Exclusive Garage Door Repair Services for the Residents of Houston, TX

Garage Door Spring Repair Practices in Houston

As a homeowner, you're no stranger to life's unpredicted challenges, often cropping up at the least convenient moments. One such irritation is discovering your car stranded in the garage, particularly if you've recently had a garage door repair. That's where Howard's Garages steps in, strictly adhering to the best practices in the industry to offer premium advice to homeowners each time we enter a garage. Implementing these practices can save you time and money while keeping customer satisfaction at the forefront.

Best Practice #1 - Updating Both Springs

Commonly, garage doors have two springs that were installed concurrently. When one spring gives out, it's reasonable to assume that the other spring is nearing the end of its service life. To avert future problems, potential hazards, and garage door opener damage, Howard's Garages typically recommends replacing both springs. Similar to replacing both tires on your car if one goes flat, proper maintenance of high-value equipment like garage doors and vehicles involves replacing both garage door springs.

Best Practice #2 - Selecting the Appropriate Springs

Garage doors come in various weights and sizes, which necessitates the use of suitable springs to achieve the correct door balance. If a technician installs the incorrect spring, it can damage your garage door system and overwork your garage door opener. This could result in premature opener failure and subsequent repair calls. DIY spring replacement can also be unsafe for this reason. That's why Howard's Garages technicians make sure to install the right springs for the door's weight and double-check their work through a balance test.

Best Practice #3 - Performing a Security Check

Howard's Garages carries out a courtesy safety inspection for every spring repair, confirming that all hardware and moving components on your door function as they should and meet safety requirements. It's possible that some worn mechanical parts on your door, installed at the same time as the springs, are now in an unsafe state. A non-functioning spring could be a sign of a more extensive issue with your door. That's why we believe in providing a free safety inspection and upholding a secure environment for our customers as a best practice.

With an extensive selection of springs for different garage door types in stock, we advise enlisting a professional technician to accurately measure and provide a precise cost estimate. Reach out to Howard's Garages now to get an expert technician's estimate for your garage door spring repair!

Which Garage Door Opener is the Most Suitable for Your Lifestyle?

Screw Driven Openers

Screw driven openers rely on a lifting mechanism that operates on a threaded steel rod, as opposed to a chain or rubber belt. These openers are best suited for locations with consistent weather and temperatures throughout the year. In regions with fluctuating temperatures or weather conditions, a screw driven opener is not advised. Although they are the least expensive option, screw driven openers are also the slowest and noisiest. If you're unhappy with your current opener's noise or speed, a screw driven opener may not be the best choice for your Houston garage.

Belt Driven Openers

Considered the best type of opener in the industry, belt-driven openers are not only as reliable as chain drives, but they are also virtually silent. They run on a steel-reinforced belt and are slightly more expensive than chain and screw drive openers. For homeowners in Houston with garages attached to their homes or surrounded by bedrooms, a belt-driven opener ensures you won't be disturbed by garage door noise. Many customers who choose belt-driven openers are extremely satisfied and can't imagine going back to the noise of a chain opener.

Chain Driven Openers

Chain driven openers are a popular choice and offer reliable performance. These openers utilize a metal chain to guide the garage door along its track. They are slightly more affordable than belt driven openers. However, they can be noisy, making them unsuitable if your garage is situated below or near the main living spaces of your home. We generally don't recommend chain driven openers, as the minor cost savings don't justify the noise and lack of warranty on the chain. LiftMaster®, for example, offers a lifetime warranty on the belt in belt driven openers, while the chain driven opener motors are noisier.

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.

Howard's Garages: 10 Factors That Set Us Apart

1. Proven Experience: With a strong background marked by years of achievement and a multitude of satisfied clients, our leading experts in the industry will take care of your garage door requirements in the most effective way.
2. Diverse Products and Services: At Howard's Garages, we provide an array of products and services tailored to your specific requirements. From custom-designed doors to repair and installation services, we have the ideal solution for any door or product you need.
3. Knowledgeable Staff: Our team is comprised of knowledgeable and professional individuals. They recognize the importance of excellent customer service and aim to make your interactions with them pleasant. Whether it's answering questions about doors and gates or providing guidance on garage door upkeep, they're here to assist you.
4. The Best Materials: Our company employs the best materials in the industry to ensure your overhead door is both long-lasting and visually pleasing. This guarantees your investment in a high-quality door from our company in Houston is a sound decision.
5. Safety First: We prioritize the correct and safe installation of your doors and gates. This means that you can have peace of mind knowing that the installation and maintenance of your garage door adhere to the highest standards, fostering a secure environment for your loved ones.
6. Budget-Conscious Offerings: Howard's Garages proposes a selection of cost-effective answers to your garage door challenges. Find a solution that caters to your budget, including installations, maintenance, and personalized designs.
7. Efficient Services: Time plays a crucial role in the repair or installation of doors and gates. A distinguished Houston company will guarantee that your needs are met in a timely and effective manner.
8. Commitment to Quality: We offer a commitment to quality for our services and products, making sure that all overhead door repairs or installations are performed to the highest standards. This allows you to have confidence in the protection of your investment.
9. Warranty Coverage: We offer an additional layer of protection for your investment through warranty coverage. This coverage includes protection against malfunction or accidental damage to your door, helping to alleviate any stress or financial burden associated with a faulty door.
10. Our Satisfaction Guarantee: Howard's Garages stands behind our products and services, ensuring your satisfaction with our overhead doors and gates. We provide a satisfaction guarantee for your peace of mind.

Frequently Encountered Overhead Door Repair Issues

Broken Springs: Garage door springs can break easily due to the high tension they're under. Checking their condition is crucial if you're experiencing issues with your garage door.

