Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
Troubleshooting
The first thing to inspect would be your photo eyes. You will need to ensure that both lights are solid on either side. If a light is out, most likely you have a bad photo eye. However, if both lights are blinking, your photo eyes may be misaligned. To remedy yourself, move the photo eye around until you get a solid LED light.
You may have an unbalanced heavy garage door that is putting too much stress on your garage door opener. It may also be that you have a broken spring. You should not disengage the opener from the door as it is dangerous. You should consider an annual maintenance check-up on the garage door and garage door opener.
Several factors could lead to this problem. There could be a broken spring, the opener might need some lubrication, or the garage door may not be properly balanced. Also, depending on the manufacturer, the garage door opener may vary in speed.
The hardware is probably worn out. You should have it inspected.
Most often it is due to lack of lubrication and maintenance. Your garage door system should be maintained annually.
If you have a roll up door without a vault release (a keyed release in the center of the door), there is no other way to open the door without damaging it. We may be able to get into your garage if you have a one piece door. In most cases, it will require two technicians to fix the problem.
There can be a few reasons, but most of the time we find that the spring has broken and the weight of the door is too heavy for the opener. Springs are designed to counterbalance the weight of the garage door. If the spring is broken, it makes the door very heavy and forces the door opener to lift the door rather than push and pull the door.
You may need to have the garage door balanced and the tension reset on the springs, or the springs themselves may need to be replaced.
First and foremost, reprogram your remote(s)! If the remote was taken, unplug your garage door opener until you can replace and reprogram. To reduce the risk of a future break-in, get the latest in garage door security options by calling us.
Most often we find the concrete to be uneven due to foundation settling or tree roots pushing up into the foundation. The weather seal on the garage door may also be worn and need replacement. Special order weather seals can be installed to help prevent debris from entering your garage.
The first thing to check for are the photo eyes that may be out of alignment. If you have a blinking light on one side, you have to move them until you have a solid light; if that does not work, check the lenses to ensure they are clean. If neither of those options work, please call us to schedule an appointment.
There could be a short in the wiring, a stuck button on your remote, or a stuck button on the wall opener.
Most often the limit switch may need to be adjusted, or the limit switch has become faulty.
You might have a photo sensor being blocked by sunlight. This can be fixed by swapping out the sensors.
Some garage door openers have a light switch on the wall button next to the push button that opens your garage door. In addition, there may be a broken wall button or the logic board may have gone bad.
Please give us a call right away. We will come out, measure the opening, and coordinate with a glass company to replace your window. Depending on the manufacturer, some windows may not be able to be replaced and the entire panel may need to be ordered. If the model is no longer available, you may need to talk with one of our technicians about new garage door options.
Garage Doors
Absolutely! Garage Door Medics specializes in everything related to garage doors. We offer a variety of styles and brands to fit your aesthetic needs and budget.
We represent all major brands including Amarr, CHI, Clopay, Martin, Unique, First United, Carriage House, Ranch House, Wayne Dalton, Janus and Overhead Door.
In most cases, we can install a mail slot after a “Release and Placement Consent” has been obtained from the USPS. Please note this is not available in any area but San Diego, as we have specialized Technicians trained to do this.
We do not sell garage door torsion springs over the counter for liability reasons. We also do not recommend homeowners replace their own springs for safety reasons. It is dangerous work if you’ve never done it. Also, you must install the correct spring to counterbalance your door. Often we’ve seen that the wrong spring has been originally installed—putting a lot of wear and tear on your opener and making your garage door a safety hazard.
There is not a specific garage door cleaning solution. Any mild detergent and water should do the trick if it is a metal garage door. Do not to use any abrasive cleaners or sponges as they may dull the finish. For wood garage doors, consult your garage door manufacturer for specifics. Do not use a pressure washer as it may damage your wood section. Consult a professional painter to ensure you have the right product applied to your garage door.
Steel garage doors can be painted with any high quality exterior latex paint. We recommend wood doors be painted or stained prior to installation and sealed. Most models are available to be primed at the factory. Garage Door Medics recommends that wooden garage doors be repainted every one to two years and only by a professional.
