Philadelphia, PA Residents' Choice for Garage Door Services

Garage Door Spring Repair Practices in Philadelphia

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. Wide Reach Garage & Gate 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 - Changing Both Springs

It is common for garage doors to possess two springs, both installed at the same time. Once one spring breaks, it's probable that the other spring is nearing the end of its effectiveness. To eliminate future complications, potential risks, and damage to the garage door opener, Wide Reach Garage & Gate often recommends exchanging both springs. As you would change both tires on your car following a blowout, maintaining valuable assets like garage doors and vehicles requires 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 Wide Reach Garage & Gate 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 - Carrying Out a Safety Inspection

Wide Reach Garage & Gate includes a no-cost safety inspection for every spring repair, checking that all hardware and moving parts on your door operate correctly and comply with safety regulations. It's possible that worn mechanical parts on your door, which were likely installed with the springs, are now unsafe. A dysfunctional spring could signal a larger issue with your door. That's why we prioritize providing a free safety inspection and maintaining a safe environment for our clients as a best practice.

Considering our ample stock of springs for an array of garage door types, we recommend consulting a professional technician for precise measurements and a trustworthy price estimate. Touch base with Wide Reach Garage & Gate now to obtain an expert technician's appraisal and quote for garage door spring repair.

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

Screw Driven Openers

Screw-operated openers employ a lifting mechanism that runs on a threaded steel rod, unlike chain or rubber belt openers. They are best suited for locations with consistent weather and temperature throughout the year. For residents of Philadelphia with varying weather conditions, a screw-operated opener may not be the most suitable option. These openers are the slowest, noisiest, and least expensive of the three types. If you prefer a quieter, faster opener, a screw-operated opener may not be the right choice for you.

Belt Driven Openers

Recognized as the superior option in the garage door industry, belt-operated openers are as reliable as chain drives and nearly silent. They run on a steel-reinforced belt and are slightly more expensive than chain and screw-operated openers. For those in Philadelphia with garages attached to their homes or near bedrooms, a belt-operated opener will ensure that garage door noise is not a disturbance. Many customers who choose belt-operated openers are highly satisfied and cannot envision returning to a noisier chain opener.

Jackshaft Openers

Ideal for Philadelphia 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.

Chain Driven Openers

Popular in Philadelphia, chain-operated openers are a reliable option that use a metal chain to move the garage door along its track. These openers are somewhat cheaper than belt drives. However, they are also noisy, which can be problematic if your garage is positioned below or next to your home's main living areas. We generally advise against chain-operated openers because the small cost savings and lack of a lifetime warranty offered by LiftMaster® for belt drives outweigh the benefits.

10 Powerful Reasons to Opt for Wide Reach Garage & Gate

1. Solid Experience: Our strong background, characterized by a successful track record and numerous happy clients, guarantees that our industry-leading experts will handle your garage door needs with the highest efficiency.
2. Comprehensive Product and Service Offerings: Wide Reach Garage & Gate presents an extensive variety of products and services to meet your individual requirements. From bespoke doors to maintenance and installation services, we possess the right solution for every type of door or product you seek.
3. Skilled and Courteous Staff: Our employees are both well-informed and professional. They appreciate the significance of excellent customer service and work to ensure your interactions with them are pleasant. From addressing your concerns to providing guidance on door upkeep, they're available to help.
4. High-Quality Materials: Our company uses the highest quality materials available. This means that your door will be durable and attractive, ensuring that it looks good while also lasting a long time. You can have peace of mind knowing that you are investing in something of value with a garage door company in Philadelphia.
5. Safety: Our company ensures that your door is installed correctly and safely. This means that you can rest assured that the installation and maintenance of your garage door have been done to the strictest standards, resulting in a safe and secure environment for you and your family.
6. Reasonable Pricing Options: Wide Reach Garage & Gate offers a variety of reasonably priced solutions for your doors and gates needs. You can choose a solution that fits your financial preferences, from installations and repairs to tailor-made designs.
7. Expedited Support: When dealing with overhead door repairs or installations, time matters. A reputable Philadelphia firm will ensure your needs are handled swiftly and proficiently.
8. Quality Guarantee: By offering a quality guarantee for our services and products, we ensure that any garage door repairs or installations are performed to the highest standards. This allows you to trust that your investment is safeguarded.
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 Commitment to Satisfaction: At Wide Reach Garage & Gate, we're committed to your satisfaction with our doors and gates. Our team provides top-notch customer service and support to ensure your happiness.

Common Overhead Door Repair Issues We Observe

Broken Springs: The tension in garage door springs means they're prone to breaking. Checking their condition is essential when troubleshooting issues with your garage door.

Worn-out rollers: Garage door rollers can wear out over time and cause a noisy or stuck door. Regular inspection and maintenance are essential for proper functioning.

Damaged Panels: The panels on your garage door can become damaged from weather, normal wear and tear, or impact from a vehicle or a heavy object.

