Radford-Team

Keeping your garage door in good condition is essential to garage safety, as well as the aesthetic of your home. Although they usually last long, from 10 to 30 years, this doesn’t happen with no effort on your part.

Read on to find out what you can do to enhance your garage door’s lifespan, and be sure you’re doing everything you can to keep it in tip-top shape. Your San Diego luxury wood garage doors or any other will thank you for it!

How can I make my garage door last longer?

Your garage is something you probably use every day, which is why it’s normal for its door to experience wear and tear. However, certain weather conditions, lack of care, etc. can worsen the condition and functionality of your garage door. Here are 5 tips that will help you do your best to improve and prolong your garage door’s longevity:

1. Better safe than sorry—Check & double-check

The first thing you ought to do is check how and whether your garage door works. You should learn and inspect your garage door sensors, look for signs of a broken door, and explore what you can do to keep the door and the space safe. Don’t forget to test the door’s balance, as well as its safety features, every now and then.

Once you know the ins and outs of it, it will be easier for you to detect and fix any issues down the line, and make it last longer.

2. Keep the door clean

Not only does it look better, but it makes your garage door live longer if you clean it regularly. Be sure to inspect and clean the rollers, the tracks, and any moving parts. Things, such as dirt, leaves, cobwebs, and similar can get stuck and clog your door’s components.

You can use a detergent, a mop, and/or a garden hose to tidy up your garage door with ease.

3. Tighten & lubricate door parts

Make sure you check and tighten all the bolts, and see if they need to be replaced. You should inspect them at least once every six months. Also, you need to check any rollers, hinges, and springs as they may require lubrication.

4. Plan regular maintenance

To enjoy your garage for years to come, you should schedule consistent maintenance. For example, if you have a wooden door, be sure to check for splinters, warping, and water damage You may need to paint your door or arrange professional maintenance to keep your door looking fresh.

5. Call professional assistance

If you don’t have the time to maintain or repair your garage door, or you want to make sure the job is done properly, you should turn to professional help. You can schedule 6-month or annual maintenance appointments and also book repair services as soon as you notice something off with your door.

Need to repair or install San Diego luxury wood garage doors? You’re in the right place

We, at Radford Garage Doors & Gates, will gladly help you extend the longevity of your garage door. You can depend on our more than 75 years of experience and expertise to handle efficient maintenance and repair that will add years to your doors.

Our team of devoted technicians can also help you enhance your home’s curb appeal, and install luxury doors. We’ll do everything we can to bring your dream garage to life.

From friendly customer service and seasoned experts to cutting-edge equipment and fair pricing, we are the go-to company in the San Diego area.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions and provide assistance so that you get the door you want or keep the one you have for a long time.

A garage door that’s working properly is essential to the functionality and safety of your garage, as well as your entire home. To be safe, you should regularly check for signs of a broken garage door. In order for you to act quickly and solve any issues down the road, you need to know how to recognize these signs. Keep reading to learn about the most common ones.

Furthermore, if you want to upgrade your home in San Diego, luxury garage doors may be your cup of tea, and we can help you install, maintain, and repair them and numerous other doors.

What are the common signs of a broken garage door?

When it comes to garage doors, you want to notice any problems as soon as possible, so that you can solve them and use the garage safely. To help you extend the lifespan of your door, explore these 6 warning signs for the purpose of detecting them and dealing with them with ease:

1. You see some visible damage

The first and most obvious sign of trouble is visible damage. You may see cracks, scratches, dents, etc. on the surface. While it’s hurting the aesthetic, a damaged door can also be dangerous if you don’t check how bad its condition is or don’t do something about it. Once a door gets damaged, it may get worse and endanger your safety when using it.

In this situation, It’s best to call professional help and decide whether you should replace or repair your garage door.

2. There’s a delayed response when opening the door

You know it’s time to ring the pros when your door opening or closing is lagging. The tracks, springs, or sensors could be the ones to blame for the delay. The moving parts may need lubrication, or the issue could be more serious, which is why it’s best to turn to professional assistance.

3. The door suddenly stops opening or closing

If you notice your garage door opening or closing without being prompted, it’s typically a cause for concern. The sensor or something else entirely could be the culprit, so make sure to schedule a consultation as soon as possible.

4. It won’t close completely

Regardless of how much space is left for your garage door to close completely, it can create a slew of other issues. The weatherstripping may not seal against the floor properly, which means air, high or low temperature, and bugs may find their way into the garage more easily.

5. Your door is off its track

A door coming off its track can be very dangerous. Perhaps the rollers are damaged, the alignment may be off, or some cables might be broken. Whatever the reason behind the problem, you should schedule an inspection and see how you can solve the problem.

6. It makes loud noises

If your garage is making any noises out of the ordinary, or it’s louder than before, it’s probably another cause for concern. Maybe the strings are broken or something is stuck. If the springs are at fault, ignoring the issue may lead to further damage, so it’s best to act quickly.

