The Popular Garage Door Question… Repair or Replace?

As the weather continues to heat up, many homeowners are thinking about tackling some of those summer projects that they’ve been meaning to get to but just haven’t had the time. One such project you may have in mind is dealing with the garage door.

With that being said, finding a reputable contractor to help you with the task of garage door service is critical. Before calling a professional, you may ask yourself, will they suggest the door be repaired or replaced entirely? There is only one way to find out the answer to that question, and it’s to pick up the phone and call a professional to come and take a look. However, we’ve gone ahead and provided some points to take into consideration; first, let’s start with replacement:

You want to upgrade your curb appeal. A new garage will definitely add some pizazz to your entire exterior look. This is especially a nice touch if you are getting new siding on your house or other outdoor updates. These added touches will increase the value of your property.

Your garage door is outdated. If your garage was built decades ago, then there is a chance it is not up to par with today's safety standards. That means that it will be easier for an intruder to break into. In addition, the more outdated the garage door, the less visually attractive the overall appearance of the home.

Your garage isn't safe. If your garage doesn't have sensors on it or they aren't working properly, then you are better off getting a new garage door. The sensor's job is to detect if anyone crosses underneath the door while it's closing. If this isn't operating properly, then someone can be seriously hurt if trapped beneath the door.

Now that we’ve discussed points to consider on gage door replacement, here are some points to think about in regards to garage door repair:

Your garage door is sticking and making noises. If your door is not functioning properly, then it usually can be repaired without having to replace the entire door. Doors that jerk and halt while moving up the track or make a lot of rumbling squeaky noises can typically be repaired with quick fixes as these types of errors most often indicate that the garage door track or coils just need some attention.

Your garage has minor damage to the exterior. If you have a tiny bit of damage to the exterior of your garage, it's best to have it repaired. There's no need to replace the entire garage door unless you are re-doing your entire exterior. For example, if you are getting new siding for your home, you'll want everything to match. Otherwise, you can just have it repaired.

Your garage door leans to one side. If your garage seems to sag over to one side, this may seem like the entire door is broken. However, the good news is that it can usually be fixed and put back in proper alignment by professional garage repair contractors.

Still not sure what to do? We encourage you to contact us for more information.

Insulation & Garage Doors: What Should My R-Value Be?

If you are considering garage door replacement, you've likely done a lot of research already on what would be the right replacement. You might have decided on a design that will look good on your home, but you have probably not thought about the insulation.

Now, the mostly warm Texas weather in Austin may make you think that you insulation isn’t necessary; however, it’s important to remember that insulation is key when it comes to keeping cool air inside without allowing it to escape..

When gauging a garage door's insulation, manufactures rate it on a scale called the R-value. This is a scale that gauges its thermal resistance, or the ability to prevent temperature loss. To put understanding the R-value simply, the higher the number, the better it insulates.

R-values can go as high as 32 in some cases, but that doesn't mean you need the highest possible value. It is also important to remember that if you are choosing between an R-value 8 and an R-value 16 door, that doesn't mean it is twice as good at preventing temperature loss. In truth, the comparison is just a five percent gain from a 90% temperature loss reduction to 95% percent.

If you’re wondering what the appropriate R-value is for your new garage door replacement in Austin, the answer will vary by how you are using the garage. In most cases, an R-value 8 door will be more than enough for both an attached and detached garage. However, if you are using your garage as a living space, especially if you are having it heated or cooled by your HVAC system, you may want to consider a higher value - such as an R-value 16. Going higher than that gives smaller percentages of temperature retention and energy efficiency that may not be worth the price.

If you have questions on this, please don’t hesitate to contact us in order to further discuss.

3 Benefits of Regular Garage Door Service

If you're like most homeowners, your garage is more than just a place to park your car; it's the main entry to your home. As such, your garage door is subject to a lot of wear and tear. Routine maintenance and garage door service will help prevent unexpected breakdowns; but that's far from the only reason to schedule an appointment! Here are a few surprising benefits of having your door tuned up and properly maintained by an experienced technician.

