Frequently Asked Questions

About 10,000 cycles is the life expectancy of garage door springs according to most manufacturers. The steel eventually fatigues and cracks or breaks — usually with a loud bang. When one spring breaks, most companies recommend replacing both to keep the door balanced and avoid a repeat repair. (Springs typically cost $30–$50 each; we install a new pair from $300.)

First, make sure the opener has power — plug a light bulb into the outlet to check. Toggle the wall switch (usually below the opener) and check the breaker. If you still can't manually lift the door after pulling the emergency release cord, you may have broken springs and should call a professional.

More than likely something is obstructing the photo eyes / laser. Clear anything in the way, then check the safety-beam LED indicator to see if it's blinking. The photo eyes should sit about 6″ from the floor, clean and aligned.

Hopefully you have a battery backup. If not, use the red emergency release cord to disconnect the door from the operator and open it by hand. Never pull the red release while the door is open — it could fall and cause serious injury.

Safety beams use an infrared electronic beam that prevents the door from closing on a person or object. Newer systems even add animal sensors to keep pets from getting trapped. Federal law has required an auto-reversing photo-eye system since January 1, 1993.

Inspect the springs, pulleys, rollers, cables and mounting hardware for wear and tighten loose fasteners. Run a balance test and an auto-reverse test, clean and align the photo eyes, and lubricate hinges, rollers and tracks with WD-40 or garage door lubricant. Springs and cables are under very high tension — never try to adjust them yourself.

With the door fully closed, pull the red release cord to disconnect from the operator. Open the door about halfway and let go. If it stays put, the springs are balanced. If it drifts open or closed, the springs need to be evaluated and adjusted by a trained technician.

Place a 2×4 flat on the floor in the door's path. When the door closes onto it, it should automatically reverse. If it doesn't, the door needs to be serviced by a trained garage door repairman.

Use a mild detergent (less than 0.5% phosphate) with warm water — about one cup per five gallons — to remove dirt from the door, sides, top and weather stripping. A coat of wax or protective finish helps shield it from weather and wear.

Because the door is heavy and cycles daily, an annual professional service keeps springs, rollers and the opener running safely and extends the life of the system.

Chain drive is the oldest and most popular, but noisy. Screw drive uses a solid-steel direct drive to maximize efficiency and minimize torque loss. Belt drive is ultra-quiet because it's made of rubber rather than a metal chain.

Look for smart Wi-Fi control, rolling-code technology, an exterior security touchpad, an interior wall button with light, and a battery backup. These devices keep your system safe and secure.

Rolling code is built to stop burglary. Each time you press the transmitter, the opener selects a new, non-repeating access code — billions of possibilities per press — which makes hacking your garage extremely difficult.

Choose a licensed, bonded and insured dealer with real experience — ideally an International Door Association (IDA) member. The garage is the largest moving object and most vulnerable area of your home, so installation quality matters.

Very. In Arizona the main concern is heat entering through the garage, which drives up cooling costs. Insulation (paired with an awning) keeps the garage cooler, reduces noise, and adds durability. We'll help you choose the right R-value.