How quickly can you fix my broken springs?

In most cases, we can repair or replace broken garage door springs the same day you call. Our service vehicles are fully stocked with the most common spring sizes and types. For emergency calls, we guarantee a 2-hour response time. Spring replacement typically takes 1-2 hours depending on the type of spring system (torsion or extension). We'll have your door operational and safe before we leave.

What causes broken springs in garage doors?

Garage door springs break primarily due to normal wear and tear from thousands of open/close cycles. A typical spring is rated for 10,000 cycles, which translates to roughly 7-10 years of average use. Other factors that accelerate spring failure include: rust and corrosion from humidity, extreme temperature fluctuations, lack of maintenance (no lubrication), improper spring sizing, and poor quality springs. Regular maintenance can extend spring life significantly.

Do you offer financing for new industrial door installations?

Yes! We understand that a new garage door is a significant investment. We offer several financing options including 0% interest for qualified buyers on purchases over $2,500, flexible payment plans from 6 to 60 months, and no money down options available. We partner with reputable financing companies to ensure competitive rates. Contact us for a free estimate and we'll discuss financing options that fit your budget.

How long does a new garage door installation take?

A standard single or double garage door installation typically takes 4-6 hours. This includes removing the old door, installing the new door and hardware, setting up the opener, programming remotes, and testing all safety features. Custom doors or doors requiring structural modifications may take longer. We always complete installations in a single visit so you're not left without a functioning garage door.

What brands of garage doors do you install?

As a brand-authorized dealer, we install and service all major garage door brands including Clopay, Amarr, Wayne Dalton, CHI, Northwest Door, and Raynor. We also offer premium custom options from manufacturers like Martin Door and Haas Door. Each brand offers different styles, materials, and insulation options to match your home and budget.

Is my garage door repair covered by warranty?

All our repair work comes with a 1-Year Warranty on parts and labor. This means if the same issue occurs within a year, we'll fix it at no additional cost. New door installations come with manufacturer warranties (typically 10-25 years on panels) plus our 1-year labor warranty. We also offer extended warranty options for added peace of mind.

Do you provide free estimates?

Absolutely! We provide free, no-obligation estimates for all services including repairs and new installations. For most repairs, our technician can provide an accurate estimate over the phone or via text if you send us photos of the issue. For new door installations, we'll come to your home to take measurements, discuss options, and provide a detailed written estimate.

What areas do you service?

We proudly serve Milford and the surrounding communities including Hopkinton, Holliston, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Medway, Franklin, Bellingham, Hopedale, and Upton. If you're unsure if we service your area, give us a call – we may still be able to help!

Preparing Your Garage Door for Summer: Essential Tips

2025-01-10 7 min read

# Preparing Your Garage Door for Summer: Essential Tips

As temperatures rise in Massachusetts, your garage door faces unique challenges. Summer heat, humidity, and increased use can all take a toll on your door's performance and longevity. With a little preparation, you can ensure smooth operation all season long and prevent expensive emergency repairs.

Why Summer Matters for Your Garage Door

Many homeowners don't realize that garage doors are affected by seasonal changes. Here's what happens during summer:

Metal Expansion: The metal components of your garage door.including springs, tracks, and hardware.expand in the heat. While they're designed to handle this, extreme heat combined with poor maintenance can cause problems.

Increased Humidity: Massachusetts summers bring humidity that can affect wooden doors and cause rust on metal components. Moisture can also impact the electrical components of your opener.

More Frequent Use: Summer often means more trips in and out.kids coming and going, lawn equipment access, and entertaining. This increased cycle count accelerates wear on all components.

Power Fluctuations: Summer storms and high AC usage can cause power fluctuations that affect your opener's control board.

Your Summer Garage Door Checklist

1. Inspect and Lubricate Moving Parts

Start your summer prep with a thorough lubrication of all moving parts. Use a garage door-specific lubricant (not WD-40, which can actually attract dust and debris).

