One of the best things about an automatic garage door is being able to open and close it from the car. This is executed using a garage door remote. Sometimes, however, the remote may malfunction, turning this great convenience into a major inconvenience.

Why isn’t my garage door remote working?

Even if you are not very handy, it pays to know how to troubleshoot a problematic garage door remote. You can handle the problem and be done with it and avoid the cost of calling in emergency rescue services.

If there is no light or audio signal coming from your remote at all or if your door won't respond when you want to open or close the garage door, consider the following:

• If  power had gone out due to extreme weather conditions, the circuit boards inside the operator, which are quite sensitive, may have become damaged. If power is back on and the remote won't work, it will likely need to be replaced.
  
• Take a look at the locks. Forgetting to unlock the garage door can cause the problem. The wall stations on overhead doors have what is dubbed a “vacation switch” at the top that disables the remotes when no one is home. Unlock this switch if it is on.
  
• Check if the batteries have any signs of wear or have corroded. A white crust or light green coat is an indicator that acid has been leaking from the battery. Don’t let it touch your skin as you change the batteries.
  
• Another check to make is on the battery terminals. Using emery boards, clean them of corrosion and if the terminals seem to be loose, carefully squeeze them together so that they are in contact.
  
• The solution may be reprogramming your remote by following the instructions in the owner's manual.
  
• Is your door operated via an exterior keypad? If so, enter you PIN and press the open/close button. The keypad and remote is enabled by a radio frequency. If this doesn't work, the problem may be bigger than with the remote.
  
• Another check to make is with the safety sensors. You will find two tiny LED light indicators at the bottom of the garage door opening on the sides of the track system. Wipe it clean and align them properly. The sending and receiving LED lights should have a solid light rather than a blinking light or none at all. Check the owner's manual on how to troubleshoot this problem.
  
• If the buttons on your remote are sticky or soft, it is time to invest in a new one.
  
  

What if nothing works?

If your DIY troubleshooting fails, there’s no shame in calling a garage door expert, such as Amarillo garage door installer Tony Hall with Willow Creek Overhead Door. Contact Tony today to find out what the problem is.

A garage door must open and close all the way to serve its intended purpose -- keeping your car and possessions safe. One that won't close properly presents an opportunity for intruders to get into your garage and home. Also, when the garage door will not open or close properly, it may strain parts like the spring, which can snap and cause damage or injuries when the door suddenly comes crashing down.

Are the seals on the sides the problem?

Is the problem that the door won't bind or seal properly when the door is closing? Instead of closing smoothly, does the door groan, jerk or reverse automatically? If so, you may be able to sort out the problem yourself. Purchase pipe insulation used to insulate copper pipes from a hardware store. Stuff this pipe insulation into the rubber seal at the bottom of the garage door where it is not sealing properly. It's best to do this during warm weather.

If you observe that the door is binding on the side where the weather seal is, take a bar of soap and rub it on the spots that are sticking. This should stop the door from sticking.

Is the weatherstripping completely worn down?

If the weatherstripping on your door is completely worn down, then you will experience the problem of a door that won't seal. Some garage doors come with a metal track that holds a replaceable rubber seal. With time, the seal tends to crack and flatten, but it is not difficult to replace such a seal.

A gap of just a fraction of an inch around the edge of the door can let in as much cold air as one that is two inches wide. That is a lot of draft during the chilly months. Good weatherstripping gets rid of such drafts. It is easy to do and can last for years. Integrated vinyl tubing makes for a very effective seal against cold air and moisture.

Close the door and measure the length of the door along the side that will not seal properly. Transfer the measurement to a length of weatherstripping. You then need to draw a straight cutting line. Using a utility knife for the vinyl tubing and a hacksaw for the metal, cut through the material with a fine blade with 32 teeth per inch.

Then, using a self-centering drill bit, drill pilot holes and then put in the screws. Once you have them in place, attach the weatherstripping to the side of the door. If done correctly, the sound the door makes when you close the door will tell you so.

Can't do it?

If you find that replacing the weatherstripping is not something you can do correctly, don't hesitate to call in the experts on garage doors in Amarillo and the surround area. Willow Creek Overhead Door is well known for the quality of garage doors it supplies and its fast and efficient service. Contact these experts to look at your door and your distress call will be answered within hours. They will come seal the door properly so you can rest easy about winter drafts and a door that won't close smoothly.

There are several reasons why your garage door may be stuck. But here’s one of the most likely causes: Do you sometimes leave your garage door partially opened? 

