How much does it cost to repair a garage door spring?

The cost of garage door spring replacement typically ranges from $150 to $350 for a standard residential door, depending on the type of spring system (torsion vs. extension) and the quality of parts used. Torsion springs, which are mounted above the door, tend to cost more but last longer and provide smoother operation. At Garage Door Burlingame, we provide free estimates before any work begins, so you'll know exactly what to expect. We use high-cycle springs rated for 25,000+ cycles, which means your new springs will last significantly longer than standard springs. Our pricing includes labor, parts, and a warranty on our work. For an accurate quote specific to your door, give us a call at (650) 663-3470 or request an estimate online.

How long does it take to install a new garage door?

A standard residential garage door installation typically takes between 3 to 5 hours for our experienced technicians. This includes removing the old door and hardware, installing the new door panels, tracks, and springs, mounting the opener if included, and programming remotes and safety features. More complex installations, such as custom doors, doors requiring structural modifications, or commercial installations, may take longer. At Garage Door Burlingame, we pride ourselves on efficient work without cutting corners. We'll give you an accurate time estimate when we schedule your installation, and we always clean up completely when we're done. Most installations can be completed in a single visit, so you'll have a fully functional new garage door by the end of the day.

Why is my garage door making loud noises when it opens or closes?

A noisy garage door is usually caused by one of several common issues: worn rollers, loose hardware, lack of lubrication, or worn springs. Metal rollers can become loud as they age, and upgrading to nylon rollers can significantly reduce noise. Loose bolts, nuts, and hinges vibrate during operation, creating rattling sounds. Springs and other moving parts need regular lubrication to operate quietly. Worn springs can create grinding or squealing noises as they struggle to lift the door. At Garage Door Burlingame, we offer comprehensive tune-up services that address all these issues. Our technicians will inspect your entire system, tighten all hardware, lubricate moving parts, and identify any components that need replacement. Regular maintenance not only quiets your door but also extends its lifespan and prevents costly repairs. Contact us at (650) 663-3470 to schedule a maintenance visit.

Why Your Garage Door Won't Close: A Troubleshooting Guide

6 min read Garage Door Burlingame

Few home frustrations match pressing your garage door button and watching the door reverse, stop partway, or simply refuse to close. You're not alone.garage doors that won't close are among the most common service calls we receive at Garage Door Burlingame. The good news is that many causes are simple to diagnose and some can even be fixed without professional help. This guide walks you through the most common reasons your garage door won't close and what to do about each one.

Safety First: Understanding Photo-Eye Sensors

Before troubleshooting, understand that your garage door has safety features specifically designed to prevent closing under certain conditions. Federal law has required automatic reversing mechanisms since 1993, and photo-eye sensors became mandatory in 1993 as well. These features protect people.especially children.and pets from being injured by a closing door.

When the photo-eye beam is broken or sensors malfunction, most openers are designed to fail safe by refusing to close the door. This is a feature, not a bug, even when it's inconvenient. Always approach a non-closing door with the assumption that a safety system may be working correctly to prevent injury.

Common Causes and Solutions

Obstructed or Misaligned Photo-Eye Sensors

The photo-eye sensors are small units mounted near the floor on either side of the door opening. One sends an invisible beam to the other; if anything breaks this beam, the door won't close. This is by far the most common cause of closing problems.

First, check for obvious obstructions. A broom leaning against the door frame, a toy, a spider web, or even leaves can block the beam. Remove anything in the path between the sensors.

Next, check the indicator lights on the sensors. Typically, one sensor has a green light (the sending unit) and one has an amber or red light (the receiving unit). If either light is out or blinking, there's a problem. A blinking light often indicates misalignment.the sensors aren't "seeing" each other.

To realign sensors, loosen the wing nuts or screws holding them in place and gently adjust their angle until both lights are solid. The lenses should be roughly parallel, facing each other across the door opening. Once aligned, tighten the mounting hardware.

If the lights still won't go solid, check the wires running from the sensors to the opener motor unit. Look for breaks, kinks, or connections that have worked loose. Damaged wiring requires repair or replacement.

