Even if you tend to be vigilant about home maintenance, there are a few things that always seem to slip the mind—and the garage door is one of them. If your garage door opener is acting up, that’s easily replaced, but how do you know when you need to replace the door itself?

Signs That You Might Need a New Garage Door

If you notice any of the following characteristics or issues, it might be time to get a new garage door:

• Rust, dents and/or scratches on the panels
  • If it looks like it’s in bad shape, it’s probably in bad shape. Once your door is showing serious visible deterioration, it’s time to consider a replacement.
• A warped shape
  • Wooden garage doors, in particular, can become heavily warped, over time, putting stress on the track and spring mechanism.
• A bent or damaged track
  • Track damage can be just as bad as door damage and can cause problems with opening and closing.
• Difficulty opening and closing it, even when done manually
  • Even if you’re not sure what’s causing the problem, a door that’s difficult to open and close may need to replaced.

Get a Quality New Garage Door from Family Christian Doors

If you’re experiencing garage door problems or your door is simply falling apart, Family Christian Doors offers a variety of quality garage doors and convenient repair services. Visit one of our offices in Dallas or Ft. Worth today to find out what we can do for you!

Still struggling to open your garage door by hand? It may be time to switch to electric. Automatic garage doors that open at the push of the button are not only more convenient; they’re also safer.

The Modern Garage Door

Electric garage doors have been around since the 1920s. They’ve been popular since the 1940s. These days, most garage doors come equipped with an automatic gate opener—an electric device that’s typically attached to the ceiling and operated by a remote control.

Not all homes are electric-powered, though. Some older homes still feature manual doors. Let’s say you’re one of the few who has been content, thus far, with a pull-down door. How do you know if it’s time to switch?

Manual Garage Doors vs. Electric Garage Doors

For most people, the decision comes down to two things: convenience and safety. It’s a pain to get out of your car every time you want to enter or leave your garage. After jumping out and walking up the driveway, you then have to physically pull the door up or down.

That takes time. It takes strength. It’s a hassle.

It can also be dangerous. Many people have injured their backs while pulling a heavy door up or down. Finally, electric garage doors often feature additional safety components—for example, sensors that stop the door when it detects an object such as a cat or a child.

In the end, it’s an easy choice. Electric door openers are faster, safer, and more manageable.

Installing Your Electric Opener

If you’re ready to make the leap to an electric door or electric gate opener, call Family Christian Doors or visit our website to get an automatic opener installed quickly and expertly.

Manual Versus Electric Garage Doors: Part II

Electric garage doors are easy to open and safe to operate. These days, they also come with a range of handy features designed to boost connectivity, performance, safety, and security.

What does that mean? It means you can control your garage doors from anywhere. It means you can use your phone to check whether you accidentally left the door open when you set off from the house. It means you can protect your home from unauthorized entry. With so many useful add-ons, choosing an automatic gate opener over a manual unit is an easy decision.

The Modern Garage Door

Modern openers are so much more than tools for opening and closing garage doors. They’re all-inclusive systems that help you manage and monitor your garage.

Sensors provide audio and visual warnings that alert people when the door is about to close. Smart technology allows homeowners to remotely monitor and control their garage doors (as well as their home lighting) from their phones.

Finally, ultra-quiet models mean you don’t have to disturb sleepers when going out during the early morning or coming in during the late night. In short, an automatic garage door keeps you connected, safe, and secure.

Installing Electric Garage Doors

At Family Christian Doors, we carry a wide range of fully equipped, state-of-the-art electric garage doors and electric gate openers. Visit our website to browse our full catalog of garage door openers for sale. You can also give your local office a call to speak with a friendly representative.

Manual Vs. Electric Garage Doors: Time to Make the Switch? (Part I)

When we think of home improvement, we tend to think about interior paint, living room furniture, new bathroom fixtures, and various indoor luxuries, but what about the exterior value of having a beautiful and functional garage door?

Regain Functionality and Increase Security

The most obvious reason to repair or upgrade your garage door is simply to regain functionality. If your current overhead door is slow, hesitant, off-track, unsafe, or completely failing to open, it’s time to get it fixed. Plus, a properly-installed door in good condition is resistant to break-in attempts, adding additional security to your home.

