Garage Door Tips and Advice
Plain advice on keeping a garage door safe and working, from what a worn spring looks like to when a noise means it is time to call.
Springs
How to Tell If Your Garage Door Spring Is Broken
A loud bang, a heavy door, a gap in the coil. Learn how to tell if your garage door spring is broken and what to avoid touching until it is fixed.
Springs
Torsion vs Extension Garage Door Springs
Torsion vs extension garage door springs: how each one lifts the door, how to tell which you have, how they fail and what changes when one is replaced.
Springs
How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last?
How long do garage door springs last? It depends on cycle rating, daily use, rust and sizing. Learn how to stretch spring life and spot one near its end.
Openers
Why Your Garage Door Reverses Before Closing
If your garage door reverses before closing, the cause is usually the safety sensors, a force setting or an obstruction. Here is how to narrow it down safely.
Openers
Garage Door Opener Hums but the Door Won't Move
A garage door opener that hums but won't open usually points to a broken spring, a stuck motor, a failed gear or a locked door. Learn how to narrow it down.
Openers
Garage Door Remote or Keypad Not Working
Garage door remote not working, or the keypad ignoring your code? Work through batteries, lock mode, range, reprogramming and wiring before calling for help.
Cables
Why Your Garage Door Is Crooked or Hanging Unevenly
A garage door that is crooked, with one side lower, is usually a cable, drum or spring problem. Learn the likely causes and why you should stop using it.
Tracks
What to Do When Your Garage Door Comes Off Track
Garage door off track? Here is what to do first, what causes rollers to leave the track and why pushing the door back yourself is a risky idea.
Emergencies
Garage Door Stuck Open at Night: What to Do
A garage door stuck open at night is a security worry. Here is how to check the simple causes, secure the house and decide whether to call for help now.
Maintenance
What Makes a Garage Door Noisy
Noisy garage door causes include worn rollers, loose hardware, dry springs and a tired opener. Learn to match each squeak, grind or bang to its likely source.
Seasonal
Getting Your Garage Door Through a New Jersey Winter
Common garage door cold weather problems in New Jersey: frozen seals, stiff rollers, tired springs and finicky openers. Here is how to prepare and respond.
Maintenance
A Garage Door Maintenance Checklist for Homeowners
A practical garage door maintenance checklist: what to look at, listen for, lubricate and test a few times a year, and which parts to leave to a technician.
Decisions
Should You Repair or Replace Your Garage Door?
Deciding whether to repair or replace a garage door? Weigh the type of damage, the age of the door, its safety features and your plans for the home.
Costs
What Affects the Cost of a Garage Door Repair
What drives garage door repair cost? The part involved, door size and weight, spring type, parts availability, door condition and timing all shape the price.
Older Homes
Garage Doors in Older Essex and Bergen County Homes
Older home garage door problems in North Jersey: narrow openings, heavy wood doors, extension springs, tired framing and dated openers. What to know and check.