Spruce up your home in San Diego—Luxury garage doors & more

Once you detect any issues your doors may have, give us a call to repair or replace them quickly and professionally. We, at Radford Garage Doors & Gates, offer a wide variety of services provided by a handpicked team of experts who will give your doors the treatment they deserve, or install brand new ones you will love.

Let us do what we’ve been doing with expertise for more than 75 years, and you’ll have the garage door of your dreams. Feel free to reach out to us today! Take a stroll in Balboa Park, and we’ll take care of everything.

Garage door sensors are a great way to keep your property and your family safe and secure. Before calling the professionals to install them, it’s important to understand what garage door sensors are and how they work. Keep reading to get all the nitty-gritty details.

Once you’re all caught up on sensors, we’ll help you find luxury garage doors to enhance your San Diego home.

What are garage door sensors?

Garage door sensors are also called safety beam sensors as safety is their primary purpose. Homeowners are legally required to install them so that all the precautions are taken. These sensors typically use an infrared beam, and they’re typically placed 6-8″ from the ground.

How do garage door sensors work?

Most sensors work by emitting an invisible light beam across the garage door opening. When the beam is broken, the sensors send a signal to one another. The door will stop and switch directions. Most sensors are adjustable, so you can set them to your desired sensitivity. The beam acts as a threshold, when broken, it stops the door from closing. This way, if something gets in the way, it will not be trapped or crushed.

There are also other types of sensors, such as the following:

Monitoring sensors

Monitoring sensors are usually installed when a home has multiple garage doors. These sensors alert you whenever any of the doors are open. Typically, you can install receivers in your home or download an app to your phone. You should be able to open and close the doors remotely and choose the amount of time after which the door should close automatically.

Pressure sensors

These sensors are usually installed following the bottom edge of your garage door. If the door comes into contact with an object, the sensors will stop and reverse the door’s motion. Pressure sensors are sensitive to even a low amount of pressure, which makes opening and closing the door much safer.

CO2 sensors

CO2 sensors monitor CO2 levels to prevent carbon dioxide buildup. If the levels are too high, they will open the door immediately. While these sensors are not as common as the other two, they can bring an extra layer of safety for you and your family. If there’s fire or smoke in your home, you’ll be able to escape safely.

Why should I install a garage door sensor?

Besides being legally required to have them, there are other reasons why installing sensors is a good idea. Garage door sensors are an important safety feature in your home. With them, you’ll know when there’s any debris or object in the way. You’ll also prevent any accidents from happening to you, your loved ones, or your pets.

What should I do if the sensors don’t seem to work?

If you’re not sure your sensors are working properly, you can check the small lights (following the given instructions) and see whether the wiring is wet or damaged. It’s best not to try and fix anything on your own, especially not a broken garage door. Call the professionals, explain the problem, and let them take care of it. You can also get recommendations for boosting your door’s lifespan.

Where can I find luxury garage doors in San Diego?

If you’d like your safety to come with a touch of luxury, Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego is at your service. We have over seven decades of experience following our customer-oriented approach, striving to provide homeowners with unique and high-quality doors. From design and installation to maintenance and services, you can count on our team of trained professionals.

Whether you live in Balboa Park or elsewhere in San Diego, give us a call and let us spruce up your home!

Garage door installation and maintenance can be tricky, so it’s essential to be done by a professional to make sure your door and garage are secure. There are also certain things to keep in mind so that you feel safe using them. For your peace of mind, check out our safety tips.

You may also want to revamp your garage and get a luxury wood garage door for your San Diego home. Keep reading!

How to enhance the safety of my garage door?

Garage door safety is a serious concern for many homeowners. You don’t want to wait for an accident to happen if there are simple precautions you can take to avoid any mishaps. Here are our tips to help you use your garage in a safe manner:

Keep your garage door locked

One of the simplest and most effective ways to enhance your garage safety is to keep the door locked when not in use. This way, you won’t have to worry about someone or something getting trapped. It will also help deter burglars and other intruders from breaking into your home.

You can choose a specific time during the day when you can check if the door is closed and locked so you never forget or wonder about it.

Never leave kids or pets unattended

Leaving your children or pets unattended near a garage door can be dangerous. An adult should always be present just in case. Make sure there’s nothing they can climb on near the garage. Also, you should explain to your children that the garage door opener or the remote are not toys and shouldn’t be touched.

Before you open or close the garage, always have a look around and call out for your kids and pets to be sure it’s safe to do it.

Keep all obstacles out of the way

It’s important to keep all obstacles out of the garage’s way so that the door can open and close safely.

One way to do this is to install a safety gate at the entrance to the garage. This will help keep children and pets from entering the garage without permission. It will also prevent people from accidentally getting injured by the door.

