Curb Appeal Contracting Solutions, Inc. » garage door opener

Guide to Garage/Overhead Door Opener Pricing in Metro Atlanta

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:16:23 +0000

There are many brands of garage door, or overhead door, openers available in the Atlanta area. Some can be purchased at local home improvement stores for do it your self installation. We are always happy to provide installation services for openers purchased locally, as well. Most openers offered by professional companies differ slightly from store version in construction, but are very similar. If you have specific questions about our products or services, please contact us for more information including pricing and scheduling.

Garage Door Opener Drive Types

Most garage door opener manufacturers offer several different drive types on their openers. Chain, screw, and belt driven openers being the most common types, although there are more varieties available. Typically, chain drive openers are the least expensive, followed by the screw drive and belt drive openers.

Basic 1/3 HP Model Garage Door Openers

The least expensive openers are in this category. 1/3 HP garage door openers are typically installed for use with smaller, lighter garage doors. Most manufacturers offer different drive types (for example, a chain or belt driven opener), along with a 1/3, 1/2, or 3/4 HP motor. Typically, most companies will offer a chain driven, 1/3 HP garage door opener as the basic model. Other drive types, belt or screw drive, are usually a step up in price from a chain drive model with the same strength motor.

1/2 HP and 3/4 HP Garage Door Openers

For home owners with a 2 car wide garage door, or heavier wooden doors, a stronger motor is a must have. The same options are usually available, with these types of openers offering chain, belt, and screw driven units. A typical, premium priced, opener will usually be a 3/4 HP, belt driven variety. 1/2 and 3/4 HP models will usually offer better motor and hardware warranties than the 1/3 HP models. For example, LiftMaster’s 3/4 HP Belt drive opener comes with a lifetime warranty on the belt and motor.

Opener Accessories

With the wide range of options available in opener accessories, it bears mentioning that all the bells and whistles can have an impact on price. Some options available include battery backups, upgraded remotes and keypads, and even devices that remember to shut your door for you.

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Programming a Genie Garage Door Opener Remote – Intellicode

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:20:29 +0000

The following instructions are for programming a Genie garage door opener intellicode remote. If you have an older model Genie opener you may need to follow a slightly different procedure. These instructions should also allow you to clear all the programming codes from your opener. Clearing the codes from the opener’s receiver is the only way to disable a lost remote.

Make sure to keep everyone, including pets, out of the path of the garage door when programming a remote or keypad.

Locate the “learn” button on the opener. The location of the learn button is dependant upon the model opener. It can typically be found under the light cover. The learn button will have a small indicator light next to it.
Press and release the learn button
Press and release the button on the remote.
Press and release the button on the remote once again.

That’s it. The remote should be able to operate the opener at this point. Repeat these steps for any additional remotes or buttons you may wish to program.

To clear all existing codes from the receiver:

Press and hold the learn button on the opener for 10 seconds, or until the indicator light goes out.

Clearing the codes will erase all programming from the receiver. This feature is useful if a remote has been lost, or if you wish to disable any old remotes or keypads. After clearing the codes, remotes or keypads will need reprogramming.

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LiftMaster, Craftsman, and Chamberlain Garage Door Openers: How To Program a Remote

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:14:31 +0000

Many of our Atlanta area customers have come to us for advice on programming remotes and keypads. We’ll always be happy to answer any questions or help with any problems, but the following steps will allow you to re-program after changing the batteries, or clear all the old codes and start over. We recommend reading over all the instructions to see which method will work best for your situation. Click here for a printable version of these instructions.

The steps for programming your opener’s remote and keyless entry can vary for different models and brands. Many openers will allow for programming from the wall button, as well as from the opener.

Method #1 – With a step ladder to reach the opener. You’ll need to locate the “Learn” button on the opener, under the light cover. It’s usually a square button with a tiny LED next to it.

Both methods described here simply add to the codes already in use for the opener. In order to clear all the old codes from previous remotes/keypads you’ll need to press and hold the Learn button for about 6 seconds. The indicator light next to the Learn button will go out. Then follow the directions below to re-program any remotes or keypads to be used.

Method #1 – With a step ladder to reach the opener.

There are three basic steps when programming a remote:

Press and release the “Learn” button on the opener.
Press and HOLD the button on the remote
Wait for the light bulbs in the opener to flash, and release the remote’s button. If there are no light bulbs on the opener, you should hear one or two clicks.

Programming a keyless entry is basically the same as a remote. We just need to enter the PIN before pressing Enter on the keyless entry/keypad.

Press and release the Learn button on the opener
Enter your desired 4-digit PIN, and HOLD Enter.
Wait for the light bulbs on the opener to flash, and release the Enter button. If there are no light bulbs on the opener, you should hear one or two clicks.

Method #2 – With Multi-Function Door Control

Since both of these methods require the use of a ladder to reach the Learn button, LiftMaster has provided an alternative way to program remotes using the keyless entry and the wall button. In order to use this method, you must have two people and a multi-function wall button (one that allows you to turn the opener lights off and on).

