As a homeowner, you always want to make sure your home stays protected in case of unexpected damages. Homeowners insurance can give you peace of mind, although you may be wondering if that coverage protects your garage door. When damage does occur, you could be left wondering whether you’re fully covered.

In those instances, it’s important to understand the intricacies of homeowners insurance — such as when you should file a claim, what damages are covered and how that coverage differs when it comes to attached vs. detached garages.

Is It Worth It to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim for Garage Door Repair?

Depending on your policy, it may be worth it to file a homeowners insurance claim for garage door repairs. In some cases, it may be beneficial to file the claim as early as possible and for as much as possible.

Some insurance companies may include deductibles that outweigh the actual cost of repairs. In these cases, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons and see what would be most beneficial for your situation.

What Damages Are Typically Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

As you dig into the world of homeowners insurance, you’ll start to see that damage is a very broad term and can allude to many different types of scenarios. It’s important to understand what damages are covered by your insurance policy and which ones you may not be protected from.

Each homeowners insurance policy will differ based on the type you have. In general, these are the types of damages you can expect to be covered by homeowners insurance:

Vehicle Damage

Though it may be embarrassing, accidents involving garage doors and vehicles happen. It can be easy to accidentally back into your garage door while rushing somewhere else. Especially in harsh weather conditions like snow, your visibility could be impacted, or the driveway may be icy, leading to an accident. In many instances, your insurance will cover those damages to your garage door.

If someone who doesn’t live in your home hits your garage, their auto insurance should cover the damages.

Natural Disasters

Damages caused by lightning and severe weather will usually be covered by homeowners insurance. However, the coverages for individual natural disasters differ — while you may be protected from wind and lightning, flooding might not be a part of the policy. Make sure you read those details to see what you’re covered for.

Fire Damage

Homeowners insurance will also usually cover housefires, which can be scary and severely damaging to your home. If the worst does happen, you can at least have confidence knowing you won’t be stuck paying the entire bill.

Vandalism and Break-Ins

Your garage is an extension of your home, which means homeowners insurance will usually cover things like graffiti and even break-in damages. In some cases, it may also cover the items stolen from your garage. If you plan to store valuable items in your garage, you may want to increase your coverage for stolen property.

What Damages Are Not Typically Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

Knowing what your homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover will impact how you invest in your home. For example, if your homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover wind damage, you may want to look into getting a more robust, insulated garage door that can stand up to the elements. Here are some damages that are commonly not covered by homeowners insurance.

Floods, Earthquakes and Wildfires

While some natural disasters — such as lightning strikes and hailstorms — may be covered by your homeowners’ insurance, others may not be. You may have to pay for damages caused by flooding, earthquakes and wildfires. If you live in an area that sees these types of natural disasters, you may want to look for a policy that will cover you fully.

Intentional Damage

Any intentional damage you do to your garage door will not be covered by homeowners insurance. In most cases, you’ll need proof to show that the damage was caused by something outside of your control. Likewise, minor damage will usually fall out of the realm of homeowners insurance.

General Wear and Tear

Over time, your roof will become impacted by old age, whether in the form of curling shingles or more frequent repairs. Usually, this general wear and tear will not be covered by your insurance policy.

If your roof is brand new, you’ll probably have an easier time getting coverage for damages. If your roof is in the last years of its life, you’ll probably be better off investing in a new roof rather than paying high deductibles for damages.

Homeowners Insurance for Attached vs. Detached Garages

Policies become more complicated if you have a detached garage. With an attached garage, your garage door is considered a part of your home and is usually covered by the details outlined in your homeowners’ insurance policy. Detached garages are completely separate from your home. This creates some gray areas between what is and is not covered in your policy.

Usually, an “other structures” policy extends coverage to buildings separate from your home. Other structures could include sheds, fences, pools and detached garages. These policies will cover damages for detached garages but usually at a lower percentage than those that are actually a part of your home.

If you have or are considering building a detached garage, that insurance coverage is something to think about.

Contact Door Pros for Information on Garage Door Repairs

Each insurance policy differs slightly, so some damages may be covered while others may not. Trying to decide which coverages are good for your situation can be challenging because many of these factors — like natural disasters and break-ins — may seem out of your control. It’s important to focus on the aspects you can control, like investing in a quality garage door that will hold up well to the elements.