Another way to remove obstacles is to practice caution when parking your car in the driveway. Make sure that you leave enough room for the door to open and close without hitting your vehicle. If there is not enough space, move your car a bit farther until nothing is in the way.

It’s also important to remember that tall objects can block the path of the opener beam. Make sure that any large objects, such as bicycles or holiday decorations, are stored away from the path of the beam. This will help ensure that the door opens and closes safely every time.

Test and Inspect

It’s crucial to test and inspect your door every once in a while to see if everything is working properly. Make sure to check your garage door sensors, the remote, lock, mechanism, springs, etc. If you notice anything out of the ordinary or suspect that your door is broken, let everyone know not to use the garage until you have a professional have a look and fix it if necessary.

Schedule maintenance

It’s important to schedule regular maintenance for your garage door. This will help ensure that the door is operating safely and efficiently. It will also help prolong the lifespan of the door. The maintenance should include: 

• Keeping the door clean and free of debris. Make sure to remove any leaves, twigs, or other objects from the tracks and rollers.
• Check the alignment of the door every few months. If it’s out of alignment, it can cause excessive wear and tear on the components.
• Finally, have your door inspected by a professional. They will be able to identify any problems with the door and recommend necessary repairs.

Interested in luxury wood garage doors in San Diego? Look no further!

If you want safe and high-quality doors, Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego has exactly what you need. We’ll make sure your property in the San Diego area is spruced-up with a cutting-edge garage door. Our experts will bring your the best of both worlds—a touch of luxury and secure & top-of-the-line features.

Feel free to reach out to us to learn more about what we offer and find your perfect door!

Getting a new garage door is a major home improvement project. As such, it’s well worth a homeowner’s while to not only hire a reputable garage door service in San Diego, but to also take the time to learn the basics of the installation process. This helps ensure your installation is done correctly and makes it less likely that key issues will go unnoticed.

So what can you expect from a professional garage door installation? Keep reading for a full walkthrough of the professional installation process.

Is it hard to install a garage door?

A garage door is a large, heavy piece of equipment. It’s operated by a system of springs and pulleys that can be dangerous if not installed correctly. In addition, the door must be properly aligned in order to function properly.

Garage doors are also subject to wear and tear and may need to be repaired or replaced over time. For these reasons, it is best to leave garage door installation to the professionals.

A professional installer will have the experience and expertise to properly install the door and make sure it’s in good working order. While they work, you can use your precious time to unwind at Ruocco Park or to finish your chores. 

Most importantly, a professional will be familiar with local building codes and will be able to ensure that the door meets all safety requirements.

A typical garage door installation includes these steps:

Measure the opening

First, take accurate measurements of the opening. Your contractor may need to take the old doors off first. This is a crucial step, as a door that is too small will be difficult to open and close, and one that is too large won’t fit properly in the opening.

Install the tracks

After the springs and opener have been installed, it’s time to install the tracks. This is a relatively straightforward process, but it’s important to do it carefully in order to ensure that the door operates smoothly.

First, the vertical track is installed at the door’s opening, and then the horizontal track is attached to the ceiling. The tracks should be level with each other and perpendicular to the door opening. 

Add the rollers

Your technicians will have to make sure that the rollers are the correct size for your door. They will likely lubricate the rollers and tracks with WD-40 or a similar product before installing them. This will help to reduce friction and keep the door moving smoothly. Finally, they will tighten the screws securely so that the rollers don’t come loose over time. 

Hang the sections

Your professional will need to start by attaching each section to the door frame with brackets. Once the brackets are in place, he can then attach the section to the door itself. The hardware that your expert will use will vary depending on the type of garage door that you have, but it is typically either a spring system or a series of pulleys and cables. 

Install the springs

Garage door springs help balance the weight of the door and make it easier to lift. There are two types of springs system: torsion springs and extension springs.

Garage door springs can be dangerous, so it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. This is one of the main reasons why laypeople who are unfamiliar with the correct procedures and terminology should never attempt to perform a DIY garage door installation.

 Let’s have a look at the steps:

1. secure the spring to the bracket with a vise or clamp
2. attach the other end of the spring to the center bracket
3. wind the spring using a winding bar until it’s tight
4. attach the spring to the track and release the vise or clamp

Who do I call for the most reliable garage door service in San Diego & the surrounding area?

If you’ve decided to install a new door, you can’t go wrong by reaching out to Radford Garage Doors & Gates of San Diego. We’ve been providing quality service to our customers for over 77 years, and we’re proud to say that we’re one of the most reputable companies in the business.

We offer a wide range of services, including replacement of a dying door, maintenance and installation of a man door, as well as custom door design and installation. We understand that your garage is an important part of your home, and we’ll do everything we can to make sure it’s operating as it should.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, and find out why we are one of the leading professionals in garage door repairs.