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Aside from the materials used, it may seem that there was little development in garage door technology. In fact, the one you are using must be around 20 or 30 years old and you feel it will last 10 more years at a minimum. But garage door openers have improved by leaps and bounds. By using modern technology like digital access security and internet connectivity, these new age garage doors are definitely worth looking at.
Introduction
Garage Door Service
You arrived at this article because you are probably asking yourself these questions:
“Should I replace an old garage door opener?”
“When to replace garage door opener? Is time for an upgrade?”
“Remove old garage door opener and replace it with the new one or just get repairs?”
To help you learn more about garage door opener installation services and guide you to the decision, here are 5 definitive reasons to replace your garage door opener.
1. Showing signs of ravages of time and weather
Most homes keep their old and trusty garage door for years and many see it as an indispensable part of their house. The door openers of these garages may seem to be operating flawlessly — but wear and tear could slowly be creeping in. It may start with a few little things like slight vibrations, slower than normal opening, and grating noise. Later on, those vibrations can become stronger until it damages the old mechanical parts or causes some bolts or screws to become loose. It may become be less responsive to remote control commands leading to intermittent operation. When you notice something different about how your garage door operates, call in the experts to check. It could be simple maintenance work or it may be time to replace the old garage door opener.
2. It keeps hitting people and things
If the garage door keeps on closing even if your car or another person is still underneath, it’s definitely time to upgrade. If yours was installed in the 1980s or early 1990s, chances are it doesn’t have the automatic reversal feature. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has put into law the need to add safety measures on garage doors to stop it from closing when someone or something is directly underneath.
If you are planning to upgrade or change a garage door opener, you should choose a modern one that has the requisite safety features. Modern openers have sensors that can detect if a child or an animal is in the way. The sensor will then signal the reversal mechanism to pull back the garage door, preventing it from causing harm.
3. Grinding or squeaky noise
Garage Door Service
When your garage door opens and closes with a squeaky or noisy grinding noise, it can be quite bothersome to your neighbors, pets, and sleeping kids. Although the mechanical noise can mean that it just needs maintenance, it can also point to impending failure. Also, if your garage door opener is operated by noisy chain drives, this means that it is an old model. New models use belt drives that are quieter, easier to install, and use less space compared to chain drive models. If you’re starting to get embarrassed by the noise every time you park in your garage, our expert team can come, remove the old garage door opener and replace it with the new one within the day.
4. For better home security
Your trusty 30-year-old garage door has been keeping you and your family safe, so replacing a garage door opener that’s doing a terrific job is out of the question. That is until an innovative burglar cracks your DIP switch operated remote controlled opener and cleans out your home. Old garage openers are vulnerable to hacking because the remote control systems which were state-of-the-art back in the 1990s can now be bypassed with special tools.
To illustrate, classic remote controls use small dip switches to create unique code combinations. This means a thief must choose from thousands of codes to try and open your garage. Using “brute force” software, the thief can try each and every code in under an hour until the right one unlocks the garage door. If you are still using an old control system, then your home’s security is at risk and it’s time to replace the old garage door opener.
Newer models fix this vulnerability by applying a “rolling code” feature that changes the code every time the garage opens. Some models use advanced fingerprint locks for even greater security. Another useful feature is the “vacation or away from home mode” which locks your garage door and turns the remote control or keypad off.
5. Access to advanced features
Aside from better operational performance and outstanding home security, replacing a garage door opener with a new one brings more user convenience. Today’s models are equipped with a backup battery to keep it operational during blackouts or electric power outages. If you are in your car, trying to open your old garage door with a remote during a rainy night while the power is out — you’ll wish you upgraded sooner.
The advent of internet-connected homes allows modern garage door systems to be connected to a WI-FI network. Once connected, you can then operate your garage door through a cellphone app or laptop software from virtually anywhere. This type of system can even support sensors that can measure your garage’s temperature so you can monitor and prevent fires while you are away.
Do you need more information?
Garage Door Service
The STI Garage Door Company is a trusted expert with more than six years of experience in the industry. Our team of professionals has extensive knowledge in both residential and commercial garage door installations. We are known as a company with superb customer service and our 5-star reputation is built upon hundreds of delighted customers. Give us a call if you require professional advice. Get consulted if your garage door opener needs repair or a complete replacement. We can schedule one of our experts to visit your place for an onsite inspection.
Upon arrival, our courteous experts will do a thorough inspection and provide you with a simple-to-understand explanation of what needs to be done, the time it will take to finish, and the total cost of the project — everything is done on the spot. Upon accepting the project proposal, we commit to finishing the project on time and without additional costs.
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