Garage Door Motor Repair
Most people don't think about it but it's the torsion springs in a grage door that do most of the heavy lifting when your overhead door opens and closes. They act to balance out the weight of the roughly 300-pound door panels as they are raised and lowered. The motor, technically referred to as the "operator", works hardest when it is lowering the door panels while bringing them to a gentle stop and during the start of the lifing or opening phase.
Commonly, garage motors generate 1/3 or 1/2 horsepower. While that may not seem like a lot, it is more than enough to do the job. Because the system operates primarily by using the power of the torsion springs, the operator/motor doesn't require large amounts of horsepower. The average lawnmower puts out between 2.9 and 7.0 horsepower, but just one-half horsepower is sufficient to lift and lower your door panels.
Most garage door motors use one of three drive systems to do their job. At the low end of the scale is the basic, inexpensive chain-drive. This is old technology and can be quite noisy, but it is cheap. The mid-scale version is a screw-drive. These utilize a long, thin screw in place of a chain. When operating, it is noticeably quieter than chain-drives, but doesn't last as long, has a higher purchase price and needs maintenance every six months or so. At the top of the scale, there is the "belt" option. Belt-drives using Kevlar belts are the most expensive choice, but they are smoother, a lot quieter and much more dependable than chain- or screw-drives.
Whether your garage door system uses a chain, a screw or a belt, when the motor fails, the only cost-effective option is to install a new operator. Even if the unit is still under warranty, it will still be swapped out for a new one from the manufacturer. It's just not cost-effective to try to take it apart and fix it.
If your overhead garage door motor has failed, give us a call and our professional repair technicians will help you select the proper motor (and drive-system to match) that will fit within your budget. Call us today for an appointment, and like countless other Auburn-area residents, you'll be happy you did.
