As a homeowner facing issues with your garage door, you may feel, at first, like you simply don't know where to turn. It can be hard and even overwhelming to deal with a garage door that refuses to function properly, and life is stressful enough without technical issues causing your door to act unpredictably. When things like this happen, it can feel like your life is out of balance and there simply isn't the time to set it back on track.

However, there's a better answer

At DoReMi Door, fixing a broken, faulty, or improperly installed garage door is our business. However, it's not all we do. Our company is there when you need help, but we also want to be there for you even further down the line. DoReMi Door gives homeowners the ability to take better care of their property and avoid issues and accidents in the future. When it comes to taking care of your garage door, we want to enable you to spot damage or problems even before they occur. Having the ability to rely upon your garage door to function properly and protect itself from damage isn't something you should have to fight for. At DoReMi Door, we give you the tools you need to do better. That's our guarantee.

About DoReMi

DoReMi Door works by a service-first, customer-first model. That means if you're having a problem, getting it fixed and preventing it from reoccurring is our priority. Our experienced servicemen and women can repair most garage door brands on the market. Our staff has had extensive training and years of experience in repairing, remodeling, and replacing garage door parts. We are available for repairs, questions, and consultations throughout the week, and can make ourselves available for service on weekends as well. You can count on DoReMi Door to give you a fair, balanced estimate for labor and part costs on every job. Our $25 service fee can be waived for orders that cost $100 or more. With same day service, as well as workers making themselves available for repairs on nights and weekends, it's never a bad or inconvenient time to give us a call.

Caring for Your Garage Door

The first step to truly repairing an issue is to find out what caused it in the first place. At DoReMi Door, we care about not just repairing the damage but preventing it as well. That's why it's important to take the following steps seriously when it comes to caring for your garage door on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis.

Daily

- Keep your eyes open for damage, and keep your ears open for any sounds that might indicate the beginnings of damage. If you're hearing a strange squeaking or grinding sound, chances are it's a problem waiting to happen. Regularly checking your system to make sure that everything's in order will ensure that nothing goes wrong without your immediately noticing it.

- Change your garage door opener passwords. This is especially vital if you have more than one person in your household linked up to a MyQ account or any other door opener app you use. Many apps will automatically regenerate passwords after each use. If you don't use an app that does this, remember to be thorough and to change the passwords consistently to prevent home break-ins.

Weekly

- Keep tracks clear. Make sure nothing is in the way of your garage door's performance, including any obstructions on the ground or the track.
- Check for denting and damage. It may not seem like a big deal now, but keeping on top of even the smallest dents to your door panels could save you a lot of time and money later on.

Monthly

- Clean and re-lubricate tracks, rollers, and moving parts. Remember never to over-lubricate, and only choose lubrication that has no damaging after effects.
- Check parts, like rollers, springs, and cables, to make sure there's no damage beginning to show. If your rollers are still popping out of their tracks after a thorough cleaning, it's time to replace them. Most parts can be easily found online. If you're not certain about a replacement part, or you have questions about how to measure a part for replacement, call us and ask at any time.
- Check your door balance each month, as well as your photo eye to make sure it's in alignment with your garage door opener sensor. Be sure to also check the reverse mechanism each month for safety.

Yearly

- Schedule a regular check-up with one of our mechanics
- Keep everything well-lubricated
- Weatherproof and weatherstrip your door's external hardware, especially the rubber seal at the bottom of the door. If your bottom door panel is seeing any damage from the weather, look into repair or replacement costs to minimize the risk of any damage building up over time.
- Tighten everything up manually. This means gears, tracks, and any other parts that might have loosened over the course of a year. It might seem like a small step, but it can make a huge difference in terms of preventing damage.

What You Should Know About Your Door

Getting serious about maintaining your door's look and function requires learning a bit more about what you're working with. At DoReMi Door, we can fix nearly any garage door model on the market. The more we can learn about your door's model and specific features, the better equipped we are to fix the problem. Before addressing a problem, take some time to make note of your garage door's specific functions and features by asking yourself these questions.

What year was my door made?

This information can be extremely useful in terms of certain safety functions. For instance, doors made after 1993 are built with special safety requirements that don't apply to older doors.

What material is it made out of?

Knowing whether your door is made of steel, aluminum, vinyl, or any other material can help you to better clean and care for it in the long run. You'll also be able to weatherproof your door better if you're aware of its reaction to harsh weather or moisture.