When you are cleaning out the garage or if you have a pet, you may leave the door partially opened. You should never do this. Why? Well, because it can cause your garage door to get stuck and not open or close smoothly.

How does a garage door become damaged?

There are two types of springs on garage doors. A door may have extension springs, which float above the roller track that is at the top. Other doors are fitted with torsion springs, which are mounted on the header at the top of the door.

A garage door may open singularly or as a whole in an upward directions. Others roll up panel by panel. Either way, the door operates on spring tension. Opening and closing is facilitated by the metal tracks that are fixed on the garage wall as well as one heavy weight spring or a number of them.

When the door is left partially opened, the springs are getting damaged every time. Over time, they may break. When they do snap, the door will unexpectedly come down which can seriously injure a person or pet in its way. The door would also crash any object in its path. Insurance may not cover any such injury or damage if the company determines the accident was a result of negligence.

Another form of damage that could be caused by the habit of leaving a garage door partially opened is that it could become stuck at this position. It can refuse to go up or come down which would bring a lot of inconvenience. The security of the garage and home would be compromised and you wouldn't be able to get the car in or out. This is also a cost that insurance would not cover so you would have to pay out of your pocket for experts to come in and do the necessary repairs.

How can I keep air circulating and light in my garage then?

If you leave the door partially opened for ventilation, you can have windows installed. This would be on the door itself or on the garage walls. There is a variety of designs and you can choose one that will enhance the fiscal as well as esthetic value of your home.

During the warm months of spring and summer, windows may not be enough. You may therefore want to look into having an air conditioner installed. You would really need one if the garage is also used as a workshop of home office.

If you leave your garage door for your dog, cat or other pet to come in and get out of the house without your having to open the door for them, you can have a pet door installed. The door will be cut to fit your pet so it will be able to get in and out without bothering. The pet door can be secured from the inside so you can do so at night to keep unwanted pets like snakes and rodents away.

Willow Creek Overhead Door in Amarillo, Texas is known for its professionalism and affordable, high-quality work. Contact this locally owned and operated Amarillo garage door business to fix the problem of a stuck garage door and to install useful features like pet doors, windows and more.

If the panel on your garage door is bowing, you have a problem. Garage door panels are flat panels fitted between rails and stiles on every individual section of a garage door. Generally, garage door panels are positioned horizontally across the width of the opening. Each panel is attached to the next but room is left in between the sections. This is done to break up the sections slightly as they curve up the railing. This is necessary because the panels are generally not flexible and they must be kept rigid. This is how sectional garage doors are assembled. 

What causes a garage door to bow?

Changes in temperature are one reason a garage door can bow. Wood in particular is affected by temperature changes because it expands and contracts as weather conditions change. This can cause the door to bow. On a garage door made of wooden panels, the door becomes wider at the top of the panel and it bows instead of opening and closing smoothly.

What can be done to fix a bowing garage door panel?

Depending on your DIY skills, you can pick up your set of tools and correct the bow yourself. If not, call on the experts to take care of it. Remove the bowed panel by unscrewing the hinges. Back out the screws using a cordless drill or driver. Remove the hinges from the door. Place the panel flat across two sawhorses.

Stand the panel on its side and then stabilize it by clamping it to one of of the sawhorses. Place the belt sander on the side of the panel. Hold it in both hands, turn it on and sanding the edge of the panel. Move the belt sander back and forth to slightly sand down the center. Do this for a few minutes and then place a long straightedge on the side of the panel.

After sanding down the center about an eighth of an inch, put the hinges back on the panel and re-attach it as it was. If the bow has been sanded out, the door will close smoothly. If the bow has been reduced but the door will not close smoothly, chisel out the recessed area a little bit with small, careful movements so you don't over do it.

What if the garage door still won't close smoothly?

If your panel overhead door still won't close smoothly, the warp may be too much. Loosen one of the hinges and slip a really thin wooden shim behind it before you screw the hinge back on. 

Although this will not alter the bow on the panel, it will ideally change the way the panel fits so that it will be able to close smoothly. If this does not work, remove the shim and try placing it behind a different hinge.

Where can I find a local Amarillo garage door installer?

If you are still not getting anywhere, then it is time to call it the experts. Amarillo garage door company Willow Creek Overhead Door has a policy of responding to distress calls within hours. Contact Tony Hall and he will repair your bowed overhead door or install a new panel if necessary. 

