Resources
Should I Replace or Repair My Garage Door?
If you are having a problem with your garage door, it is important to know what can be repaired and when a replacement is needed. The following common problems can often be repaired. However, sometimes it makes more sense to replace the garage door.
Call 865-539-0222 or Get A Residential Quote.
Dents & Dings:
Steel garage doors can accumulate dents and small dings over time, which greatly detracts from the door’s appearance. To help minimize unsightly dents, Clopay® garage doors are constructed with true 24, 25, or 27-gauge steel. Thicker steel lasts longer and dents less. The lower the gauge, the thicker the steel. However, a “sandwich” constructed steel garage door with two 27-gauge steel skins and a bonded insulating core will be stronger than a “steel frame” door with a single layer of 24-gauge steel.
With non-insulated garage doors, you may be able to push out the dings from the inside of the doors. If you are unable to do this, you may need to replace the dented sections or the entire garage door. Williams Door Company sells replacement sections for most models, including panel sections with windows.
Garage Door Feels Heavy or Is Hard To Open & Close:
Garage doors have a lot of moving parts, and if your door is opened and closed frequently, many of those parts will wear out. If your garage door feels very heavy and is difficult to open, it can be the result of a broken or improperly tensioned spring. Garage doors use two main types of spring systems – torsion springs or extension springs – and a spring issue on either of these systems can make them difficult to open, while also putting additional stress on your automatic opener.
Williams Door Company can replace the broken spring on your garage door, Call 865-539-0222 or Get A Residential Quote.
We strongly advise against DIY spring repair or replacement, attempting to repair springs on your own without the proper working knowledge of a garage door spring system can cause severe injury or death.
Signs That It May Be Time To Replace Your Garage Door:
Peeling or Cracked Paint on Wood Doors:
Wood garage doors will need to be refinished periodically in order to protect them from the elements. The painted or stained finish can break down over time, which causes the wood to rot. The finish can also discolor or fade due to UV exposure from the sun. If you find the wood has cracked, there are holes in your door or moisture has wicked up from the bottom, it is time to replace it. Williams Door Company is standing by to help, Call 865-539-0222 or Get A Residential Quote.
Sagging or Bent Garage Door Section:
Wood garage doors have a tendency to sag over time if they are not properly maintained. When the door is closed, you’ll see large gaps under the ends of the door. If your wood garage door is sagging, we recommend replacing it. Door sections can also be damaged by an automatic opener if they are not adequately reinforced.
Call 865-539-0222 or Get A Residential Quote.
Garage Door Is Not Energy Efficient:
Older garage doors or garage doors installed on new homes may not be well insulated or may not have full perimeter weatherstripping to seal out the elements. An insulated, well-sealed garage door is especially important if you have living space above or adjacent to the garage area. The insulated garage door will help keep those rooms warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, and can also help reduce energy bills. Clopay® offers insulated garage doors with R-values up to 20.4 (R-value is a measurement of thermal efficiency of a door, or how well it insulates).
Call 865-539-0222 or Get A Residential Quote.
Maintenance Checklist
A quick review of your garage door’s components can be a great way to ensure your door continues to operate consistently. Review these areas at least annually and as often as every three months. Williams Door Company recommends that your garage door (Residential or Commercial) be service by a professional garage door dealer every 12 months.
Springs:
- Are your springs broken?
- Are the springs properly tensioned? If you have an automatic opener, test your spring tension by closing your door and pulling the string on your opener to disconnect it. Then open the door halfway. If it does not remain still, your spring(s) are either broken or need to be adjusted.
- If your springs are broken or improperly tensioned, do not adjust or remove them yourself. We strongly advise against DIY spring repair or replacement, attempting to repair springs on your own without the proper working knowledge of a garage door spring system can cause severe injury or death.
- Call Williams Door Company now at 865-539-0222 or Request Service here.
Cables:
- Are there any worn strips hanging loose on the sides of your garage door?
- Are the cables frayed?
- If the cables are frayed, they are in danger of breaking and could cause serious injury or property damage. Worn strips could also get caught and cause issues.
- Call Williams Door Company now at 865-539-0222 or Request Service here.
Rollers:
- Do the rollers on the ends of your door move smoothly and quietly? If not, they may require lubrication or replacement.
- Williams Door Company recommends a high-quality nylon roller with ball-bearings for the smoothest and quietest operation.
- Call Williams Door Company now at 865-539-0222 or Request Service here.
Hinges:
- Are the hinges that join the door sections together bent or broken? If so, they should be replaced immediately.
- Caution: The bottom brackets on all garage doors must not be removed while the door is under spring tension. Doing so can cause severe injury or death.
- Call Williams Door Company now at 865-539-0222 or Request Service here.
Track:
- Are the tracks on either side of your garage door bent or twisted?
- Are they securely attached to the wooden door jambs, and the ceiling via the rear track hangers?
- Track issues can contribute to added stress on your garage door opener.
- Call Williams Door Company now at 865-539-0222 or Request Service here.
Panel Sections:
- Is the paint peeling or fading?
- If the door uses metal in its construction, is it rusted or heavily dented?
- If the upper panels of the garage door are cracked or split, these panels should be replaced before they cause further problems with the garage door opener.
- If the door panels are bent or out of level? The door will need to be serviced.
- Call Williams Door Company now at 865-539-0222 or Request Service here.
Garage Door Windows:
- Are the windows broken or cracked?
- If your windows are cracked or broken, contact Williams Door Company as they can provide replacement glass windows, or a complete glass door panel as needed.
- Call Williams Door Company now at 865-539-0222 or Request Service here.
Bottom Weather Seal:
- Your garage door’s bottom weather seal is a flexible strip that helps prevent heat loss at the bottom of the Door. It also helps to keep out water, dirt, and pests.
- Does the weatherstripping show cracks, or signs of visible wear?
- Place your hand along the bottom of your garage door. Do you feel a draft of cold air coming into your garage?
- If you feel a draft or your weather seal is cracked, it is time for replacement.
- WDC stocks a wide variety of bottom weather seals for different makes of garage doors.
- Call Williams Door Company now at 865-539-0222 or Request Service here.
Williams Door Company stocks all the replacement parts needed to maintain your Residential garage door or Commercial garage door.
Lubricating Garage Door Hardware:
Williams Door Company recommends that you lubricate door hinges, rollers (except nylon rollers), sheave bearings, torsion springs, and the lift cables at the bottom corners only, of the door annually with Williams-Lube. This lubricant can be purchased at Williams Door Company located at 220 Sherway Road Knoxville, TN 37922.
Williams Door Company will gladly give you a 16oz can of our 50yr anniversary Williams-Lube with your next insulated garage door purchase. Just ask our sale staff for your can of Williams-Lube.
How To
Wiring diagram for rail trolley garage door operators
