GARAGE DOORS VIRGINIA, MARYLAND & WASHINGTON DC

If you are having problems with your garage door, it’s important to get them resolved as soon as possible to avoid accidents and security issues. Many burglars gain access to a home via a garage door, so it’s important to keep your door in good working order. Accidents can also occur if a faulty garage door is left unrepaired. Below are some common garage door problems and repair solutions:
Problem: The garage door won’t open or close.

Solution: If your garage door won’t open or close and you’ve got an electric opener, check your keypad first and find out if your opener is functioning. You might need to have the opener reprogrammed.
Problem: The garage door sticks when opening or closing.

Solution: If the garage door sticks, the metal rollers and hinges probably needs lubricating. The tracks may also be dirty, clogged or out of alignment.If these solutions don’t work, give Door Doctor VA a call at 703 709 7933 and we’ll get your garage door working in no time.
At Door Doctor VA, we specialize in garage doors and garage door openers. Door Doctor, Inc. has been in the garage door business for over twenty years and we serve Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. We can meet all your garage door and garage door opener repair, service, and installation needs with the professional quality, craftsmanship, and personal service you deserve. Call us today for an estimate on replacing or repairing your garage door or garage door opener at 703 709 7933

Garage doors are great when they are working smoothly, but when something goes wrong, you need to identify the problem so we at Door Doctor VA can help. We do not advise that you attempt to fix the problem yourself as you might cause a serious injury.

Here are some tips on how to handle a garage door problem the right way…

1. Identify the issue – Even garage door repair services won’t be able to help you when you contact them if you aren’t able to describe your problem clearly. Make a note of the exact problem you are experiencing. Call us with this information in hand.

2. Identify the system - Try identifying the type of opener system your garage door is using. Most garage doors these days use torsion spring. But some garage door models still use the standard extension spring.

3. The temporary fix – Getting your door to operate manually is a temporary fix for your garage door problem. It’s very easy to turn your garage door manual. If it’s a lubrication issue, apply a lubricant (spray) on the movable parts of the garage door. Check if the unit moves. Otherwise try the following:
With all garage doors, there’s a red cord that will hang from your opener. If you pull the cord, the opener will disconnect from the door. Once that’s done, you can start operating your garage door manually. You want to make sure the garage door is in the closed position. If it is open, there is a chance it could come crashing down.

It’s always safest to call the experts when you have a garage door problem as trying to fix it yourself could lead to disaster.

At DoorDoctorVA, we specialize in garage doors and garage door openers. Door Doctor, Inc. has been in the garage door business for over twenty years and we serve Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. We can meet all your garage door and garage door opener repair, service, and installation needs with the professional quality, craftsmanship, and personal service you deserve. Call us today for an estimate on replacing or repairing your garage door or garage door opener on 703 709 7933

When it comes time to buy a new garage door opener, you might be surprised at the number of options you face. Here are some guidelines on how to make the best choice for your garage.

Garage door openers come with three different types of drive: chain, belt and screw.

Chain-drive openers are the oldest style, and they continue to be very popular but are not the best value. They can be noisy and may not be a good choice if the garage is under a bedroom or adjacent to a room where quiet is appreciated.

Belt-drive openers are identical to chain-drive openers except that they operate with a rubber belt. They are the quietest type of garage door opener and they tend to require less maintenance than the others.  They are about the same price which is why we recommend them and have been very happy with their value.

The third choice is screw-drive openers. There a very few moving parts on these units, and they require periodic lubrication that can be messy to apply.  If they are not lubricated, the screw is very noisy.

At Door Doctor, we specialize in garage doors and garage door openers. Door Doctor, Inc. has been in the garage door business for over twenty years and we serve Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. We can meet all your garage door and garage door opener repair, service, and installation needs with the professional quality, craftsmanship, and personal service you deserve. Call us today for an estimate on replacing or repairing your garage door or garage door opener at 703 709 7933

Garage doors vary greatly in cost depending on the material and size involved. At Door Doctor we offer a wide variety of steel and wood garage doors. Steel doors are the least expensive and most common with maintenance-free factory finishes.  They are lightweight and come in a variety of colors and designs.  Wood garage doors are custom built in a multitude of styles ranging from traditional styles to swung-open looks.  These doors are aesthetically pleasing but require maintenance to avoid splitting, rotting, or warping of the wood. While these different types of doors vary in price, any of these doors will increase the value of a home and recoup some of the cost of the installation.

Home improvement projects such as new garage doors always improve the look and quality of your home and more importantly they increase the value of your home. Garage door companies like Door Doctor not only help customers choose a new garage door but they also professionally install new garage doors.