Can't get in or out of your garage? It’s a big problem when your garage door is stuck and you can't move your car in and out of it. Depending on the cause of the problem, this may be one that you can take care of yourself. However, if you get stuck, don’t hesitate to call a professional. 

There are some parts that are usually the cause of a stuck garage door and these are the ones that you should check first. Sticky tracks, chains and wheels are common culprits. Without regular lubrication with the right products, these are the parts that often cause a garage door to stick.

What can I do to fix a stuck garage door?

Start by pulling the cord. This will usually be a red handle that hangs from the guide track of an automatic garage door. When you pull on this cord, you manually override the controls so you can open and close the door manually. If you do this and the door opens and closes without a problem, then the problem is most likely with the electric motor. You can either follow the owner's manual for troubleshooting  or you can call in the experts. It is best to leave motor related problems to them.

Another check you should make is on the sensitivity settings on the garage door if it is automatic. Try to open the door with different settings. Sensitivity that is set too high can make a garage door stick.

It could also be the weather. Cold weather can cause garage doors to stick, especially if you have used grease to lube it before.

Have you been lubricating your garage door?

If you have been neglecting the lubrication, do it now and see if this sorts out the problem. Place a ladder under the door to give you easy access to the tracks when the door is opened. 

Lubricate the wheels and tracks while open using good quality garage door lubricant rather than any metal lubricant. Spray every wheel with lubricant to coat it evenly and follow with a quick stream of spray on the tracks. Get off the ladder to work your way down the tracks on every side.

Then, position yourself next to the chain of automatic doors. Try to open the door with the garage opener with your aim to get spray lubricant on the chain as it moves through the motor. This will coat the entire chain with lubricant.

Are there dents and bumps in your garage door?

Another check that you want to make is for bumps and dents on your door. Place a wooden block over a damaged track then take a hammer to the block to straighten the track out. Avoid hitting the track with the hammer directly as you may worsen the damage. Using the wooden block ensures that you get smooth, even results.
Are the tracks misaligned?

If the alignment of the garage tracks seems to be off, use a level to check. If the tracks are indeed misaligned, use a screwdriver or wrench to loosen their screws or bolts. Use a hammer to tap them back into place and tighten the screws or bolts.

I’ve tried everything and the garage door is still stuck. What should I do?

There is only so much you can do. If these checks and repair attempts do not work and the garage door is still stuck, then you need to call in the experts. You can count on Amarillo garage door company Willow Creek Overhead Door to respond to your distress call fast. Call on owner Tony Hall today and get that door moving again. 

You’ve probably never taken notice that sometimes you don’t close your garage door all the way. Whether you are cleaning out your garage or leaving it open for the cat, it’s important to not leave it cracked open all the time. Why? A garage door may develop problems and fail to open or close as it should if left partially open on a regular basis. 

Why Do People Leave Their Garage Doors Partially Open?

It is usually pet owners who leave the door to their garage partially opened. This is so that pets can get in and out without their having to let them out and back in again throughout the day and night. The door may also be left partially open to air out the garage if you are working on your car, for example.

How Does This Damage The Garage Door?

Springs on garage doors come in two types. They may have extension springs that float above the roller track at the top or they may have torsion springs that are mounted on the header above the door.

Whether a garage door opens upwards singularly or it roll ups bit by bit, it operates on spring tension. The door opens and closes because of metal tracks on the garage wall and one heavy spring or a series of them. When you don't always close it completely, you risk damaging the springs. Leaving the door partially opened will keep damaging the springs over time and may cause the springs to break. If this happens, the door can come down unexpectedly and any person or pet that is in its path can be seriously injured.

My Garage Door Won’t Open Or Close All The Way

Can you imagine a scenario where you need to back out of the garage and go to work, school or another place, but you can't because you can't get your garage door to open?

Your only option would be to call in an expert to repair the door. In most cases, insurance will not cover the cost of negligence and by their definition, that includes closing the door only partially. So this job may cost a pretty penny, depending on the amount of damage and the type of overhead door you have.

How Can You Repair The Garage Door?

If you must leave room for your pets to go in and out, you can have a pet door installed in the door. However, it’s important to note that any opening in a garage door may make it easier for burglars to break in. 

When you need your garage door repaired, contact Amarillo garage door company Willow Door Overhead Door. Owner Tony Hall can advise you on the best garage door for your style preferences, needs and budget. Willow Creek Overhead Door sells a variety of garage doors, including ones with pet doors. 

