Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Questions About Garage Door Repair & Installation in Florida
Choosing the right garage door service provider often starts with having the right information. Whether you’re dealing with a broken garage door, considering a new installation, or simply want to understand how your system works, having clear answers can help you make confident decisions.
At South Bay Garage Doors, we believe informed homeowners make better choices. This FAQ page is designed to address the most common questions we receive about garage door repair, maintenance, and installation. From safety concerns and service timelines to maintenance tips and what to expect during a repair, these answers are meant to guide you every step of the way.
If you don’t see your specific question listed here, our team is always available to provide personalized assistance and expert recommendations.
New Garage Door Installation FAQs
Have questions about getting a new garage door? We’ve compiled answers to some common queries to help you make an informed decision. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to contact us!
Most standard residential garage door installations can be completed by our expert team in just one day, typically within 4-6 hours, ensuring minimal disruption to your routine.
Steel and aluminum garage doors are very popular in Florida due to their durability, resistance to rust and corrosion, and ability to withstand harsh weather. We also offer beautiful composite and wood options that are treated for the Florida climate.
While not always essential for detached garages, an insulated garage door is highly recommended if your garage is attached to your home or if you use it as a workspace. It helps regulate temperature, reduce energy costs, and decrease noise.
All our new garage doors come with manufacturer warranties on parts, and Golden Coast Garage Doors provides a comprehensive workmanship warranty on our installation services. We’ll explain all warranty details during your consultation. Don’t forget your 10% OFF your first service with us!
Absolutely! Our design consultants are experts at helping homeowners select the perfect garage door style, color, and features to beautifully complement your home’s architecture and enhance its curb appeal. We offer visualization tools too!
Garage Door Cable FAQs
Cables can break due to normal wear and tear over time in Florida, rust, lack of lubrication, or if a spring breaks and puts excessive strain on them. They can come off the drum if the door is obstructed, hit, or if there are alignment issues.
Yes, extremely in Florida. A broken cable can cause the door to become very heavy on one side, fall suddenly, or get stuck at an awkward angle. Never attempt to operate a door with a broken cable or try to fix it yourself.
It is generally recommended to replace both garage door cables at the same time in Florida. Like springs, they experience similar wear. Replacing both ensures balanced operation and helps prevent the other cable from failing soon after.
Most garage door cable repair or replacement jobs can be completed by our experienced technicians within 1 to 3 hours in Florida, depending on the complexity and any related adjustments needed.
We use high-quality in Florida, multi-strand galvanized aircraft-grade steel cables that are specifically designed for the weight and demands of residential garage doors, ensuring strength and durability.
Garage Door Opener Repair FAQs
Noises can indicate various issues, such as worn gears, a loose chain/belt, motor problems, or issues with the door balance. Our technicians can diagnose the specific cause and recommend the best repair.
Common reasons include dead remote batteries, an issue with the remote itself, interference, or a problem with the opener’s receiver/logic board. We can troubleshoot and resolve remote control issues.
This depends on the opener’s age, the nature of the problem, and repair costs versus replacement. Openers older than 10-15 years, or those needing major, expensive repairs, might be better replaced with a new unit offering better safety, security, and smart features.
Many common opener repairs can be completed within 1-2 hours. If a replacement is needed, it typically takes 2-4 hours. We always aim for efficient service without compromising quality.
Yes, our technicians are experienced with repairing and replacing most major garage door opener brands, including LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Genie, Craftsman, and more. We carry common parts for many models.
Garage Door Opener Installation FAQs
It depends on your priorities. Belt drives are very quiet, ideal for garages attached to living spaces. Chain drives are robust and budget-friendly. Wall-mount openers save overhead space and are also quiet. Our experts will help you select the best fit.
In most cases, yes. However, we’ll first inspect your existing door to ensure it’s in good working condition, properly balanced, and compatible with a new opener for safe and reliable operation.
Smart openers connect to your home’s Wi-Fi, allowing you to control and monitor your garage door from anywhere using a smartphone app. Many offer features like scheduling, activity logs, and integration with other smart home devices.