Increase Your Curb Appeal and Home Value

Another benefit of replacing or updating an existing garage door is the aesthetic aspect from a curbside perspective. Whether you’re looking to improve your home’s exterior before selling it or simply want your house to look its best, a freshly-repaired or new garage door can modernize and refresh an older home, providing a much-needed “boost” to its visual appeal and its market value.

Service, Repair and New Garage Doors from Family Christian Doors

If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and have a garage door in need of some TLC, Family Christian Doors is ready to help with 24/7 repairs, same-day service, and zero service call charges—we’re always available and affordable.  Call us today at one of our service lines in Ft. Worth (817-224-2227), Dallas (972-292-7144), Denton County (214-614-8172), or Collin County (469-359-6044) to learn more!

Whether you want to sell your house tomorrow or make a smart investment for later on in the future, increasing your property value is a smart move in both the short and long run. From adding modern garage doors to putting a little flare into your front yard landscaping, there are so many things you can do to put a few extra digits on your property value.

No matter what your budget is, there are improvements that you can make that won’t break your bank. Here are a few ways to take your home to the next level:

1. Start Small

If you’re not quite ready to start doing big budget upgrades, start with the small stuff. You don’t have to spend big bucks to begin the process of increasing your property value. A little can go a long way. Have a few faulty electrical outlets? Get those fixed. Faucets and fixtures looking outdated? Update them.

Grab a notepad, take a walk around your home, and write down all of the little things you notice that you could easily fix on a small budget. Another great way to not overwhelm yourself with updates is to go room by room. Start with the room that needs the least amount of work and go from there.

2. Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels

If you think that you’re ready to go BIG, the kitchen is a great place to start. According to Consumer Reports, an updated and modernized kitchen is on the top of the list of things millennials look for when buying a home. This could mean a fresh coat of paint, sleek appliances, or upgraded cabinets and countertops. Although, you don’t necessarily have to rebuild your entire kitchen from scratch – a new trendy backsplash and modern knobs for the cabinets could give the space the perfect updated look it needs. Just focus on two words: bright and open.

Once you’re done with the kitchen, it’s time to take a hard look at your bathrooms. Sinks, faucets, and showerheads are the best place to start. Then you can move on to larger things like perhaps installing a low-flush toilet and some new tile. If you’re not exactly sure what style to go for, Pinterest can be your best friend when it comes to looking for what things people are loving, and bathroom designs are no exception.

3. Replace Your Doors

This is an upgrade that people often forget but should not be overlooked. Your front door is one of the very first things people notice when entering your home so it should be in tip-top shape. Think about how your house looks to the average person driving by. Is it welcoming and inviting or are there weeds growing in your front yard and paint chipping off the garage doors? Upgrading your doors can really add to the overall appearance of your home.

To make a substantial visual impact, consider installing a new garage door or repairing and restoring your old one. Highly-rated companies like Family Christian Doors are able to accommodate any need pertaining to upgrading or replacing your garage door, with a vast selection of styles to choose from.

4. Creative Landscaping

Okay, this may sound a little intimidating but don’t worry, landscaping doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to spend thousands of dollars on a pool. In fact, while previous generations reveled at the thought of having their own pool, millennials are less likely to associate a pool with fun and more likely to just think of how much it’ll cost to maintain. Instead, if you are looking for a large-scale landscaping addition, focus on creating outdoor spaces to gather by adding a deck, a patio, or gazebo. A few lovely, well-placed drought-tolerant plants and some outdoor lighting go a long way.

5. Paint! Paint! Paint!

You’d be amazed what a fresh coat of paint can do for a room. With a few hundred dollars and a few extra hands you could have the whole place dazzling. Quick Tip: Try your best to use mostly neutral colors since they appeal to the majority of people and be sure to invest in high-quality paint! You won’t be saving money in the long run if you are having to repaint every few years. When picking colors, don’t hesitate to ask the professionals for their opinion on what works best.

