Garage door openers don’t last forever, and many homeowners never consider the possibility of replacement.  The lifespan of most garage door openers is between 10 to 20 years.  This depends highly on the type of garage door opener you have, usage of the garage door opener and how well-cared for it is.  Like all machines, they eventually require repair or replacement.  Here are some signs thy your garage door is failing. 

Unusual Noises

During operation, if your garage door opener is making a grinding noise it may be related to the chain or belt on the door opener.  Older garage door models were made with larger and more noisy components instead of the much quieter chains and belts that the newer models have.

1993 Consumer Product Safety Commission Requirement for Garage Door Openers

January 1993, the CPSC issued final rules for automatic residential garage door openers.  The new rules require that automatic garage door openers manufactured must have two sensors on either side of the door to prevent the door from closing on an object, child, or pet.  Any interference with the beam running between the two sensors will cause the door to stop and reverse.  If your garage door opener was manufactured and installed before this ruling, it’s time to replace your garage door opener.

Battery Backup

Safeguard your family and garage with a battery backup garage door opener.  New garage door openers come with a battery backup system that is designed to open and close during a power outage.  Although you may only use this once or twice a year it’s worth the peace of mind.

Garage Door Keypad

Garage door keypad provides both security and accessibility.  Newer models have keypads located right outside the garage door on the side of the wall.  The outside keypad is used to open and close your garage door from the outside.  Garage door keypads are dependable, secure, and convenient. 

Home Security

Older garage door opener models have fixed codes that use radio frequency identification devices that can be stolen allowing burglars entry to your home.  Newer models use rolling codes which the code changes each time the door is operated enhancing security.  If your garage door is an older model, make sure to check its security features so your home is secure and protected.

Call A1 Affordable Garage Door Repair Services today for any garage door issues you may be experiencing. 

Whether you need a garage door replacement or repair, call us today at A1 Affordable Garage Door Repair Services and let us help with the best choice for you. Serving Plano and Surrouding areas like Frisco, Allen, Addison and more.

If properly maintained garage doors typically last for decades but like everything else eventually require repair or replacement.  It’s important to be able to identify the signs that your garage door needs attention. 

Garage Door Signs of Maybe Needing a Replacement: 

Vehicle Collision:  Small dents can generally be repaired without replacement but usually a vehicle collision results in more damage than just a small dent.  If you have a large dent in your garage door, you probably will need to have it replaced with a new one.

Curb Appeal:  Garage doors top the list with highest curb appeal.  If you are considering selling your home or just want to add character, a new garage door like most upgrades will increase your home’s value and add curb appeal. 

End of Lifespan:  With the right maintenance, the average lifespan of a garage door is between 15 to 30 years.  Sometimes it’s difficult to determine whether your garage door has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.  Here are some signs to look for: 

The Garage Door is not functioning properly and is noisy or slow to open or close.

Look for dents, rusted or broken parts.

The door is cracked, peeling, warped or damaged.

The door sags.

Garage Door Signs of Maybe Needing a Repair:

Damaged Springs or Motor:  Noise while opening and closing the door is likely a sign of needing repair.  If you are operating your garage door and getting an unusual sound, you likely need to have your garage door repaired.  The sound could be resulting from damaged springs that may need lubrication or a damaged motor that needs to be either replaced or adjusted. 

Off the Tracks or Faulty Wiring:  If your garage door fails to move up and down like usual this is a good indication it requires some sort of repair.  It could point to a faulty connection with the wiring, or the door is off its track.  Also make sure to check if something is blocking its way.  It’s best to call a garage door expert for repairs.

Whether you need a garage door replacement or repair, call us today at A1 Affordable Garage Door Repair Services and let us help with the best choice for you. Serving Plano and Surrouding areas like Frisco, Allen, Addison and more.

The garage door shares a similar purpose to the outer doors of your home such as security and protection from external factors.  Garage doors are not only a convenience for entering your home but protect and create a secure space for your cars and personal belongings.    A garage door can quickly turn into a nightmare if it gets stuck and won’t open or close.    Here’s a quick guideline to troubleshoot a stuck garage door.

Is the Garage Door Locked?

A locked garage door will not move at all.  Garage doors that are locked keep the door from accidentally opening and ensure the safety of your family and valuables.  It is easy to forget that you have locked the garage door.  If it is locked, unlock it and then it should open. 

Manually Open the Garage Door

Opening your garage door manually is a fairly simple thing to do.  Locate the red emergency release cord. The release cord hangs overhead from the door trolley that moves along the rail.  When the release cord is pulled, it disconnects the trolley from the carriage allowing you to manually move the door.  If you can open the door manually, then this indicates that there is an issue with your garage door opener.  Do a quick inspection to see if the garage door is plugged into the outlet firmly and make sure there is no tripped circuit breakers.  If circuit breaker is reading “off” then leave it off and contact a garage door professional for repairs.