Yes, we can order and install one piece steel garage doors (tilt-up).
We recommend you contact a painting contractor.
In most cases, pulling the red cord from the garage door opener will disengage it from the garage door. However, this is not advised as it can be highly dangerous if you have a broken torsion spring. You should always disengage the garage door opener with the garage door in the closed position.
Yes. We are a Martin® authorized dealer and repair company. For warranty information, please contact Martin® customer service at (800) 388-9310. Please call to schedule an appointment for one of our qualified technicians to assist.
Photo eyes are a safety feature designed to stop and reverse the garage door if something is obstructing the flow of the garage door from closing. They are located in the garage door opening 6 inches off the ground facing each other.
Standard garage door widths are typically 8′-16′ wide and 7″ tall. However, we can provide any size garage door make and model for both residential and commercial applications.
Rough opening sizes are 1″ under the size, width and height of the garage door. However the most important measurement that may affect installation is inside your garage including the overhead space needed for the garage door to adequately be installed.
We sell most brands including Martin, Clopay, Wayne Dalton and Amarr to mention a few. However, we can provide any brand that will suit your needs.
Today’s standard colors for steel garage doors are white, almond, brown or taupe. However, many other colors are available dependent on the manufacturer.
First, we need to ensure we eliminate the cause of the failure. Once inspected, we can determine whether or not the panel can be repaired or needs to be replaced. If cosmetic damage is not a priority to you, we can reinforce the top section with a new strut. This will prevent further damage. If cosmetic damage is a concern, we may be able to replace the top section depending on availability from the manufacturer. If we determine the model is obsolete, you will have to replace the entire garage door.
We have two options we alternate between. Option one is to donate them to those less fortunate in Baja Mexico to enable families to build homes. Option two for areas outside of bordering towns are to recycle old garage doors.
Your new sectional garage door has sealed your garage door much better than your old one-piece garage door that had a 3/8-1/2” inch gap on either side letting the weather in. However, if you have a new non-insulated sectional garage door, it can actually make your garage hotter because it is radiating heat through the steel. In order to provide better insulation for both cold and warm temperatures as well as reduce noisy garage door operation, you can opt for an insulated garage door.
We recommend following the manufacturer’s specifications for lubricating your garage door and garage door opener. Our annual maintenance check-up includes this valuable service.
A crashed door service involves much more than a typical repair. Our fee for a crashed door starts at $189 depending if it is Level 1, 2 or 3.
Level 1 – The garage door is crooked but still on the rail and in the opening, and has spun cables.
Level 2 – The garage door is partway up and hanging, and has spun cables.
Level 3 – The garage door is all the way open and hanging off the tracks, and has spun cables.
Pricing
Yes, we are happy to come to your location and do a free consultation. For garage door service or garage door repair, we have a $49 assessment, a $58 annual maintenance check-up and/or a $99 service fee plus installed parts for any repairs needing to be done. Additional charges apply for a crashed garage door.
Yes and no. We can give you rough numbers for new garage doors. But, with garage door repair, it is nearly impossible to give you an accurate quote over the phone except for a service call fee based on your specific situation.
We offer many payment options. Not only do we accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, cash, and checks, but we also have financing options available through GreenSky Financing.
Yes. Each door has different spring requirement and quality options. We recommend oil tempered torsion springs that are the right size for your garage door. Pricing varies depending on size.
Absolutely! Depending on the size of the organization, we have installed parts discounts.
Our typical service call fee is $99 plus installed parts.
We can do this for sure. We will need our credit application completed through our Accounting Department. We also are set up as a vendor in Compliance Depot #379501 and NetVendor #61608.
No, you cannot combine discounts. We advise you use the discount that is most beneficial for the service being rendered at that time. Please note that Garage Door Medics discounts and promotions are only valid during normal business hours 8am-430pm Monday through Saturday. Discounts and promotions must be presented at time of service and will not be refunded after the fact.
