Even if your garage door is already insulated and has seals or weather-stripping around its edges, it’s important to double-check your garage door when winter arrives. Insulation degrades over time, and garage door seals and weather-stripping lose their ability to keep out cold air and moisture.

Inspect the Garage Door Springs:

• Disable your garage door opener before performing this task; you do this by pulling on the emergency cord.
• Then open the garage door manually.
• If you found this easy to do with one hand, then the springs are in great working order. If it was difficult to open, you will want to determine the cause.
• Do not try to fix this yourself as it can cause serious injury; Call us for all installations, repairs, and adjustments to your garage door torsion springs.

Take A Look At the Weather Stripping:

You want to make sure that the weather-stripping on the outside of your garage door frame is adequately functioning. Garage door seals and weather-stripping can be used to close those gaps in order to insulate your garage more effectively.

If you notice any damage or stripping itself has hardened because of heat exposure, you will want to replace it. The cracks will allow wind, cold air, snow, ice and rain to seep into the garage, where they can wreak havoc.

Metal Parts Need To Be Lubricated:

You will want to give each of the metal parts of your door proper lubrication prior to winter’s arrival. This includes the springs, track, and rollers.

• To begin, take a dry cloth and remove any old lubricant from past applications, as well as any dust that might be present. A lubricant that is oil-based, such as 10W-30 motor oil, is recommended.
• Apply the lubricant sparingly, and wipe away any of the excesses with a cloth.
• Avoid using products like WD-40. Those products are degreasers and not lubricants, so they would not work well on your garage door. Stay away from using grease, particularly on the tracks.

Winter has to be the worst season for a garage door to get stuck open or your automatic opener decided to quit right before a rainstorm. Count on Over the Top Garage Door Service for a complete garage door tune-up service this winter, and ensure your home is ready for the cold months ahead. The 14 point inspection and door adjustment can save you time, money and frustration before the cold weather comes.

Our Recent Garage Door Installation in Albuquerque’s North East Heights

The cool winter climate takes a toll on the operation of garage doors. Many homeowners experience more garage door problems in winter than in any other season. As winter approaches, there is the need to tune-up your garage door so that it remains in perfect conditions during the cold winter months.

Tips to help you prepare your garage door for winter

Insulate Your Garage Door:

Insulating your garage door is one of the essential winter tune-up tasks in preparing your garage door for the cold climate. The garage door is most likely the largest door in your home and it contributes significantly to the indoor temperature. An insulated garage door is very efficient during winter. It reduces your heating bill and maintains a warm temperature inside your home. Proper insulation also ensures the temperature remains stable in the garage.

Keep the Garage Door Well Lubricated:

Cool winter weather dries out the lubrication on rollers and hinges and this is the cause of most of the common garage door opening and closing problems and noisy operation experienced by homeowners during winter. Applying a metal lubricant to the rollers, hinges, tracks, springs, garage door trips, and other moving parts every two or three months will ensure the garage door operates without problems during the winter months. You should also apply a Silicone-based lubricant to the weather stripping to keep the door functioning properly.

Inspect & Replace the Rollers:

The rollers, whether steel or nylon, need to be inspected twice a year and replaced every seven years or so, and even more if you use your garage door many times a day. Worn chipped or cracked rollers should be replaced as soon as possible. You do this by removing and reinstalling any roller brackets that are not directly attached to the cable system.

Replace the Weather Stripping:

If the rubber weather seal strip on the bottom of your door is brittle or cracked, replace it right away to keep the elements out of your house. There are many different styles of bottom rubber, depending on the manufacturer of the door. Call your local garage door professional to find the right type of rubber for your door.

We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite garage doors that not only add sophisticated style but also help boost the value of your home; As homeowners can expect up to a 97 percent ROI for their garage door replacements.

For nearly 70 years, the classic steel garage door has been a staple look for homes in Albuquerque, NM. The Classic Steel Garage Doors deliver Wayne Dalton’s legendary performance and durability at our most affordable price.

Classic Steel Garage Doors

The elegance of Clean & Classic Designs

Wayne Dalton’s Classic Steel Garage Doors are built for performance and affordability. Often chosen by homeowners for their insulation value and safety features, these doors are also available in a variety of designs with window and hardware options to add to your home’s style and curb appeal. These beautiful and affordable steel doors are available with classic raised panels, wainscot inspired design or contemporary long panels.

Carriage House Steel Garage Doors

Harmonious Blend of Elegance & Strengh

Providing the perfect blend of historical beauty and practicality, carriage house garage doors bring the old charm factor to your home. Accented with decorative black wrought iron hardware and windows, your garage door will look like a swing-out barn door but function like a standard sectional garage door for modern convenience. Carriage House Steel Collection is available in a wide array of stained and painted finishes.

Designer Fiberglass Garage Doors

Elegantly Designed to Withstand any Climate!

Not only are Designer Fiberglass Garage Doors energy efficient, durable, quiet, safe, and beautifully designed, but they also give you the look and feel of real wood. Constructed to achieve the most natural-looking wood texture, Fiberglass garage doors blend flawlessly with their subtle yet beautiful lumber look. The Model 9800 is as close as you can get to the warmth and beauty of wood, but without the warping, cracking or rotting of real wood.

Modern Glass

A Unique Solution for your Extraordinary Home!