Door Pros offers comprehensive garage door services, including repairs, maintenance and installation. If you do need repairs done or if you’re looking to install a new quality garage door, the professional experts at Door Pros are here to help.

Providing superior customer service is our top priority — we’ll answer any questions you may have and can service any make or model of garage door. We’re dedicated to making your experience as easy and thorough as possible.

Work with our talented team of garage door experts to find repair solutions that fit your budget or browse our collection of elegant, quality garage doors. Request an estimate today!

The post Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Garage Door Repairs? appeared first on Door Pros.

When you’re dealing with a loud garage door, you’re also dealing with the issue causing the noise. Your garage door should make your life easier and more pleasant, so it’s important to address any unusual sounds as quickly as possible to keep your door in top working condition.

We’ve laid out some common problems and solutions to help you figure out what causes your garage door to make noise.

1. Improper Installation

If you hear loud grinding, rattling or squealing when you open and close your garage door, it may be improperly installed. Slapping sounds can indicate a loose chain, while vibrating, rumbling and rattling may mean that the nuts or bolts are loose.

Improper installation can cause several other garage door issues. The door might open slowly and springs or other parts may already be damaged.

Common Causes

Response delays and alignment issues can indicate that the pulley system or other parts are installed incorrectly. Issues with improper installation often result from:

• Using improper equipment.
• Using lower-quality springs or system parts.
• Human error.

Solutions:

If your previous installers installed your garage door incorrectly, you will need it reinstalled to fix the issues. Request an installation service from Door Pros for a reliable experience with a high-quality door.

2. Worn Rollers

As the rollers wear, they can cause your door to move out of alignment or slip off of the tracks, causing a squeaking, screeching or vibrating sound. Depending on the type of rollers you have, you may need to lubricate or replace them:

• Plastic: You need to replace plastic rollers about every two years, as they work without ball bearings and tend to wear down quickly.
• Steel: Steel rollers last longer than plastic ones, though they are more susceptible to rust and corrosion.
• Nylon: Nylon rollers last just as long as steel rollers and make less noise.

Common Causes

Depending on how long you’ve had your rollers, they may be reaching the end of their life. Your rollers experience wear and tear every time you open and close your garage door — the more you use the door, the sooner your rollers will wear down.

Solutions

The number of ball bearings in your rollers will affect how long they last. In some cases, you will need to replace your rollers to ensure your door stays aligned. However, you can try to fix your rollers first by lubricating them.

If there’s any rust build-up, lubrication will help remove it. It’s best to lubricate steel or nylon rollers about twice a year. If your rollers use unsealed ball bearings, apply the lubrication directly on the bearings.

If you find that you do need to replace your rollers, we recommend contacting a professional at Door Pros to ensure proper installation and maintain your door’s alignment.

3. Poor Lubrication

Ensuring that all parts are adequately lubricated will keep your garage door running smoothly. Lubrication helps prevent rust and corrosion that can lead to squeaking, grinding, clinking and rattling sounds.

Common Causes

The sounds of an improperly lubricated garage door usually indicate that you need to lubricate more often or that some areas were only partially covered. If you can rule out both of those possibilities, you may want to switch to a different lubricant. Using a higher-quality brand or a different kind of spray or grease may help your lubrication last longer.

Solutions

It’s best to lubricate your door with a silicone spray or white lithium grease every six months to ensure your door stays up and running. Be sure to turn off the power supply, then vacuum and wipe down the tracks — a clean surface will help the lubricant spread evenly.

Areas to lubricate include:

• The rollers and hinges.
• Springs and bearing plates.
• The armbar and top rail.
• The door’s lock.

Open your door after lubricating to help ensure all moving parts are covered. While this squeaky garage door fix could answer all your problems, you should contact a professional at Door Pros if you notice any parts that need repair.

4. Off-Balance Door

It can be easy to tell when your door is off-balance. Scraping sounds indicate that your door is scraping against your house. Banging noises mean the door is off the track and popping sounds indicate snapped springs.

Other common signs of an off-balance door include:

• An uneven appearance.
• Closing after being manually opened.
• Not opening at all.
• A slow response time.

Common Causes

There are many reasons a garage door can become off balance.