Services
We are available from Monday to Friday, 8AM-8PM, Saturday & Sunday, 8AM-4PM, and will accommodate your schedule.
Usually the landlord or property management company needs to authorize the work to be performed and must provide a credit on file prior to our scheduled appointment to avoid delays. The payment arrangement pertaining to your particular situation must be worked out with the landlord or property management company prior to contacting Garage Door Medics.
Garage Door Medics takes great pride in the services we offer. We warranty any service or repair to an existing garage door be free from defects in workmanship for a period of (1) year. If at any time within (1) year of service, your garage door exhibits the same, recurring issue – we will repair (or if repair is not possible, replace) any defective part previously installed by us within the past (1) year, at no charge. If additional parts are required that are NOT directly related to the warrantied repair, we will provide a free estimate for the new repair. This warranty is void if any of the Garage Door Medics Technicians original recommendations were declined by the customer within the preceding 30 days. This warranty cannot be transferred and is voided if another person or company attempted repairs on the garage door/door opener. This warranty is valid on new parts installed by Garage Door Medics only.
Yes, we cannot schedule the appointment without confirming that the decision maker will be present or has authorized someone competent to make decisions on their behalf who can sign off on the work to be performed. Please note, competent decision makers do not include children under the age of 18. Refunds will not be given if you authorize someone to make decisions on your behalf.
Yes, we work with a lot of landlords and tenants. Prior to the appointment, we will require a credit card on file and our technician will call you with the estimate for repairs. It is advised to authorize a pre-approved dollar amount especially if you will not be available by phone during the repair.
Yes. Depending on the manufacturer and the make and model of your garage door, it is possible to replace existing panels to include windows and decorative hardware. Other options include hiring a painting contractor to change the color of your garage door.
Please contact your home warranty company first. They will then issue us a work order that usually takes 3-5 days to receive for authorization to perform any work at your home. Once we receive the work order, we will contact you to schedule service.
Our Medic is a respected, hard-working individual focused on serving the customer in an honest, accommodating and reliable manner. We stand true to the statement, “We only recommend what you need.”
Openers
It will depend on the age, make and model of your garage door opener. If possible, we always reuse over replace.
Yes. We stock parts for all major garage door opener brands.
Some newer models have a DC Battery Back-Up. To manually open your garage door, you will need to disengage by pulling the red emergency release cord. However, this is only recommended in an emergency situation.
The number of years varies based on the model, frequency of use and how well it has been maintained.
First, try a different battery. Your remote may need to be reprogrammed. Refer to the original programming guide, or depending on the manufacturer, you can visit them online. If that does not work, a service call may be necessary.
To keep your new garage door opener running in perfect condition, we recommend having your garage door system serviced once a year with our annual maintenance check-up.
The Medics recommend LiftMaster® garage door openers. These openers are user friendly and the most reliable. We install 1/2 horsepower models–which carry a lifetime warranty on the motor and a one-year warranty on all moving components. Today’s new LiftMaster® garage door openers can be monitored and opened from any iPhone or Android device–even during power outages.
Some of the common issues are circuit boards in the garage door opener, photo eyes not functioning properly and worn trolleys.
Headroom is the distance between the top of the garage door and the lowest point of the ceiling or any obstruction such as a garage door opener rail, pipes or duct work. Standard headroom is typically 15 inches above the door opening. If you do not have standard headroom, we have several other options.
Our garage door openers are professional grade. They are equipped with solid beam rails vs. bolt together three-piece rails. Our rails provide strength and stability vs the big box retailers bolted together rail that causes more flex when operating.
We provide and install a variety of garage door openers which include belt drive, chain drive and jackshaft. The type of application, budget and features will determine the best opener suited for your needs.
To keep from melting your lens cover, we recommend using a 60-watt bulb or lower. Your opener will say 100 watt is acceptable, but we find it might eventually melt the lens cover.
In most cases, the trolley is broken or disconnected. We recommend you have it inspected to verify the cause of the issue and have it repaired.