Tony can also install a pet door in the door you already have. If your springs need to be repaired or replaced, Willow Creek Overhead Door sells discounted springs. You can install them yourself or hire Tony to come out and do the job for you. Contact this leading Amarillo garage door company today for installation prices.

All mechanical parts need to be well-oiled for them to move well, including your garage door. There are two things you need to know when lubricating your garage door. 1) Never use all-purpose grease; and 2) How to apply lubricant correctly.

Why Can’t I Use Grease On My Garage Door?

Most people reach for anything that's available to lubricate their garage door if it is making a terrible noise. They will use motorcycle chain lube, axle grease or any kind of oil, even vegetable oil. The fact is that every lubricant is meant for a specific purpose. It is therefore best to use the right lubricant for the right job.

The reason grease is such as bad idea is that in cold weather, it can become gummy, and therefore won’t do the job you thought it would. It also attracts dirt and dust, and a build-up of this stuff will prevent your garage door from operating smoothly and efficiently.

It is also best to avoid all-purpose grease because it may be one of those that are nuclear options. These are lubricants that have a chemical level that is so high that they are not good for the environment. They may also have components like rust inhibitor that you may not need.

Why Does My Garage Door Need Lube?

The main purpose of a lubricant is to reduce the heat, wear and friction on moving parts of machinery and mechanical equipment, such as garage door tracks. Others prevent or dissolve rust, displace the water that can cause rust or simply remove dirt. To choose the best lubricant for your overhead door, consider what the door is made of and the kind of maintenance that it needs.

The main element of every lubricant is the base oil, which can be mineral or it can be a vegetable oil made from lanolin, soy or synthetic polymer. Lubricants are then modified with additives that make one suitable for one job rather than another.

Is penetration oil best for a garage door?

It is best to use a lubricant that is made specifically for your garage door. Penetration oil is ideal because it will keep the parts well lubricated so that the door will open and close with no problems. It is quite thin and has rust-killing properties. Its thin consistency means that it will get into every nook and cranny of your garage door. 

Penetration oil also works very well if you need to loosen a bolt that is stuck or a spark plug that is frozen. It works on rust by softening it and will also free heat-seized threads. There are different brands of it.  Good brands come as a solid, microscopic synthetic lubricant rather than a graphite particles with Cerflon. Silicone-based lubricant is also good for garage door tracks and springs.

Willow Creek Overhead Door is a leading overhead door company in Amarillo, Texas. If you have a question about your garage or overhead door, owner Tony Hall can point you in the right direction if you wish to fix the problem yourself. Or he can do it for you at an affordable price. Contact Willow Creek Overhead Door today for any of your garage door needs.

by Tony Hall - More by Tony Hall

A garage door is more than panels riding down a pair of tracks. It is a complicated, coordinated dance of door, tracks, springs, and opener all working together. For long-term performance, you need to make sure the door is properly balanced.

You may suspect that your garage door is out of balance if you see the doorjerking or rattling more than normal when it is going up or down; if one or all the panels not being level; or if the track itself is loose. All of these are potential signs of an unbalanced garage door.

How can you tell if your garage door is properly balanced?

You can do a few tests to check the balance of the residential garage or commercial overhead door. Before doing anything, disengage your electronic opener, since you will be performing the tests manually.

Test 1: Close the garage door completely. Then, raise it to 1 foot off the ground. The door should stay in place. Raise it up 2 feet off the ground. The door should stay stationary. Keep raising it up in 1 foot increments and make sure the door stays in place, no matter where you stop it.

Test 2: Open the garage door completely. Close the door. The door should lower in a controlled way and should not slam down when it hits the bottom.

Test 3: Close the garage door completely. Raise the door. It should rise at a controlled pace and not go up at a fast or erratic pace.

Test 4: Raise the door into the fully opened position. Check that the bottom of the door is parallel with the bottom of the door opening. The bottom should be level and straight. 

Once you complete these tests, you can engage the electronic opener again if the door is in balance.

Can I fix the garage door myself?

Don't try to balance a garage door yourself. It can be very dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. If the tests show that the door may be out of balance, the best thing you can do is call a professional, reputable garage door company, like Willow Creek Overhead Door in Amarillo, Texas. Owner Tony Hall come out and verify the balance.

In those cases where the garage door technician finds the door out of balance, the next step is to diagnose and fix the problem. Sometimes the track has worked loose. Other times, the spring tension may have become uneven. Tony can often fix the problem at hand the same day he visits your property. Contact Willow Creek Overhead Door today.

by Tony Hall - More by Tony Hall

Have you accidently run into your garage door? Or is one of your teenagers not owning up to it? Sometimes accidents happen. Backing into your garage door and leaving a dent is one of them. 

