Santa Monica, CA Residents: Our Garage Door Services List

Santa Monica Expert Tips for Garage Door Spring Repair

Life's little surprises frequently catch homeowners off guard, often happening at the most inopportune moments. A perfect example is finding your car trapped in the garage, especially soon after a garage door repair. That's where Strong Santa Monica Garage Doors shines, adhering to the highest standards of industry best practices, ensuring that we give exceptional advice to homeowners each time we visit a garage. By following these practices, we save you time and money while making customer satisfaction our top priority.

Best Practice #1 - Updating Both Springs

A pair of springs is a standard feature for most garage doors, and they are installed at the same time. When one spring malfunctions, it's often a sign that the other spring's life is almost over. To forestall future troubles, potential threats, and damage to the garage door opener, Strong Santa Monica Garage Doors commonly recommends replacing both springs. As you would replace both of your car's tires if one were to blow out, it's important to protect valuable items like garage doors and vehicles by changing both garage door springs.

Best Practice #2 - Finding the Ideal Springs

Garage doors are available in a range of weights and sizes, making it necessary to use appropriate springs to attain the right door balance. If a technician installs an improper spring, it can harm your garage door system and burden the garage door opener. This may lead to premature opener failure and additional repair calls. DIY spring replacement can be dangerous for this reason as well. That's why Strong Santa Monica Garage Doors technicians exclusively install the proper springs for the door's weight and validate their work with a balance test.

Best Practice #3 - Performing a Security Check

With each spring repair, Strong Santa Monica Garage Doors provides a free safety inspection to verify that all hardware and moving parts of your door are functioning properly and meet safety standards. Since the hardware may have been installed at the same time as the springs, it's possible that some worn mechanical components on your door pose a safety risk. A faulty spring could suggest a more serious problem with your door. This is why offering a complimentary safety inspection and ensuring a secure environment for our customers is considered a best practice.

Our comprehensive collection of springs, designed for a variety of garage doors, necessitates the help of a trained technician for precise measurements and accurate pricing. Connect with Strong Santa Monica Garage Doors right away to have a proficient technician evaluate your garage door spring repair needs and provide an estimate.

How to Choose the Right Garage Door Opener for Your Needs

Belt Driven Openers

Belt-powered openers are considered the top choice in the garage door industry. They are as reliable as chain-powered openers and nearly silent. These openers run on a steel-reinforced belt and typically cost slightly more than chain and rod-powered openers. If your garage is connected to your home and close to bedrooms, you'll appreciate the quiet operation of a belt-powered opener installed by Strong Santa Monica Garage Doors. Many customers love their belt-powered openers and can't imagine returning to a noisier chain-powered model.

Jackshaft Openers

Jackshaft openers are unique in that they are mounted on the wall beside your garage door, connecting to the torsion spring above the door. They are an excellent choice for garages with high ceilings or when you want to clear up some ceiling space. Jackshaft openers are slightly more expensive than traditional ceiling-mounted openers.

Screw Driven Openers

Screw operated openers employ a lifting mechanism that runs on a threaded steel rod, rather than a chain or rubber belt. These openers are most effective in areas with consistent temperatures and weather conditions throughout the year. They are not recommended for regions with varying weather patterns or temperatures. Screw operated openers are the slowest and noisiest, yet least expensive option. If you dislike the noise or speed of your current opener, you may not enjoy having a screw operated opener in your Santa Monica garage.

Chain Driven Openers

Frequently used in Santa Monica, chain drive openers are dependable and operate the garage door on its track by employing a metal chain. These openers are a little less costly than belt drives. However, they are noisy, which can be an issue if your garage is located below or adjacent to your home's main living spaces. Due to the minor savings and the absence of a lifetime warranty provided by LiftMaster® for belt drives, we usually do not recommend chain drive openers.

