Why Twice a Year Makes Sense in This Climate

Ontario’s swing from winter cold to summer heat is harder on garage doors than the moderate weather many manufacturers design for. Cold contracts steel tracks and stiffens weatherstripping, while summer heat expands the same metal and softens seals. Two checkups a year, timed around those swings, catch misalignment before it turns into a stuck door or a strained opener motor.

What a Seasonal Check Actually Covers

A proper check looks at track bolts, roller wear, cable tension, and the gap along both sides of the door. Our professional garage door repair services in Ontario typically take under an hour and often catch a loose bracket or worn roller well before it causes a breakdown. 

We also test the opener’s force settings during these visits, since a door pushing harder than it should is often an early sign that the track has shifted, even before the door looks or sounds any different.

Wm. Haws Overhead Garage Doors technicians regularly catch small issues during these seasonal visits, most of which take only a few minutes to fix once caught early.

What Happens If You Skip the Seasonal Check

Homeowners across Elora, Fergus, and the areas we serve near Point Clark and Kincardine sometimes go two or three years without a check, and the pattern is usually the same. A small drag turns into a grinding noise, then the opener starts straining, and eventually a cable slips off its drum. 

We regularly see this in Guelph area homes where a checkup gets pushed off for a few years: by the time the Wm. Haws Overhead Garage Doors team is called out, a bent track has already begun to chip the bottom panel, turning what would have been a routine overhead garage door repair into a same-day panel replacement.

Skipping the seasonal check doesn’t just risk a bigger repair bill. A door that’s out of alignment can also fail to seal properly, letting in drafts and moisture that affect whatever is stored in the garage.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can extreme heat damage a garage door opener, not just the track?

Yes. The tracks usually show wear first, but sustained heat can also affect an opener’s sensors and force settings, which is why both get checked during a seasonal visit.

• Should a south-facing garage be checked more often?

Garages that face south or sit in direct sun tend to experience faster expansion and contraction, so an extra mid-summer check beyond the standard spring and early-summer visits can help.

• What’s the difference between a maintenance check and a repair visit?

A maintenance check is a preventative look at tracks, rollers, and hardware before anything fails, while a repair visit addresses a door that’s already sticking, grinding, or binding.

• Can I still use my garage door if it’s slightly misaligned?

You can, but it’s worth booking a check soon. Continuing to run a misaligned door adds strain to the opener and increases the chance of a cable or roller failing without warning.When to Book Your Next Alignment Check

If it has been more than six months since anyone looked at your track alignment, that alone is a reason to book a visit. The Wm. Haws Overhead Garage Doors team offers emergency garage door repairs for doors that have already started sticking, along with routine seasonal checkups for homeowners who would rather catch the problem early. 

Reach out at (519) 763-4297 or wmhawsdoors@bellnet.ca for garage door repairs in Guelph and surrounding areas before the next major temperature swing puts additional strain on your garage door tracks.

The post How Often Should You Check Garage Door Alignment in Ontario? appeared first on WM Haws Overhead Doors.

When your commercial garage doors begin to break down or exhibit wear and tear, they become a liability for your business. Here’s how to tell when it’s time to repair or replace your garage doors:

1. Garage doors don’t open and close properly

When your overhead doors are in good condition, you should not experience any issues with opening and closing. The doors should open and close smoothly, without any noise. However, if you start to notice them rattling or shaking upon opening and closing, or they come to a sudden halt, it may be time to repair or replace them.

There are typically two main reasons why garage doors stop opening and closing properly: the tracks may need to be lubricated or the motor may be broken. Excessive vibration could require a full garage door replacement. Ask your overhead door maintenance professional to troubleshoot these two issues before ordering a replacement.

2. Garage doors are slow to respond

It may seem harmless, but a garage door that responds too slowly could be a serious hazard to you and your employees. At a push of a button your garage door should respond within seconds and, if it doesn’t, it could cause an accident. Most garage doors become slow to respond because of motor issues. The repair could be as simple as replacing the batteries, but it’s also possible that the sensor could be broken.

3. Garage doors are no longer secure

Your overhead doors are essential for protecting your property. Whether you own a warehouse stocked with goods, a car repair business and high-value car parts, or anything in between, keeping your valuables protected against break-ins is non-negotiable.

