• Header Slider
  • Slider 2
  • Slider 3
  • Slider 4
  • Slider 5
  • Slider 6

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

Call Now
925-208-4907

Tag: maintenance

garage door maintenance company

Preparing Your Garage Door for the Summer

Written on .

Bay Area summers can be tough on garage doors. Dry, hot weather causes all sorts of issues. Preparing your garage door for the summer is essential to ensure it lasts through the season and remains functional for the long haul – especially in this time of supply chain issues. Now is the time to tackle the following garage door maintenance problems to avoid summer breakdowns. 

Garage Door Rust and Rot

Garage door dirt and dust buildup gives moisture and mold something to cling to, accelerating corrosion and rot. Fortunately, you can keep untimely deterioration at bay with regular cleaning, including a thin layer of wax on metal garage doors or a fresh coat of paint or sealer on wood garage doors.

Lubricant Evaporation on Key Garage Door Parts

Dry heat accelerates lubricant evaporation, leading to jerky, noisy operation, and premature wear on moving parts. Lubricating your garage door rollers, tracks, hinges, and weather stripping ensures smooth operation.

Shifting Garage Door Framing

The wood framing holding your residential garage door in place can twist and shift with temperature changes. Our skilled Bay Area garage door contractors know how to adjust for these issues, ensuring smooth operation.

Insufficient Garage Door Insulation

In soaring summer temperatures, your garage may feel like a giant oven. If you notice this problem worsening as the years pass and it’s impacting indoor comfort (and your AC bill), a bit of garage door maintenance for temperature control is advisable. Our garage door technicians can improve comfort in your garage by:

  • Making sure your garage door properly seals when closed
  • Adding or replacing missing/damaged garage door insulation to prevent heat transfer
  • Incorporating vents into your walls or garage door to improve airflow
  • Upgrading your garage door opener to new sensor technology that lifts the door at a pre-set temperature

Garage Door Opener Failure in High Temperatures

Most electronics are sensitive to heat. While built to withstand the climate in your garage, garage door openers may still fall victim to temperature extremes. If this occurs, our staff can quickly replace your garage door opener, making adjustments to help control garage temperatures.

Don’t Wait on Garage Door Maintenance

Garage door supply chain issues continue to take a toll on the industry. We strongly recommend you have your garage door assessed and order replacement parts for any components showing excessive wear and tear as soon as possible. This will ensure that your garage door remains in operation and that you don’t suffer from long wait times due to shortages of garage door parts.

Extend your Bay Area garage door’s useful life with these tips for preparing your garage door for the summer months from Madden Door & Sons. We’re here to help you keep your door in action, providing lasting, affordable garage door repairs. Contact us at 925-208-4907 to schedule garage door maintenance today.

maintenance, preventive maintenance, summer, tips

Summer Garage Door Maintenance Tips

Written on .

Summer Garage Door Maintenance Tips

Hot weather is here. Don’t let this year’s extreme heat waves take a toll on your garage door system, impacting its function and lifespan. Keep things cool in your garage and home with these summer garage door maintenance tips for Bay Area homeowners.

Inspect

Extreme heat can cause metal components to expand, shifting components like hinges, rollers, and garage door springs, impacting garage door function. Pay special attention to these components in the summer. They manage heavy weight and pressure. If you have any safety concerns, contact your local garage door service technician immediately.

Does your garage door seem to malfunction on sunny days? Sunlight takes a different path in summer and may shine on your safety sensors. Installing safety sensors sunshades is an easy way to manage this issue.

Lubricate

Lubricate garage door hardware each spring, including garage door rollers, tracks, pulleys/chains, hinges, and other moving parts with silicone or lithium-based garage door lubricant, to ensure more reliable, smooth operation through the season. Lubrication prevents hot, expanding metal from causing essential garage door components to stick. Because heat may also impact your garage door weather seal, we likewise recommend cleaning and applying a layer of lubricant to prevent it from sticking in extreme heat.

Insulate

Insulated garage doors prevent summer heat and humidity from transferring into your garage and home. Keep things cool by applying polystyrene insulation or replacing worn, ineffective insulation on your garage doors. Your insulation investment will pay off in the winter months as well, keeping you warm and comfortable.

Clean

Maintaining your garage doors prevents rusting and molding that reduces indoor comfort levels and shortens garage door lifespan.

Test

Rolling blackouts are common in the Bay Area in the summer. Be ready, testing your manual release handle to ensure proper operation in power outages. Make sure the red release handle is no more than 6-feet from the floor and allows you to open the garage door smoothly without your garage door opener.