• Make Your Home Energy Efficient

The future is Green! If there is one thing that many future buyers care about, it’s saving the planet. Get ahead of the game by installing energy-efficient fixtures, lights, and even a solar power energy system. This is a great update to do because not only will it increase your property value, but it will lower your electricity bill! Here are some other ways that you can start to make your home energy efficient:

• Install a solar-powered water heater
• Replace your windows with high-efficiency windows
• Weatherize your home with air sealing and revitalized insulation

7. Keep Your Technology Smart

We are in the era of smart technology and you’d be wise to be sure that your home follows suit. Get rid of that old dodgy thermostat and replace it with a model that can be controlled from a smartphone. Install a smart backup power generator that can power your entire house is also a worthy smart technology investment for those thinking seriously about disaster preparedness.    

8. High-Efficiency Windows

As previously stated, adding high-efficiency windows are a great way to not only increase property value but also save money on your monthly energy bills. Windows don’t have to be number one on your list, but if you have an issue with cracked caulking, condensation, drafts, or mold, it could be a great investment. Replacement garage door windows are also something to consider as they tend to accumulate scratches and imperfections overtime.

9. Think About Your Floors

Time to rip out that old shag carpet that the kids have destroyed and add in some beautiful tile or some bright and shiny hardwood floors. Floors are yet another huge feature that people consider when buying a home and you should take it into consideration too! While changing your floors are definitely on the more pricey and time-consuming end of your property value project, don’t worry, it doesn’t necessarily have to cost you an arm and a leg to get the floors that you want – engineered wood flooring is a beautiful and cost-efficient way to go!

10. Maintenance!

Doing a good job of maintaining your home can keep your property value high and save you a lot of money in the long run. If something needs repairing, don’t wait. Fix it now!  Prolonging repairs almost always ends up costing you more money and more time. If your garage door won’t open, don’t wait forever to get it fixed – fix it now! Here are a few other things that you should focus on maintaining in your home:

• Repair plumbing leaks, leaky windows and faucets
• De-weed your front and backyard
• Keep your gutters clean
• Stay on top of peeling paint before it’s too late

Updating your home to increase your property value doesn’t have to be a stressful project. In fact, it can be a lot of fun! Be careful to not overwhelm yourself with all of the possible repairs. Before you get started, make a list of everything you’d like to get done and categorize it from least expensive to most expensive. Working within your budget, start at the top of the list and before you know it, you’ll have crossed of everything and increased your property value big time! If you don’t know where exactly to get started, consider hiring a home inspector to tell you where your home’s biggest flaws are. Remember, don’t be afraid to ask for help and have fun!

Source:

http://www.consumerreports.org/home-improvement/8-ways-to-boost-your-home-value/

If you are reading this, chances are, your garage door just broke or is in desperate need of service. And if that’s not enough, now you have to determine if it is something minor enough for you to handle yourself or if it is a job best left to the professionals.

The first answer is easy. If it is more than applying lubrication or programming controllers, you should call an expert. The risks far outweigh the potential of a positive outcome.

There are many things to consider before rolling out the old toolbox and tacking the issue yourself.

• Many of the components on your garage door are under immense amounts of tension.
• Often, repairs to a garage door or opener require a particular order in which each step is taken. You may take all the proper steps to properly repair your garage door but if they were not performed in the correct order, you may not get a desirable result.
• In most cases, the parts required for the repair are proprietary to your garage door’s (or garage door opener’s) application. Using the wrong parts could cause malfunction, injury, damage or loss of warranty coverage.

How to Fix Your Garage Door Yourself

First, I would like to cover the things that you can handle yourself. As discussed earlier, applying lubrication and programming radio devices (remotes, keypads, vehicle HomeLink systems, etc.), are “novice” skill level tasks that can be done safely yourself.

Lubrication is critical for some of your garage door and garage door opener components. We will first address the garage door, then we will circle back to cover garage door openers.

There are four common wearable components on a garage door. The first is your spring(s). Springs are under a great deal of tension and pressure so it is crucial that you are very careful never to touch the spring with your hands, arms, etc. Never attempt to adjust tension yourself. Springs are under a great deal of pressure and could cause serious injury or even death if not handled properly.  A typical day in the life of a torsion spring is a tough one. Not only is it supporting the full weight of the door, but it incurs a lot of wear as the coils rub against each other. This rubbing can cause friction and premature fatigue, ultimately reducing the life of the torsion spring greatly. The goal here, is to apply oil (not grease) to the entire surface area of the garage door spring(s). While there are several lubricants your garage door components could benefit from, we recommend Family Christian Doors (non-silicone) Spray Lube. You can order a 15 oz. can from the Family Christian Doors website for $23.99 or give us a call at 817-595-9900.