If your garage doors are no longer providing the security your business needs, it may be time to replace them. Even seemingly small damage like dents or chips could make your business more vulnerable to theft.

4. Garage doors are old and worn

As a business owner, you want to make a quality impression. If your garage doors are old, worn, or unattractive, you may be discouraging people from purchasing products or services from you.

Your curb appeal communicates a lot about your business and if your garage doors are old, you  may inadvertently telling people that you don’t take pride in your work. Replacing your garage doors can help to elevate the appearance of your property  and provide your business with a range of new, modern security features.

From regular maintenance to the newest technological upgrades, contact Haws Overhead Doors for all of your commercial garage door needs.

The post Should I Repair or Replace My Commercial Garage Doors? appeared first on WM Haws Overhead Doors.

Garage door installation and maintenance is complex work that requires knowledge and skill. Next time you need a garage door installed or repaired, call the professionals instead of tackling the work yourself.

DIY maintenance can sometimes save you money, but it’s important to know when it’s time to call in the professionals:

1. Save Time

Professional garage door installation can save you time. When you hire a professional for garage door installation, you’re hiring a qualified installer who will get the job done in a timely manner. Instead of spending hours of your own time researching how to install a garage door, simply call up a professional to do the work.

2. Warranty-Backed Work

If you install or repair your own garage door, you may be voiding its warranty. Garage doors need to be properly installed by a qualified professional, so that if anything does go wrong, you won’t be liable for things that would be covered under a warranty. If you make mistakes in your installation or repair, you could void your warranty and end up spending even more money to fix the damage.

3. Installation & Repair Requires Special Tools

Some DIY tasks can be performed with tools most homeowners have lying around the garage, but garage door installation requires special tools. Instead of spending the money to buy or rent the tools yourself, or risk doing the installation or repairs without the right tools, it’s best to hire a professional to take on the project.

4. Garage Doors Are Heavy

Garage doors are designed to be heavy so that they provide security for your home and its contents. Garage doors weigh more than 100 pounds and are dangerous to lift by yourself. In addition, if you don’t have the right tools to secure and support the weight of the garage door, you may experience support failure.

5. Avoid Injuries

If you don’t have the right skills or tools to complete a garage door installation or repair, you could risk serious injuries. Garage door installation and repair is physically tough work, often requiring the use of a ladder, and if you’re not properly trained or prepared you could fall or hurt yourself.

6. High Tension Can Be Dangerous

Garage doors use springs to raise and lower, and these springs have to be strong enough to lift the heavy weight of a garage door and keep it under high tension. Over time, springs tend to naturally slacken and need to be tightened. If you don’t know how to tighten springs, low tension will cause them to be ineffective, and high tension could rupture the spring. Ruptured springs can cause flying shrapnel, which can be very dangerous to the inexperienced DIYer.

7. Avoid Damage

Personal injuries aren’t the only damage you can do when repairing or installing your own garage door; you could cause structural damage to the door and even your home. If you don’t properly balance or fit the door, you could cause serious structural risk to your entire garage. You may not even notice the damage until it’s too late to be fixed.

At Haws Overhead Doors, we offer installation of a wide range of residential garage doors, as well as service and repair to keep your garage door in great shape. For all of your garage door needs, contact Haws Overhead Doors today.

The post Reasons To Have Your Garage Door Installed & Repaired By A Professional appeared first on WM Haws Overhead Doors.

Why Are Commercial & Agricultural Overhead Doors Important?

Your commercial or agricultural buildings house a lot of important goods that are essential for running your business or farm.Whether it’s livestock, harvest, equipment, technology and more, protecting your livelihood is essential, and it starts with choosing the right overhead door.

What Should I Consider When Choosing An Overhead Door?

If you are considering an overhead door for commercial or agricultural applications, you should choose an overhead door based on a few main criteria:

1. What type of building is the door for?

The first thing you should do before choosing an overhead door is assess the building where you’ll be installing it. A fully-insulated barn that houses livestock will need a different type of overhead door than a storage building or a commercial building.

2. Does it need to be waterproof?

Depending on the use of your building, you’ll want to consider how waterproof your overhead door needs to be. If your building houses dry goods or electronics that need to be kept dry, you’ll want to install an overhead door that is highly waterproof.

