Blog Archives

Does my garage door opener need to be replaced?

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On November 10, 2023 at 6:00 am | Comments Closed

Garage door openers are crucial to the function of your entire garage door system, and they tend to last a long time. But eventually, they’ll require repair or replacement. If you’re wondering whether it’s time to repair or replace yours, take a look at the most common garage door opener issues below to help you determine the best next steps. 

Your Garage Door Won’t Open or Close

One of the most obvious signs that your garage door opener needs to be replaced or repaired is if you press the button to open or close the door and it doesn’t budge.

Your Garage Door Works Intermittently

If your garage door operates with a mind of its own, not consistently opening or closing when you press the button (and you’ve already ruled out faulty batteries), there’s likely a wiring issue at fault. This is also a safety and security concern and should be addressed immediately.

Your Garage Door Opens Then Reverses

Another common red flag from your door pointing to an opener issue is when it opens partway or all the way and reverses directions.

Your Garage Door Opener Makes Unusual Noises

A telltale sign of a damaged garage door opener is a strange sounds.

Garage Door Opener is an Older Model

If you’ve been having frequent problems with your garage door opener and it’s an older model (15+ years), it’s a good idea to consider replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.

Ready to replace your garage door opener? Ramirez Overhead Custom Overhead Doors carries top-of-the-line openers from leading manufacturers including LiftMaster. Let our experienced team help you choose the best garage door open for your home.

 

Common Causes of Garage Doors Noises

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On October 24, 2023 at 6:00 am | Comments Closed

Here are different types of garage door noises and their possible causes.

  • Straining. A straining door mechanism often comes with a broken motor in the garage door opener. It could also signify an inadequate power supply to the door.
  • Banging. A banging sound often means a faulty garage door panel or a door in the garage that has dislodged from its track.
  • Scraping. An unbalanced garage door will emit a loud scraping sound as some part of the door scrapes against your house walls, ceiling, or floor.
  • Rattling. A garage door rattles when loose bolts, nuts, or metal parts need lubrication. A door may also have a loose chain or support rails.
  • Squeaking. A loose roller or hinge will cause a squeaking sound as you open and close your garage door.
  • Rumbling. A rumbling sound from your garage door signifies a loosened spring or coil tension issue.
  • Clinking. If rust builds up, you will hear clinks as it forces spring coils to rub together while the garage door moves. Excessive rust buildup is also a safety hazard.
  • Excessively loud noises. Is the garage door very loud during operation? Are there no obvious signs of malfunction? You likely have poor insulation or soundproofing issues.
  • Rubbing. Your garage door will rub when the tracks are bent, too tight, or need realignment.
  • Popping. If you hear popping sounds, it may indicate snapped torsion springs on your garage door.
  • Grinding. A garage door grinding noise often indicates a loose roller or hinge. A stripped-out or improperly installed trolley may also cause grinding sounds.
  • Squealing. Squeals from a garage door often signify a lack of lubrication in moving parts. However, an off-track door may also sound similar.
  • Vibrating. A vibrating sound typically signifies loose bolts and nuts around the track. Damaged or poorly lubricated rollers will also vibrate.
  • Slapping. Have you heard that distinct slapping sound from noisy garage doors? It often comes from a loose garage door opener chain, as the door’s chain hits the chain drive system enclosure.

Home-Based Solutions To A Loud Garage Door
As you can see, there are many reasons homeowners might hear loud sounds while a garage door opens or closes.

If the problem does not require technical proficiency, you could attempt to deal with the noisy garage door in several ways. However, be sure to adhere to safety precautions, including the following:

Disengage the automatic setting before you disconnect the garage door from a power source.
Wear gloves to protect your hands from scratches and bruises.
Some DIY solutions to try for the noises the garage door makes include the following:

Tighten loose nuts and bolts
Did you know that you can correct vibrating, squealing, or squeaking garage door sounds by tightening the nuts and bolts along the track? Use a wrench and a screwdriver. Don’t make them too tight if you want to avoid stripping the lag screw holes.

Lubricate the garage door rollers
Garage door noise includes vibrating sounds that occur when operating your garage door on rusted metal garage door rollers. Lubricating the rollers and the garage door hinges around them can eliminate these issues. Use garage door lube from a local hardware store or manufacturer.

If you live in a high-humidity environment, consider switching from metal rollers to nylon rollers. Nylon rollers are less likely to cause jerky door movements even as they start to age. However, the replacement process needs professional expertise.

Lubricate the extension and torsion springs
Does your garage’s doors have broken torsion and extension springs? Clear the area around the garage door immediately and call a professional.

Springs in need of lubrication are common causes of noise for many garage doors. If the springs are intact, you could use any garage door lube to eliminate noise. However, be careful while touching the springs to avoid accidents.

Check the garage door opener
The garage door opener may be at fault if you can’t find any noise source on the door itself. For example, a loose chain or belt in the opener causes slapping or rattling sounds. In this case, call a professional—the chain will eventually wear out, leading to more noise and a complete system breakdown.

Call Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors today! We would love to come check out and fix any noises your garage door is making!

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How Often Should You Lubricate Your Garage Door?

