A-1 Overhead Door Co. Frequently Asked Questions

(831) 706-2462

A-1 Overhead Door installed this Martin Carriage House Door.
Q: How often should I have my garage door opener serviced? What does that entail?
A: "We recommend service every two to three years, depending on use. Maintenance is essentially a tune-up—we tighten all the nuts and bolts, lubricate the hinges and rollers, and adjust the springs."
Q: One of the two springs on my garage door is broken. Do I need to replace both?
A: "Yes. If one spring has failed, it’s very likely the other will follow. It’s less expensive to replace both at once than pay for two separate repairs."
Q: I press my garage door opener button and nothing happens. What should I look for?
A: "First, try using the wall button or the button on another remote to ensure it’s not a problem with the batteries. If it’s still not working, make sure the opener is plugged in. If it is, try another appliance in the outlet to ensure it’s getting power. If the opener does nothing, it’s usually a power issue and not a problem with the opener itself. Often unplugging and then replugging the opener will fix a power issue; on some older units, that acts like a reset. If it still isn’t working, call us and we’ll schedule a service call and give you a free repair estimate."
Q: Both of my remote transmitters failed at the same time. Is it a problem with the batteries?
A: "If both fail at once, it’s probably not the batteries, but they’re worth replacing just in case. If the wall button works but the remotes don’t, then the issue is probably with the receiver. On older units, this often means the receiver needs to be replaced. On newer units, it’s often simply a matter of recoding the remotes. We can usually walk you through the recoding process over the phone. If you’re not comfortable with that, we can schedule a service call and do it for you."
Q: My garage door stopped halfway down and is now crooked. Is there anything I can do?
A: "No. Call us and we’ll send out a service technician. Doors that are at an angle can pose a safety hazard, and it’s best to let a professional handle it."
Q: My garage door opener is broken. Is it worth repairing or should I just replace it?
A: "That depends on the nature of the damage and how old the opener is. Depending on what’s wrong, sometimes it’s less expensive to just replace it rather than attempting to repair it. Also, if the opener was manufactured prior to 1993, we recommend it be replaced instead of repaired. The Consumer Products Safety Commission enacted new safety regulations in 1992. Older garage doors are safe if installed and maintained properly, but we don’t recommend keeping them in service once they’ve started to malfunction."