Category: Garage Door Tips
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Can You Put an Opener on an Old Garage Door?
Yes, you can put a garage door opener on an old garage door in most cases. The door has to be balanced, the springs, cables and tracks have to be sound, and there needs to be room above the door and an outlet nearby. Roll-up and one-piece tilt-up doors need a different setup. We see…
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Garage Door Remote Only Works Up Close? Fixing Range on Long Driveways and Detached Shops
Garage door remote range problems out at the shop or down a long gravel drive usually come from one of four things: a weak battery, the opener’s antenna, radio noise from nearby electronics, or simple distance through walls and metal. If a new battery does not fix it, a keypad, your car’s built-in button or…
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Mt Hood Cabin Garage Doors: An Arrival and Departure Checklist
A garage door not used for months can still run fine, but look it over before you press the button. When you arrive at a Mt Hood cabin, check the springs and cables, clear the snow from the bottom, then run one full cycle and watch it. Heavy, crooked or loud means stop and call…
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Garage Door Damaged by Wind or a Storm? What to Do Next
With garage door wind damage or a door bent in a storm, leave it where it is and keep the opener off. A bent or pushed-in door is still hanging on loaded springs and cables, and running it can twist it out of the track. Take photos before anything is moved, then call for an…
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Garage Door Frozen to the Ground? How to Free It Without Damage
A garage door frozen to the ground is held by a thin layer of ice between the bottom seal and the concrete. Stop pressing the button, since the opener will tear the seal or strain a cable first. Melt the seal free with warm water, dry the slab, and call if the door still will…
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Garage Door Spring Just Broke? What to Do in the First Hour
If your garage door spring broke, that loud bang was the spring letting go, and the door just lost the counterweight that made it feel light. Leave the door right where it stopped, keep the opener off, keep people and cars out of the doorway, and have a technician replace the spring safely. The first…
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How to Program a Garage Door Remote or Keypad
To program most garage door remotes, press the learn button on the opener motor head, then within 30 seconds press the button on your remote. The opener lights usually flash to confirm it paired. Programming a remote, step by step Programming a keypad For a wireless keypad, enter a new PIN you choose, press the…
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How to Open a Garage Door Manually and Safely
To open a garage door manually, pull the red emergency release cord hanging from the opener trolley while the door is fully closed, then lift the door by hand. Only do this when the door is down, not stuck partway up. Step by step An important safety warning If the door feels very heavy or…
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How to Choose a Garage Door Opener: Belt vs Chain, WiFi and Battery Backup
The main choice in a garage door opener is the drive type: belt drive is quiet and best for attached garages, while chain drive is durable and costs a little less. Then decide on wifi control and battery backup. Belt vs chain vs screw drive Belt drive openers run quietly on a rubber belt, ideal…
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How to Choose a New Garage Door: Materials, Insulation and Style
Choosing a new garage door comes down to three things: the material, the insulation, and the style. For most Oregon homes, an insulated steel door gives the best mix of durability, low maintenance and value. 1. Pick the material Steel is the most popular and practical choice, durable and low maintenance with many finishes. Wood…