Comprehensive Garage Door Repair Services for Cambridge Homes and Businesses

Cambridge Garage Door Spring Repair: Industry-Recommended Techniques

As a homeowner, you're no stranger to life's unexpected challenges, often striking at the least opportune moments. One such hassle is discovering your car stuck in the garage, especially if it hasn't been long since your last garage door repair. Justin's Garages is here to help, adhering to the industry's best practices to ensure the most effective recommendations for homeowners every time we visit a garage. These practices can save you both time and money in the long term, and our customers always come first.

Best Practice #1 - Updating Both Springs

The majority of garage doors feature two springs, installed simultaneously. When one fails, it's highly likely that the other spring is nearing the end of its lifespan as well. To prevent future inconvenience, potential hazards, and garage door opener damage, Justin's Garages typically recommends replacing both springs. Just as you would replace both tires on your car if one blew out, it's crucial to maintain high-value equipment like garage doors and vehicles by replacing both garage door springs.

Best Practice #2 - Selecting the Appropriate Springs

Garage doors, with their diverse weights and sizes, demand the use of suitable springs for correct door balancing. If the wrong spring is installed, it can adversely affect the garage door system and force the opener to work harder. This may result in premature opener failure and additional repair visits. DIY spring replacement can be hazardous for the same reason. Our Cambridge, MA technicians are committed to fitting the right springs according to the door's weight and conducting a balance test to verify their work.

Best Practice #3 - Performing a Security Check

For every spring repair, Justin's Garages includes a free safety inspection to verify that all hardware and moving parts on your door are functioning properly and meet safety standards. Since the hardware was likely installed at the same time as the springs, there may be worn mechanical parts on your door that are unsafe. A broken spring could signal a larger issue with your door. That's why offering a free safety inspection and maintaining a secure environment for our customers is a Justin's Garages best practice.

As we maintain a large stock of springs compatible with various garage door types, we encourage you to consult with a professional technician for precise measurements and a definitive price quote. Reach out to Justin's Garages now to have an experienced technician supply a garage door spring repair estimate.

Which Garage Door Opener Should You Get? A Guide to Help You Decide

Belt Driven Openers

Belt driven openers are considered the industry gold standard. Combining the reliability of chain driven openers with near-silent operation, these openers run on a steel-reinforced belt and are slightly more expensive than chain and screw driven models. If your garage is attached to your home and close to bedrooms, a belt driven opener installed by Justin's Garages ensures you won't be disturbed by garage door noise. Many customers are thrilled with their belt driven openers and can't imagine returning to a noisier chain driven model.

Screw Driven Openers

Screw drive openers feature a lifting mechanism that runs on a threaded steel rod, as opposed to a chain or rubber belt. These openers perform best in locations with consistent weather and temperature conditions throughout the year. In areas with fluctuating temperatures or weather patterns, such as Cambridge, a screw drive opener is not advised. Screw drive openers are the slowest and noisiest of all three openers but are the least expensive. If noise or slow operation was an issue with your previous opener, you might not enjoy having a screw-driven opener in your garage.

Chain Driven Openers

Frequently used in Cambridge, chain drive openers are dependable and operate the garage door on its track by employing a metal chain. These openers are a little less costly than belt drives. However, they are noisy, which can be an issue if your garage is located below or adjacent to your home's main living spaces. Due to the minor savings and the absence of a lifetime warranty provided by LiftMaster® for belt drives, we usually do not recommend chain drive openers.

Jackshaft Openers

Ideal for Cambridge residents with high garage ceilings or a desire to free up ceiling space, jackshaft openers are mounted on the wall next to your garage door and connected to the torsion spring above it. Although they are somewhat more expensive than ceiling-mounted openers, they provide a unique and functional solution.

10 Reasons Why You Should Choose Justin's Garages

1. Proven Experience: Our unrivaled know-how, characterized by a history of success and numerous pleased customers, ensures that our industry-leading professionals will manage your garage door needs with utmost efficiency.
2. Variety of Products and Services: Justin's Garages offers a variety of products and services to suit your particular needs. We can provide everything from custom-made doors to repair and installation services. No matter what type of door or product you require, they will have the right solution.
3. Knowledgeable and Attentive Employees: Our staff members are both informed and professional. They recognize the value of outstanding customer service and work towards making your experience with them a positive one. They're prepared to answer your questions and provide guidance on maintaining your door.
4. Top-Quality Materials: Our company utilizes only the finest materials, ensuring your door is both durable and visually appealing. With a garage door company in Cambridge, you can be confident that you're investing in a valuable, long-lasting product.
5. Security: Our company guarantees the proper and safe installation of your garage door. You can have peace of mind knowing that the installation and maintenance of your overhead door adhere to the strictest standards, creating a secure space for your family.
6. Cost-Effective Solutions: Justin's Garages offers a wide range of affordable options for your garage door needs. You can find a solution that suits your budget, from installations and repairs to custom designs.
7. Efficient Service: When it comes to repairing or installing a garage door, time is crucial. A reputable Justin's Garages Cambridge will ensure your needs are addressed promptly and effectively.
8. Quality Guarantee: By providing a quality guarantee for our services and products, we make sure that any garage door repairs or installations meet the highest standards. This gives you the confidence that your investment is well-guarded.
9. Secure Your Garage Door Investment: Our warranty coverage provides protection against accidental damage and malfunctions, ensuring your garage door investment remains secure.
10. Exceptional Service and Satisfaction: At Justin's Garages, we guarantee exceptional service and complete satisfaction with our garage doors and other products. Our team is dedicated to providing the best possible experience for our customers, ensuring you're fully satisfied with your purchase.