Replace

Temperature extremes take a toll on batteries and lights. Check your bulbs for outages, and be sure to swap out the batteries in your garage door remotes seasonally. 

Don’t sweat summer garage door repair needs.  If these summer garage door maintenance tips aren’t enough to get you through the season, Madden Door & Sons has you covered. Contact us at 925-208-4907 to schedule service for your Fairfield, Vallejo, Brentwood, Lafayette, Hercules, El Cerrito, Richmond, Antioch, or American Canyon home today.

garage door, inspection, maintenance, safety, tips

garage door maintenance

The Benefits of Garage Door Maintenance

Written on .

The Benefits of Garage Door Maintenance

Well maintained wood garage doors add a luxurious look to any property, but when neglected, they can spoil the curb appeal of your home. Fortunately, it’s possible to keep your garage doors looking like new, even after many years, especially cedar garage doors, which offer benefits over other types of wood due to their natural tannic acid (a preservative) content.

After 10 Years, a Custom Knotty Cedar Garage Door Can Still Look Spectacular

custom garage door
Beautiful door we did years ago –  Knotty Incense Cedar Arched Top with Speakeasy Windows in Alamo CA.  Looks amazing even after 10+ years!

Naturally stained cedar wood garage doors are one of our most eye-catching, durable garage door styles, requiring less maintenance than competing woods.

Regularly Applying a Protective Finish Keeps Wood Doors Looking Their Best

All it takes is the routine application of a penetrating finish every few years to preserve the beauty of your wood garage doors. However, a protective coating offers more than looks. The benefits of wood garage door maintenance go beyond simply upholding the appearance of your oak, redwood, or cedar garage doors.  

Why Maintain Your Wood Garage Doors?

  • Routine maintenance extends your garage door’s lifespan

Regularly applying a protective coating to your wood garage doors guards against rain, wind, and sun-related wear, keeping it in the best shape possible so you can maximize your return-on-investment.

  • Well maintained garage doors operate more smoothly

Doors that stand up to the elements experience less warping, swelling, and other damage known to affect proper movement and garage door opener operation.

  • Penetrating protective finish reduces cleaning needs

A coating of protective finish preserves your door’s overall looks and condition, preventing the buildup of dirt and grime that can lead to mold and mildew growth penetrating and permanently discoloring the wood.

  • Beautifully maintained garage doors boost your home’s value

Garage doors make up a large portion of your home’s exterior and are among the first things people see, making them an integral facet of its curb appeal and value.

Don’t let your garage door maintenance slide. A little TLC goes a long way in extending the lifespan of beautiful wood garage doors. Contact Madden Door & Sons at 925-208-4907 to schedule garage door maintenance for your Bay Area, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Concord, Oakland, Pittsburg, or Brentwood home today.

curb appeal, maintenance, wood garage doors

Extra Tall Garage Door with Windows at Madden Door San Francisco, American Canyon, CA

Garage Door Resolutions for 2021

Written on .

As was the case in 2020, spending more time at home looks to be on the horizon for the new year. Keeping yours in tip-top shape ensures a stress-free stay. Look after your home and your garage door, setting yourself up for a happy new year free of garage door drama with these garage door resolutions for 2021.

Stop Sidelining Garage Door Maintenance Tasks

Are you tired of working around garage door malfunctions? Our garage door service technicians know it’s not uncommon for homeowners to wait until their garage door system is totally defunct to have it repaired. But this often leads to excessive service costs – and rarely happens at a convenient time. In 2021, get proactive about garage door maintenance, addressing issues like garage doors that don’t open smoothly, unusually noisy operation, or doors that are stuck in a timely fashion. 

Once you’ve repaired your garage door system, plan a garage door maintenance schedule. Put monitoring your garage door system on your monthly home maintenance task list, adding it to your calendar, or setting a reminder on your phone. If something seems off, schedule service. Otherwise, stick to your annual preventative maintenance plan.

Verify Garage Door Opener Performance and Safety

If your garage door opener struggles to manage the door’s weight or the auto-reverse system is malfunctioning, don’t wait to schedule garage door service. These issues are dangerous, putting children and pets at risk. If your door has gotten excessively loud over the past few weeks or months, it may be time for a new garage door opener. Our experienced team can help you find the right garage door opener to meet your needs and budget, including belt, screw, or chain-driven systems. We offer a variety of options from leading brands like Chamberlain and Liftmaster, including smart, mobile device driven models, sleek, space-saving designs, and standard garage door opening systems.