According to Remodeling Magazine garage door replacement results in a recoup percentage of 65.2%, regaining well over half the cost of the job.  These figures are close to the national averages with the job cost at $1,512 and the resale value at $1,087 for an average recoup percentage of 71.9%. Replacing your garage door will not only improve the look of your home and the function of your garage, but it will also increase the value of your home, recouping on average over half the cost of the garage door installation.

 
At Door Doctor, we specialize in garage doors and garage door openers. Door Doctor, Inc. has been in the garage door business for over twenty years and we serve Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. We can meet all your garage door and garage door opener repair, service, and installation needs with the professional quality, craftsmanship, and personal service you deserve. Call us today for an estimate on replacing or repairing your garage door or garage door opener at 703 709 7933

There are many things to take into consideration when choosing a garage door you’re your home. At Door Doctor VA, we pride ourselves in helping you choose the right door for your house. The most important aspects of choosing a door include: garage usage, security, children, style and climate.

Security

You want your garage door to be as secure as possible, so steel is an excellent choice for a door material. Modern garage openers have a combination of one million random codes. The code is reset each time the door opens, making it difficult for would-be thieves to drive by the garage and open the door with another remote.
Climate

Be wary of cheap fiberglass or plastic garage doors if you live in a cold climate, as they may crack or break in freezing temperatures. Steel and wood stand up to the cold, but they don’t perform as well in wet weather and salt air take their toll on metal and wood. Fiberglass and plastics might be a cheaper and better option in wet, warm areas.

Children

You don’t want your little ones to get their fingers jammed in the door, so look for a garage door with pinch-resistant sectional design. Replace any garage door opener that predates 1992. It may not have modern sensors that stop the door when an object gets in the way.
Design

Of course, design is another important consideration: Choose among modern looks and classic styles, such as carriage-house replicas. Also, a roll-up may not be practical if you need extra clearance for your vehicle or have a low ceiling.

At DoorDoctorVA, we specialize in garage doors and garage door openers. Door Doctor, Inc. has been in the garage door business for over twenty years and we serve Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. We can meet all your garage door and garage door opener repair, service, and installationneeds with the professional quality, craftsmanship, and personal service you deserve. Call us today for an estimate on replacing or repairing your garage door or garage door opener on 703 709 7933

You don’t want to wait for disaster to strike before you replace or repair your garage door. Just like any other major appliance or equipment in your home, garage doors need regular maintenance to ensure safe operation.

You may notice your garage door fails to open and close properly or emits a squeaking sound at the slightest movement. When this happens, you need to address these problems immediately before they become too big and possibly dangerous.

Here are the top telltale signs of a problematic garage door and why you need to get in touch with a reliable Virginia and DC Metro garage door company such as DoorDoctorVa should any of these signs occur.

Squeaking Garage Door

A squeaking sound usually indicates poor lubrication. The most common problems resulting in a squeaking garage door usually involve dry rollers or bearings. You can carry out your own garage door repair project at home by applying lubricating fluid or you may seek out the services of professional garage door maintenance and repair company.

Slow Moving Garage Door

A garage door that doesn’t move smoothly usually indicates door springs problems. It is very possible that the springs of your garage door have already run its course and will therefore require immediate replacing. At DoorDoctor VA we can take care of the spring replacement and regular maintenance for you.

Door that Doesn’t Close Properly

If your door begins to close and forces open again before closing completely, this very often points to some obstruction problems. Some object may have caused the obstruction so that your garage door does not close completely. Some cases involve broken cables or damaged cable pulleys that need immediate replacing.

Scraping Sound

A garage door that emits a scraping sound is usually the result of a worn out cable. In some instances this scraping sound is the result of an uneven or skewed reinforcement strut. A garage door repair expert can diagnose the problem professionally, while replacing the frayed parts as needed. These obvious signs should alert you on the actual state of your garage door as early as possible.

Don’t wait until too late before having your garage doors checked or the parts replaced by a trusted professional. Contact DoorDoctor VA to find the Virginia and Washington DC garage door repair technician who will take care of your repair and maintenance needs today.

At DoorDoctorVA, we specialize in garage doors and garage door openers. Door Doctor, Inc. has been in the garage door business for over twenty years and we serve Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. We can meet all your garage door and garage door opener repair, service, and installationneeds with the professional quality, craftsmanship, and personal service you deserve. Call us today for an estimate on replacing or repairing your garage door or garage door opener on 703 709 7933

Every car owner loves the protection a garage offers. Your vehicle is protected from theft, the elements and other factors that could negatively affect the car. But if not maintained and checked on frequently it can be more of threat than a reward. Shaky hinges, loose torsion springs and faulty openers can lead to tragic outcomes other than vehicle theft.

Garage door openers were designed initially for homeowners who lived in those regions prone to harsh, violent storms. The idea was to make it more convenient for the driver, so that you didn’t need to leap in and out of your car in pouring rain, wind or snow. An automated garage door saved on having to get in and out of your car in the stormy weather. It also meant you didn’t need to carry a second set of clothes in your boot for work, in case you managed to get yourself drenched.

