Top 3 garage door repair services in Birmingham, AL

There are several reasons why your garage door sensors might malfunction. Garage door sensors are subject to wear and tear over time, so if your sensors are old, it may be time to have them replaced and updated. Some issues may require that the sensor be replaced altogether, but others can be a quick fix. Here are the most common reasons why your sensors might not work:

• Debris blocking the sensors - Garage door sensors sit close to the ground to prevent the door from closing if there are pets, people, or other items in its path. Due to their necessary location, sensors collect dirt and dust over time and can potentially be blocked by leaves or twigs that make their way in. If your sensors aren’t working, check them to ensure they’re clean first.
• Misalignment of sensors - Your garage door sensors work when the lights on both sensors line up. If something breaks the path of light between the sensors, your garage door will stop lowering. If the brackets holding the sensors have come loose over time, it may cause the sensors to lose their connection. Check and see if the mounting brackets for your sensors are loose. If they are, use a screwdriver to tighten them back up, and this might solve your alignment problem without having to call a pro.
• A wiring malfunction - If you’ve checked that the sensors are both clean, aren’t being blocked, and are properly aligned, but you’re still not seeing lights on both sensors, there might be an electrical or another mechanical issue. If your troubleshooting efforts haven’t fixed the issue, it’s time to call in the pros.

The best choice for you when it comes to repairing or replacing your garage door will come down to the issue. If your garage door is 15 or 20 years old and you’re noticing issues with the motor, sensors, and overall appearance, it’ll likely make more sense to replace the door than to replace or repair all the individual parts.

However, if there’s damage to your door, like a dent from a car bumper, you may be able to replace the door only and save the cost of the motor, rails, and sensor.

The paint on garage doors is subject to fading over time, but if your motor and sensors are still working well, you can repaint the door to bring a fresh look to the exterior of your home. This is something you can take on as a DIY project with the right materials and tools, or hire a pro to take care of it quickly.

If you’re unsure whether to replace your garage door, the best choice is to call a local garage door repair company. They’ll come to your home and inspect your current door, providing you with a recommendation on the cost of repairs versus the price of a new door and installation.

Anything more than basic cleaning and checking alignment should be left to the pros. Garage doors use tension provided by large springs, and making adjustments without training can result in serious injuries - or even death - if something goes wrong. Additionally, most garage doors are very heavy. If they feel light, chances are there’s a lift assist from the springs, and your garage door will drop if those are disconnected.

Here are some things you can do yourself before calling a local garage door repair company:

• Clean dust and dirt from your garage door sensors.
• Check for any items blocking the path of light between the sensors.
• Make sure the sensors are properly aligned.
• Double-check that your garage door opens from the built-in panel. If it does, it’s possible that all your issues can be solved with a simple garage door opener repair.
• Use a screwdriver to tighten loose sensor brackets. Only do this if the mounting brackets are wobbly; never take any pieces off of your garage door system.

There’s a particular sinking feeling when you hit the button to close your garage door, it gets almost all the way closed before stopping in its tracks or starts going back up again. Many of us use our garages for storage and parking, and the thought of leaving the door open overnight makes us uneasy. Not to mention, having your garage door open can drastically impact the temperature inside your home if you live in a climate with chilly winters.

Many garage doors automatically try to open fully again if they encounter an obstacle. This is a safety measure to create space under the door, but it can also mean that your door stays all the way open when you don’t want it to.

There are a few things to can try to get your garage door to close:

• Check the tracks - It’s easy for debris, dirt, and ice to get stuck in the rails, which can prevent your garage door from closing all the way.
• Make sure nothing is blocking the path of the sensors - Even a small item, like the handle of a grocery bag, can be enough to break the connection and cause your garage door to remain open.
• Clean the sensors and look for a small light on both sensor panels - Your garage door sensors need to be clean for the lights to work, and there should be a light on each sensor panel. If you can’t see two lights, there’s a malfunction.

The most commonly malfunctioning element of a garage door is the springs. Expect to pay between $100 and $200 to repair them. You’ll need to factor in labor costs as well, which vary based on your location and the current demand.

Garage door springs need to be tuned yearly to stay in tip-top shape, and doing this can save you a more costly bill in the long run. This is an easy item to add to your yearly maintenance schedule. It isn’t costly, can be scheduled in advance, and can be done before chilly weather hits to prevent your garage door from being stuck open in the cold.

Another detail to consider is the age of your original garage door system. Older models may not be compatible with current springs, which could mean you need to replace your garage door to fix the problem.

In addition, supply chain troubles can mean that your wait time or the overall availability of new springs might be in question. A quick call to a local garage door repair company will give you insight into wait times and if your garage door can be repaired with new parts or not.

If your garage door is damaged by a break-in or an accident, you can make an insurance claim. There are pros and cons to doing this, and it’s worth weighing these before you dial up your insurance company.

• Is the value of the repair or replacement more than your deductible? Small repairs are likely worth paying for out of pocket since you’ll have to pay your deductible and be subject to an insurance increase the following year.
• Is it a functional or cosmetic repair? Dings, scratches, and dents that don’t impact the overall function of your garage likely aren’t worth the trade-off for making an insurance claim.
• Was the damage done by you or someone in your household? If the answer is yes, there’s a reasonable chance your premium will go up when you renew your insurance. Depending on your situation, the deductible plus a potential increase might make it more cost-effective to pay for the repair instead of making an insurance claim.
• Is your garage attached to your home? In some cases, detached garages aren’t covered by a home insurance policy. Either way, it’s good to know the ins and outs of what your policy covers for outbuildings on your property.
• Is the replacement due to damage or age/ wear and tear? Home insurance typically covers damage due to a crime or a weather event but won’t cover wear and tear due to age. If you want to cover yourself for these things, consider a home warranty in addition to home insurance.