Misaligned Tracks: When your garage door starts to malfunction, it could be due to misaligned tracks. This can cause the door to get stuck or fall off its tracks 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 Obstructions: The safety sensor can become obstructed by objects or children playing. Make sure the area around the sensor is clear to avoid issues with door closure.

Overhead Door Issues: Repairing the Most Prevalent Problems

Rotting: When wood doors are not appropriately treated or sealed, they can deteriorate and rot. This can cause them to become weak and eventually collapse.

Warping: Warping caused by extreme weather conditions can lead to a misshapen gate if it's exposed to hot or cold temperatures.

Pests: Pest infestation, including termites and carpenter bees, is another potential issue to be aware of with wooden doors. Inspect your wooden doors frequently to identify signs of intrusion.

Installation: The negative impact of incorrect installation can be significant, particularly with gates that may become unsafe and unstable. It is critical to address these issues urgently.

Fading: Weather conditions and excessive sun exposure can cause the color of your gate to fade over time. To maintain its appearance, repainting every few years may be necessary.

Hinges: Opening and closing your gate may be difficult if the hinges are misaligned or damaged. Fortunately, this is typically an uncomplicated fix for a professional.

Sagging: Sagging is a common problem faced by wooden gates, mainly due to the weight of the gate. Preventing this issue requires using sturdier hardware and ensuring that the posts are firmly anchored.

Rollers: Damaged or worn-out rollers can impact your gate's smooth functioning. It may become difficult to open and close the gate as a result. Fortunately, replacing the rollers is usually a simple repair.

Rusting: Rust is a common issue that arises due to exposure to moisture or humidity. It's crucial to monitor your gate for any signs of rusting, particularly if you reside in a humid area.

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.

The Benefits of Installing a New Garage Door in Philadelphia

If you're considering replacing your garage doors, don't just think about the resale value. There are plenty of other reasons for Philadelphia residents to consider. Here are just a few:

Quieten Your Garage Door

For those sleeping in rooms near or above the garage, the noise generated by overhead doors opening and closing can be quite distracting. To reduce door noise and create a seamless opening and closing process, consider Wide Reach Garage & Gate's ultra-quiet hinges.

Energy-Efficient Homes

The garage door's daily opening and closing makes it the most inefficient room from an energy perspective. Replacing it with insulated overhead doors can lead to much lower energy bills for Philadelphia, PA homeowners.

Boost Your Home's Appeal

Pay attention to how much space your garage doors occupy on your home's frontage. Renovating them in Philadelphia can drastically enhance your home's curb appeal without a high cost.

Make Safety and Security Priority One

Overhead doors are a common entry point for home break-ins in Philadelphia. Do you trust that your garage door cannot be easily tampered with by intruders? Additionally, older doors may lack safety features like automatic reversal when an object is detected.

Top Questions Answered for Our Philadelphia, PA Clients

Do I need a professional to install my new garage door?

Garage door installation is a highly technical process that shouldn't be attempted as a DIY project. The size and complexity of a garage door, along with its many small parts, make it the largest moving item in your home. Connecting the springs can be especially hazardous, and the proper installation is key to the door's functionality. Professional garage door installers can finish the job quickly and safely. In contrast, most homeowners will likely take much longer and experience frustration. Additionally, an incorrect installation may void some warranties, so we advise having a professional complete the job. They can also dispose of your old door if you're replacing it.

Is it a good idea to opt for an insulated door for a garage that has no insulation?

When it comes to large garage door openings, using insulated doors can help reduce the transfer of heat or cold air, which is essential for a variety of reasons, including:

1. Emphasizing comfort is key when your garage serves as a workshop.
2. Insulated doors restrict airflow between your garage and living area.
3. Insulated doors are also quieter and have a more attractive interior than non-insulated doors.
4. For garages located below other rooms, insulated doors are essential for maintaining temperature stability in the room above.

Which garage door material is superior - steel or wood?

To maintain steel doors, there is usually less work involved compared to wood doors. Wide Reach Garage & Gate's steel doors come pre-painted with a baked-on coating applied at the factory. Cleaning the exterior with warm water and a household detergent once a year is recommended. Wood doors are delivered unfinished and require priming, painting, or staining on all six sides. Checking the paint or stain finish once a year is recommended to determine if it needs another application.

Can my one-piece garage door be replaced with a sectional garage door?

If you want to install a sectional door, your professional garage door dealer/installer can make the necessary modifications by adding track and springs. Depending on the structure of your garage, other adjustments may be necessary. It is best to have your Philadelphia, PA dealer evaluate the job before installation to ensure everything is properly modified.

Can I paint my new garage door once it is installed?

Yes, all our steel doors at Wide Reach Garage & Gate are pre-painted with a premium factory-applied baked-on coating that can be repainted. Our doors are built to last and can accept a wide range of commercially available latex exterior paints, as long as they are applied following the paint manufacturer's recommendations. Please avoid using oil-based paints for optimal results.