Frequently Asked Garage Door & Gate Questions

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Most common questions about driveway gates, gate openers, garage doors, garage door openers, and iron fence gates.

Driveway Gates and Openers

What Types of Gate Openers are There and Which is the Best?

There are many different gate openers available, for instance, the push-button remote type, keypad-secured opener, Bluetooth remote, and infrared sensors. Gate openers are not one-size-fits-all devices. Therefore, the best choice for you would depend on your specific needs.

We can repair most types of gates and brands of gate openers. These are the brands we recommend for new installations:

LiftMaster gate openers logo.

LiftMaster Operators

Featuring myQ Connectivity LiftMaster is the top of the line and the brand we recommend the most. LiftMaster designs and delivers the safest, smartest driveway gate solutions.
Viking Access Systems Logo.

Viking Access Systems

Access control of pedestrian and vehicle accesses for residential and commercial applications. They offer an efficient and intelligent line of gate operators.
Eagle access control systems logo.

Eagle Gate Operators

Rugged, durable, and user friendly. The industry’s Best-in-Class warranty backs every Eagle Gate Operator, and I phone compatible remote.
Elite gate operators logo.

Elite Gate Operators

Known for their solar and energy-efficient gate operators. An excellent option for swing gates, telephone entry systems, and slide entry gate systems.
DKS Door King logo.

DKS Door King

DKS products are American made and engineered to pass stringent safety standard guidelines. Thus, ensuring users are not harmed by the gate operator.
US Automatic openers logo.

US Automatic Operators

Made in the USA, offering slide, swing, and solar operators for home, farm, or ranch. An access control system that you may receive a 30% solar tax credit after installation.
Apollo gate openers logo.

Apollo Gate Operators

All Nice Apollo Gate Openers are assembled in the USA. They feature swing gate operators, slide gate operators, barrier arm operators, replacement parts, and accessories.
BFT gate operators logo.

BFT Operators

BFT offers an exquisite product line for ease of use and customer satisfaction. They feature exclusive slide, swing, and hydraulic Solar Kit packages.
Linear gate operators logo.

Linear Operators

Packed with value and durability, Linear operators are fully supported by a nationwide support team committed to customer satisfaction.

Should I Get an Automated Gate?

If your budget permits, an automatic system is a great choice. Installing one not only makes vehicle entry and exit more convenient but, in specific ways, even more secure than a regular gate. But if you’re not ready for such investment just yet, don’t worry. It’s possible to get one installed later as an automatic gate opener can fit most gates.

I Want to Program My New Gate Remote. How Can I Do It?

Gate openers come with a learn button, which helps you program a new gate remote control:

  • Remove the light cover on the gate opener.
  • When you are ready to program a new gate remote into the system, hold the learn button until the LED indicator next to it starts blinking.
  • Once this happens, press the button on your remote.
  • If the gate moves when you press the new remote, you’ve done it right.

What Things Should I Consider When Getting a Swing Gate Operator?

The most crucial factor to consider is the length and height of the swing gate. Your swing gate operator or opener choice should also depend on whether it is a single swing gate or dual swing gate. Wrought iron swing gates are long and heavy, so heavy-duty gate openers are best for them. Light-duty electric gates work great for narrower gates made of lighter material.

What are Safety Loop Sensors in a Swing Gate?

Safety loop sensors are an essential part of swing gates. They control the gate’s opening and closing and prevent an entrance from closing on a vehicle in the pathway. They are typically placed 4-5 feet away from the gate on the inside and outside the gate. Also called reverse loops, they re-open a closing gate whenever the sensor is tripped.

Should I Get Battery Back-Up Systems Installed?

Yes. We recommend doing so to keep your gate opener working even during a power outage.

Will I Need To Be Home For a Service Call?

No, you don’t. Our gate technicians are troubleshooting experts who can identify and make the necessary fixes right on the spot. But at the same time, if you are present, it makes it easier for us to know more about the problem. Plus, we need to have access to your property.

Do You Fix a Sagging Gate?

Of course, we do. We do all kinds of driveway gate repairs, including a sagging gate, a common issue homeowners have. Our sagging gate repair leaves your gates looking like new. Besides sagging gates, we have an excellent reputation for fixing sliding gate tracks and any other problems with gates and gate openers.

How Important is Gate Maintenance?

Routine gate maintenance plays a significant role in preventing minor issues from snowballing into bigger problems. Therefore, we offer our customers maintenance packages to help extend the lives of their gates, openers, and other gate parts.

Garage Doors and Openers

I Want to Replace My Old Garage Door. How Can I Remove the Torsion Springs?

Working with standard torsion springs can be dangerous because of the massive amount of tension they operate. Therefore, this is why the removal process requires specific tools and training. Due to the risky nature of the job and the professional handling it requires, we recommend hiring a garage door professional to get this done.

How to Know If I Need to Replace My Garage Door?

Other than scratches and dents that happen over time, a few other things will indicate a garage door replacement is in order. If you face any of the following issues, you need a new garage door:

  • The door doesn’t open or close, or only closes partially.
  • It makes a loud grinding noise during operation.
  • You have to make frequent repairs to it.

Why Hire a Professional Garage Door Installer?

Your garage door is the largest moving part in your home. Because they take up such a large portion of your home’s exterior, poor installations or any other imperfection can stick out like a sore thumb. Professional installers trained and experienced to make sure the doors are flawlessly installed. Not only the aesthetics, proper installation is critical to the performance of your door and the safety of those who use it.

Plus, garage door installation is a highly technical job that requires specific tools and training. It involves working with parts like a torsion spring, releasing enough tension to injure someone fatally. Therefore, hiring a professional garage door installer guarantees excellent quality of installation and a safe and proper way of doing it. Professional installers also get the job done in a much faster and hassle-free manner.

What measurements do I need before ordering a new garage door?

If you’re getting a new door, these are the three primary measurements you should be familiar with:

  • What is the height of the opening from the floor to the bottom of the header?
  • How vast is the opening from jamb to jamb?
  • How much headroom is available from the top of the opening to the ceiling or first barrier, which could be a garage door opener rail, pipes, or ductwork?

What Type of Garage Door Opener Would Be Best for My Garage Door?

To pick the right garage door opener for your home, you need to consider the type of drive your garage door has. There are three types of drives you can choose from — chain, bolt, and screw.

Can I Program the Garage Door Opener to My Vehicle?

Yes, but you need to have a built-in transmitter in your vehicle. For configuring the garage door opener with your car, you need to follow the owner’s manual because the process may vary from one manufacturer to another.

Fences

Do You Service and Repair Fences?

Yes, we do. Besides gates, we also specialize in fence repair, installation, and service for residential and commercial property owners. You can give us a call for a free estimate.