Consider Your Plans for Garage Door Replacement in Advance

If your aging garage door is dragging down your home’s appearance, and you know your local garage door service technician by name because of frequent need repair needs, it may be time for garage door replacement. There are many reasons to replace your garage doors beyond aesthetics, including improving safety, saving on energy costs, and eliminating the inconvenience and expense of constant repairs.

Our garage door sales professionals excel at helping homeowners find lasting garage door solutions for their budget. We offer many styles of standard and custom replacement garage doors, including paint grade, stain grade, aluminum, and carriage style garage doors to accent your home. Our creative door designs and quality workmanship ensure superior, lasting garage door installation results.

Plan for a smoother year with these garage door resolutions for 2021 from Madden Door & Sons. Contact us at 925-208-4907 to schedule a service appointment for your Bay Area, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Concord, Oakland, Pittsburg, or Brentwood home today.

maintenance, replacement, resolutions

wood garage doors

Care and Maintenance of Your Wood Garage Door

Written on .

Is a dull, drab garage door detracting from the curb appeal of your home? Your garage door is a central aspect of your home’s building design, making up a significant portion of the exterior. Whether your home is traditional, modern, rustic, or opulent, a beautiful wood garage door is an excellent way to accent your home’s architectural style. However, to keep your garage door looking beautiful, it will need regular care and maintenance. 

Tips for Maintaining Your Wood Garage Door

To protect the wooden garage door on your San Rafael, Pittsburg, Moraga, Fairfield, Alamo, or El Cerrito home and keep it in the best shape possible, our garage door experts recommend:

  • Clean your door regularly.
    Dirt and moisture accumulation on your wood garage door can lead to warping and deterioration. Washing down your garage door with soap, water, and a rag at least once a year can help you avoid these issues.
  • Routinely check your door for rot.
    When the weather is damp, dirty, neglected garage doors offer the perfect environment for bacterial and fungal growth. Over time, this can lead to wood rot. You should occasionally check your doors for signs of decay, lightly prodding the bottom of the door and the trim surrounding it with a screwdriver. If the wood feels squishy or the screwdriver pushes through, schedule a garage door service appointment ASAP.
  • Inspect key door components.
    Check your door regularly to ensure all moving parts, from the door itself to the garage door opener, are in top condition. Be careful not to overlook seals and hardware. Replace parts immediately any time you see damage to uphold the safety of the system.  
  • Be wary of pest infestation.
    Be on the lookout for small holes in your garage door. These could indicate infiltration from termites, beetles, carpenter bees, and other wood consuming/destroying insects.
  • Protect your door with a durable finish.
    Reapply a durable coat of paint or stain every few years. This necessary maintenance not only keeps your wooden garage door looking lovely but also protects it from the abuse of the sun, wind, and rain, as well as scratches. Before applying a coat of paint or stain, be sure to clean the door well and remove paint chips with a scraper, providing a smooth surface.  

Avoid untimely garage door replacement. Ensure beauty and performance for years to come with the routine care and maintenance of your wooden garage doors. Contact Madden Door & Sons at 925-208-4907 to schedule garage door service today.  

curb appeal, maintenance, wood garage doors

Horizontal Red Wood Installation Garage Door at Madden in Walnut Creek, Berkeley, Richmond, CA

Could Your Garage Door Need Structural Reinforcement?

Written on .

Does Your Door Need Reinforcement Struts?

Structural reinforcement is essential to ensuring your garage door system is safe. U-shaped struts, when added to your door via hinges or clips, stiffen your garage door, safeguarding it against bending and breaking, preventing binding when the door is in motion, and ensuring the long-term structural integrity of your door. However, every garage door installation is unique, and garage door reinforcements are not necessary in all situations. Does your garage door need structural reinforcement?

Your Garage Door Needs Structural Reinforcement in Specific Circumstances

  • Structural reinforcements support your door when it’s in the open position.
    Single doors for residential use typically don’t require struts unless they’re motor-driven. However, because larger, heavier doors over 10 feet wide and doors made of steel without added polystyrene or polyurethane insulation could bow without the proper structural reinforcements, our garage door installation professionals add struts to these larger, heavier systems for stability.
  • Doors in areas prone to high winds and hurricanes benefit from door reinforcement.
    Our experienced team understands that garage doors are the largest opening into your home and are most vulnerable to the high winds of intense storms, so we reinforce them to meet the challenges of area weather extremes.

