Frequently Asked Questions
Please check out our Q&A area for common problems with your garage door or operator.
We can provide you with a broad range of opener accessories from remote controls to wireless keypads. You will first need to determine if your opener is a newer model with CodeDodger or an older model that does not have CodeDodger. However, if your opener was manufactured before 1980, you have an analog type opener that we no longer carry remotes for and your system will need to be upgraded with a new receiver kit.
Most standard residential doors require 14” headroom but there are low headroom options available please give us a call and see what we can provide.
We recommend you have your garage door inspected annually. We can give you the most thorough evaluation and perform routine maintenance as needed.
Depending upon the damage involved to the garage door system, it is possible in many cases to replace a section of your garage door. Our Sales Department can evaluate your situation and give you a recommendation on the best course of action.
All Overhead Door steel garage doors can be painted with the color of your choice by using latex paint.
In general, standard sizes for door widths are 8’, 9’ 10’, 12’, 15’, 16’, 18’ and 20’. Some door series may have exceptions to this rule. Contact us about the availability of specific sizes or custom width doors.
This is similar to asking a person who is purchasing an automobile…which is better…a V6 or a V8? The answer depends on what is important to the consumer… gas mileage, torque, emissions, etc. The same is true for consumers purchasing garage door openers. You will need to determine what is truly important to you. For example:
1. (Dependability) How often do you enter/exit your home through the garage versus the front entry door?
2. (Accessories) How many automobiles and drivers are there?
3. (Quiet) Do you have living areas/ bedrooms above or adjacent to the garage?
4. (Motor Power) What type of garage door do you have on your home?
5. (Reliability) Do you value the “peace of mind” associated with strong warranties?
6. (Clearance) Do you have any structural issues with your garage such as headroom, back hang distance or obstructions?
7. (Quality) Do you prefer products built in the U.S.A.?
Yes…Overhead Door garage door openers are compatible with HomeLink models that are equipped with rolling code technology. In December 1996, HomeLink was in a transition process to a rolling code compatible offering. The transition was scheduled to run through the 1997 model year. Following the transition period, all current production is rolling code compatible. Please note…the operating range from your HomeLink transmitter will be LESS than the standard Overhead Door CodeDodger transmitter.
Yes… it is required. As of January 1, 1993, the federal government mandated the use of these entrapment protection systems on all garage door openers sold in the United States. The opener will not close the door if the Safe-T-Beams are not installed. Please remember… the garage door is typically the largest moving object in the home. These devices are intended to minimize the potential for property damage…and more importantly, minimize personal injury.
The STB lens should be 4” to 6” above the garage floor!
1. Safe-T-Beam Non-Contact Reversing System: Places an invisible infrared beam across the door opening that reverses the door during down travel to the fully open position if anything passes through the beam.
2. Safe-T-Reverse Contact Reversing System: Automatically stops and reverses a closing door within 2 seconds of contact with an object. Remember, force controls must be adjusted properly.
3. Safe-T-Stop Timed Reverse System: Automatically opens a closing door if the door does not close within 30 seconds.
4. Force Guard Control: Allows user to set the MINIMUM force needed to fully open and close the door.
5. Automatic Lighting System: Light will turn on each time the door is activated and automatically turns off 4-1/2 minutes later.
6. Manual Emergency Release: Allows the garage door to be opened or closed manually for emergencies or maintenance.
Make sure that the garage door is properly braced…both the garage door section (usually the top section). Additionally, check the stile that attaches to the drawbar bracket. You may want to consider a full-section steel plate to provide more support for the garage door.
Place the GREEN Safe-T-Beam sensor on the side of the garage that gets the LEAST amount of direct sun. If you have a double bay garage, place the two RED Safe-T-Beam sensors back-to- back so that they are sending the IR light beam away from each other. This will minimize “cross-talk”.
When programming a garage door opener…keep the transmitter (remote control) at least 24” away from the power head.
Do not use WD40…it will degrade screw drive grease and cause it to drip off the screw.
On a Python 2… make sure that the carriage slide is between the magnetic limits before operating the unit. The activator magnet is in the center of the slide.
ALWAYS set the minimal amount of force required to lift a garage door.
No. There are a number of “so-called” universal transmitters in the market. The main advantage of these units are their ability to operate a number of different NON-ROLLING CODE garage door systems. Additionally, it takes some of the guess work out of knowing what type of system/brand a customer may have. Yet, the performance/range of these units is often well below the standard Overhead Door transmitter. Some customers will return these units because the range is less than that of the original transmitter.
Any Overhead Door 1/2HP garage door opener can lift a balanced residential garage door. These motors can raise heavy double-wide (18’ by 8’) doors…metal, fiberglass and wood doors, etc. The key is to ensure that a garage door system…the door rollers, hinges, and most importantly, the springs, are in proper working order. Otherwise, the garage door opener will be required to lift more weight…which can lead to costly operator repairs and possible injury to a homeowner.
CodeDoger is a state of the art coding system that changes the access code with each push of the remote control button. It prevents thieves from gaining entry to the garage by eliminating access code duplication and selects a new code automatically from billions of possible combinations. This feature has been incorporated into Overhead Door operators produced since 1995.
Most likely it's the photo cells, they are little infrared boxes at the bottom of your garage door. One should have a red light on it, if it's flashing then the operator thinks there's an obstruction. In this case you should clean both boxes and make sure there isn't anything in the way. Things like snow, water drops or even cob webs can set them off. Once cleaned if it's still flashing try moving the one with the red light slightly till it goes on solid. Once the red light is on solid your door should close as normal.
If the red light is out then the box isn't getting power or it is dead. Trace the wire going from the box to the operator and look for breaks in the wire. If the wiring looks good most likely you need a new set. Call us for parts or service.
If the red light is on and not flashing, you can try unplugging your operator from the outlet waiting a few minutes and then plugging it back in to reset it. If your door still reverses you should call us for service.
The R-value of a garage door tells you how well it insulates the garage. You might think it's not important to have a garage door that insulates but there are several reason you might want to consider this. The biggest reason to use an insulated door on your garage is to keep from losing heat from the home, if your garage is attached you are likely loosing a lot of heat from the garage. Also if you spend a lot of time in the garage, say you have a workshop in it, you'll want to keep the heat that you have inside to keep warm while you're working. Last there is the fact that an insulated panel is built sturdier than a non-insulated. Meaning you'll find a door with a higher R-Value will take a hit better than one with no R-Value. Check the R-Value of the door before you buy it, consider where the door is being installed, and what the garage is used for.