Hazardous Outcomes

Young children are curious and unfortunately, when it comes to garage doors, this can lead to accidents or even tragedy because an average strength garage door can close with enough power to crush a child.

It cannot be emphasized enough just how crucial it is to have your garage door thoroughly checked out frequently

Reversing sensors come as a safety feature on most automatic garage door openers. It causes the door to reverse if it encounters an obstruction. A quick way of testing if your reverse sensors are working is to place a roll of paper towel under the door and lower it, if the garage door hits the roll it should reverse. If it doesn’t, you’ve got trouble.

Maintenance! This is definitely the most important tip anyone can give you. Check your garage door regularly, see that everything is still intact and make sure the door is fully operational without any squeaks and chinks. Once you have the maintenance under control, the rest will be easy.

At DoorDoctorVA, we specialize in garage doors and garage door openers.  Door Doctor, Inc. has been in the garage door business for over twenty years and we serve Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. We can meet all your garage door and garage door opener repair, service, and installationneeds with the professional quality, craftsmanship, and personal service you deserve.  Call us today for an estimate on replacing or repairing your garage door or garage door opener on 703 709 7933

Choosing a new garage door is a big responsibility because your purchase can affect price and the overall look of your home. You also want to make sure you pick a reputable garage door dealer so you get the best product and service possible.

There are a variety of sources you can turn to to purchase or obtain garage door products, the most popular of which is the door dealer professional, such as an International Door Association (IDA) Dealer. IDA Garage door dealers are often the most reliable and dependable source for several reasons:

These include experience, knowledge and- most importantly- the fact that IDA Dealers make their living by selling, installing and servicing door systems.
Safety: A Primary Concern

A garage door is often the largest moving object in home or commercial business facility. An improperly installed door and operator system can exert tremendous force when the door closes. This could lead to the entrapment of children or adults and subsequent injury – or worse. Therefore, selecting the right person to install and service your door and/or operator is an extremely serious decision. It is not one that should be taken lightly!
There are thousands of door dealers in business today. What can you do to assure yourself of selecting the right one? We’ve provided these five checkpoint for you to use:

• Experience: Of all the five checkpoints, this is perhaps the easiest to validate. How long has the company been in business? If a new company, do the principals have experience in the door and operator industry? How much?

• Workmanship: This may be the most important checkpoint. And it is also easy to verify. Does the door dealer have satisfied customers? If so, do they have letters of recommendation from their customers? Depending on the project, you may want to talk to a customer or two.

• Code and Regulatory Compliance: There are numerous requirements pertaining to safety and the installation of a garage door system. Federal, state, and local codes and regulations must be followed. Ask the dealer you select about how they comply with the codes in your city.

• Insurance Coverage: It is important to you that the door dealer carry proper insurance on their business and employees. One checkpoint is to ask for a copy of the company’s Certificate of Insurance. If they don’t have one or hesitate to comply with your request, it could be a negative signal.

• Financial Integrity Depending on the size of your project, financial integrity of a door dealer can be very important. Although this is a sensitive issue, a dependable, honest door dealer won’t mind telling you about the basic financial integrity of their company.

Selecting the right door dealer is as simple as asking a few questions. The most important deals with the issue of reliability. Is the dealer dependable, trustworthy, and safety-conscious? These questions take only moments to answer, and yet they can help you avoid tremendous problems in the future.

source: IDA

You don’t need to be a realtor or home designer to know that your home’s curb appeal can make or break a sale. A first impression is often a lasting one, so if you are in the market to sell your home, make sure your property looks its best and this includes the garage door.

Many homebuyers drive by a home or schedule a walk-through after viewing it online Since many will do so in the evening after work, consider installing lights along your driveway and walkway or adding a decorative light fixture to the front of the home.

In a new study fielded by Stratamark Research and garage door manufacturer Clopay Building Products, 300 realtors nationwide were surveyed to determine if garage door appearance made a difference in the listing price they would assign to a house.

Nearly all of the agents interviewed agreed that a new garage door enhances curb appeal and 75 percent believes it adds value to a home. In fact, most realtors have recommended that a homeowner replace their garage door when listing their house for sale because of the condition of the door — either it was broken, in bad condition or rotted. Nearly half said appearance was a big reason because the age or style of the door detracted from the home’s curb appeal.

Source: National Association of Realtors, Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers 2011

Here are the top 10 Remodeling Projects That Give You the Most Bang for Your Buck

1. A new front door

2. A new garage door

3. Fiber-cement siding

4. A wood deck

5. A minor kitchen remodel

6. Window replacement

7. Remodeling the attic to add a bedroom

8. A basement remodel

9. A major kitchen remodel

10. A second-story addition

Source HGTV Front Door. January 18, 2011

Do you need to upgrade that garage door?