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On October 18, 2023 at 6:00 am | Comments Closed

Ever wonder how often you should lubricate your garage door? Are you hearing creaking or other strange sounds whenever you open or close your garage door?

Here’s the thing: If you are hearing a grinding sound, it’s probably time to add some lubrication. And if you can’t remember when you added a lubricant to your garage door, it’s wise to apply some now.

In general, you should apply a light touch-up of lubrication to moving parts every three to six months or about 2-3 times per year depending on the frequency of use.

Learn what the best lubricant is for garage doors and what parts of the door need lubrication.

Better yet, give the team at Ramirez Custom Overhead Garage Doors a call. We’re always ready to offer helpful garage door advice.

 

 

 

Why is Your Garage Door Warping?

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On September 30, 2023 at 6:00 am | Comments Closed

You expect a lot from your garage door. You expect it to keep weather and critters out of your home, and you want it to protect your vehicles and other belongings. So why shouldn't it expect a lot from you? Taking action when something is wrong with your door is highly beneficial for your home. A warped garage door is not a functional garage door.

WHAT IS A WARPED GARAGE DOOR?
Warping occurs when a garage door appears almost caved in. The top portion of a garage door tends to bow more often than the bottom, but you should not discount either type.

You should be able to tell immediately that something is wrong with the door simply by looking at it. If you don't see it first, you will likely hear it if you try to open or close the door.

Warping can occur in wooden and steel garage doors. Wooden doors are especially susceptible, in spite of the fact that they may look beautiful. Extreme temperatures can impact the door's quality and structure. Steel doors do not experience warping as often, but they can be at higher risk if the garage door opener is not strong enough to handle the door.
CAN YOU PREVENT A WARPED GARAGE DOOR?
You can prevent a warped garage door if the damage is caused by problems like weather damage. Paint and seals can prevent warping, especially for wooden doors that are prone to weather damage. Weatherstripping is another crucial step. Taking these steps prevents moisture from getting into the garage.

Prevention in this manner can be difficult to do on your own, especially because you need to clean and prepare the area early on.
CAN YOU FIX A WARPED GARAGE DOOR?
Fixing a warped garage door may be possible. The situation depends entirely on the extent of the warping and where the damage is situated. If you catch warping early enough, you may be able to fix the problem before it becomes more expensive to manage.

For example, you may need to replace only a few panels if the door has damage limited to a specific area. If damage is prominent all over the door, you will likely need to replace the door in its entirety. And of course, if your garage door does not contain easy-to-fix panels, you probably need to replace the entire door.

If your garage door is very difficult to open or close, you need to replace the entire door as well. The garage door opener may not be able to handle the weight of the door, and trying to fix the issue could mean that it just happens again.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT?
Replacing your garage door may be the best option. Fortunately, this option provides you with the perfect opportunity to choose something in a style you love, perhaps giving your home an entirely new look and feel.

Call Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors today for a quote!!!

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You must address the problem, no matter how mild it seems now. Eventually, the pressure of lowering and raising a bowed garage door could mean that the rails start to give way. This can result in damage not only to your garage door and opener but also the items inside your garage.

How to Get Oil Stains Off Your Garage Floor

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On September 27, 2023 at 6:00 am | Comments Closed

Whether you've got a tricked-out workbench or a crafting corner your grandma could only dream of, you want your garage looking fresh,meaning those old oil stains covering the ground have got to go. Oil stains obviously don't look great. And if you step in those oil stains, you might just track oil onto your flooring in the house. Then there's more bad news for the accident-prone among us: just like an old banana peel, oil stains are a safety hazard, too. So how do you get old oil stains off your garage floor? Here's the skinny.

How Do I Get Old Oil Stains off My Garage Floor?
Believe it or not, the answer to how to remove old oil stains from the garage floor could be lying in your kitty litter. Yep, weird, but true. And if you don't have a cat? You can easily pick some up at the pet store on your way home from work and give it a go. First, cover the oil stain in clay cat litter, letting it sit for several hours (or overnight if it's a heavy stain.) Then sweep up the cat litter and pour liquid dish soap over the stain to break up the grease. Let it soak up for at least an hour, then use a wire scrub brush and clean the stain in a circular motion. Rinse it with water, let dry, and voila!

Does WD-40 Remove Oil Stains From Concrete?
Yes! You can definitely use WD-40 to remove oil stains from concrete, too. Here's how to apply it: First try to soak up the oil with a paper towel, then saturate the stain with WD-40 and let it soak for 5-10 minutes. Wipe with a rag, and get at the last remaining bits of grease with some dish soap, water, and a scrubbing brush.

Does Vinegar Remove Oil Stains From Concrete?
Ah, vinegar. The wonder cleaner that's all-natural and dirt-cheap. What's not to love? Vinegar is a natural degreaser, so while it may not be as aggressive as some of the other solutions we've mentioned, it's totally worth a try. Start by pouring sawdust or that reliable kitty litter on the stain and let it soak overnight. Then sweep it up and sprinkle a mixture of ½ teaspoon baking soda, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, ¼ teaspoon dish soap, and 2 cups of water. Pour the solution over the grease, let it soak for a bit, then clean with a scrubbing brush. You know the drill!

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