Enter your 4-digit PIN into your keyless entry, and HOLD Enter.
The second person will press and hold the Light button on the wall button.
While still holding the buttons, press and hold the remote’s button until the opener lights flash. If there are no light bulbs on the opener, you’ll hear one or two clicks.

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Why Won’t The Garage Door Go Up? — 3 Most Frequently Asked Troubleshooting Questions.

admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:52:27 +0000

We receive plenty of questions from homeowners here in metro Atlanta, GA about their garage doors and openers. While there can be wide variety of questions, most revolve around the following three issues.

1. Why does it reverse back up instead of closing?

Most likely, your safety eyes are out of alignment, or something is blocking the path of the garage door. The safety sensors/eyes need a clear line of sight between each other in order for the opener to travel downward. They’re usually black, and attached at the base of the tracks. Each should have a small LED light that remains lit when both sensors are properly aligned. If bumped out of place, they can be adjusted by hand so that they are pointing at each other again. It’s fairly common for the lenses on the safety eyes to become obscured by dirt or other debris, as well. Take a look at this post for more troubleshooting advice on garage door openers.

2. Why is it so heavy?

Garage doors are generally at least 8′ wide and 7′ high. That amount of material can really tip the scales, making it the largest moving piece of machinery in your home. That’s why there are springs and a counter balance system to take all that weight, and make it manageable. Remember manual keylocks, and doing things by hand? Openers don’t (or shouldn’t) pull any more weight than a person would when doing that job. That being said, springs can relax over time, making things heavier. Stripped gears, which are a very common repair, are caused by this type of problem. It’s generally a good idea to do some maintenance about once a year. Have a professional check for proper spring tension, and adjust them if needed.

3. Why won’t it go up? / Why is it stuck in the down position?

Take a look at the springs located on the wall above the garage door. There should be no break, or separation in the coils. Springs generally last for about 7 years, depending on the amount of daily usage. Again, these provide the force for balancing out all that weight. When one breaks, it can make things too heavy to lift, causing it to seem stuck in place. If one of yours is broken, you’ll probably need to call a pro. If you’ve seen no separation in the coils, try pulling the emergency release. This will allow manual operation, without the motor. It may be that they’ve relaxed to the point that the opener can’t lift the weight anymore.

Hopefully, some of your questions have been answered. If you still have issues that weren’t covered here, you may want to take a look at our blog. We also have links available for manufacturer sites. Most manufacturers will offer online access to owner’s manuals. Manuals for your model product are the best source for learning how to safely troubleshoot, and maintain your system.

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Top 5 Ways To Extend The Life Of Your Garage Door

admin — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:39:12 +0000

Your garage door is most likely the largest moving piece of machinery in your home. Some of them weigh in at several hundred pounds. Replacement costs can be high, especially when coupled with a new opener. Take a look at the following five things you can do to ensure yours lasts as long as possible.

1. Get Professional Service.

Just once year, have a professional come to perform some simple maintenance on your system. It should cost less than $100 to have a company adjust both the opener and spring system if needed. In addition to any work done on the springs and opener, this type of service will typically include a check for wear and tear, as well. Some companies provide the option of a service plan, which can help reduce the cost. The springs are the heart of the counter balance system, and can relax over time. An improperly balanced spring system can damage the opener, and pose a safety hazard.

2. Lubricate

Some aerosol type spray on the moving parts will do the trick. Not only will regular sprays reduce wear and tear, but it can make everything a little quieter, as well. Pay attention to the tracks, rollers, hinges, etc. While your there, give everything a quick once over to check for wear, making sure nothing is loose, no cables are frayed, etc.

3. Know Your Opener

They are fairly simple mechanisms and don’t require many tools for maintenance. Some may need to have the chain or belt tightened occasionally. Check your manual for these types of maintenance procedures, as well as how often to lubricate the moving parts. Other settings a homeowner should be familiar with are the sensitivity (sometimes called a force setting) settings. This feature of the motor controls how much force will be applied to open or close the door. The owner’s manual will have instructions on how to achieve a good setting. Close attention is needed, as this will affect how safely everything operates.

4. Keep It Clean

It may sound pretty basic, but keeping the area around the opening free of debris, and other items can solve major problems before they start. A rake, baseball bat, or other similar item can cause serious damage if caught in the path of the door or hardware. Spiders also love to build webs inside the lens openings of safety sensors. Make sure yours are free of any obstructions or debris.

5. Keep It Painted

If you’ve got wood on the exterior of your home you already know it needs to be painted or sealed against the elements in some way, but don’t forget about the garage door. Rot or insect related damage is a common cause for repairs. The bottom section is the most commonly afflicted part. In severe cases, this can cause a safety hazard since the bottom section is under pressure from the counter balance system. Make sure to keep yours properly sealed.