• Springs: Loose or aging springs can cause one side of the door to move slower than the other, disrupting its balance. Broken torsion springs can cause a garage door to fall quickly and off-track.
• Drive: Depending on your system, your belt drive or chain drive may also be causing the problem. Chain drives can lift doors shakily and belt drives sometimes slip in extreme temperatures.
• Weight: If you’ve added weight to your door after installing it, the door may now be too heavy and off-balance.
• Impact: If you’ve accidentally backed into your door, there is a good chance the impact disrupted its balance.

Solutions

You can test an off-balance door at home by cutting the power supply, lifting the door and slowly releasing it. If your door slips from its position or slams shut, you need to call a professional.

An off-balance door can cause serious injury. Snapped extension or torsion springs can result in shooting projectiles or your door slamming shut. For professional spring replacement or another form of door repair, you can trust Door Pros to deliver quick and safe results.

5. Opener

Your garage door opener is one of the most essential parts of your system. A quick and reliable opener will help you stick to your schedule and safely enter or exit your home. Openers can last upwards of 10 to 15 years and we can sometimes forget how convenient they make our lives.

Sounds of straining, grinding or buzzing can indicate that your opener is failing.

Common Causes

Noises from your garage door opener are most often signals that its motor is dying. The motor could be overheating or simply too old to respond promptly. You will likely encounter these issues more frequently if you have an older opener.

Common indications that you need a new opener include:

• Failing to open the door.
• Excessive noise.
• Slow movement.

Solutions

Upgrading your technology can quickly fix your opener issues. Newer models now offer remote operation, keypads, backup batteries and additional security. Door Pros has multiple garage door opener options available to give you a long-lasting and safe experience.

Get Same Day Service With Door Pros

At Door Pros, we’re committed to going above and beyond in customer service. Our highly qualified team members always hold a positive attitude that will make fixing your door a happy and easy experience.

Our locations serving San Mateo, San Rafael, Sacramento, San Francisco, Carmel and surrounding areas are ready to help with whatever needs you may have. Our around-the-clock availability and same-day service make us a great team you can count on. If you want to know why your garage door is noisy and how to fix it, request an estimate with us.

The post Common Causes of a Noisy Garage Door (and How to Fix Them) appeared first on Door Pros.

We’ve all experienced common garage door problems. If you’ve noticed your garage is making a lot of noise, looking uneven or performing at a slower rate than usual, there’s probably a thing or two you can do to fix it.

If you’re experiencing garage door issues, we’ve laid out some standard solutions and highlighted when you should contact a professional for further assistance.

1. Trouble Opening or Closing

Your garage should make your life easier, and nothing is worse than being stuck behind the door. If you’re experiencing this issue, there are a couple of DIY garage fixes you can try.

Test It Out

Your door may not be functioning because it is off balance. Turn off the power supply and manually lift the door to test the balance. If it stays in place, it is balanced and on track. If it doesn’t, you may have an underlying issue.

The problem could also be with the fuse. If you have checked all batteries and your door isn’t moving, you might have a fuse down. However, if other lights in your home are still working, there may be a larger issue with the door opener.

If you’ve tried these quick tests and your door still isn’t opening or closing, contact a professional to do garage door repair.

2. Blocked Sensors

If you’re having difficulty opening or closing your door, it could be because some sensors are covered or obscured.

Fix Signals

To ensure your remote and door work on-demand, you’ll need to check for places where obstacles might be blocking signals.

When using your remote, make sure no branches or plants block the sensor.

You’ll also want to check the antenna for any dirt or build-up that could be blocking the signal. Sometimes the antenna can also become unaligned — a quick fix is to readjust it.

3. Broken Springs

When extension or torsion springs snap, your garage door can drop quickly.

Get New Springs

The springs in your system will tap out after performing so many cycles, causing them to snap. Keep your springs’ lifespan in mind, and contact a professional to replace them when necessary. If your springs snap while in use, your door can slam down and cause damage to your vehicle or harm another person.

If you hear your springs snap when not in use, do not try to open your garage because the system can fire the springs off as projectiles and cause injury.

4. Roller Issues

The rollers in your system will last for different periods depending on whether they are plastic, steel or nylon.

Refresh or Replace

Old or rusted rollers can cause problems with opening your door. The first thing you’ll want to do is lubricate them. If they are still causing issues, you may need to replace them.

Rollers will typically only work until they reach their max cycle limit. Keep track of when your rollers are coming up on the end of their limitation to ensure you can replace your rollers seamlessly.

5. Dying Opener

Your garage door opener allows you to utilize your garage efficiently every time you need it. If your opener is 20 years old or more, it’s likely outlived its lifespan.

