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Residential Garage Doors
Sales, Installation, and Service
4300 Arthur Road
Martinez, CA 94553
Call: 925-357-9781

Call Now
925-208-4907

Tag: garage door maintenance

garage door won't open

Should You Replace or Repair a Garage Door Panel?

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Even homeowners with the most meticulous maintenance plans can fall victim to garage door damage from an accident or good old-fashioned wear and tear. When you need  garage door repairs, determining whether you should replace or repair a garage door panel can be tricky. Uncovering the best solution will depend on several factors.

Garage Door Age and Condition

For garage doors ten years old or newer and in good condition, repairing damaged garage door panels may offer the better option. On the other hand, you are better to replace garage doors that are more than twenty years old or poorly maintained doors past their prime before more costly components wear out.

Level of Garage Door Damage

Our garage door repair professionals can often manage minimal damage with a bit of filler and paint. But for more substantial destruction, particularly garage doors with damage to the garage door opener mechanism, a new garage door is typically the best, safest option.

Number of Damaged Panels

It is easier to replace a single, well-maintained garage door panel. However, garage door replacement may make more sense when multiple panels are damaged.

Ability to Match Garage Door Replacement Panels

Our skilled garage door repair technicians can often return damaged garage doors to ‘like new’ condition. But in some cases, it may be difficult to find matching replacement panels. Painting your entire garage door may camouflage the repair. However, a new garage door may offer the ideal alternative for homeowners who will be disappointed with a panel that does not blend seamlessly.

Cost of Repairing Vs. Replacing Garage Door

Repairing is usually the most affordable option, particularly with only one or two damaged panels. However, garage door replacement may not cost much more than repairs if you have multiple damaged panels. Upgrading will also offer the added benefits of a warranty, reduced maintenance, better performance, and enhanced safety.

Madden Can Repair a Variety of Garage Door Styles

Whether your wood garage door has rotted, your metal garage door has corroded, or your fiberglass garage doors have cracked, Madden Door has you covered. We have the skills, experience, and equipment to service all styles and brands of garage doors – even those from manufacturers who’ve gone out of business.

Should you replace or repair a garage door panel? Find the ideal solution with help from Madden Door & Sons. Contact us at 925-208-4907 to schedule a garage door repair or replacement assessment today.

garage door maintenance, repair, replace

garage door won't open

Garage Door Won’t Open? Solutions to Top Problems

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We’ve all been there. You’re on your way out – or just arrived home – and your garage door won’t open. You check everything you can think of, and it just won’t budge. Our garage door professionals deal with this situation frequently. We’ll cover the most common here so you can solve this issue and get on with your day.

Remote Control Not Working

If your door opens using the wall-mounted control, but not your remote, check the battery in your remote (and possibly your car). If this doesn’t work, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to reset it.

Garage Door Opener Unplugged

Sometimes garage door system plugs work themselves free of the electrical outlet. This is one of the most common reasons for garage door opening failure and a frequent cause of customer embarrassment during garage door service calls. 

Circuit Breaker Tripped

Check to make sure the breaker for your garage door system is fully in the “on” position. If a power surge trips a breaker, your door won’t operate.

Motor Disconnected

The disconnect switch on the trolley allows for manual operation during a power outage. Look for the knob/cord for this switch and make sure the motor is not disconnected.

Door Jammed with Debris

Objects blocking the path of the garage door could engage the safety system and prevent the door from opening. A dirty photo eye – the sensor that detects objects in the path of your door – could also be to blame. Wipe it clean with a soft rag and try opening your door again.

Broken Springs or Snapped Cables

Torsion springs wear under the stress of lifting and lowering your garage door over time. Spring breakage can also cause cables to snap under the weight of doors, which is very hazardous for people/objects in the vicinity. This situation always requires emergency service from a trained professional. Never attempt to address broken springs on your own – improper repair can cause serious injury.

Door Off Track

A damaged or deteriorated door that is off track or out of alignment can easily become stuck.

Lack of Use

Built for regular use, doors that have gone unused for long periods, such as during shelter in place orders, can become inoperable, suffering from neglected garage door maintenance, lack of lubrication, system degradation, and the other issues discussed here.