The Garage Door Repair Problems We See Most Often

Broken Springs: If your garage door isn't functioning correctly, it could be due to broken springs. Inspect the condition of the springs to determine if they need repair.

Worn-out rollers: The garage door rollers can become worn out over time, leading to a noisy or stuck door. Regular inspection and replacement can keep your door functioning correctly.

Damaged Panels Prevention: Regular maintenance can help prevent the panels on your garage door from becoming damaged due to weather or normal wear and tear, or a hit by a vehicle or a heavy object.

Misaligned Tracks: Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your garage door tracks aligned correctly. Misaligned tracks can cause significant issues with your door's operation.

Faulty Opener: A faulty garage door opener can cause problems with the opening and closing of your door. It's important to seek professional assistance if you suspect an issue with the opener.

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.

The Top Door Issues that Need Immediate Repair

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

Pests: Wooden doors are vulnerable to pest infestations, which is another potential problem to consider, including termites and carpenter bees. Inspect your wooden doors frequently to detect any signs of infestation.

Rotting: If wooden doors aren't treated or sealed correctly, they may rot over time, leading to weakened doors that could potentially collapse.

Installation: A poorly installed garage door can create significant issues. It can be unstable and dangerous, making it necessary to fix it as soon as possible.

Sagging: Wooden doors are prone to sagging, which is typically caused by their weight. To avoid this, use heavy-duty hardware and ensure the posts are secured correctly.

Fading: Over time, weather conditions and prolonged sun exposure can cause the color of your gate to fade. To keep it looking fresh, you may need to repaint it every few years.

Hinges: Difficulty opening and closing your gate may be caused by misaligned or damaged hinges. The good news is that this issue can typically be easily resolved by a professional.

Frames: Garage door frame damage or bending can cause instability in the entire structure, which can be a significant safety issue. It's necessary to repair or replace any damaged frames without delay.

Rusting: Rusting is often caused by moisture or humidity exposure and is a common problem. People residing in humid areas should be attentive to any signs of rust on their gate.

Rollers: The proper functioning of overhead door rollers is crucial for its smooth operation. Worn-out or damaged rollers can cause problems when opening and closing the door. However, replacing them is typically an easy repair.

Why You Should Consider Replacing Your Garage Door in Cambridge

Although replacing your garage doors can undoubtedly improve the resale value of your home, there are other compelling reasons for Cambridge residents to consider. Here are some of them:

Energy Savings at Home

Being the most massive moving object connected to your home, the garage door can be the least energy-efficient room due to its frequent opening and closing. While homeowners in Cambridge, MA usually focus on energy-efficient replacement windows and front entry doors, the effect of the garage door on total energy costs is often underestimated. Installing insulated garage doors can reduce the transfer of hot and cold air, leading to substantial energy savings.

Never Compromise on Safety and Security

A significant number of home break-ins in Cambridge happen through garage doors. Do you trust that your garage door cannot be easily tampered with by malicious individuals? Moreover, depending on when you installed your garage door, you may not have the latest safety technology, such as automatic reversal that raises the door upon contact with an unexpected object.

Increase Your Home's Charm

Take a step back and observe the amount of real estate your garage doors consume on your home's front. Upgrading them in Cambridge can have a big impact on your home's curb appeal at an affordable price.

Silence Garage Door Noise

The opening and closing of overhead doors can be very loud and bothersome, particularly for individuals sleeping in rooms in close proximity to or above the garage. To decrease door noise and ensure a smooth operation, Justin's Garages offers ultra-quiet hinges.

Cambridge, MA Customers' Questions Answered

Is it advisable to hire a professional for my new garage door installation?

At Justin's Garages, we advocate for professional installation of garage doors, as it is not a suitable DIY task. A garage door is the biggest moving component in your home, and its installation requires technical expertise due to the numerous small parts involved. Attaching the springs is particularly perilous, and a properly installed door is crucial for optimal performance. Professional garage door dealer/installers can typically finish an installation within a few hours, while ensuring that safety protocols are followed. In contrast, most homeowners require several days for installation and often experience frustration. Additionally, improper installation might nullify certain warranties, so we suggest hiring a professional. They can also take care of disposing of your old door when replacing it.

Would it make sense to select an insulated door for an uninsulated garage?

Insulated garage doors can minimize the transfer of heat or cold air into your garage through the large garage door opening, which is important for several reasons:

1. When your garage is underneath another room, insulated doors contribute to a more stable temperature in the room above.
2. Insulated doors are also quieter and have a more attractive interior than non-insulated doors.
3. Comfort matters greatly when your garage doubles as a workshop.
4. Air in the garage can travel through the doorway to your living area if your garage is attached to your home.

Steel vs. wood garage doors - pros and cons?

When it comes to maintenance, steel doors generally require less work than wood doors. At Justin'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.

Would it be a good idea to replace my one-piece garage door with a sectional garage door?

Your professional garage door dealer/installer can set up a sectional door for you by installing the appropriate track and springs. Additional modifications may be required depending on your garage's configuration. It is recommended that you have your Cambridge, MA dealer evaluate the job before installation to make any necessary modifications.

Is it possible to paint a newly installed garage door?

Our steel doors at Justin's Garages are designed with durability and customization in mind. All our doors come pre-painted with a baked-on coating that can be repainted with any commercially available latex exterior paint. To ensure a seamless paint job, make sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines and avoid using oil-based paints. Upgrade your home's curb appeal with Justin's Garages!