That may seem like quite a bit to follow through on, but in reality it can save you time and money. This is a case where an ounce of prevention is worth more than pound of cure. Maintaining your garage door and opener costs very little compared to the hundreds of dollars it would take to replace them.

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Is Your Garage Door Opener Leaving Your Home Unsecured?

admin — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:44:59 +0000

Many people have had their garage door openers for 10 years, or more. What they may not realize is that it offers a discrete and easy access point for anyone with a laptop and a remote transmitter. Take a look at the following video to see just how easy it is.

Everything is pretty simple. The remote used in the video is one of the most common older models in use. Many different brands used the same technology as this one. Most of these units are over 10 years in age, but there are plenty still in use out there. Code cracking software is easily obtained by anyone with an internet connection.

The people in these homes may not realize their door is going up or down. Even worse, people in the home may hear it opening, but dismiss the event as a family member arriving home. Using a method like this, an intruder could enter and exit your home without your knowledge.

You can still protect your home with a few common sense measures. Always keep the door from the garage to the interior of your home locked. This should be something everyone does at night and when away. Since your remote is usually clipped to the visor, make sure to lock the car when parking in the driveway. It may also be time to consider a new opener if yours is outdated. Newer models usually have more up to date security and safety features.

In order to determine whether or not your model is using old school technology, take a look at the manual that came with it. (Many manufacturers offer an online version of their owner’s manuals.) Make sure it has some type of “rolling code” technology. For example, LiftMaster brand units use Security+ rolling code technology. Any models with this newer type of remote control will not open using the system used in the video. Most other manufacturers will have a similar technology in their models.

If you do have an older model garage door opener, you may consider replacing it. They can usually be installed professionally starting at around $250, or can be purchased at a local retail store. If you do decide to start shopping, prepare to be impressed by the abundance of motor sizes, drive types, warranties, and various types of accessories that are available. You may want to call a few reputable installers in your area to get an idea about which of the many types would be right for you. Most companies will provide you with an idea about pricing over the phone, as well.

Even if you can’t afford to replace your old opener, there are still steps you can take to make the garage more secure. Some models have a “Lock” function which blocks any remotes or keyless entry from being used. Enabling this option will cause nothing but the wall button to function. Worst case you can always dis-engage the motor. Usually this is accomplished by pulling the red cord that hangs overhead. Just remember to lock and unlock your keylock on the garage door, especially before re-engaging and using the opener again. If you don’t have any kind of manual lock available, a simple lock for this purpose can be purchased at most hardware stores. Of course, last but not least, always keep the door from the garage into your home locked.

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The Garage Door Didn’t Close!

admin — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:29:39 +0000

Everyone’s finally dressed and ready to leave. You back the car out, hit the remote, and you’re off. Until you realize the garage door hasn’t gone down. You reluctantly pull back into the driveway, brow furrowing in frustration. It happens to everyone. Many homeowners don’t even realize they left it open until they return home.

Why didn’t it close? Garage doors usually fail to close as a result of the safety sensors being blocked. They’re located on each side of the opening, no more than a foot or so off the ground. Typically, each will have a small light that stays lit when everything is going well. If either of the lights are out, simply move whatever is blocking the sensor (sometimes even cobwebs/small debris can cause safety sensors to malfunction) or adjust them so that they are pointing at each other again. You can move these around by hand if they’ve been knocked out of alignment.

If you’re still stuck at home, make sure nothing is blocking the path of the door. This can be a common cause for service calls on garage doors. Always use caution when operating your door, but be extra cautious when it’s not working correctly. It’s the probably the largest, heaviest piece of machinery in the house. The counter balance system of the door is under EXTREME pressure, and when it doesn’t work properly, it can be dangerous. Many people have been injured or even killed by garage doors, some of them professionals. If your garage door is sitting crooked in the opening, has come off the tracks, or is not working properly, call a professional repair company immediately.

If the door works but the opener still won’t close it, there are a couple more things to try before calling a professional. Try using the wall button instead of the remote or keyless entry. It’s possible the remote’s batteries are dead, or the opener’s lock function has been enabled. If the garage door itself is working properly, you can pull the manual release on the opener. This will let you close the door manually, although the opener won’t be locking it shut the way it normally would.

Some openers have an indicator light that can help troubleshoot any problems. Again, you’ll need your owner’s manual for your opener. Many can be found online by doing a quick search for your make and model number. You can find the model and manufacturer on the back of the opener.

If all else fails, it may be time to call a pro. Some companies will be able to give an estimate on probable repairs over the phone, so let them know what steps you may have already taken. Call a few different companies to ensure their numbers are competitive. Since openers have an expected life span of about 10 years, it might also be a good idea to check prices for new openers, instead of repairing an older model. Newer models will have more up to date security features, as well. For more information about security vulnerabilities and older model garage door openers, take a look at “Is Your Garage Door Opener Leaving Your Home Unsecured?“.

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