Garage Door FAQs
If the power goes out during an Oregon winter storm, you can still open your garage door manually by disengaging the automatic opener and lifting the door by hand. Most garage door openers include an emergency release handle, usually a red cord hanging from the trolley mechanism, that allows you to disconnect the door from the motorized system. Once disengaged, you can raise the door yourself, though it’s important to follow proper safety steps to avoid injury or damage in cold, icy conditions.
Locating and Using the Emergency Release
The emergency release mechanism is typically a red handle attached to a cord that hangs from the opener’s trolley carriage. To activate it, pull down firmly on the handle until you hear a click, which indicates the trolley has disengaged from the door. Make sure the door is fully closed before you pull the release, as disengaging an open or partially open door can cause it to slam down unexpectedly.
Once the release is activated, grip the door handle or the bottom edge of the door with both hands. Lift steadily and evenly, using your legs rather than your back to avoid strain. The door should rise smoothly if the springs are properly balanced, but Oregon winter temperatures can make metal components stiff, so you may need a bit more effort than usual.
Safety Precautions for Cold Weather Operation
Oregon winters bring freezing rain and ice, which can cause the door’s weather stripping or bottom seal to freeze to the garage floor. If the door won’t budge when you try to lift it, check for ice along the bottom edge. Gently chip away any ice buildup with a plastic scraper or apply warm (not boiling) water to melt the bond before attempting to lift again.
Cold temperatures can also affect spring tension and lubrication. If your door feels unusually heavy or unbalanced, the springs may need Professional Garage Door Repair Services once power is restored. Never force a door that resists opening, as this can cause cable or spring failure.
Securing the Door and Reconnecting the Opener
When you need to close the door again, lower it slowly and steadily to the ground. Because the automatic opener is disengaged, you’ll need to control the descent manually to prevent it from crashing down. Once the door is fully closed, you can lock it from the inside using any manual locks or latches if you want extra security during the outage.
After power is restored, reconnect the door to the opener by pulling the emergency release handle toward the door until the trolley re-engages with the carriage. You may need to press the wall button or remote to move the trolley into the correct position for reconnection. Test the door with the opener to ensure it’s functioning properly before resuming normal use.
If you encounter persistent issues with manual operation, notice damaged components, or simply want peace of mind before the next winter storm, professional inspection and maintenance can ensure your garage door is ready for emergency use. Regular servicing also helps prevent costly repairs and keeps your system safe and reliable year-round. For more helpful tips and guidance, visit our Blog.
If your garage door only opens a few inches and then stops, it’s typically caused by one of several common issues: misaligned safety sensors, incorrect travel limit settings, obstructions in the track, or broken springs. The good news is that many of these problems can be diagnosed and sometimes resolved without professional help, though safety should always be your top priority when working with garage door systems.
Check the Safety Sensors First
Modern garage doors are equipped with photo-eye sensors positioned near the floor on both sides of the door opening. These sensors send an invisible beam across the doorway, and if anything blocks that beam, the door will stop and reverse to prevent accidents. When the door only opens a few inches, the sensors may be misaligned or detecting a false obstruction.
First, look at the sensor lights on both sides of the door. Most systems have LED indicators that show green when properly aligned and red or blinking when there’s a problem. Clean the sensor lenses with a soft cloth, as dirt, spider webs, or condensation can interfere with the beam.
If the lights indicate misalignment, gently adjust the sensors until both show solid indicator lights. The brackets holding the sensors can often be loosened slightly to allow repositioning, then tightened once alignment is achieved. For more information on Best Garage Door Repair & Services, consult with experienced professionals who can help diagnose sensor issues.
Adjust the Travel Limit Settings
Your garage door opener has limit settings that tell the motor how far to move the door before stopping. If these settings are incorrect, the opener may think the door has reached its full open position when it has only moved a few inches. This is especially common after a power outage or if someone has recently adjusted the opener settings.
Locate the limit adjustment controls on your garage door opener unit, usually found on the back or side panel. These are typically labeled as “up” or “open” limit and “down” or “close” limit, with adjustment screws or dials. Consult your opener’s manual for the exact location and method, as brands vary.
To increase the door’s travel distance, make small adjustments to the up-limit control, turning it in the direction indicated for increasing travel. Test the door after each small adjustment until it opens fully.
Inspect for Physical Obstructions and Mechanical Issues
Physical problems with the door mechanism itself can prevent proper operation. A thorough visual inspection can reveal issues that need attention.