Making sure to stand clear of the spray area and the spring, apply a generous layer to the entire surface area of the spring. After applying the lubrication, open and close the door several times to allow the oil to be distributed throughout the spring’s coils. Repeat as needed. Often times, when a garage door torsion spring is excessively dry, you will hear a series of rapid pops when the door first starts to open. This should subside, if not dissipate all together with proper lubrication.

What are Hinges and How to Fix Them?

Another category of wearable components is hinges. These are the pivoting steel bindings that fasten each panel to the next. We recommend you use the same lubrication you used on your garage door torsion spring. The pivot point on a garage door hinge will begin to squeak, moan and groan if the hinge is dry. You may also see a black powder or film on, or around the hinge. This is often a build-up of metal shavings. To properly oil the hinges, the goal is to apply the oil directly to the pivot point. While every technician has their own unique way of applying lubrication, we, at Family Christian Doors, have found it to be helpful to apply the oil while the hinge is in motion. If you have an automatic garage door opener, start by manually disengaging the door from the opener (pull the release cord or rope hanging from the opener). Roll the door up until the top row of hinges begin to fold, apply the oil to the pivot points on each hinge. Continue rocking the door up and down a few inches each way as you oil them so the oil works it’s way in. When you complete the top row of hinges, roll the garage door up to the next row and repeat. Do this for each row of hinges.

Rollers & Garage Doors: A Simple Solution

Your third category of wearable components is your rollers. Garage door rollers are an extremely vital part of your garage door’s operation. These rollers can also impact the garage door opener’s safety features. The theory is, while the torsion spring(s) lift the weight of the door, the rollers keep the garage door in the tracks, and provide a nice, fluid motion as the door glides up and down through it’s travel. If the roller fails to do it’s job, you may notice that the door doesn’t travel as smoothly. It may tug and jerk as it opens or closes. Aside from the noise and annoyance of this inconsistent movement, this could trigger your garage door opener’s sensitivity settings, causing the opener to incorrectly assume there is an obstruction, resulting in the door not opening or closing.

Using Family Christian Doors (non-silicone) Spray Lube, you will look to apply a layer of oil along the inside of the vertical portion of the tracks that the rollers travel in. This will provide a smooth travel for your garage door. If your rollers have ball bearings, apply oil to the bearing housing. Again, we find it to be more effective to apply the lubricant while the roller is in motion. This ensures the oil is evenly distributed through the bearings.

If your rollers do NOT have bearings, this would be a great time to have garage door rollers installed with ball bearings. This allows your garage door opener to do it’s job without excessive resistance. Keep in mind, your automatic garage door opener is meant to lift UP TO 10 pounds. It is only able to lift your garage door because your torsion spring(s) is lifting the full weight of the door. Your garage door opener should only be guiding your garage door up and down.

Repair for Garage Door Bearings

Finally, your fourth category of wearable components is your bearings. Above your garage door (inside your garage), you will see a long steel tube, slightly longer than the door is wide. This tube contains your torsion spring, a “drum” on either side, and three bearings. The tube will run through a bearing on either side of the door and one in the center (sometimes off center). If the door has been neglected, you may find black residue or powder around these bearings. Metal shavings. Apply oil to the outside bearings while rolling the door up or down. The center bearing is a bit more tricky. Typically you have to stand on a ladder (with the door down) and spray the oil between the two springs. Some doors will only have one spring. It is a bit easier to oil the center bearing in this case since you can just aim the oil directly at the bearing.

Garage Door Opener Fixes

Now that we have your garage door rolling like a champ, let’s address the opener. Instructions for lubricating your garage door opener will vary depending on what type of opener you have. This is a broad instruction in common opener models but remember to always be sure and consult the manufacturer for lubrication requirements. Let’s identify what type of opener you have.

The three most common types of garage door openers are:

• Chain Drive
• Screw Drive
• Belt Drive

Chain drive openers are generally the least expensive. Chain drive garage door openers are known for having similar essential functional capabilities as the other types but without the bells and whistles. Sometimes chain drive openers will come with fewer accessories like additional remotes or a keypad. This type of opener will have a sprocket on the end where the motor is and another sprocket where the opener rail mounts to the wall (above your door).