Dirty lenses can also cause problems. Wipe both sensor lenses with a soft, dry cloth. In dusty garages or after construction projects, dirty lenses are a frequent culprit.

The Travel Limit Needs Adjustment

Your garage door opener uses travel limits to know where the floor and ceiling are. If these limits drift out of adjustment, the opener may think it has hit an obstruction when the door reaches the floor, triggering the safety reversal.

You can often identify this issue if the door closes most of the way, contacts the floor, and then immediately reverses. The opener thinks the floor is higher than it actually is and interprets floor contact as an obstruction.

Most openers have travel adjustment screws or digital controls accessible on the motor unit. Consult your opener's manual for specific instructions.adjustments vary by brand and model. Small adjustments (quarter-turns for screw-type systems) are recommended, testing after each change.

Force Settings Need Adjustment

Similar to travel limits, force settings control how much resistance the opener tolerates before reversing. If force is set too low, even normal friction might trigger a reversal. If set too high, the door might not reverse when it should.a safety hazard.

Force adjustment also uses screws or digital controls on the motor unit. Again, make small adjustments and test between changes. The door should close smoothly and reverse when it meets significant resistance.

If you find yourself frequently adjusting force settings, there may be an underlying mechanical issue.binding in the tracks, worn rollers, or spring problems.that a professional should address.

Track Obstructions or Damage

Inspect the metal tracks on either side of the door opening. Look for debris like dirt, gravel, or small objects that could impede the rollers. Check for dents, bends, or areas where the track has pulled away from the wall.

You can clean tracks with a damp cloth and remove loose debris. Minor dents can sometimes be gently tapped out with a rubber mallet. However, significant track damage or misalignment should be addressed by professionals to avoid creating bigger problems.

Roller Problems

Worn, damaged, or off-track rollers prevent smooth door movement and can stop the door from closing. Inspect each roller where it rides in the track. Look for cracked or broken rollers, rollers that have come out of the track, excessive wear or flat spots, and rust or debris buildup.

Replacing rollers is a job for professionals, as it requires releasing spring tension to access some roller positions. However, you can often get a stuck door closed by manually helping it along (after disconnecting the opener) while you arrange for service.

Spring Issues

While springs more commonly cause opening problems, a broken spring on a two-spring system might allow the door to open but cause binding or resistance during closing. If you've heard a loud bang from the garage (the sound of a spring breaking) or see a visible gap in your torsion spring, this is likely the culprit.

Never attempt to close a door with a broken spring by forcing it. The remaining spring or opener motor can be overwhelmed, causing damage or injury. Disconnect the opener and leave the door as-is until professionals can replace the spring.

Opener Logic Board Problems

If none of the above apply, the opener's logic board may be malfunctioning. Symptoms include the opener light not responding, unusual LED blinking patterns, or the opener making clicking sounds without moving the door.

A power surge, age, or component failure can damage the logic board. Sometimes a simple reset helps: unplug the opener for 60 seconds, then plug it back in. If problems persist, the logic board may need replacement.

Weather and Temperature Effects

Extreme cold (rare in the Bay Area but possible) can cause lubricant to thicken and metal to contract, making door movement sluggish enough to trigger safety reversals. Similarly, extreme heat can cause expansion and binding.

In these cases, lubricating the tracks, rollers, and springs with a temperature-appropriate lubricant can help. If weather-related problems persist, there may be underlying issues that temperature changes are exposing.

When to Call a Professional

Call Garage Door Burlingame when the problem involves springs, cables, or the torsion assembly, when the door is off the tracks, when you've tried these solutions without success, when the opener motor is making unusual sounds, or when you're uncomfortable troubleshooting yourself.

Our technicians are available for same-day service throughout Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo, and the surrounding Bay Area. We'll diagnose the problem accurately, explain your options, and restore reliable operation.usually in a single visit.

Call us at (650) 663-3470 or request service online. A garage door that won't close is more than an inconvenience.it's a security risk. Let us help you solve it quickly and safely.

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