Update and Replace

Do some garage door opener troubleshooting by checking the batteries, getting within proximity of the garage and clearing the path of your antenna.

If you’re still experiencing issues with your opener, the likely culprit is a dying motor. If your motor is old or overheating, it won’t respond the way it should.

You should always hire a professional to install a garage door opener to ensure you don’t harm yourself or others or damage your door.

6. Unusual Noises

Hearing a series of unusual noises is a huge indicator you have an underlying issue. Some may be minor, while others require immediate and professional attention.

Snap, Crackle, Pop

Your door may make a variety of noises depending on the issue. Some issues and noises they might produce include:

• Loose chains: slapping
• Loose rollers: grinding, squeaking and squealing
• Loose nuts and bolts: vibrating and rattling
• Rust: clinking
• Broken springs: popping and rumbling
• Alignment: banging, straining, scraping and rubbing

If you’re unsure about the sound you’re hearing or where it’s coming from, it is best to contact a professional to conduct garage door troubleshooting.

7. Uneven Door

Sometimes you’ll notice that your door is looking odd or moving unevenly. In this case, there are a few areas to check.

Fix Alignment

Sometimes an uneven door is caused by something blocking the way, so make sure you’ve removed all obstacles from the door’s path.

Rust can cause one side of your door to move faster than another. A good wipe-down can sometimes fix this issue.

You can also check your manual to ensure you’ve all of your limits on the appropriate settings, which will help to make sure the door fully closes and doesn’t malfunction.

If the problem lies in the spring system, be sure to contact a professional and limit your door use. Snapped springs can be hazardous and cause serious injury.

8. Slow Opening

Slowly opening doors can easily be a source of frustration, and there are a few reasons it might be happening.

Clean and Lubricate

You want to examine your rollers to ensure they aren’t dried out. You’ll also want to evaluate the condition of your tracks. If you notice a lot of dirt, you’ll need to clean them off.

Keeping your tracks and rollers well lubricated will ensure they continue to move smoothly. These parts are more susceptible to drying out faster in places where the weather gets extremely hot or cold.

As a general rule of thumb, plan to give your system regular maintenance at least twice a year.

9. Transmitter Problems

Your remote control should be able to open your garage door effortlessly, but sometimes this doesn’t always happen.

Replace Batteries

Fixing your transmitter problems is a quick fix that typically involves a simple battery change.

First, you’ll want to test the transmitter inside your garage to know where your problem lies. If the door doesn’t open, you have an underlying problem. However, if it does open, your batteries are probably dead.

Changing the batteries usually involves removing the back of the remote (in some cases with a screwdriver). You always want to ensure the batteries face the correct direction to avoid thinking a problem lies elsewhere when the remote doesn’t work.

10. Keypad Not Synced

A garage keypad offers security and comfort for many homeowners. If your door isn’t opening when you type in your code, it’s likely not synced.

Refer to the Manual

Syncing your keypad is a simple fix that you can do in minutes.

First, you should check the batteries. There’s a chance they’ve died, meaning you need a quick change.

Next, you’ll need to refer to the user manual to know what steps to take to sync the keypad and remote properly. If you have persisting issues, you can call your manufacturer for more information.

Reliable Repairs With Door Pros

Door Pros offers more than excellent service. We provide top-tier door brands and workmanship. Using the highest quality doors, you can be sure your garage will serve you promptly and safely. You can read testimonials describing our exceptional service from people in the surrounding areas of San Francisco, Carmel and more.

Our technicians are happy to show up fully prepared with all the equipment they need to complete repairs on your garage. Request a service with Door Pros and receive same-day service!

The post 10 Common Garage Door Problems (And How to Fix Them) appeared first on Door Pros.

It’s a situation more common than you’d think — you’re in a hurry, about to leave your house, and you put your car in reverse while your garage door is still opening. Before you notice, you’ve backed straight into it, and you’re left wondering what to do next.

If you’ve recently backed into your garage door, don’t worry. You can handle the situation in a few different ways depending on any damages you’re facing.

In this article, we cover the steps you can take if you hit your garage door with your car, common damages that might have occurred, and the average costs associated with repairing it.

Steps to Take if You Accidentally Back Into Your Garage Door

If you find that you’ve backed into your garage door, you can take steps following the incident to help you feel a lot better about the situation.