Check Garage Door Remote Battery Levels

If you discover your garage door opener is working correctly and the garage door still won’t budge, the next step is to check the batteries on the remotes.  Batteries for garage door remotes are easy to replace.  Follow instructions for your remote, which in many cases is by simply removing the backing of the remote where the batteries are installed.  Once opened, remove the existing batteries, and insert new ones. 

Check for Broken Garage Door Spring

If your garage door is still not responding, check for a broken garage door spring.  Springs are attached to both sides of the garage door. Visually check to see if springs are worn out, any separation in the spring or loss of tension.  If you see an issue, it is best to schedule an inspection with a professional to properly diagnose the problem.

Call us today at A1 Affordable Garage Door Repair Services to schedule a professional garage door inspection. Serving Plano and surrounding areas like Addison, Lucas, Frisco, Allen and more.

Residential garage doors are huge conveniences especially in the wintertime for homeowners.  Your car is parked inside a cozy garage while extreme weather like cold temperatures, ice and snow could impact you the most.  The winter season can be the worst time of the year for garage door failure.  Trouble closing your garage door could be several issues, however if it’s only occurring in winter conditions most likely its winter related.  Here are some steps you can take to help diagnose the problem.

Cold Weather and Safety Sensors

Garage door safety sensors can be affected in several ways in cold weather.  Garage door sensors have infrared sensors called a photo-eye on both sides of your garage door about six inches off the ground.  An invisible line is created by these two sensors across your garage door and detects if anything is in the way.  This will prevent the garage door from shutting all the way and reverse its direction if there is something in the way.

Some of the most common cold weather safety sensors issues are:

Condensation on Safety Sensors:

Condensation is a common garage door sensor problem during the winter.  Cold temperatures can create a layer or film of condensation on the lens of the safety sensor that can break the connection between the sensors.  Check to see if lenses are fogged or clouded up, if so, a quick wipe with a dry cloth across the sensors should solve the problem.

Expanding and Contraction Metal on Garage Door:

Fluctuations in temperatures can cause the garage door’s metal parts to expand or contract.  As the metal expands or contracts, it may cause the safety sensors to shift.  Misaligned sensors won’t be able to detect whether there is an obstruction blocking their path.  There are a few ways you can tell if your sensors are aligned.  One way is to loosen screws or move other components for a sensor to move freely.  If you correctly direct one sensor light to the other a small light will come on.  This will indicate the two sensors are in alignment. 

Frozen Lubricant on Garage Door

Frozen Lubricant could be the result of old lubricant, or a lubricant was used not suitable for winter weather.  Whatever the case, you can buy lubricants that are specifically made for garage door systems. 

Call us today at A1 Affordable Garage Door Repair Services for any garage door issues you may be experiencing. We service Plano, Frisco, Allen, Mckinney and surrounding areas with thier garage door needs.

A garage door is an important asset to your home and typically lasts for many years if properly serviced and maintained.  Not only do garage doors protect our cars and homes from the outside elements but add curb appeal.  Garage doors age as time goes by and many safety components may begin to fail.  Below are a few signs to keep an eye out for concerning your garage door needing some attention.

Won’t Open or Close

If the garage door won’t open or close, there could be several issues.  Garage door tracks could be blocked, the mechanism connecting the carriage to the belt or chain could be jammed, or you might be dealing with faulty wiring.  Call a professional to properly diagnose any of the issues.

Garage Door is Uneven or Sagging

Uneven or sagging garage doors usually means the door is slightly off track due to a problem with the springs.  Garage door springs are tricky and can be dangerous.  Best to call a trained and certified professional when it fails the balance test.

Shaking Garage Door

Strange behavior like shaking or jerking is unsettling to say the least.  Normally indicates something is wrong with the track.  When it comes to a garage door shaking, it is unwise to continue to use it until a certified professional has been notified. 

Unbalanced Garage Door

When opening or closing your garage door it appears to be uneven or slanted, there’s a good possibility it’s out of balance.  An unbalanced door becomes very unbalanced causing the garage door to become too heavy for the opener to move.  Eventually the motor will fail.

Garage Door Off It’s Track

A garage door that comes off its tracks is extremely dangerous.  Be aware that the total weight can range from 225 to 400 pounds and putting it on the incorrect way could result in the door falling.  Do not attempt to repair it yourself.  Leave any repairs to the professionals.

End of Garage Door’s Lifespan

Many factors contribute to a garage door’s lifespan but a typical garage door lasts 10 to 15 years.  With regular care and maintenance, it may last longer depending on the quality of the materials and climate.  Ask for an inspection if your garage door is around this age.  Maybe better to replace your garage door than to continue with repair cost. 