Unveiling 10 Reasons to Rely on Strong Santa Monica Garage Doors

1. Demonstrated Expertise: Boasting years of successful experience and a multitude of contented customers, our industry-leading professionals ensure your garage door requirements are handled efficiently and effectively.
2. Wide Range of Products and Services: Strong Santa Monica Garage Doors offers an extensive variety of products and services tailored to your specific requirements. From custom-made doors to repair and installation services, we have the perfect solution for any door or product you need.
3. Knowledgeable and Attentive Employees: Our staff members are both informed and professional. They recognize the value of outstanding customer service and work towards making your experience with them a positive one. They're prepared to answer your questions and provide guidance on maintaining your door.
4. High Quality Materials: By selecting only top-notch materials, we guarantee that your garage door will be long-lasting and visually impressive. With our company in Santa Monica, rest assured that you're investing in a high-quality and valuable door.
5. Protection: We ensure that your doors and gates are installed with accuracy and safety in mind. This guarantees that the installation and maintenance of your garage door follow the highest standards, providing a safe environment for you and your loved ones.
6. Cost Effective Solutions: Strong Santa Monica Garage Doors delivers a variety of reasonably priced options for your doors and gates needs. Choose a solution that fits your financial preferences, from installations and repairs to tailor-made designs.
7. Prompt Service: Time is vital when it comes to addressing the repair or installation of an overhead door. A respected Santa Monica service provider will ensure that your requirements are managed promptly and skillfully.
8. Quality Guarantee: By providing a quality guarantee for our services and products, we make sure that any garage door repairs or installations meet the highest standards. This gives you the confidence that your investment is well-guarded.
9. Warranty: We add an extra layer of protection to your investment with our warranty coverage. This warranty takes care of any malfunction or accidental damage to your doors and gates, minimizing the stress and financial impact of a damaged door.
10. Customer Satisfaction is Our Goal: At Strong Santa Monica Garage Doors, our goal is to ensure your complete satisfaction with our garage doors and other offerings. We provide cost-effective solutions tailored to your specific needs, ensuring that you receive the best possible value for your investment.

Common Overhead Door Repair Issues We Observe

Broken Springs: When your garage door isn't functioning correctly, broken springs could be the cause. Check the condition of the springs as a first step.

Worn-out rollers: The rollers that assist in opening and closing your garage door can wear out over time, causing a noisy or stuck door. Check the rollers' condition and replace them as needed.

Damaged Panels Inspection: Inspecting the panels on your garage door regularly can help identify any damage caused by weather, normal wear and tear, or impact from a vehicle or a heavy object.

Misaligned Tracks: When your garage door starts to malfunction, it could be due to misaligned tracks. This can cause the door to get stuck or fall off its tracks entirely.

Faulty Opener Diagnosis: If your garage door is not functioning correctly, the opener could be the culprit. Calling a professional for assistance is the best course of action if you suspect a faulty opener.

Safety Sensor: If the safety sensor isn't functioning correctly, your garage door won't close. Regular maintenance and attention to the sensor's alignment can prevent this issue.

Repairing the Most Common Overhead Door Issues

Rotting: Improper treatment or sealing of wooden gates can result in rotting, causing the gate to weaken and collapse eventually.

Rusting: Exposure to moisture or humidity can lead to rust, a common issue. If you reside in a humid area, it's crucial to monitor your overhead door for rust indications.

Frames: The stability of an overhead door can be severely impacted if the frame is damaged or bent. This creates a safety hazard that requires immediate attention, and the frame should be replaced or repaired as soon as possible.

Installation: The impact of incorrect installation can be severe, as gates that are not installed properly can be hazardous and unstable. Therefore, it is crucial to fix the issue as soon as possible.

Rollers: Damaged or worn-out rollers can negatively impact your gate's functionality. It may become challenging to open and close the gate correctly. Replacing the rollers is often a simple repair that can resolve the problem.

Pests: Another concern with wooden doors is the possibility of pest infestations, such as termites and carpenter bees. Regular inspections are essential to identify any signs of intrusion.

Fading: The color of your gate may fade over time due to weather conditions or excessive sun exposure. To keep your garage door looking new, consider repainting it every few years.