California SB 969
SB-969 is a law passed in California that requires all garage door openers in residential applications sold or installed in California on or after July 1st 2019 to be equipped with battery backup.
SB-969 was introduced in response to the 2017 wildfires that left people trapped in their garages with no power to the garage door openers. Some individuals were unable to lift their garage doors manually and unfortunately some lost their lives.
Yes. Beginning on July 1st 2019, the only available garage door openers in California will be battery backup garage door openers.
If you are replacing your garage door, you must replace your garage door opener with a battery backup garage door opener. We recommend installing a battery backup opener with all new garage doors going forward to ensure they are compliant with SB-969.
If your current garage door opener has battery backup, or if you install a new garage door opener with a battery backup, make sure that there is a fully charged battery installed with your opener. If you do not have this feature, there are several models from LiftMaster and Chamberlain in the market today that have this feature. Some of these include: LiftMaster’s 8500W, WLED, 8550WLB (coming June 2019), 8360WLB, 8160WB and Chamberlain’s B1318, B970 and C870.
Yes, $1000 per opener. Enforcement Actions can be brought by either consumers or government officials.
No. LiftMaster and Chamberlain will not offer any product support for garage door openers installed in California which were manufactured after July 1st of 2019 which do not include a battery.
If you are replacing your garage door or garage door opener after July 1st 2019, only a battery backup garage door opener can be installed in the residence. However, we encourage installing a garage door opener with battery backup now and not waiting until July 1st 2019.
Beginning Q1 2019, all garage door openers that are not compliant with SB-969 will be identified on the carton that they are not legally for sale or installation in California on or after July 1, 2019.
The law does not require that a manually operated door must be replaced with a mechanically operated door.
No. The law requires the opener to be replaced if the door is being replaced. If the customer does not want to comply with the new law, the installer is required to remove the J arm from the door and operator.
Yes, you can still replace components of your existing operator. If a replacement is ever needed, however, a battery backup garage door opener will be required.
Yes, as long as models are only being repaired and not replaced, AC models will still be honored under warranty.
Right now, the 8500W and the 8160WB (coming June 2019) is the best solution for doors up to 850lbs. When using an 8160WB, please keep in mind these should be used for garage doors under 850lbs.
No, we recommend transitioning over to battery backup openers now to ensure a successful transition by July 1st 2019. Remember if a new opener is purchased before July 1st 2019 that is not battery backup and the door is replaced, a battery backup opener will need to be installed with the new door. Install battery backup openers now so as to avoid replacement in the future.
No, by July 1st 2019 all LiftMaster and Chamberlain openers will be sold with a battery included in the sale of the opener and in the Garage Door Opener carton.
With normal usage, a battery will last approximately 1-2 years. To obtain maximum battery life and prevent damage, disconnect the battery when the garage door opener is unplugged for an extended period of time, such as at a summer or winter home.
Through audible and visual indication, LiftMaster and Chamberlain notifies a user when the battery needs to be replaced. It is the responsibility of the user to replace the battery once it reaches that point.
Batteries provide DC electricity. In order to best utilize a battery back-up, it is only available on operators with DC motors.
Yes. But remember, that if the garage door opener is being replaced after July 1, 2019, it must be replaced with a unit that has a battery backup.
Remotes
Make sure your wall button lock (if you have one) is not on. Check the batteries in your remote. If you have two remotes and they both stopped working, there is most likely a problem with the receiver.
Yes. We sell LiftMaster® Universal remotes. If you need us to program your remote, we have a reprogramming fee of $49 plus the price of the remote.
The HomeLink website has video programming instructions. Please refer to their website: https://homelink.com/program/watchvideo. Also, Garage Door Medics can program HomeLink to certain makes and models of vehicles.
Weatherstripping
Yes, depending on the brand of garage door you have.
No, weather seals are not designed to keep water out. They are designed to reduce debris from entering your garage.
You should replace it whenever it becomes brittle, shrinks or becomes damaged in any way.
No. As a preventative measure, you can install a rodent blocking bottom seal. However, it is likely that if they are not removed from the premises, they will find another way in.