Worn-out rollers: As time passes, the rollers that aid in the opening and closing of your garage door can wear out. This can lead to a noisy or stuck door.

Damaged Panels: Weather, normal wear and tear, and heavy impacts from vehicles or objects can all damage the panels on your garage door over time. Regular maintenance and repair can help prevent further damage.

Misaligned tracks: If the tracks that your garage door runs on become misaligned over time, it can cause significant issues, including getting stuck or falling off entirely.

Faulty Opener: A faulty garage door opener can prevent the door from opening or closing correctly. If you suspect a problem with the opener, it's best to seek professional assistance.

Safety Sensor: The safety sensor is often responsible for garage door issues. It can get knocked out of alignment by playful children or objects, leading to difficulty in closing the door correctly. To prevent this problem, it's important to keep an eye on the sensor and ensure it remains aligned.

Issues with Overhead Doors that Regularly Need Repair

Rollers: Properly functioning rollers are a key component of an overhead door's smooth operation. If they're worn or damaged, opening and closing the door can become difficult. The good news is that replacing them is typically a simple repair.

Sagging: The weight of wooden doors frequently causes sagging. To prevent this, use more substantial hardware and ensure the posts are secured firmly.

Warping: Extreme weather conditions are a common cause of warping. Your gate could become misshapen if it's exposed to hot or cold temperatures.

Hinges: Misaligned or damaged hinges can result in trouble with opening and closing your gate. However, a professional can usually address this issue with ease.

Frames: A damaged or bent frame on an overhead door can cause instability, which can be a significant safety concern. It's crucial to address the issue and replace or repair the frame without delay.

Installation: Inadequate installation of a garage door can lead to significant problems. The door can be hazardous and unstable, necessitating prompt repairs.

Rotting: The lack of proper treatment or sealing of wooden gates can cause them to rot over time, resulting in the gate's weakening and eventual collapse.

Fading: Overexposure to the sun or harsh weather conditions can cause the color of your gate to fade with time. Repainting your garage door every few years can help it maintain a new appearance.

Pests: Wooden gates can be vulnerable to pests, such as termites and carpenter bees. It is important to conduct routine inspections for any signs of intrusion.

Rusting: Humidity or moisture exposure can result in rust, a common problem. If you live in a humid location, it's especially important to be vigilant for any rust on your overhead door.

The Benefits of Replacing Your Houston Garage Door

While it's true that replacing your garage doors can have a positive impact on your home's resale value, there are other reasons for Houston residents to consider. Here are some examples:

Tone Down Garage Door Sound

The sound of overhead doors opening and closing can be a source of annoyance, especially for those residing in rooms near or above the garage. Howard's Garages offers ultra-quiet hinges for a noise-free and seamless opening and closing experience.

Ensure Safety and Security

In Houston, many burglars enter homes through overhead doors. Are you confident that your garage door can resist attempts at forced entry? Additionally, older doors may not include safety features like automatic reversal.

Increase Your Home's Charm

Your garage doors play a significant role in your home's appearance. Enhancing them in Houston can have a substantial impact on your home's curb appeal at a reasonable price.

Saving Energy at Home

Installing new insulated overhead doors can help to lower energy bills for Houston, TX homeowners by reducing the transfer of hot and cold air into the garage and home.

Houston, TX Customers' Questions Answered

Is it more practical to have a professional install my new garage door?

At Howard's Garages, we believe that the installation of a garage door is not a do-it-yourself job. A garage door is the largest moving object in your home and because of the large number of small parts, installation of a garage door is highly technical. Connecting the springs can be particularly dangerous and proper installation is critical to the performance of your door. Professional garage door dealer/installers can typically install a door in a few hours and are careful to make sure safety requirements are met. Installations by most homeowners typically span several days and cause much frustration. In addition, incorrect installation can void certain warranties, so we recommend a professional handle the job for you. One of the other services a professional garage doors dealer/installer can provide is the disposal of your old door, if you are replacing a door.

Would an insulated garage door be beneficial even if your garage is not insulated?

Insulated doors can help reduce the transfer of heat or cold air through the large garage door opening. This is important if your garage is connected to your home or used as a workspace, as it maintains comfortable temperatures. Additionally, insulated doors have a more attractive interior and are generally quieter than non-insulated doors.

1. Insulated doors help prevent garage air from seeping into your living area.
2. Stabilizing temperatures in the room above your garage is important if your garage is below another room in your home.
3. Insulated doors have a more attractive interior and are generally quieter than non-insulated doors.
4. Prioritizing comfort is important for a garage functioning as a workshop.

Which is better for a garage door - steel or wood?

When it comes to maintenance, steel doors generally require less work than wood doors. At Howard's Garages, our steel doors come pre-painted with a baked-on coating applied at the factory. We recommend cleaning the exterior of the door with warm water and a household detergent once a year. Our wood doors are unfinished and must be primed, painted, or stained on all six sides when delivered. To ensure that it is in good condition, it is recommended to check the paint or stain finish on wood doors once a year.

Is it viable to switch my one-piece garage door to a sectional garage door?

Your garage door dealer/installer can install a sectional door by fitting track and springs. Other adjustments may be required, depending on your garage's construction. We recommend having your Houston, TX dealer assess the job before installation to ensure all necessary modifications are made.

Can I paint my new garage door to match my house's color scheme?

When you choose Howard's Garages for your steel door needs, you're selecting a brand that is committed to quality and performance. Our doors come with a pre-painted baked-on coating that can be repainted with a wide variety of commercially available latex exterior paints. Make sure to follow the paint manufacturer's recommendations and stay away from oil-based paints to get the most out of your door's finish.