The following FAQs can provide you with concise and informative answers to many common questions. Our experts have many years' worth of experience repairing and maintaining overhead and roll up garage door systems, and we are always happy to share our hard-earned knowledge with our customers.
How do chain and belt drive garage door openers compare?
These types of openers have practically the same design and work in a very similar way. The main difference between them is their drive system. One uses a chain, while the other employes a belt, which is usually made of steel reinforced rubber. Chain-drive openers are known for their relatively noisy operation, while belt-drive units tend to operate very silently.
What is the average lifespan of a garage door spring?
The answer really depends on the type of spring in question, as well as how often it's being used and whether it's galvanized or not. But statistically speaking, a spring that belongs to a garage door that gets twice a day on average, will probably last for between 5000 to 10,000 cycles. Extension springs are on the lower end of that spectrum while torsion ones are on the higher one. One cycle represents one full opening and closing action of the door.
Which type of garage door rollers are the best ones?
That really depends. Nylon coated rollers are usually preferred for their smooth and silent operation. However, they won't last as long as their counterparts. Steel rollers are much more durable, but their main downside is that they need to be lubricated on a regular basis to prevent them from squeaking and getting stuck.
How often should I schedule garage door maintenance?
At the very least, once a year. However, if you have a wooden door or steel door, you may require more frequent maintenance. Of course, annual maintenance is really the minimum, and our experts suggest scheduling at least a couple of yearly appointments in order to be sure your door and all of its parts remain in a good working condition.
Can I use my old opener with my new garage door?
That depends on how old it is and whether or not your new door is heavier than the last one. If your garage door opener is getting up there in years, you may need to replace it regardless of what new door you have. However, even if your opener is relatively new, but is incapable of producing the horsepower output your new door requires, you'll have to replace it anyway.