As the motor turns the sprocket, it feeds the chain around it. The trolley on this opener is attached to the chain and moves up and down the rail as the sprocket turns. With these types of openers, you will look to apply a low-temp grease to the underside of the (black) iron rail that the chain travels around. A light coating of Family Christian Doors spray lubrication (oil) may be applied to the chain if it begins to rust or make noise.

Next in line (some opinions may differ) is the screw drive garage door opener. This opener type is commonly referred to as a mid-grade product with a slightly quieter performance. Unfortunately, while screw drive openers will usually be pleasantly quiet upon install, they are known to progressively become noisier. This opener works by sliding a threaded trolley up and down a rail via a long screw. As the screw turns it feeds the trolley up and down. This will, in turn, open and close the door. This opener type will require a light layer of low-temp grease to the bottom side of the screw (unplug the opener first!).

Repairs for Belt Drives on Your Garage Door

Last, but certainly not least, the mighty belt drives. This opener functions exactly like a chain drive, except it uses a belt in place of a chain and pulleys in place of sprockets. This opener type is the most desirable due to how quiet they are known to be and the fact that they generally include more accessories than other opener types. Lubrication on these openers is pretty simple. You will want to apply a light layer of low-temp grease to the underside of the (black) iron rail that the belt travels on. You will also want to apply some low-temp grease to the pulley over the motor head. This can be tricky, as you will need to unplug the opener (it is recommended to do this with the door released from the operator) and apply the low-temp grease to the inside of the belt (tooth side) right where it is about to travel around the pulley. After applying the grease to the inside of the belt, plug the garage door opener back in and run it so that the belt passes around the pulley and distributes the grease evenly to all teeth on the pulley. This should only be done about every 18 months or at the direction of a garage door technician.

Now you know how to lubricate your garage door and your garage door opener. I will cover programming radio transmitting devices like remotes, keypad, etc. in our next garage door systems educational blog.

Let Our Dallas/Ft. Worth Garage Door Experts Help

In review, I strongly advise you to resist the urge to attempt a repair yourself. The small amount of money you save is not worth risking your safety or creating further damage. If you have questions about your products or services Family Christian Doors offers in your area, contact us by e-mail or you can give us a call at 817-595-9900. Be sure to ask about our coupons and specials!

Not that we would be so presumptuous as to toot our own horn but we are certainly thankful for such amazing clients who take the time to let us know how they feel about Family Christian Doors customer service.

From Google:

Donald-

Have you purchased a new home or a brand new garage door opener and don’t know how to program the keypad? Well, you’re in luck, this weeks DIY video will walk you, step-by-step, through the process of entering your favorite four numbers…let’s hope it’s not 1 2 3 4!?!

Now in this video, I’m going to show you how to program your outdoor wireless keypad to your garage door opener, if you have a Genie® brand garage door opener.

Now first, flip up your cover and press 3 5 7 program. Now for demonstration purposes, we’re going to use the program code 1 2 3 4. So then, press your 1 2 3 4 and then press your program button again. Now it flashes a few more times and shuts your light out. That means that your are programmed into your keypad. Now let’s coordinate your keypad to your garage door opener, follow me.

Now that we’ve got the keypad programmed, it’s time to sync in the keypad with the garage door opener.

I’ve already removed the screws from the light cover, depress the tabs, lowering down. As you can see here, there is a small cylindrical button known as the “learn code” button, that you need to depress one time. As you can see, the right light there is flashing, indicating it’s ready to receive the program.

Alright, now that the red light is flashing, we are ready to integrate the code in to get it synced up. So the code that we had used previously was 1 2 3 4. Now press the up and down arrow key three times, slowly and firmly…one…two…on the third time it will start to activate the garage door…three.

You’re now an official garage door expert! So help a friend. If we can serve you in anyway, feel free to call us, thank you so much for watching.

For further help with this or other garage door opener or gate related concerns, contact one of our highly trained staff in Dallas at 972-292-7144 or Fort Worth at 817-224-2227. We look forward to speaking with you!