3. How durable does the door need to be?

Your commercial or agricultural overhead door is an investment. Purchasing and installing a highly-durable overhead door is essential for ensuring that you won’t have to replace it on a regular basis. In heavy commercial or agricultural settings, choose a reinforced door with a sturdy body to withstand everyday use.

4. How efficient is the overhead door?

If your commercial or agricultural building has heating or cooling systems, choosing an energy efficient overhead door should be a priority. Look for an overhead door with a high R-value and a low U-value. Overhead doors with high energy efficiency can also be useful in settings where you don’t have heating or cooling as they can help keep the elements out and maintain a comfortable temperature within the building.

5. How secure is the overhead door?

Protecting your commercial or agricultural business is of the utmost importance, and your overhead door is the first line of security for your building and property. Look for an overhead door with reinforced hinges, manual locks, steel latches and other security features to suit your needs.

Commercial & Agricultural Overhead Doors Can Be Beautiful

While choosing an overhead door that’s durable and secure is a priority for any business owner, the aesthetic qualities of the overhead door can be just as important. You don’t need to sacrifice beauty for function, even in commercial and agricultural settings. You can easily match your door with the appearance of your building by considering features like:

• Colour
• Style
• Size
• Windows
• Other customizable options & features

At Wm. Haws Overhead Doors, we carry a wide range of customizable commercial and agricultural overhead doors from Clopay.

Preventative Maintenance For Your Commercial Or Agricultural Overhead Door

Choosing the right commercial or agricultural overhead door is just the first step to ensuring your business and livelihood are protected.  If a commercial or agricultural door is faulty, it can negatively impact your business, so annual preventative maintenance is essential. We recommend that you consider having an annual inspection as part of your preventative maintenance plan to ensure your overhead door continues to work effectively.

If you need help choosing the right agricultural or commercial overhead door for your business, contact Wm. Haws Overhead Doors today.

The post Commercial Overhead Doors & Agricultural Overhead Doors appeared first on WM Haws Overhead Doors.

Like anything mechanical, sometimes garage doors stop working the way they should. If your garage door isn’t closing completely, here are a couple of reasons that could be happening.

1) Misaligned Photo Eyes

At the bottom of your garage door track, there is a safety feature called the photo eye. These eyes, which are actually lasers, can become damaged and result in your garage door not closing. To fix this, we often talk our clients through the process over the phone. If they’re unable to fix it themselves, we’ll send a technician to get your garage door up and running again.

2) Broken Springs, Hinges & Rollers

Every garage door has springs that allow the door to open and close. These springs work on cycles, so that if you have 10,000 cycle springs, they’re likely to break around the 10,000th cycle. Broken springs are a common reason for garage doors not working properly, and if they break, they need to be replaced by a technician. The same thing can happen with the hinges or rollers.

3) Broken Cables

In Ontario, especially over the winter, we use a lot of salt. Our cold, snowy and icy winters mean we’re often spreading salt on our driveways and walkways to make them safer for driving and walking. Salt can spread easily, and when it does, it can cause a lot of damage. Most often, garage door cables that break do so because salt has eaten away at them.

3) Garage Door Opener Gear Kit

If you have a garage door opener, sometimes the gear kit needs to be replaced. If your garage door opener has started to malfunction, this is often the case. In this situation, the nylon gear just needs to be replaced – not the entire mechanism.

4) Light Bulbs

Did you know that a newly replaced light bulb in your home can affect the frequency of your garage door opener? If you’ve recently replaced a light bulb, consider replacing it with an LED bulb to make sure your garage door opener doesn’t malfunction. We do not recommend putting the compact florescent light (CFL) bulbs in your opener because as they age they have been known to send out a signal that can jam your opener frequency.

My Garage Door is Broken – Now What?

If you’ve identified that your garage door has a problem, the good news is that it’s relatively inexpensive to repair for parts and labour. At Wm. Haws Overhead Garage Doors, we strive for same-day service so you don’t have to suffer the inconvenience of a broken garage door any longer than necessary.

Our trained professionals carry everything they need with them in their trucks, making them able to provide service and repair the same day. When we perform a service call, your technician will also perform preventative maintenance and inspect your garage door for any other issues.

Our technicians are available to provide exceptional service to the Guelph, Elora, Fergus, and Cambridge communities. Have questions, or want to schedule a service appointment? Contact us today!

The post Why Won’t Your Garage Door Close Completely? appeared first on WM Haws Overhead Doors.