If you’ve checked the sensors, adjusted the limits, and inspected for obstructions but the door still won’t open properly, the problem likely requires professional diagnosis. Issues with the opener motor, circuit board, drive mechanism, or spring system need expert attention to ensure safe and lasting repairs. Check our Blog for more helpful troubleshooting tips and maintenance guides.
What Is the Standard Garage Door Size?
Many people who are in the process of building a home or designing one want to know what size opening should they leave for the garage door. Maybe you want to replace a worn-out door, or one that’s old or want something more secure. Regardless of the reasons, The Number Of Sizes Available is simply astounding. Plus, you also need to factor in custom-made garage doors that can be built for any size opening.
As a homeowner, you certainly don’t want to spend hours trying to find a garage door. Fortunately, by taking the right steps, you should be able to find a garage door that’s the perfect fit for your home.
Single and Double Door Sizes
The single garage door is your standard single-car garage, and some multi-car garages will have a vertical beam that separates both halves of the garage. Single garage doors are available in numerous options and are based on how old your home is. For instance, older homes were usually built with a space that was eight feet wide. Though the steady rise in popularity of SUVs meant that newer homes needed at least nine-foot of door space instead. Today, some modern garage doors can be up to ten feet wide, but the standard single garage door continues to be nine feet wide.
Double garage doors are as they sound, i.e. they are double in size compared to the single door. However, these garages and their doors are designed to house multiple vehicles, like RVs and SUVs, to name a few. Sizes of a double garage door can range from 12 to 20 feet, though most are an average 16 feet.
Standard Heights for a Garage Door
Older homes generally had shorter garage doors because, in those days, the cars we used were smaller. Older garages would be around seven feet in height. Though with newer homes, the height has had to be raised to around eight feet on average. Again depending on what you need, the garage door can be up to ten feet in height, but this height isn’t all that common.
If you are getting a new garage built, you will want to speak with your architect about what you need. Larger garage doors are best for commercial vehicles, which also need more space within the structure. That’s why you will want to communicate with the architect to ensure that you get a garage and a door that meets your needs the best.
We Can Help You Choose A Garage Door
Are you in the market for a garage door and unsure what type will meet your needs the best? We can help you. Our team has years of experience installing garage doors, and we can help you find the best one. We’ve helped hundreds of clients who were not sure what type of garage door would work best for them over the years.
We are also here to answer any questions you might have.
A Garage Door Jamb is often an overlooked piece that needs to get more attention in our professional opinion. These are often trim pieces that will cover the rough framed opening for the garage door.
The garage door jamb is also referred to as a liner or a wrap. The purpose of the jamb is to cover the often rough framing while providing a mounting location where the garage door seals. Owing to its location and the wear and tear anticipated, you are better off going with a sturdy option.
Our vehicles, boats, or even our toys go in and out of the garage. However, think about what will happen if someone accidentally rubs a side mirror or something similar against the garage wrap as they back out. The same goes for if they rub the boat or trailer against it? If anything, the prospect of fixing the garage door and the car or boat can be daunting, not to mention costly. That’s why it’s best to know what trim material is the ideal choice for your garage door opening.
Using Real Wood Trims As Jambs
Natural wood jambs are extremely common and one of the best choices in our experience. If you want stiffness, strength, rot resistance, aesthetics and durability, you can’t go wrong with wood. The other reason to choose wood is that it easily fastens to the edges, and paint tends to adhere well to it (wood).
Generally, speaking there are three types of wood jambs, ones made from construction lumber, primed white wood and cedar /redwood.
When Should Garage Door Jambs Be Replaced?
Even the best wood jambs have to be replaced. Wood jambs will often rot after a few years, and there will be some degree of warping along the sides. Also, you want to close the garage door to see how much sunlight is coming through the door. If your jambs are painted, and you see chipped spots, there will be some water seeping through the wood, and that will lead to rot. Jambs with this problem should be replaced right away.
When is the Best Time to Replace the Garage Door Jambs?
The best time to replace the garage door jambs is when you’re getting a new garage door installed. Most technicians should be able to access the jambs easily. The new jambs are then installed right along with the vinyl weather seal, usually around the perimeter of the garage door, which will prevent bugs, leaves and critters from getting in.
We strongly advise that homeowners take special care of their door jambs as it is a vital part of their home. Also, ensure that you choose the right size.
Conclusion
After you have installed or replaced the jambs, it is a good idea to call professionals like us to adjust the garage door and the opener. The framing can change slightly, but that’s enough to damage the garage door and the opener if it isn’t adjusted correctly. We use a unique set of tools and experience to ensure that the adjustment is as precise as possible.