Pittsburgh Home and Business Garage Door Service Specialists

Pittsburgh Garage Door Spring Repair Best Practices

Life's little surprises frequently catch homeowners off guard, often happening at the most inopportune moments. A perfect example is finding your car trapped in the garage, especially soon after a garage door repair. That's where Tom & Sons Garage Doors shines, adhering to the highest standards of industry best practices, ensuring that we give exceptional advice to homeowners each time we visit a garage. By following these practices, we save you time and money while making customer satisfaction our top priority.

Recommended Procedure #1 - Swap Out Both Springs

A pair of springs is a standard feature for most garage doors, and they are installed at the same time. When one spring malfunctions, it's often a sign that the other spring's life is almost over. To forestall future troubles, potential threats, and damage to the garage door opener, Tom & Sons Garage Doors commonly recommends replacing both springs. As you would replace both of your car's tires if one were to blow out, it's important to protect valuable items like garage doors and vehicles by changing both garage door springs.

Recommended Procedure #2 - Selecting Proper Springs

Garage doors come in various weights and sizes, necessitating the use of the correct springs to properly balance the door. If a technician installs the wrong spring, it can damage your garage door system and cause the opener to work harder than it should. This can lead to premature opener failure and additional repair calls. DIY spring replacement can also be risky for this reason. That's why Tom & Sons Garage Doors technicians exclusively install the right springs for the door's weight and conduct a balance test to confirm their work.

Recommended Procedure #3 - Conducting a Safety Inspection

As part of every spring repair, Tom & Sons Garage Doors conducts a gratis safety inspection to ensure all hardware and moving parts on your door work correctly and satisfy safety criteria. Since the hardware was likely installed concurrently with the springs, there's a chance that some worn mechanical parts on your door are dangerous. A malfunctioning spring could hint at a bigger issue with your door. For this reason, we consider offering a free safety inspection and maintaining a safe setting for our customers 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 Tom & Sons Garage Doors now to obtain an expert technician's appraisal and quote for garage door spring repair.

Find the Perfect Garage Door Opener for Your Home

Screw Driven Openers

Screw operated openers employ a lifting mechanism that runs on a threaded steel rod, rather than a chain or rubber belt. These openers are most effective in areas with consistent temperatures and weather conditions throughout the year. They are not recommended for regions with varying weather patterns or temperatures. Screw operated openers are the slowest and noisiest, yet least expensive option. If you dislike the noise or speed of your current opener, you may not enjoy having a screw operated opener in your Pittsburgh garage.

Chain Driven Openers

Chain powered openers are widely used and highly dependable. These openers function by moving the garage door on its track using a metal chain. Although chain drives are somewhat more cost-effective than belt drives, they are popular among Tom & Sons Garage Doors customers. However, the downside of chain drive openers is their noise, which may be an issue if your garage is situated below or near the main living spaces in your home. We typically advise against these openers since the small savings do not justify the drawbacks. Additionally, LiftMaster® does not provide a lifetime warranty for the chain like it does for the belt on belt drives, and the motor is much louder.

Belt Driven Openers

Widely considered the best type of opener in the industry, belt-powered openers are as reliable as chain drives and nearly noiseless. They operate on a steel-reinforced belt and are somewhat more expensive than chain and screw-powered openers. For homeowners in Pittsburgh with attached garages or those close to bedrooms, a belt-powered opener ensures that you won't be disturbed by garage door noise. Many customers who select belt-powered openers are extremely satisfied and find it challenging to go back to the noise of a chain opener.

Jackshaft Openers

Wall-mounted openers, also known as jackshaft openers, are installed on the wall next to your garage door and connect to the torsion spring above it. They are an ideal option for garages with high ceilings or when you want to save ceiling space. Wall-mounted openers are slightly more expensive than ceiling-mounted openers.

10 Persuasive Reasons to Make Tom & Sons Garage Doors Your Top Choice

1. Proven Experience: Our years of successful practice and numerous happy customers guarantee that our top professionals in the industry will address your garage door concerns in the most efficient manner possible.
2. Wide Selection of Products and Services: Tom & Sons Garage Doors offers a broad spectrum of products and services to address your particular needs. We can manage everything from custom-crafted doors to repair and installation services, guaranteeing we have the right solution for any door or product you need.
3. Competent and Accommodating Staff: Our personnel are well-versed and professional in their approach. They understand the crucial role of customer service and strive to make your experience with them enjoyable. From fielding your questions to sharing tips on door care, they're ready to support you.
4. First-rate Materials: We make sure to use top-quality materials for your overhead door, resulting in a durable and visually appealing product. With our company in Pittsburgh, rest assured that you're investing in a valuable door.
5. Security: Our company guarantees the proper and safe installation of your garage door. You can have peace of mind knowing that the installation and maintenance of your overhead door adhere to the strictest standards, creating a secure space for your family.
6. Economical Choices: Tom & Sons Garage Doors presents various cost-efficient alternatives for your overhead door necessities. Locate a solution that aligns with your budget, encompassing installations, repairs, and bespoke designs.
7. Prompt Service: When dealing with garage door repairs or installations, time matters. A reputable Pittsburgh firm will ensure your needs are handled swiftly and proficiently.
8. Quality Guarantee: We provide a quality guarantee for our services and products. This ensures that any repairs or installations are done to the highest standards, giving you peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected.
9. Enhanced Door Protection: With our warranty coverage, you can enjoy enhanced protection for your door investment against any accidental damage or malfunctions.
10. Unmatched Satisfaction Guarantee: Tom & Sons Garage Doors is dedicated to providing unparalleled customer satisfaction with our range of products and services. We stand behind our work and guarantee your satisfaction with our overhead doors and gates.

