide for
attachments of lifting cables.

Torsion Springs: Torsion springs are usually centered above
the garage door. When your door closes, cables attached to the bottom corners force
the springs to wind up, thus stimulating the system. When your door closes, the
springs then unwind and their energy transfers to the door, making it easier to
open.

Extension Springs: Extension springs counterbalance the weight
of garage doors to make them easy to open and close. They extend along both
horizontal tracks and help to open and close your garage door.

Cable Drums: These are the grooved drums on the torsion
spring shaft that helps the garage door remain balanced as it opens and closes.

Tracks:
The garage door tracks guide the door to open and close. They are located on
both sides of the door and are referred to as the horizontal or vertical
tracks.

At A1 Door Company, we can help you with all your garage door needs from the basics of garage door operation, to the details of your next garage door installation. We specialize in residential and commercial garage door repair and installation in Henrico, VA – we service all brands of garage doors and garage door openers. Contact us today!

What is The Typical Lifespan of a Garage Door?

Posted on July 22, 2019 - 5:03 pm by krisadmin

Your garage door is a focal point for your home and business
and can therefore significantly enhance its curb appeal. Besides contributing
to your property’s value, your garage door is a convenient point of entry and
adds a sense of security as well. That being said, with your garage door being
such an important part of your property, you’ll want to ensure that it’s well
taken care of! For example, by inspecting your garage door and testing the
safety sensors, you’ll know if any parts are not working properly. Doing
maintenance and addressing repair needs will only increase the lifespan of your garage door. If you’re like most
people, however – you probably don’t often think about your garage door unless
it stops working as it should. Furthermore, though it’s unfortunate, garage
doors have too often become an afterthought.

It’s important to note that there are two main components of
the garage door; the door itself and the torsion springs. For the garage door
itself, you might be familiar with the panels and frame – these pieces weather
the elements outside to keep your cars and other belongings safe. As for the
torsion springs, they’re what makes the garage door open and close.

In order to figure out the longevity of your residential or commercial garage
door, you need to consider your usage of it. Do you use it every day as a main
point of entry or mostly just for storage? In conjunction with usage, you need
to consider the construction quality, maintenance, and local climate conditions
that your garage door faces. For example, an aluminum or steel garage door can
last 20 years or more, but a wooden garage door may not last that long unless
you take proper care of it due to the material difference. As for the torsion
springs, on average, you should get anywhere between 10,000 and 20,000 cycles
(cycle = one opening and closing of the door). Thus, this equates to, on
average, 8 to 12 years.

You can extend the life-cycle of your garage door and its components by adhering to a regular maintenance program to maintain maximum performance. This includes regularly cleaning and lubricating critical parts, cleaning the door itself, and waxing or painting as needed. Plus, since garage door sensors play such a critical role in the safety and proper operation, they should be cleaned regularly as well. Lastly, it’s important to apply lubricant to garage door springs, hinges, and rollers. A garage door that is well-maintained will last longer and require fewer costly repairs – thus saving you money, time, and future frustrations!

Your home or business property is most likely the biggest
investment you will ever make, and as such, you want to protect the value of
that investment. We know that household and company garage door problems
usually start out small – and if they go unnoticed, lead to the door binding,
damaged panels, the door being off the track, etc. Don’t let your garage door
get to that point! Give us a call
today to receive a free, no obligation estimate for your next project.