1. Make Sure Everyone Is Safe

Stay calm and make sure that you and other passengers are safe after hitting your garage door. Even a minor accident can cause injuries, so check that your loved ones aren’t hurt first.

In a heightened situation like this, many people forget to put their cars in park before getting out. Calmly put your vehicle in park and turn it off before exiting to check for damages.

2. Assess the Damage

Observe your car and the garage door for surface damages to see if it will need repairs.

If you hit your garage door from the inside, you’ll want to move your car forward to check for dents. If you hit the garage door from the outside, stay safe by entering your garage from your house or side door to inspect damages.

3. Check if Your door Is Manually Operable

After hitting your garage door, it might be tempting to try and open it with the remote to see if it’s still operable. However, doing this can cause more damage to your garage door because it might force the door to open while damaging the entire system.

If you notice that your garage door is no longer aligned with the rails, do not attempt to move it because it could fall. However, you can check if the door is manually operable if you see only surface dents after assessing damages. To do this, you’ll want to disconnect the garage door opener and physically move the door.

4. Take Note of Damages Before Scheduling a Repair

Make a list of damages to report to your local repair company before they come out or provide you with an estimate. If your door isn’t manually operable or it’s off its tracks, you’ll want someone to repair it before attempting to use it. Stay at least 8 feet away from the door to avoid injury if the door is in this state.

Measure dents so your repair company knows what kinds of damage to expect when they arrive, and take note of the type of material your garage door is made of.

5. Call Your Local Garage Repair Company

In the case of any damages, and even if your garage door is operable, you’ll want to call a repair company to assess and repair or replace it right away. If your door is off its rails, this is something you won’t want to touch yourself. Attempting to repair your garage door on your own can cause injury or further damage to the garage door.

Repair companies will inspect your door for damage such as dents, track issues and opener problems.

6. Determine How You’d Like to Proceed

You’ll want to determine your next steps depending on what you’re comfortable with after your repair company assesses the damages. If your damage is minor, such as a few scratches and dents, costs will likely come in at less than a deductible. For extensive damages, like structural issues or a complete door replacement, you may want to consider making a claim with your homeowners insurance to cover repair costs.

Depending on the severity of damages, you also may want to call your auto insurance company. Your homeowners insurance policy will not pay to repair your car, and your auto insurance won’t pay for garage door repairs.

Use your best judgment and do what feels best for you after assessing your garage door and vehicle.

Common Issues Caused by Backing Into a Garage Door

Your local repair company will inspect your garage door for specific issues. The extent of problems will depend on how fast you hit the garage door, but common issues associated with backing into a garage door include:

• Dents or broken panels: Usually, you’ll notice dents in the bottom section of your garage door after reversing into it with your car. Residential garage doors are typically 7 feet tall and are made up of four sections. If more than two of your garage door panels are dented or broken, you’re typically better off replacing all of them to be on the safe side. The average costs to repair dented or broken panels are around $175 to replace the bottom section or $475 to replace all four panels, not including labor costs.
• Misaligned rollers: If you backed into your garage door hard enough, the vertical track might be bent, which can cause the rollers to fall out of the track channel. Average costs to repair a garage door that’s off its track are around $10 to $15 to fix each damaged or broken roller, while hinges cost about $10 apiece.
• Damaged track: A misaligned or broken garage door track will result in a door that’s inoperable and dangerous. A professional will inspect and repair it to ensure it doesn’t fall and injure you. A local garage door company can safely bend a track into place or replace it with special tools. A repair like this might cost around $125 to $150.

When you have extensive damages, you might want to consider completely replacing your garage door. Labor costs and repairs associated with fixing certain sections can run you $675, while an entire garage door replacement averages around $800. It’s essential to remember that the older your door gets, the more future repairs will add up, so sometimes installing an all-new garage door is your best bet.

Trust Door Pros for Expert Garage Door Repairs and Replacement

When you damage your garage door by accidentally reversing into it, there are many steps you can take before assessing and paying for repairs. Whether your damage is minor or extensive, you’ll want to call professionals to repair or replace any impacted materials.

If you’ve recently backed into your garage door, Door Pros has your back. We pride ourselves on our around-the-clock services, quality customer service and expert craftsmanship. We’ll assess any damages and work with you to quickly repair or replace your garage door.

Request an estimate online or call Door Pros at 1-800- 983-2608 today!

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