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.

 

How to Properly Clean Your Garage Door & Preserve Its Finish

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

How To Wash Your Garage Door

If you’re noticing dirt and dust on your garage door, or if it’s been a while since you’ve washed it, it’s probably time you gave it a good cleaning. The good news is that this is an effortless and quick task to complete. Simply brush all the debris and dirt off the door with a cloth (a broom works great, too). Then, wash it with a gentle soap before rinsing it off. The last step is to apply a wax finish to keep your garage door looking as good as new.

Here are some points to consider:

  • If you live near the coast, wash your garage door three times a year. Twice a year if you’re inland.
  • A spray wax works great to get to hard-to-reach areas.
  • Use a light detergent to wash the garage door. Avoid cleaners with bleach to other harsh abrasives.
  • Here’s a great video by Clopay to show you how it’s done.

 

 

 

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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Should You Add Windows To Your Garage?

Posted by Ramirez Custom Overhead Doors On October 9, 2023 at 5:00 am | Comments Closed

When renovating your garage, something you should take into consideration is whether or not you want your garage to have windows. Adding windows to the garage can have many benefits, especially if you plan to use your garage for more than just storage.

Pros & Cons of Garage Windows

Pros:

  • Natural light: Windows provide light without having to open the garage door or turn on a light, causing the space to be brighter and feel more homey. It also reduces your lighting costs, since you won’t have to flip on the lightswitch every time you enter your garage.
  • Ventilation: If you opt for wall windows that can be opened, windows will create an airflow in your garage and reduce the smell of must without having to open the door.
  • Increased curb appeal: Garage door windows can really boost your garage’s curb appeal by accentuating your garage door. This can add resale value to your home and make your garage look more cohesive with the rest of your home.
  • Increases garage usability: Adding windows to your garage can make the garage feel like another room in the house, and gives you the option of turning your garage into a home office, fitness room, or a living space.
  • Customization: Windows come in several shapes and sizes, with many different glass finishes to choose from, so that you can have the aesthetic that you want in your garage.

Cons:

  • Security concerns: Windows always increase the risk of security issues. If you opt for wall windows in your garage, you will need to be diligent in ensuring that they are closed and locked when you are not using your garage.

If you tend to store valuables or expensive equipment in your garage, or if you are concerned about people seeing into your garage, consider opting for tinted or frosted windows, or placing them high up. There are also security measures you can put in place to keep your garage as safe as possible.

  • Insulation issues: If you do not get insulated windows, you will notice that the temperature of your garage changes with the weather, which is not ideal. Low-quality windows can let drafts into your living space and lower your home’s energy efficiency. However, as long as you choose a high-quality glass for your windows and have them professionally installed, this shouldn’t be an issue.
  • Glass is breakable: Since there’s always the possibility of glass breaking, you may want to invest in getting thicker, impact-resistant glass for your garage windows, especially if you live in a busy neighborhood or a place with harsh weather conditions.
  • Cost: You will have to decide if the cost of high-quality windows and the installation process is worth the investment, and whether it will bring more value to your home.

Continue reading the article here...

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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