With the look of different glass styles, like frosted and tinted glass, modern glass garage doors allow natural light into your home and blends your outdoor and indoor living areas. Full-view garage doors make a bold statement and have a niche-appeal to homeowners and designers alike. If you’re looking for a sleek and trendy style, you’ve found it here.

If you want to save money on garage door repair services, annual maintenance is the best way to avoid unexpected garage door problems. Upon inspecting your garage door, our professional garage door technicians can determine if your door needs repairs,  a complete replacement, or just need new parts.

Common Garage Door Repairs

It won’t Open or Close:

Sensor obstruction is one of the most common causes of garage door issues. Door sensors, or photo eyes, which are usually found at the base of your door’s track, can be prone to faulty wiring, misaligned sensors and more.

Before you call a professional, be sure to double-check that nothing is in the way of the sensors or blocking the door. Sometimes if a box or item is in the way of the sensors, your door will not open. However, if your door is clear of obstructions and still won’t open, be sure to call a garage door repair expert.

Slow Response Time:

Observe how long it takes for your door to respond to your commands. Typically, it must begin to open or close within a second or two after you pressed the opener. It must then open or close smoothly without any delay. If you observe any delay in the operation, it might indicate that something is wrong with your door or the opener.

It Makes a Loud Noise:

A noisy garage door is the result of loose hardware, worn rollers, or the garage door opener itself. There are simple fixes but to avoid the last minute urgent need of a garage door repair expert, it is better to keep your ears open to the noise coming from the garage door that seems unusual to you.

The door is off the Tracks:

If your door is visibly off its tracks, it can cause your door to malfunction and become stuck. This tends to happen to old garage doors or doors that have sustained damage over the years. There is not much that you can do from home to alleviate this situation, as it may require specific parts and other necessary equipment.

Uneven Garage Door Sections:

Garage doors have a tendency to sag over time if they are not properly maintained. When the door is closed, you’ll see large gaps under the ends of the door.

It is advisable to check and test the balance of your garage door at least once a month. This involves disconnecting the opener from the door and manually operating it. When you bring the door at about midway and leave it there, it must not continue to rise or fall. If it does, there must be something wrong with the tension spring or other parts of your door.

Seal up any spaces and Cracks:

• Does your garage door close firmly on the ground? Are there any gaps in your garage window or even the dryer hose vents to the outside space?
• Carefully examine the weather stripping at the bottom of your garage door to ensure that it is not worn off or damaged.
• Go to your garage with a discerning eye to figure out where the pests are getting in, and seal up those spaces.
• Walk around the outside as well, sealing up any cracks by using caulking to fill any gaps or holes near your windows and doors. Ensure that you do a thorough job to avoid further infestation.
• It alone will make a significant difference in the number of insects and other pests in your garage.

The outside and yard:

• Look at what do you have stored adjacent to your garage. If you keep the recycling bins or a pile of yard waste near the house, this could attract insects that eventually wander into your garage.
• Pull any mulch away from the outside wall, and if you have to store anything outdoors until garbage day, keep it away from the house.
• Another consideration is water pooling near the outside wall of the garage. *t could attract wildlife that might decide to move in your garage or even attic.

Declutter:

• Clutter and also dust make pests feel right at home. Spiders, snakes, and other creepy-crawlies tend to want to hide in tiny little nooks and crannies. The typical garage offers many such spaces! Cleaned your garage and get everything organized. You might consider keeping a can of insect spray nearby in case you find a happy family of six- or eight-legged critters.
• If you have reason to believe that you might find a snake, wear boots and gloves. If you find rodent droppings, clean them up with care, as they could harbor illness.

We’ve put together the top garage door safety tips to keep your family safe and to prevent garage door related accidents.

Don’t Race Against your Garage Door:

Many of us have a tendency to race the garage door as it closes or opens. Although modern garage doors have sensors that stop the door from closing when there’s something in its path, some of the older garage doors do not. Prevent injuries and teach your children to stay away from moving doors.

Photo Eye Sensor Check:

Photo eye sensors act as a safety measure on your garage door by preventing the garage door from closing if there’s anything in the way. The sensors are located on either side of your garage door, and it’s essential to test them regularly and check that they’re still functioning properly.

To check your photo eye sensors, place an object in the path of the garage door before closing it. If the garage door does not stop and automatically reverse to the opening position, this means that the photo eye sensors are either malfunctioning and require repair/servicing or they are broken and need to be replaced.

Make your Garage Kid Friendly:

Educate your little ones to stay away from garage doors when the doors are in operation. Keep the garage door opener keypads and remotes out of kids’ reach, and do not allow children to play with the controls. Also ensure that children do not place their fingers between door hinges as this can be extremely dangerous.

Check Springs for Wear and Tear:

One of the common reasons why garage doors malfunction is because of a broken spring. The springs leverage the opening and closing of the doors by balancing the door’s weight. The average lifespan of a garage door is about six to ten years; however, ensuring that your springs are in good condition and performing routine checks will extend the life of your garage door. Worn out or broken springs can be hazardous, resulting in garage doors slamming shut or failing to open.

We always recommend that you call a professional to repair a broken spring. Attempting to fix a broken spring on your own can be dangerous and can cause injuries and further damage to the door.

Preventive Maintenance:

Preventative Maintenance is an essential element for your garage door functioning at its best condition. In fact, regular maintenance and check-ups can extend the life of your garage door. An annual visit from a trained technician will help ensure your door remains trouble-free year-round.