Problems with Garage Door Repair That We See Frequently

Broken Springs: Garage door springs are under high tension and can break easily. Maintaining and checking their condition is essential for your garage door to function correctly.

Worn-out rollers: The garage door rollers can become worn out over time, leading to a noisy or stuck door. Proper maintenance and replacement can keep your door working correctly.

Panel Damage: Garage door panels can become damaged from a variety of sources, including weather and regular usage. Heavy impacts from vehicles or objects can also cause damage.

Misaligned Tracks: Misaligned tracks can cause your garage door to malfunction and pose a safety risk. Repairing the tracks should be a priority to keep your garage door functioning correctly.

Faulty Opener Diagnosis: If your garage door is not functioning correctly, the opener could be the culprit. Calling a professional for assistance is the best course of action if you suspect a faulty opener.

Safety Sensor: A common issue with garage doors is the safety sensor. Objects or children playing can hit the sensor and knock it out of alignment, causing the door not to close properly. Pay attention to the sensor to avoid this problem.

The Most Typical Overhead Door Problems Requiring Repair

Frames: The damage or bending of a garage door frame can make the entire structure unstable, creating a serious safety hazard. Repairing or replacing the damaged frames promptly is critical.

Rollers: Smooth operation of your overhead door is dependent on functional rollers. Damaged or worn rollers can cause issues with opening and closing the door properly. Replacing them is often a straightforward repair.

Installation: Poor installation can result in severe problems, especially with gates that may become hazardous and unstable. Therefore, it is crucial to address these issues as soon as possible.

Rotting: The lack of proper sealing or treatment on wooden doors can result in rot over time. This can cause doors to weaken and possibly collapse.

Hinges: A malfunctioning overhead door could be caused by hinges that are damaged or misaligned. Fortunately, this is a relatively simple repair that can be done by a professional.

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.

Fading: The color of your gate can fade over time, which can be attributed to weather conditions and prolonged sun exposure. To preserve its appearance, you may need to repaint it periodically.

Sagging: Wooden gates tend to sag due to their weight, leading to problems. To avoid this, one should use heavy-duty hardware and ensure that the gate posts are securely anchored.

Rusting: Rusting is often caused by moisture or humidity exposure and is a common problem. People residing in humid areas should be attentive to any signs of rust on their gate.

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

When is it Time to Replace Your Pittsburgh Garage Door? Top Reasons to Consider

While replacing your garage doors is a clear-cut decision from a strict sale / resale perspective, there are other valid reasons for Pittsburgh homeowners to do so. Here are a few:

Improve Your Home's Aesthetics

Take a step back and observe the amount of real estate your garage doors consume on your home's front. Upgrading them in Pittsburgh can have a big impact on your home's curb appeal at an affordable price.

Energy-Efficient Homes

While many Pittsburgh, PA residents focus on energy-efficient windows and doors, the garage door is often overlooked. Replacing it with insulated overhead doors can lead to significant energy savings and lower bills.

Dampen Your Garage Door Noise

The noise created by the opening and closing of overhead doors can be a nuisance, particularly for individuals sleeping in rooms close to or above the garage. To reduce door noise and ensure a smooth experience, Tom & Sons Garage Doors provides ultra-quiet hinges.

Make Safety and Security Priority One

A significant number of home break-ins in Pittsburgh happen through garage doors. Do you trust that your garage door cannot be easily tampered with by malicious individuals? Moreover, depending on when you installed your garage door, you may not have the latest safety technology, such as automatic reversal that raises the door upon contact with an unexpected object.

Frequently Asked Questions from Our Valued Pittsburgh, PA Customers

Would it be safer to have a professional install my new garage door?

At Tom & Sons Garage Doors, we believe that the installation of a garage door is not a do-it-yourself job. A garage door is the largest moving object in your home and because of the large number of small parts, installation of a garage door is highly technical. Connecting the springs can be particularly dangerous and proper installation is critical to the performance of your door. Professional garage door dealer/installers can typically install a door in a few hours and are careful to make sure safety requirements are met. Installations by most homeowners typically span several days and cause much frustration. In addition, incorrect installation can void certain warranties, so we recommend a professional handle the job for you. One of the other services a professional garage doors dealer/installer can provide is the disposal of your old door, if you are replacing a door.

Can an insulated door be useful for a garage that is not insulated?

If you install insulated doors for large garage door openings, you can prevent the transfer of heat or cold air. This is important if your garage is attached to your home or used as a workshop, as it helps to maintain comfortable temperatures. Additionally, insulated doors are quieter and more visually appealing than non-insulated ones.

1. Comfort is crucial when using your garage as a workshop.
2. If your garage is under another room, insulated doors can assist in regulating the temperature in the room above.
3. Insulated doors reduce air movement between your garage and living space.
4. Insulated doors outperform non-insulated doors in both interior appearance and noise reduction.

Steel or wood garage door - what to consider?

Steel doors tend to require less maintenance than wooden doors. Tom & Sons Garage Doors's steel doors have a pre-painted, baked-on coating. To keep the exterior clean, it's recommended to use a common household detergent and warm water for cleaning at least once a year. Our wood doors come unfinished and need to be primed and painted or stained on all six sides upon delivery. We suggest checking the finish once a year to see if it requires another application.

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

Installing a sectional door is possible by adding the required track and springs, which your garage door dealer/installer can do for you. Depending on the garage's construction, some adjustments may be required. We suggest that you have your Pittsburgh, PA dealer evaluate the job before installation so that any necessary modifications can be made.

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

Our steel doors are pre-painted with a factory-applied baked-on coating that is designed to be repainted. Tom & Sons Garage Doors accepts various types of latex exterior paints available commercially, but it is recommended not to use oil-based paints.