• Preserves the Life of the Door.  Every garage door and motor manufacturer recommends having the door maintained regularly. During a routine service appointment, the technician can lubricate the gears, belts, tracks, and chains that support the heavy weight of the door. Having said maintenance items completed will reduce the amount of friction the components are exposed to under regular conditions; thus helping to ensure that your door works for as long as possible.
• Reduces Costs.  When it comes to garage door repairs, preventative maintenance is always best. By fixing minor issues as they occur, you'll end up saving money and time by preventing major breakdowns in the first place. Inspections are part of every standard service appointment and your technician will be able to notify you of any potential issues before they do damage to the motor or the door itself.
• Improves Safety.  Poorly maintained doors can slow down as the motor struggles to raise and lower the door. Though it may not seem like it, this puts your home at risk for theft and intrusion. The longer a thief has to slip under the door when you leave, the more tempting of a target your home becomes. Regular service and maintenance will ensure that your door raises and lowers at an appropriate speed, keeping your home and the things you love most safe while you're trying to make it to your destination on time.

Whether you use your garage as your main entryway or only use it to park your car at the end of the day, routine maintenance is crucial in keeping the motor running well. Don't put off maintenance until you notice a major problem.

We encourage you to schedule a professional garage door service appointment with us at Roadrunner Garage Doors.

Why a Bowing Garage Door Needs Fixing

The garage door is a major element of the face of your home. We like to keep it looking nice for our curb appeal, and also functioning properly for daily efficiency. While there are other elements that may be more pressing to get fixed, such as the spring or the rails, it is still important that don’t choose to ignore your garage door if you happen to notice that it’s beginning to bow since it will need to be corrected sooner rather than later.

What Causes Bowing?

A bowing garage door is one that has warped and no longer looks quite right. For example, instead of being a flat surface, it can look dented in. Furthermore, as you open it, you may notice moaning or straining of the garage door opener as it tries to make a misshapen door fit in your garage. This, as you can imagine, is a large strain on your garage door opener.

While not all garage doors are susceptible to bowing, if you have a wooden garage door, it will most likely happen eventually. Wooden garage doors are vulnerable to temperature fluctuations where the extreme temperatures over time will cause warping. However, even steel garage doors can bow, but for different reasons. Usually in the case of steel doors, they bow because the garage door opener cannot handle the weight and it begins to warp in the center due to a lack of support.

Fixing a Bowing Garage Door

The reason a bowing garage door needs to be fixed instead of ignored is that it is a problem that is not going to get any better. The longer you leave a garage door once it starts to warp, the more it will warp. This is crucial because sometimes bowing can be fixed by having a service technician replace a few panels instead of the more expensive option of replacing the whole door.

Furthermore, by leaving a bowing garage door alone, every time you open it, it puts more strain on the entire system. What's more expensive than replacing a garage door? Replacing the garage door, rails, and opener if they break or also warp.

We encourage you to contact us with any questions or service needs you may have.

What to Do When your Garage Door is Stuck

Whether you’re trying to leave your garage or park your car inside, having your automatic garage door suddenly stop working can put you in a real bind. But don't panic; in many cases there are simple solutions to getting your garage door unstuck. Here are some steps you can take when your garage door stops working:

Check the Obvious Causes First

If your garage door stays put when you press the remote button, then you should check the batteries of your remote. Most automatic garage doors have a bypass switch you can use to raise and lower the door without the remote. If it works, chances are, the batteries are the culprit.

Your garage opener also needs power to operate. Make sure there hasn't been a power outage or a circuit hasn't been blown. You should also check to make sure the power cord is plugged in. These are easy checks and could save you a lot of trouble by starting with them first.

Take a Look at the Tracks

Sometimes the tracks that serve as the rails for the garage door rollers can get blocked or thrown out of alignment. Keep in mind that it is possible for debris to build up or get caught in the tracks so be sure to examine the tracks carefully and clear out any debris or objects.
Tracks can also become warped or dented. People sometimes bump them with their car, or extreme changes in temperature can cause them to become distorted. Use your hand to feel along the track to detect any unevenness.

If the problem is minor, you could try gently hammering it back into shape, using a wooden block as a guide. Exercise caution when manipulating the tracks; you don't want to make the problem worse. It is often a good idea to call a professional for track fixes.