A typical garage door opener installation by our professionals usually takes between 2 to 5 hours, including removal of the old unit (if any), setup, and testing.
Modern openers require minimal maintenance. We recommend periodic checks of safety features, ensuring moving parts are lubricated (if specified by manufacturer), and checking battery in remotes. We can cover this during your annual garage door maintenance service.
Garage Door Track Repair FAQs
Common causes include accidental impact (e.g., by a car), worn or broken rollers putting uneven stress on tracks, loose mounting hardware, or issues with door balance and spring tension.
It’s not recommended. Attempting to straighten tracks without proper knowledge and tools can worsen the damage or lead to misalignment, affecting door operation and safety. It’s best to call a professional.
Signs include the door looking uneven or tilted, rollers out of the tracks, difficulty opening or closing, scraping or grinding noises, or the door getting stuck partway.
Proper lubrication of tracks (and rollers) is essential for smooth, quiet operation and to reduce wear and tear. We can advise on the correct lubricant and frequency during our service or maintenance visits.
Not always. If only one track section is damaged, it can often be repaired or replaced independently. However, we will inspect both tracks to ensure overall system integrity and proper alignment.
Garage Door Maintenance FAQs
We generally recommend professional maintenance at least once a year. However, for doors with very high usage or in harsh coastal environments, twice a year might be beneficial.
While homeowners can perform basic tasks like visual checks and light lubrication (with the correct lubricant), comprehensive maintenance involving spring tension, cable inspection, and opener adjustments should be left to trained professionals due to safety risks.
Key benefits include enhanced safety, extended lifespan of the door and opener, prevention of costly emergency repairs, smoother and quieter operation, and improved energy efficiency (for insulated doors).
Our comprehensive maintenance service usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the condition and complexity of your garage door system.
If our technicians identify any issues requiring repair beyond standard adjustments, we will inform you immediately, explain the problem, and provide a clear, upfront quote for the necessary repairs before proceeding with any additional work.
Garage Door Repair & Replacement FAQs
It depends on the extent of the damage, the age of your door, and the cost of parts. Our technicians will provide an honest assessment and recommend the most cost-effective solution for you. Often, a repair is sufficient, but sometimes a replacement offers better long-term value.
We prioritize urgent repair calls and strive for same-day service whenever possible in the West Florida area. Our goal is to get your garage door secured and operational as quickly as possible.
Common signs include unusual noises (grinding, squeaking, popping), slow or erratic operation, the door getting stuck, sagging sections, a door that’s off its tracks, or visible damage to springs, cables, or panels.
Yes, we understand that some garage door problems can’t wait. Contact us for emergency repair needs, and we’ll do our best to dispatch a technician promptly to address critical issues.
Repair costs vary widely depending on the specific problem, the parts needed, and the labor involved. We provide transparent, upfront estimates after diagnosing the issue, so you’ll know the cost before we begin. Remember to ask about your 10% new customer discount!
Garage Door Spring Repair FAQs
Garage door springs have a limited lifespan, typically rated for a certain number of cycles (openings/closings). Wear and tear, rust, improper maintenance, or extreme temperature fluctuations can also contribute to spring failure.
Yes, in most cases it is. A broken spring can cause the garage door to slam shut, become unbalanced, or damage the opener. This creates a serious safety risk and should be repaired as soon as possible.
Yes, it’s highly recommended, especially for torsion spring systems. Springs on the same door typically have similar usage and wear. If one breaks, the other is likely near the end of its lifespan and replacing both ensures balanced operation and prevents another service call soon.
Standard springs are often rated for 10,000-15,000 cycles. We offer high-cycle spring options that can last much longer, depending on your usage. We’ll discuss the best options for your needs.
We strongly advise against DIY spring repair. Garage door springs are under extreme tension and require specialized tools and knowledge for safe handling. Incorrect procedures can lead to serious injury or property damage. Always call a qualified professional.
Our operations:
- Naples
- Fort Myers
- Cape Coral
- Bonita Springs
- Estero
- Port Charlotte
- Punta Gorda
- Venice
- Tampa
- Gainesville
