Garage Door Tips & News

If you have lived in Mesa or the East Valley for any length of time, you know that the summer heat is intense. But did you know that your garage is often the hottest room in your house? Temperatures inside an uninsulated garage can easily exceed 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme heat takes a toll on your garage door system, specifically the springs.

The Science Behind the Break

Garage door springs work by coiling and uncoiling to create tension. This process generates heat within the metal itself. When you combine this internal friction with the high ambient temperature of an Arizona summer, the steel weakens over time. This is why we see a significant spike in broken springs during July and August. The metal simply fatigues faster than it would in a cooler climate.

What You Can Do

While you cannot change the weather, you can choose better parts. We always recommend installing high-cycle springs. These springs are larger and made of higher-grade steel, designed to withstand more cycles and higher temperatures. Additionally, keeping your springs lubricated with a non-silicone based spray can reduce friction and extend their lifespan.

Most homeowners take their garage door opener for granted until it stops working. However, openers rarely fail without giving you a few warning signs first. Catching these signs early can save you from being stuck in your garage on a Monday morning.

• Excessive Noise: If your chain drive opener sounds like a tractor, the gears may be stripping or the chain is loose.
• Slow Movement: If the door is moving noticeably slower than usual, the motor might be burning out or the capacitor is failing.
• Intermittent Operation: Does the door open halfway and then reverse? This could be a safety sensor issue or a logic board failure.
• Vibration: If the opener shakes violently, the mounting hardware may be loose or the internal armature is unbalanced.
• Age: If your opener is over 15 years old, it is living on borrowed time. Newer models are safer, quieter, and more secure.

If you notice any of these signs, give us a call. Often, a simple repair like replacing a gear kit or a capacitor is all that is needed to get another few years out of your unit.

One of the most dangerous situations for a homeowner is an off-track garage door. This usually happens when a cable snaps or the door hits an obstruction while closing. The rollers pop out of the guide tracks, leaving the door hanging precariously at an angle.

Do Not Attempt DIY Repair

We cannot stress this enough: do not try to force the door back into the tracks yourself. The garage door cables are under immense tension. If you release the wrong bracket, the spring tension can be unleashed instantly, causing severe injury or property damage.

Steps to Take

1. Stop: If the door is moving, stop it immediately using the wall button.
2. Clear the Area: Keep kids and pets away from the door.
3. Do Not Pull the Red Cord: In an off-track situation, pulling the emergency release cord can cause the door to crash down if the spring is broken.
4. Call a Professional: We have the tools (like winding bars and come-alongs) to safely secure the door, release the tension, and reset the rollers.

A noisy garage door is often just a thirsty garage door. Metal-on-metal contact creates friction and noise. The good news is that you can solve this with a $10 can of spray lubricant.

What to Use (and What NOT to Use)

Never use WD-40 or heavy grease. WD-40 is a solvent, not a lubricant, and it will actually strip away existing grease and attract dust. Heavy grease collects sand and dirt, turning into a grinding paste. Instead, use a White Lithium Grease or a dedicated Garage Door Spray Lubricant.

Where to Spray

Every 6 months, spray the springs, the steel rollers (only the ball bearings, not the nylon wheels), and the hinges. Do not spray the tracks themselves; just wipe them clean with a rag. This simple 10-minute task can extend the life of your door by years.