Call A1 Affordable Garage Door Repair Services today for the most reliable and trusted garage door services.  Serving Plano, Dallas, Frisco and surrounding areas. 972-877-5774

Garage doors today need an opener, and our busy lifestyle demands it as well.  The average garage door opens and closes 3 to 5 times per day, approximately 1500 times a year.  That’s a lot of heavy work for your garage door’s opening mechanism.  Should be no surprise that issues with your garage door opening or closing can turn this convenience into frustration.  As a garage door service and repair company, at A1 Affordable Garage Door Services, we daily deal with garage door problems and fixes.  Here are some of the most common garage door problems and helpful tips to consider as you troubleshoot what’s ailing your garage door.

Step 1:  Check the Garage Door to See If It’s Locked

Electric garage doors are designed so that the locks are switched on and off by the door motor and can be locked or unlocked by the press of a button.  This is the most common reason why a garage door will not open.  If the lock switch is turned on, your door will not open.  Most garage door opener switches have 2 buttons.  One button is to open and close the garage door and the other button is to lock it in place.  The lock button can easily be pushed locking the garage door and preventing it from opening.

Step 2:  Check the Garage Door Motor to See If It’s Unplugged

Another common explanation for your garage door not working is it could be unplugged.  Simply look at the garage door motor that’s attached to the garage ceiling.  Check the plug and make sure it’s inserted into the electrical socket.  If it isn’t, plug it back in and your garage door should be able to open.

Step 3:  Check Photo Eye Sensors for Blockage

This is the most common issue causing a garage door opener to malfunction,  the photo eye sensors.  The system works like a flashlight and can be blocked to create a problem with the photo eye.  There are 2 photo sensors, one on each side of the garage door just above the floor at the garage door opening.  It shines a beam from one photo eye to the other.  The photo eye can become blocked or just needs to be cleaned.  Also, one or both sensors can come out of alignment.  This can easily be fixed by realigning the sensor to point directly toward the other one.

Step 4:  Check the Circuit Breaker

Another reason causing your garage door not to function is a tripped circuit breaker.  This is often noticed due to the fact it affects other electrical components in your garage.  Check it anyway and if it’s tripped reset it and check the garage door opener to see if it opens.

Conclusion:  Garage Door Motor is Dead

Finally, when all the above steps have been checked out and all is good, it could be that your garage door motor has burned out.  Get professional help in replacing your garage door opener by contacting a garage door repair specialist.  A1 Affordable Garage Door Services & Repair in Plano are available to help you with all your garage door repairs and services.  Call us today! 

Rust can be frustrating and regardless of age, your garage door can show signs of rust.  Rust is a common problem for garage doors whether old or new, no door is immune to it.  There are several reasons why your garage door could be showing rust. 

What Causes Garage Door Rust?

The Environment:

The environment is one of the biggest factors affecting your garage door.  Garage doors are known to have rust buildup that forms due to moisture, especially for someone who lives in a coastal region and salt accelerates the process.  Due to the salt and humidity in the air, rust can develop quickly.

Northern regions where de-icing materials are used on the roads can cause rust when splashed on the door.  If your garage door is located close to a street, water, snow, salt, and other abrasives may splash onto your garage door from passing vehicles. 

Pollen can be mistaken for rust in the spring and early summer months.  Pollen can easily collect on your garage door during these months.  Since pollen is similar to the color of rust it can be misleading.  Give your garage door a good wash with tap water to determine if it’s pollen or rust.  Pollen will easily wash off with water.

Quality of the Garage Door:

Rusting is an example of corrosion, and the presence of water or air moisture is its cause.  The thinner your garage door is the quicker the corrosion will be.  The rusting rate may be the same, but you will notice it sooner in thinner metal versus thicker metal.

Dirt in Joints:

Regular cleaning can remove dirt, oil, and other grime from your garage door.  Your garage door will rust quicker than usual if you fail to clean it.  The joints should be oiled, and the door cleaned.  You can use the same soap that you use to wash your car, along with a clean, soft cloth and sponge.

A1 Affordable Garage Door Repair are here to assist you with any kind of rust corrosion.  Call us today concerning any questions you may have. Serving Plano and surrounding areas like Mckinney, Frisco, Prosper and more!

Garage doors are one of the most frequently used doors in a home but are often forgotten when it comes to maintenance.  The majority of full garage door replacements are due to the owner’s lack of maintenance.  Simple preventive maintenance can go a long way to prevent future garage door failures.  To help minimize unnecessary expenses throughout the year annual checkups will keep you informed of any necessary repairs and replacements.

