A noisy garage door can mean tons of various issues, small or large. A noisy garage door can also be very irritating to those around it! Thankfully, there are several issues that can be fixed easily, on your own. Below, you’ll find a few Raleigh garage door repair tips from about.com that will help you easily fix your noisy garage door! If you need help at any point during your maintenance check and repair call Hanson Overhead.

Raleigh Garage Door Repair Tips

Tighten Nuts
With a socket wrench or adjustable wrench, tighten all nuts on the door and track. You want everything snug, but don’t overtighten.
Replace the rollers
It is not uncommon for old metal rollers to make a lot of noise as they roll up and down the metal track. If you can clearly identify this as the source of the noise, or if the rollers just look worn down, consider replacing them.
Standard rollers have a 2-inch roller and a 4-inch stem, but measure yours before buying replacements. Replace the rollers one at a time. The whole job shouldn’t take more than an hour.
Garage Springs
A typical five-section garage door will require a dozen rollers. Consider using nylon rather than metal rollers, as they are quieter and don’t have to be lubricated on a regular basis. They also cost more—roughly $60 for a full set of nylon rollers versus $38 for metal.
Garage doors use two different types of spring mechanisms to ease lifting and lowering. Extension springs are located above the upper tracks on both sides. Torsion springs are attached to the header directly above the closed door. If you have torsion springs, do not try to replace the rollers in the bottom bracket. Because they are always under tension, tampering with the bottom brackets could cause serious injury. This is a job for a professional only.
Replace Hinges
Over time, the hole in the hinge that houses the roller stem can become worn. Inspect each of the hinges and replace any that have a hole that is more oblong than round.
If you feel uncomfortable replacing any of the garage door components above, feel free to contact our Raleigh garage door repair team. We are here to help you with any problems you may have with your garage door. As the largest, heaviest moving component of your home, it’s understandable if you’re uncomfortable working with it. That’s why Hanson Overhead is here. No matter what the problem is, we are here to help!

Are you bored with your landscaping and curb appeal now that dreary winter has set in? It’s easy to believe that the exteriors of our homes are destined to meet a temporary drab spell during the cold winter months. Thankfully, that’s not the truth at all! Our Raleigh garage door repair experts are here to help you spruce up your curb appeal this winter with projects that will only enhance the other work you do the rest of the year!

Winter Curb Appeal Tips | Raleigh Garage Door Repair

Outdoor Lighting
The best way to make a serious statement with curb appeal is with outdoor lighting. Especially in winter, outdoor lighting will brighten even the darkest of lawns by creating a nice illuminated interest. For an Eco-friendly option, add solar powered light fixtures along your walkways and garage. In addition to adding curb appeal, these lights will also provide security and safety!
Seasonal Garden
Just because winter has set it doesn’t mean that you can’t have fresh veggies all year long! While you do have to plant according to season, you can have a nice container garden or other small planter garden all year long! This is a great way to add color to any home exterior. It’s also an easy, affordable way to create your own landscaping element.
Window Boxes
There’s no better way to add curb appeal to the exterior of your home than with window boxes! Add boxes to each window facing the street for an added depth and extra color all year long! You can even add them to the windows in your garage! For even more interest, consider choosing boxes in a trendy metal like copper or iron. You can even use reclaimed wood for a more rustic look!
Planter Renewal
When fall ends, our planter beds tend to lose their luster and wilt away with colder weather. It’s important to get rid of growing weeds and dead, wilted plants before spring hits. Winter is a great time to prune old growth, add new mulch and redo or add a brick, stone or other type of border around your planter beds.
Getting a head start on all these things, this winter, while the weather is a bit mild and easy to work in is a great way to enhance the exterior of your home and garage! For more tips on easy DIY curb appeal, visit back with us soon! Our Raleigh garage door repair experts are here to help!
Hanson Overhead | Raleigh Garage Door Repair
Now is also a great time to make sure you’re garage doors are working safely and in proper working order. Contact our Raleigh garage door repair team, today to schedule an appointment for a routine maintenance check!

Welcome back! In our last blog post, our Raleigh garage doors team began talking about the different types of garages, starting with attached and detached stick built garages. While many think that garages are a standard part of an American home, that hasn’t always been the case. Garages have only become a popular home addition in the last 20 years. Those that own an older home probably don’t have a garage. That’s why we decided to take some time to discuss the different types of garages so those that are considering building one will have the information they need to make the best decision on what type they need/want.