• Budget. Yes we know budget dictates options. Garage doors range in price from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the size, materials and design you choose. Even if you have a small budget you can still get a great looking door that is going to enhance the look of the house. At the DoorDoctorVA, we will work with you to help you find the garage doors to fit your budget and desire.

• Design. Your garage door should be part of your home’s overall theme, not an afterthought. Let the home’s architectural style, the shape and size of the windows and entry doors, and exterior design details influence the design of the garage door.

• Insulation. Doors can be insulated or non-insulated. If the garage is attached to the house you’ll want an insulated door. This will help reduce utility bills – a popular selling point with prospective buyers. If you live in a mild climate or have a detached garage that will only be used to park the car, you can opt for a less expensive, non-insulated door.

• Upkeep. Maintenance is another consideration. Steel doors are very durable and virtually maintenance-free, but some people prefer the warmth and character of wood and the limitless design options. Depending on the climate and exposure, wood doors will need to be painted or stained every few years.

At DoorDoctorVA, we specialize in garage doors and garage door openers.  Door Doctor, Inc. has been in the garage door business for over twenty years and we serve Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. We can meet all your garage door and garage door opener repair, service, and installationneeds with the professional quality, craftsmanship, and personal service you deserve.  Call us today for an estimate on replacing or repairing your garage door or garage door opener on 703 709 7933

The largest and heaviest moving object in your home is your garage door and it’s important to ensure it gets the maintenance and servicing it needs to keep in good shape. More than 70% of homeowners use their garage door as a front or back door every day, so it gets a lot of wear and tear and needs some TLC.

Garage industry professionals, installers and leading manufacturers of garage doors and openers have teamed up to offer easy-to-follow tips for maintaining the safety and security of this access point during June’s “National Garage Door Safety Month.”

Is your Garage door safe?

“June is the perfect time to pay a little more attention to your garage door and opener since a garage often becomes the hub of activity for many families,” notes Paul Accardo of LiftMaster, the world’s largest manufacturer of professionally installed openers.
“We ramp up our usage of the garage door and opener during the summer months since this is where many are entering the home and storing the gardening supplies, sporting equipment, lawn furniture, kid’s bicycles and if there is room, the family car. With all the added ups and downs, now is the time to check to make sure everything is in working order with your door and opener.”
This is the ideal time to get a safety inspection done on your garage door, particularly those with automatic operators. Don’t wait until your door malfunctions to get help.

Check out the tips below from LiftMaster on see if it’s time to get your garage door serviced.

MAINTENANCE

To keep the garage door properly maintained and functioning safely, be sure to keep all moving parts of the door clean and lubricated, including the steel rollers.

BALANCE

To check balance, start with the door closed and pull the opener release mechanism so you can maneuver the door by hand. If the door is balanced (properly spring-loaded and running freely on its tracks), you should be able to lift the door smoothly without much effort and it should stay open about three or four feet above the floor.

SAFETY REVERSE

Since 1993, all automatic openers manufactured for the U.S. must include a safety reversing feature such as infrared sensors or “photo eyes.” These sensors are installed near the floor on either side of the garage door opening. Once the invisible laser beam between the two sensors is broken by an obstruction, the door reverses automatically. If your opener lacks a similar safety reversing feature, it’s time to get a new opener.

THE SIX-IN RULE

The photo eyes mentioned above should not be installed higher than six inches above the garage floor. If the eyes are installed higher, a person or pet could get under the beam and not be detected by the photo eyes.

SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGY

Test your door’s sensitivity this month by placing a two- inch thick piece of wood or a roll of paper towels in the path of the door before closing it. If the garage door does not automatically reverse and retract back to the open position, then the opener needs to be adjusted or purchase a newer model that comes with photo eyes. At DoorDoctorVa we can bring your door up to speed and code.

PREPARE FOR WEATHER

Be prepared as summer heat and storms turns to summer outages. Once power is lost to the home, an automatic garage door opener will also be impacted. Ensure your opener is equipped with a Battery Backup system which continues to operate LiftMaster openers for an additional 20 up and down cycles. So, even during unforeseen outages, homeowners have peace-of-mind that their main entranceway to the home reliably opens and closes.

At DoorDoctorVA, we specialize in garage doors and garage door openers.  Door Doctor, Inc. has been in the garage door business for over twenty years and we serve Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC.  We can meet all your garage door and garage door opener repair, service, and installationneeds with the professional quality, craftsmanship, and personal service you deserve.  Call us today for an estimate on replacing or repairing your garage door or garage door opener on 703 709 7933

Source: http://www.liftmaster.com/lmcv2/nationalSafetyMonth/