Garage Door Repair FAQ for Orinda Homeowners
These are the questions Orinda, Moraga and Lafayette homeowners ask us about garage door repair. Each answer points to the page that has more detail. If yours is not here, call (925) 386-2195.
Springs, Cables, Tracks and Openers: Your Questions
Why does my garage door lift crooked?
One lift cable has usually slipped or frayed, or one spring has weakened, so one side rises faster. Stop using the door and call. Our cable repair page shows what we check on both sides.
How long do garage door springs last?
Springs are built for a set number of open-and-close cycles, so a door that leaves the garage several times a day wears them faster than one used once. We can read the label on yours. See spring repair for the starting price.
Why does my opener hum but not move the door?
Often the door is too heavy to lift because a spring has broken. If the spring is fine, a stripped gear or a loose drive part may be the cause. Details are on our opener repair page.
Is it safe to raise the door by hand once a spring breaks?
Not safely on your own. A door with a broken spring is far heavier than it feels, and it can drop. Keep your hands off the springs and cables, and read about emergency garage door repair.
My remote only works from the driveway. What now?
Start with the remote battery, then check whether the wall button works. If it does, the receiver or antenna may need attention. If neither works, the board may be failing. We cover this under opener repair.
The door jumped its track. What should I do?
Stop using it, keep people clear and do not force it closed. A bent rail or a loose bracket is the usual reason. Our track repair page explains the fix.
Why does the door reverse just before it closes?
The safety sensors near the floor may be dirty, blocked or knocked out of line, or the close limit may be set too tight. A quick look at the sensor lights is a good first check. Persistent cases go under opener repair.
Can one damaged panel be replaced on its own?
Sometimes. It depends on whether your door model is still made and whether the style and color can be matched. Send a photo of the door and the dent. More is on panel replacement.
Should my opener have a battery backup?
If your power goes out and you need the car, a battery backup lets the opener keep working. It is an option when we install an opener, and we quote it on site.
Do I need a permit to change my garage door?
We cannot answer that for every case. Orinda, Moraga and Lafayette all use Contra Costa County for building permits, and Lafayette’s FAQ lists the county’s Lamorinda office at (925) 299-0263. Ask them before you change the size of the opening.
How do I find out what a repair will cost?
Read the starting price list first. It covers springs, cables, rollers and tracks. For openers and panels we quote at your door, and you approve the price before we begin.
Which towns do you serve?
We serve Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette. Our shop address is 1 Bates Blvd in Orinda. If you live near a town line, call (925) 386-2195 and ask.
You approve the price before any work begins.