Check the Sensors

Every automatic garage door system includes a pair of sensors that act as a safety mechanism. The sensors send out a beam of light across the bottom of the garage door. If something blocks the light path, the door will stop moving.
Sometimes the sensors can accidentally become blocked or come out of alignment. Dirt or debris can collect on the eyes of the sensor, causing them to mistakenly detect a blockage. Or, an object could have accidentally been placed into the sensor's path, and simply needs to be moved.
If the infrared beams of the sensors are not properly aligned, they will not allow the door to open or close. Fixing the alignment can be difficult to do on your own. This problem is usually best fixed by a professional.

You May Have a Broken Spring

Look at the top and sides of your garage door for the springs. If one is sagging or there is a gap, it is likely broken. The spring is key to opening and closing your garage door.
If you have a broken spring, you will definitely need to call a garage door specialist to fix it. 

Use the Manual Release

It is still possible to raise or lower an automatic garage door by using the manual release. Look for the red cord hanging from the door's track. Pull it towards the back of the garage, and it will release from the opener.

You can then manually pull the door open or closed. However, if you encounter any major resistance, it's a good idea to stop and call a professional. 

Your automatic garage door should be regularly maintained and serviced. Contact us at Roadrunner Garage Doors if you have questions or are encountering any problems.

4 Warning Signs of an Unbalanced Garage Door

Your garage door is a system of moving parts so it’s very important that the door is properly balanced. An unbalanced garage door can become dangerous if the problem is not addressed right away. It can also put unneeded strain on the door's components, leading to expensive repairs.

On a properly-balanced garage door, the weight is evenly distributed by the tension in the springs. On a door that is unbalanced, the springs do not properly counterbalance the door's weight. If not repaired, the opener can fail, or a spring or cable can snap. Here are some of the warning signs that your garage door is not correctly balanced:

Your garage door appears uneven. The bottom of the garage door should look straight. If it is slanted, it's a good indication that the door is unbalanced. Misalignment can be caused by frayed cables or broken springs on one side of the garage door. It requires garage door repair as soon as possible.  


The door starts to close on its own. When you open the door manually, it should stay open without any problems. A door that's unbalanced will begin to close after you open it. You might also notice that the door does not open all the way.  

The garage door is more difficult to operate. Your garage door should open and close easily. When your door is unbalanced, it will operate more slowly. The door might not stay open, or it may not open at all. This indicates that the motor can no longer lift the door's weight.
 
You hear loud noises when you open or close the door. Your garage door should operate fairly quietly. Loud noises indicate that your door needs attention. It might have worn components that need to be replaced.

If you notice any of these issues with your garage door, do not try to fix the problem yourself. Garage door repair should only be done by an experienced professional. We encourage you to contact us today to schedule service and repair.

The Dangers of DIY Garage Door Installation

If it is time for you to get a new garage door, whether you want it for aesthetic reasons or your old garage door has broken down beyond repair, you might think that you can lower costs a little by doing the labor yourself. Unfortunately, garage door installation usually goes beyond the skills of even the handiest DIY homeowner. In fact, installing your own garage door can be downright dangerous.

The Many Moving Parts of a Garage Door
It doesn't happen often, but many garage door companies that offer installation fully expect to receive at least a few calls per year asking them to come fix a DIY garage door installation job. One of the primary issues is that while a garage door looks fairly straightforward, it actually has a number of moving parts that need to work together in order to work efficiently and safely. While automatic openers are usually somewhat straightforward to install, the issue is picking the right track for the door and actually installing that track.

Lack of Proper Tools
When installing a garage door, typically you want to leave it to the professionals because they have the right tools and knowledge for the job. It goes beyond simple drills for fastening, but rather you need tools like a counterbalance spring system to install it correctly and do so in a way that the installation is actually safe.

Garage Doors are Heavy
These days, most people have automatic garage openers that do the heavy lifting for them. This means that tend to forget the large door that is moving up and down weights a couple hundred pounds. This means if you are dead set on doing the installation yourself, you can't. You will need at least one or two other people to help you physically lift the door and put it into position. Trying to lift a garage door yourself is asking for injury.

The Danger of the Springs
If you ask any garage door professional what the most dangerous part of an installation is, they will say without a doubt that it is doing the springs. Many homeowners have been seriously injured because they tried to adjust the springs, let along install them. The issue is that a spring stores energy to actually lift the door and if it unwinds during the installation, that energy is rapidly released. You won't be able to move out of the way in time and the springs can cause a serious injury.

Make the safe choice and call Roadrunner Garage Doors today.