Different Types of Garages | Raleigh Garage Doors

Pole Barn
For those that can’t afford to have a stick built garage constructed, there is another option! A “pole barn” is a great way to create a large garage and save money at the same time! Many homeowners prefer the look of a stick built garage, but those looking to stick to a budget will be more than happy to settle for this type of garage. Pole barns are typically built from metal and have four walls, at least two Raleigh garage doors, as well as an exterior door to enter and exit. With today’s designs, pole barns have come a long way! There are many ways to disguise the look of the exterior metal. Some pole barns even mimic the look of a home’s structure and design. The possibilities for style are endless.
If you’re looking for a larger structure that offers protection for your vehicles and a great place for extra storage, considering a pole barn might be the best option for you. With the money you save on forgoing a stick built garage, you can really make a nice pole barn that looks stylish and adds storage in more ways than one!
Carport
Our last garage type is direct and to the point. If you’re looking only for a place to store your vehicle and protect it from the seasonal elements, a carport is just right. In addition, carports are much more cost efficient than stick built garages and pole barns, alike. Typically, carports don’t have any walls. They’re just a roof on actual poles. Integrated properly, carports can be quite attractive and very convenient.
No matter your choice for a stick built garage, pole barn, or carport, you’re sure to enjoy the extra space and vehicle protection that all offer. Each structure can be designed to fit your needs and your style taste! Once you’re ready, our Raleigh garage doors team can help you decide what type of garage doors you’ll need for your garage or pole barn!
If you’re interested in talking with our Raleigh garage door repair team about getting new doors installed in your current garage, be sure to contact Hanson Overhead, soon! You’ll be surprised how much better a new garage door will insulate your entire home, saving you money and energy this winter!

When the weather gets extremely cold, our Raleigh garage doors tend to malfunction a bit. Even if we do all of the maintenance and winterizing needed throughout the year, they still have a chance of sticking at some point. Below, you’ll find a few troubleshooting tips you can do to see what might be causing your doors to stick.

Raleigh Garage Doors | Troubleshooting

1. Close the garage doors. Disconnect the opener. Raise the door manually. Do any spots stick? If so, there might be grease buildup there.
2. Check for broken springs. If you find broken springs, contact a Raleigh garage door repair team immediately. This can be dangerous for many reasons and isn’t something you should try to fix on your own.
3. Does the door raise and lower well by hand? The torque setting might need to be adjusted until the door moves properly again.

If none of the above troubleshooting helped, consider the following tips to help you move further in your efforts to find the reason your Raleigh garage doors are sticking.
Contracted Metal
In the cold weather, metal tends to contract. As a result, the springs and other components seize up. Using lubricant can help the springs, drive, screws, and rollers move well with a less likely chance of them freezing. Use a silicone-based lubricant.
Grease on Tracks
If lubrication gets on the tracks, it can cause the rollers to wear and become misaligned. Clean away any grease in the tracks using an oil solvent such as kerosene.
Hardened Grease
Things tend to freeze in the winter and grease is no exception. If the grease or lubricant on your garage door components freezes do the following:

• Use a small brush to work into cracks and remove old grease. Use a solvent if needed.
• Wipe away solvent, and apply a silicone-based lubricant to the springs, screw drive, shuttle, roller bearings and torsion bar bearings.

Worn, Warped Tracks
The rollers can become worn down or misaligned in the tracks. Also, the tracks can become warped due to extreme temperatures or damage. Contact a Raleigh garage door repair professional for either problem as the fix for this can be a dangerous job to perform alone.
Raleigh Garage Doors | Preventative Maintenance
As we stated above, your garage doors may stick no matter what you do to winterize them. There are a few things you can do as a preventative measure that might keep the doors working properly all winter long:

• Apply a silicone-based lubricant to the springs, screw drive, shuttle, roller bearings and torsion bar bearings.
• Apply a spray solvent to rollers, hinges, roller tracks, hinges, and latches.
• Lubricate the pulleys or the bearings.
• Wipe everything clean. If any rollers or hinges seem stuck, soak them in a solvent, using a stiff brush to clean the cracks. Wipe clean again.

To make sure your Raleigh garage doors are in great shape and ready to shield your garage and home from the harsh weather that winter can bring, contact our Raleigh garage door repair team. We can come out and make sure your garage is properly maintained, free of damage and winterized.