What kind of spring does my door use?

Garage doors use either a torsion spring or an extension spring. It's important to be aware of which type your door uses. The easiest way to tell is to see if your door uses one spring or two. If it uses only one spring, it's a torsion spring, which means it can handle up to 20,000 open and close cycles, whereas extension springs usually can only go half as far, using up 10,000 cycles before they need maintenance.

What kind of drive does my door opener operate on?

Most garage door openers use one of three driving mechanisms: Chain, belt, or screw. While screw is a slightly more outdated type of drive, most modern doors use either a chain or belt drive. Chain drives are noisier and less expensive, while the smoother, more elegant belt drive is a more expensive option. Knowing how your garage door operates can help you more easily find solutions when problems arise.

Frequently Asked Questions and Concerns

Part of being a homeowner means coming up against new, frustrating problems each year. However, when it comes to your garage door, nothing should be able to stump you. The more you know about your equipment, the better you'll be able to help yourself out of any frustrating situations. At DoReMi Door, we want our expertise to work for you. That's why we're available for consultations and appointments at any time. If you're experiencing any of the following problems and want help, advice, or just to talk it out with an expert, feel free to give us a call.

• My door won't open automatically
• I'm having trouble with my camera and/or sensors
• One of my panels is damaged. Should I replace it?
• I'm looking to do a garage door remodel. What's the best material to choose for my climate?
• My door keeps coming off its track
• My spring and/or cable is broken
• My track is bent, rusty, or damaged
• My garage door balance is off, how do I fix it?
• How do I check my force settings?
• How do I check my reversing mechanism?
• I can't figure out how to use my garage door opener app
• How do I reset my garage door opener?
• Should I insulate my garage door?
• How do I measure for a replacement spring?
• How do I measure for a replacement panel?
• What's the best way to clean my rollers?
• How and where do I purchase new parts for my garage door?
• My door is functioning, but it's making a grinding noise
• My door closes too quickly
• My doors seems shaky on its tracks
• How do I change my system from a chain drive to a belt drive?
• What are some of the benefits of remodeling my garage door?

Replacements and Repairs

Sometimes it can be hard to figure out the best course of action when it comes to replacing a part versus repairing it. For instance, let's say you have an issue with only one panel of your garage door. Is it worth it to replace the entire thing, or can it be salvaged? The first thing to do is to have an expert assess the damage. Depending on your door style, its drive type, and what it's made of, you'll be able to find out what's worth repairing and what's worth replacing. When it comes to smaller parts like rollers or cables, it's always best to replace just in case. However, before going online and reordering yourself, always check with a professional to make sure you've gotten your measurements right.

Insulation Benefits

If you're dealing with a colder climate that creates a lot of moisture buildup, it may make the most sense to invest in insulation for your garage door. For doors that are attached to a home rather than remaining a separate structure, it's important not to allow the inside temperature of an unprotected garage to seep into the home itself. However, if you're living in a warmer, more temperate climate, insulation may not be necessary. If you're still uncertain, it's always best to get a professional opinion, as well as to ask about rates and options for insulation.

How Can I Be Proactive About Garage Door Issues?

Being a good homeowner means doing due diligence when it comes to your garage door. Don't wait until a year goes by to re-lubricate your door or check on that squeaking sound. When you notice a problem, try to address it instantly. The best way to avoid a lot of trouble is to catch the smaller problems while they're still small. That means being alert, paying attention, and never ignoring anything that looks or sounds off when it comes to your garage door. When it comes to staying ahead of trouble, keeping a weekly, monthly, and yearly checklist for garage door maintenance is always a great start.

However, sometimes damage simply can't be avoided. No matter how diligent you might be, it's still hard to prevent, or even predict, any kind of sustained damage that might befall your garage door in the course of its existence. This is doubly true in the case of harsher, more unpredictable climates. Anything from a small bump to a full-on collision has the potential to affect your door. When it comes to the damage you simply can't prevent, the best way to get a hold of the situation is to act quickly. DoReMi Door is here any time you need a hand with your garage door, whether it's to assess damage, order a new part, or to try and troubleshoot. Give us a call at any time to learn about your options for door repair, replacement, and more.

Contact Us

From serious repairs to maintenance check-ups to remodeling, DoReMi Door is available to you whenever you need a hand. We can be found across locations in Southern California, and are always available by phone or email. If you have questions, doubts, or any other garage door related issues, feel free to contact us at any time.