If you’ve addressed these potential problems and your garage door still won’t open, it’s time to call a pro. While these are common reasons for garage door malfunction, there may be other issues. Fortunately, the experienced garage door repairmen at Madden Door & Sons can help. Contact us at 925-208-4907 for fast garage door service at your Alameda, Antioch, Hercules, Richmond, San Pablo, Concord home today.

door will not open, garage door maintenance, repairs

Tips for Taking Care of Your Garage Door Sensors

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Garage Door Sensors

Since 1993, garage door sensors have been mandatory for all automatic garage doors in California. If the sensor detects a person or object under the door, the door will automatically stop, preventing damage, injury and death. Unfortunately, garage door sensors can become less effective over time. This is a major safety hazard and can interfere with the efficient opening and closing of your garage door.

By caring for your garage door sensors, you can enjoy a safe and reliable system. Let’s explore the best ways to care for your electric garage door.

Best Steps to Prevent Garage Door Sensor Problems

The best maintenance is preventive. To maintain your automatic garage door, follow these tips:

  • Clean your garage door regularly. Have you ever noticed how dirty garage doors get? Cobwebs, debris, dirt, etc. all cause wear and tear. Once or twice a year, use dish soap and a hose to clean your garage doors. Wood doors need to be repainted every few years.
  • Lubricate moving parts. Both metal and wooden garage doors have springs, tracks and rollers, hinges and possibly a chain that allow the door to move up and down. Inspect these parts to ensure they are in good working condition. Wipe the tracks clean and lubricate these moving parts once a year using a small amount of lubricant designed for garage door use.
  • Tighten hardware. Garage doors also have nuts, bolts and screws. If any are loose, tighten them as needed. This will keep everything moving properly.
  • Clean the garage door sensors. Photoelectric sensors are located about six inches off the floor on either side of the garage door. Wipe them clean gently to avoid knocking them out of alignment.

What Causes Garage Door Sensor Trouble

Ideally, you should clean and check all parts on your garage door at least once a year. However, many Bay Area homeowners forget this step and end up facing problems. For example, you may return home from work one day and notice that your garage door suddenly stops and reverses. What could be wrong?

Below are the most common causes of failure in garage door sensors:

  • Misaligning of the sensors
  • Accumulation of dirt and debris on the sensors
  • Sunlight shining directly on the sensors
  • Human error (did you leave something under the garage door?)

If you’d prefer to leave it to the professionals, call Madden Door at 925-357-9781 for service. We’ll figure out what’s wrong and get your garage door fixed in no time. Our experienced technicians can repair or replace your garage door sensors and address any other issues with your doors.

garage door maintenance, garage door sensor

Weather-Sealing Your Garage Doors

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Garage Doors weather strippingAre you thinking about weather-sealing your garage doors? It’s a smart decision, considering that many things can come in under the bottom of your garage door – mice, insects, water, dirt, etc. Imagine how much cleaner your garage would be if you closed off the bottom gap!

Fortunately, weather-sealing your Bay Area garage doors isn’t expensive or difficult. We’ll tell you how to seal this gap and make your garage safer, cleaner and more efficient.

What is Weather-Sealing?

Weather-sealing is the process of replacing the bottom garage door seal with weather-stripping. The purpose of this is to make the garage door airtight so that moisture, debris, dirt, pests, insects, etc. are kept out. Most garage doors come with some type of seal and weather-stripping, but it may not be effective, and it will break down over time.

Ways to Weather-Seal Your Garage Door

You don’t necessarily need a professional to come out and weather-seal your garage. You can do it on your own. Here are a few options to seal your garage doors:

  • Door sweep. A door sweep is a vinyl or rubber seal that attaches to the bottom of your garage door. It compresses when the door closes, filling the gap to keep cold or hot air, dirt and debris out. When you start to see daylight coming through, it’s time to replace your garage door sweep.
  • Weather-stripping. Another option is weather-stripping, which looks very similar to door sweep material. Weather-stripping is made from vinyl or rubber and is installed onto the door. There are different types of weather-stripping, including v-shaped and integrated weather-stripping.

All these options are relatively easy for you to install yourself, using the instructions that are supplied with the product when your purchase it.

Madden Door can install weather-stripping with the purchase of a new garage door. Whether you’re interested in a rustic wooden garage door or a contemporary glass garage door for your Bay Area home, let us help you find the perfect solution for your home! Call us today at 925-357-9781 or visit our showroom in Martinez, California (just north of Concord) to see some of the garage door options available to you.

garage door maintenance, garage door seal

Call Now: 925-208-4907