Be Aware of Degrading Parts:

Over time, natural elements such as rain, sun, wind, and dirt will impact the functionality of your garage door.  Garage doors have many cables and springs that can become damaged or rusty due to a lack of maintenance.  This becomes a safety hazard leading to the door not opening and closing properly.  You should inspect your garage door often to identify any damage. 

Avoid Costly Repairs:

Garage doors consist of many hardware components such as hinges, arm bars, brackets, and coil springs to name a few.  These components have a short lifespan and will need to be replaced.  These small repairs and replacements will increase the longevity of your garage door which in return saves you money down the road.

Increased Security:

Your garage door is an important part of your home, and you should do everything you can to secure it, especially if it is attached to your home.  A secure garage door is a deterrent for thieves.  You should make sure your garage door is strong.  Check for gaps, rust, leaks warped panels, cracks, and dents.  If you notice any of these signs on your garage door, don’t delay in getting them replaced.  Old and weathered garage doors are considered weak and easy to break into.

Having your garage door inspected annually can help minimize unnecessary expenses and ensure your garage door is strong and in perfect working condition. 

Call us today at A1 Affordable Garage Doors Services for professional and reliable garage door maintenance and repair. Serving Plano and Surrouding areas like Mckinney, Flower Mound, Carrrollton, and more.

If you’re wondering if replacing a garage door spring is dangerous, the answer is Yes! Garage door
springs can be extremely dangerous. The tightly wound coils along with the extreme amount of tension,
of a garage door spring, can result in life-threatening injuries.
Risks of Replacing Your Garage Door Spring

With all the Do-it-Yourself videos and the availability to purchase garage door springs in most home-
improvement stores, you would think it would be something anyone could do. Right??? Wrong…

Replacing a garage door spring can prove to be dangerous without the proper training and equipment.
The garage door itself can be extremely heavy, starting with single doors weighing 130 pounds and
larger doors weighing in at 350 pounds or more. Serious injuries have been reported when
homeowners decided to change the garage door springs themselves. Damaged springs are under a lot
of tension and if they are improperly detached from the garage door a sudden release of energy can be
incredibly dangerous. This can result in broken bones, lacerations, and even death.

Buying the Wrong Garage Door Spring
There are two main types of springs, extension springs, and torsion springs. You’ll need to know which
type of springs your garage door uses since the wrong ones can be expensive to replace.

Bad Garage Door Installation
Bad installation is another aspect of replacing garage door springs. Several problems can occur from
improper installation such as faulty or an unbalanced door. An unbalanced door causes stress on the
door lifting systems which also can lead to more failures.

How to Tell Your Garage Door Spring is Broken
Broken garage door springs are easy to notice. The most obvious sign is your garage door is difficult or
impossible to open. Another sign is your garage door opener lifts the door about 3 inches and goes back
down. This is a very dangerous situation to be in because of all the stress on the door.
For assistance in diagnosing your garage door problems contact A1 Affordable Garage Door Services in Plano today. Leave it to the professionals, call us today.

Buying a new garage door is a big investment and careful consideration is needed before purchasing a new one.  Below are some of the top frequently asked questions concerning garage doors.

How much for a new garage door?

The most frequently asked question is how much is a new garage door going to cost.  It depends on the customer.  Each garage door is customized to the customer’s budget and the need of the home. 

This price depends on several factors: 

The type of garage door opener you choose. 

The level of insulation you need.  If you require a climate-controlled space, you need to get a well-insulated garage door. 

What materials you choose, such as windows or high-end finishes can up the price range.

Which Material to Choose Wood or Steel Garage Door?

 Wooden garage doors provide a classic, elegant appearance that most homeowners love.  Wooden garage doors are generally custom-made for the home.  They are sturdy, heavy, and don’t easily dent.  They do require ongoing maintenance and are also prone to water damage.

Steel garage doors are generally cheaper than wooden doors.  Minimal maintenance is required along with easy upkeep.  They tend to have longer lifespans. Steel garage doors can rust or get ding over time but provide greater durability than wooden doors.

Insulation, Do I Need It?

An insulated garage door is the best long-term investment, especially when dealing with extreme climate conditions.  Depending on how hot or cold your area is subject to, determines the level of garage door insulation required. 

How Do I Customize my Garage Door?

Some of the best garage doors come down to the smallest details.  You have many options when it comes to color and finishes.  For extra details, you might consider decorative hardware like handles and hinges.  Installing windows can add natural light to your garage. 

Call A1 Affordable Garage Door Repair and Installation today for your garage door needs. 

We Service Dallas and surrounding areas like Carrollton, Colleyville, Flower Mound, and more!

Also for other garage door faq’s visit our faq page.