Sagging: Sagging is a common issue for wooden doors, usually due to their weight. To prevent this, use stronger hardware and ensure the posts are securely in place.

Warping: Overhead doors may become misshapen due to extreme weather conditions, which can cause warping. Exposure to hot or cold temperatures is often the cause.

Hinges: The hinges on your gate may be misaligned or damaged, causing issues with opening and closing. Thankfully, a professional can usually resolve this problem without much difficulty.

What You Need to Know About Replacing Your Santa Monica Garage Door

Although replacing your garage doors can undoubtedly improve the resale value of your home, there are other compelling reasons for Santa Monica residents to consider. Here are some of them:

Increase Your Home's Charm

Take a step back and observe the amount of real estate your garage doors consume on your home's front. Upgrading them in Santa Monica can have a big impact on your home's curb appeal at an affordable price.

Reduce Garage Door Noise

The noise created by the opening and closing of overhead doors can be a nuisance, particularly for individuals sleeping in rooms close to or above the garage. To reduce door noise and ensure a smooth experience, Strong Santa Monica Garage Doors provides ultra-quiet hinges.

Ensure Safety and Security

The majority of home burglaries in Santa Monica occur through overhead doors. Do you feel secure with your current garage door's ability to deter intruders? If your door is outdated, it may lack modern safety features such as automatic reversal.

Home Energy Efficiency

Your garage door is probably the biggest moving object attached to your house and, as such, can be the least energy efficient. While homeowners in Santa Monica, CA tend to focus on energy-efficient windows and front entry doors, many overlook the impact of their garage door on overall energy costs. Installing insulated garage doors can reduce the transfer of hot and cold air, leading to significant energy savings.

Most Common Questions from Our Santa Monica, CA Customers Addressed

Should I hire a professional to install my new garage door?

We caution against attempting garage door installation as a do-it-yourself project, given the technical nature and potential hazards involved. Garage doors are the most substantial moving components in your home, and proper installation is vital for their performance. Connecting springs, for example, can be extremely dangerous. Professionals can efficiently install a garage door in just a few hours while ensuring safety precautions are followed. Conversely, homeowners may spend days on the installation, often leading to frustration. Moreover, improper installation might invalidate some warranties, so it's best to have a professional manage the task. They can also dispose of your old door if you're getting a new one.

Would an insulated door be energy-efficient for an un-insulated garage?

Insulated garage doors can help reduce the transfer of heat or cold air into your garage through the large garage door opening, which is important because:

1. Stabilizing temperatures in the room above your garage is important if your garage is below another room in your home.
2. Insulated doors have a more attractive interior and are generally quieter than non-insulated doors.
3. Insulated doors keep air in the garage from traveling to the living area.
4. If your garage is a workshop, comfort is a top priority.

Steel vs. wood garage door - which to choose?

Strong Santa Monica Garage Doors's steel doors typically require less upkeep than wood doors. They come pre-painted with a baked-on coating from the factory. We suggest cleaning the door's exterior with a common household detergent and warm water at least once a year. Our wood doors are unfinished and must be primed, painted, or stained on all six sides upon delivery. We recommend visually examining the paint or stain finish on wood doors once a year to see if it requires another application.

Can I install a sectional garage door in place of my one-piece garage door?

Your professional garage door dealer/installer can install a sectional door by fitting track and springs to accommodate the door. Depending on your garage's construction, other modifications may be necessary. To ensure all required adjustments are made, it's best to have your Santa Monica, CA dealer evaluate the job before installation.

What kind of paint should I use to paint my new garage door?

At Strong Santa Monica Garage Doors, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality steel doors that are pre-painted with a top-of-the-line baked-on coating, specifically designed to be repainted. You can choose from a broad selection of commercially available latex exterior paints to refresh the appearance of your door, ensuring it continues to look beautiful for years to come. Just remember to follow the paint manufacturer's recommendations and steer clear of oil-based paints.