Apply lubricant to: - Rollers (both the wheels and where they meet the shaft) - Hinges at each panel connection, Spring coils (the torsion spring above the door) - The opener's chain or screw drive

This simple step reduces friction, quiets operation, and extends the life of these components. In summer heat, well-lubricated parts move more smoothly and put less strain on your opener.

2. Check and Adjust Spring Tension

Garage door springs are calibrated for specific conditions, but temperature changes can affect their tension. A door that's slightly heavy in winter may feel lighter in summer as the metal springs expand.

To test your spring balance: 1. Disconnect the opener by pulling the emergency release 2. Manually lift the door halfway and let go 3. A properly balanced door should stay in place 4. If it rises or falls, the springs need adjustment

Important: Never attempt to adjust springs yourself. Garage door springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury. Call a professional if your door seems unbalanced.

3. Inspect Weatherstripping

The rubber weatherstripping at the bottom and sides of your garage door is your first defense against summer elements.heat, humidity, pests, and debris.

Check for: - Cracks or brittleness (sun damage accelerates rubber deterioration) - Gaps when the door is closed, Signs of pest entry (insects and rodents often enter through damaged seals)

Replacing weatherstripping is an affordable upgrade that improves energy efficiency and keeps your garage more comfortable. If you use your garage as a workshop or gym, this is especially important.

4. Clean and Inspect Tracks

Over the winter and spring, debris accumulates in your garage door tracks. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the inside of both tracks, removing dirt, leaves, and any buildup.

While cleaning, inspect for: - Dents or bends in the tracks, Loose mounting brackets, Gaps between the track and wall

Tracks should be properly aligned so the door moves smoothly without binding. If you notice the door wobbling or making scraping sounds, the tracks may need professional adjustment.

5. Test Safety Features

Summer means more foot traffic in and around your garage, making safety features more important than ever.

Test your auto-reverse function by placing a 2x4 flat on the ground in the door's path. When closing, the door should reverse immediately upon touching the board.

Test your photo-eye sensors by closing the door and waving your foot through the beam (about 6 inches off the ground). The door should reverse or stop immediately.

If either test fails, don't use the door until the problem is resolved. These safety features prevent serious injuries.

6. Evaluate Insulation

If your garage door isn't insulated, summer is when you'll feel it most. An uninsulated garage can reach 20-30 degrees hotter than outside temperatures, affecting:

- Any items stored in the garage, Your car's interior temperature, Energy costs if there's a room above the garage, Your comfort if you use the garage for activities

Consider upgrading to an insulated door or adding insulation panels to your existing door. This investment pays off year-round.keeping the garage cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

7. Check Your Opener's Settings

Heat can affect your opener's sensitivity settings. If your door starts reversing unexpectedly or doesn't close completely, the force settings may need adjustment.

Most openers have two adjustment screws.one for closing force and one for travel distance. Small adjustments (quarter turns) can solve seasonal issues. Consult your owner's manual for specific instructions.

8. Clean and Inspect the Door Itself

Give your garage door a good cleaning with mild soap and water. This is also the perfect time to inspect for:

- Rust spots on steel doors (treat with rust converter and touch-up paint) - Peeling or fading paint that exposes the door to moisture, Cracks in wooden doors that could worsen with humidity changes, Dents that affect panel alignment

A clean door not only looks better but allows you to spot potential problems before they become serious.

Professional Summer Maintenance

While these DIY steps go a long way, an annual professional tune-up ensures your door is in peak condition. Our summer maintenance service includes:

- Complete lubrication of all moving parts, Spring tension testing and adjustment, Safety sensor calibration, Opener inspection and testing, Track alignment verification, Hardware tightening, Full safety inspection

At Garage Door Milford, we recommend scheduling maintenance before the summer heat hits.April or May is ideal. This way, any issues can be addressed before your busiest garage door season.

Don't Wait for a Breakdown

The best time to address garage door maintenance is before problems occur. A door that breaks down on a 90-degree day leaves your home vulnerable and your car trapped.

Call Garage Door Milford at (508) 204-3457 to schedule your summer maintenance appointment. We serve Milford, Hopkinton, Holliston, Framingham, Natick, and all of MetroWest Massachusetts with same-day service availability.

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