Custom Design and Expert Installation Ensures Stability

Custom door design and expert installation by Madden Door professionals ensure a door that is safe, stable, and built to last. Our custom designed doors allow you to personally choose high-quality, sturdy materials that offer added structural stability for withstanding extreme weather, safeguarding your home and extending the lifespan of your garage door investment. We manufacture custom designs to any size or shape to offer solutions for challenging spaces, helping you maximize storage space and functionality of even the smallest garage.

Learn more about Madden Door & Sons customized garage door options.

Could your garage door need structural reinforcement? Ensure the door on your Livermore, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, Vallejo, Richmond, Moraga, Lafayette, or Berkeley home is safe. Contact the experienced professionals at Madden Door & Sons at 925-208-4907 today.  

garage door styles, installation, maintenance, safety

garage door installation and maintenance

Avoid DIY Garage Door Installation

Written on .

Considering DIY Garage Door Installation? Read this First!

It can be tempting to consider DIY garage door installation to save a buck. However, your sweat equity can quickly turn into injuries and repair costs. What makes do-it-yourself garage door installation so tough?

The Pitfalls of DIY Garage Door Installation

At best, installing a garage door without the help of a pro could result in costly repairs; at worst, you could sustain severe injury. What leads to these situations?

  • Inadequate knowledge of garage door components and functionality.
    Garage door service professionals frequently get called to bail homeowners out of DIY door installation snafus. These issues often occur due to a lack of knowledge about door parts and their functions. Choosing the wrong track system, low-quality lumber, or even a simple misplaced hinge can cause your entire garage door to malfunction, resulting in additional repair expenses and potentially dangerous situations. Remember, contemporary garage doors with windows weigh 100 lbs. at a minimum, with larger models topping 300 lbs. and more. In motion and malfunctioning, they can cause serious injury.
  • Lack of tools and equipment.
    Garage door kits commonly lack installation hardware. In this situation, many homeowners fail to understand the exact equipment they need to accomplish a safe installation or where to purchase it. They also seldom have the tools to achieve a secure install, such as a counterbalance spring system, an essential device for lifting heavy garage doors. Worse, they are ignorant of the dangers of door springs, which can quickly unwind and launch, potentially causing severe injury. (Click here to learn more about door spring dangers.) Having your garage door installed by a pro will circumvent these issues and preserve your warranty, which may be void with homeowner installation.

Avoid DIY garage door installation drama in your Livermore, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, Vallejo, Richmond, Moraga, Lafayette, or Berkeley home. Contact Madden Door & Sons at 925-208-4907 and ensure the safe, secure installation of your new garage door today.

garage door styles, maintenance, safety

How to Ensure a Quiet Garage Door

Written on .

Nix Garage Door Noise With these Tips from Madden Door

Is your noisy garage door interrupting your life? Needing to yell to be heard over the sound of your garage door or being woken up at inopportune times due to garage door volume can be frustrating. Luckily, there are a few ways you can reduce garage door noise with the help of the experts at Madden Door & Sons. 

5 Ways to Dampen Garage Door Noise

Door construction, component selection, and worn or broken parts all play a role in the amount of noise your garage door makes. What can you do about it?

  1. Design your door with the right components.
    Each of your door decisions affects decibel levels. To construct the quietest door possible, when changing or installing a new garage door opt for a rubber belt drive reinforced with steel rather than a noisy, chain-driven door, and an insulated sandwich-style door over a non-insulated door.
  2. Replace rollers.
    Worn rollers are usually the main culprit for door noise when they slide as opposed to rolling, which they were designed to do. Quieter black nylon rollers without ball bearings or white steel rollers encased in rigid nylon with 11 ball bearings can reduce noise.
  3. Add a vibration isolator.
    To prevent noise from being transferred through the structure of your garage, avoid attaching door tracks to roof trusses, muffling door sounds with an added vibration isolator between the door opener housing and metal hanger brackets on the ceiling. 
  4. Address loose or worn parts.
    Examine your garage door closely, checking for loose, worn, and broken parts, tightening and replacing components as needed.
  5. Grease the wheels.
    Lubricate wheels and other components, addressing metal parts like hinges and the spring system with a petroleum-based lubricant, and perimeter weather-stripping with a silicone-based lubricant to prevent sticking.

Time to tone it down? Ensure a quiet garage door in your El Cerrito, Fairfield, Lafayette, Oakland, Berkeley, Vallejo, Hercules, Walnut Creek, or Pleasanton home. Call Madden Door & Sons at 925-208-4907 and request a service appointment today.

garage door styles, installation, maintenance, safety

Call Now: 925-208-4907