Also, some of the games that children play outside can strike the door and leave a dent. If you have a dent in your garage door, you have two options: repair it or replace it. We’ll tell you which option applies to your situation.

What can be done about a dented garage door?

If the damage is not too bad and the dent is minor, you can do the necessary repair yourself. Also consider the material the garage door is made of. Steel and aluminum are popular choices for homeowners because they are durable and non-demanding when it comes to maintenance. However, they may dent easily.

Do you know how to fix a dented metallic door?

Mix mild liquid detergent with water in a bucket and clean the dented area well. You then need to allow it to dry completely. Cover the spot with heavy duty foil extending it a bit to the surrounding area. Take a lighter like the one used to light candles or a grill and move it over the dented area in a consistent motion for at least a minute. Be sure to heat the entire area.

Remove the foil and spray the area with an air can while holding it upside down so that carbon dioxide is released. This is the agent that will remove the dent. The temperature change from the heated foil to the cold air from the air can will remove the dent completely in a few minutes. A large dent may require that this process is carried out more than once.

Is there another way to do it?

You can also fix a dent with a patching compound or auto body filler. Clean the dented area and leave it to dry completely. Sand down the spot with 80-grit sandpaper. This will help the patching compound to bond.  Wipe clean. Apply patching compound using a putty knife, smoothing and feathering it to the surrounding area. When the filler dries, sand the area again with 120-grit sandpaper. Finish by sanding with a 150-grit sandpaper to smooth out the edges of the patch. Paint over the covered dent with matching paint.

When should I call in the experts?

It is advisable to do so if the damage is on more than one panel of the garage door. This is because a dent that runs from one panel to another is very likely to interfere with the opening and closing of the garage door. It may necessary to replace the door.

Willow Creek Overhead Door in Amarillo, Texas can advise you accordingly. Call owner Tony Hall today for a free repair estimate. Leaving a damaged garage door unattended to can be dangerous for your family. You want it fixed and safe for everyone as soon as possible. Tony Hall can come to your home the same day you call, so don’t put off fixing the garage door. Contact Willow Creek Overhead Door today. 

by Tony Hall - More by Tony Hall

Like other mechanical items, garage doors can break. They may need to be repaired or replaced entirely. Some garage door issues you can take care of yourself, such as cleaning and simple adjustments. However, it is sometimes best to leave repairs to a professional garage door installer.

How can I fix my garage door?

A garage door that is not opening and closing smoothly may be the result of neglecting simple maintenance tasks. A good place to start would be to brush the tracks to remove anything that would stop the door from moving smoothly. 

On extension-spring openers, the pulley needs to be oiled and on torsion-spring doors, the spring should be oiled. Before oiling, use a penetrating solvent or one that is citrus solvent to clean these parts as well as the rollers and hinges.

A noisy garage door is another problem you may be able to take care of yourself. Try tightening the nuts with an adjustable or socket wrench. It may also be the rollers that need to be changed. 

Nylon rollers make less noise than metal ones so choose them when choosing a door. It may also be the hole in the hinge that need replacing. It is looks oblong rather than round, it needs to be replaced.

A frozen garage door or one that sticks is a common winter irritation. De-icing products are effective. You can also chip away at the ice if you are careful not to damage the rubber or weather-proofing. When the door opens, clear the ice from where the garage door touches the floor.

Broken glass is another problem you can probably take care of yourself. Broken glass can cause an injury and a broken window also gives burglars a way into your home. Dents on both metallic and wooden doors are another problem you can fix. For wooden doors, filler and paint should disguise a dent while auto filler works for metallic doors.

When should an expert be called in?

There are some problems that are best left to the experts. One is a dent that is on more than one panel. Such a garage or overhead door may need to be replaced because the panels may no longer be held together cohesively enough for the door to still open and close smoothly.

Also, a garage door that opens or closes partially, that is jerky and that is still noisy after brushing and lubricating should be looked at by an expert. The problem may be a more serious one, and may require more than a simple repair. 

The friendly staff at Willow Creek Overhead Door in Amarillo, Texas are always happy to serve you. Check out this Maintenance Checklist, which will help keep your door running efficiently. Safety is very important to Willow Creek Overhead Door, so rather you need a repair, replacement or just have a question, give them a call today.