How quickly can you fix my motor failure?

In most cases, we can diagnose and repair motor failures within 1-2 hours of arrival. Our technicians carry common replacement parts and motors in their service vehicles. For standard motor repairs, we typically complete the job same-day. If a specialized part is needed, we can usually source it within 24-48 hours. For emergencies, we offer priority 30-minute response times.

What causes motor failure in garage doors?

Motor failure can result from several factors: 1) Age and wear - most motors last 10-15 years with proper maintenance. 2) Power surges from lightning or electrical issues. 3) Overheating from frequent use or lack of ventilation. 4) Stripped gears from forcing a stuck door. 5) Lack of lubrication causing excessive friction. 6) Improper installation or door balance issues that strain the motor. Regular maintenance can prevent most motor failures.

Do you offer financing for new traditional door installations?

Yes! We understand that a new garage door is a significant investment. We offer flexible financing options including 0% APR for qualified buyers, low monthly payment plans, and quick approval processes. Our team can discuss financing options during your free estimate. We also accept all major credit cards and offer seasonal promotions with additional savings.

What's included in your 3-Year Warranty?

Our comprehensive 3-Year Warranty covers all parts and labor on installations and repairs. This includes springs, cables, rollers, hinges, panels, motors, and sensors. If anything we installed or repaired fails within 3 years, we'll fix it at no additional cost. The warranty is fully transferable if you sell your home, adding value to your property.

How long does a garage door installation take?

A standard single garage door installation typically takes 3-4 hours. Double doors or custom installations may take 5-6 hours. This includes removal of your old door, installation of the new door and hardware, opener setup, safety testing, and cleanup. We always complete installations in a single visit so you're not left without a functioning door.

Do you service all garage door brands?

Yes, our IDA-certified technicians are trained to service all major garage door brands including Clopay, Amarr, Wayne Dalton, CHI, Raynor, and more. We also work on all opener brands including LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Genie, and Craftsman. No matter what brand you have, we can repair, maintain, or replace it.

Surge Protection: Protecting Your Family

2023-12-28 7 min read

Protecting Your Garage Door System from Electrical Surges

Electrical surges are silent threats that can destroy your garage door opener and compromise your family's safety in an instant. Here in University Place and the greater Tacoma area, our combination of aging power infrastructure, frequent storms, and lightning strikes makes surge protection not just advisable – it's essential. This guide explains the risks, solutions, and why investing in surge protection saves money and protects what matters most.

What Causes Electrical Surges?

Electrical surges occur when the flow of electricity is interrupted and then started again, or when something sends electricity flowing back into the system. Common causes include:

External Sources: - Lightning strikes (even miles away) - Power outages and restoration - Utility company grid switching - Downed power lines - Transformer issues

Internal Sources: - Large appliances cycling on and off - HVAC systems starting up - Power tools in your garage - Faulty wiring - Circuit overloads

Studies show that 60-80% of electrical surges originate inside your home, not from external events. Every time your air conditioner or refrigerator kicks on, it creates small surges that accumulate damage over time.

How Surges Damage Garage Door Openers

Modern garage door openers contain sensitive electronic components – circuit boards, sensors, Wi-Fi modules, and microprocessors. These components operate at low voltages and are extremely vulnerable to electrical surges.

Common surge damage includes: - Blown circuit boards (most common and expensive) - Damaged safety sensor electronics - Fried Wi-Fi/smart home modules - Corrupted programming - Motor damage - Remote receiver failure

The insidious nature of surge damage is that it's often cumulative. Small surges that don't immediately kill your opener gradually degrade components until failure occurs – often at the most inconvenient time.

The True Cost of Inadequate Protection

Consider this scenario: A surge damages your opener's circuit board. Here's what you're facing:

- Service call: $75-100 - Diagnostic: $50-75 - Circuit board replacement: $150-300 (if available) - Labor: $100-150 - Total: $375-625

Compare that to:

- Quality surge protector: $30-100 - Professional installation: $50-75 - Total: $80-175 (one-time cost)

The math is clear: surge protection pays for itself the first time it prevents damage.

Types of Surge Protection

Whole-House Surge Protectors

Installed at your electrical panel, these devices protect everything in your home from external surges. They're the first line of defense and typically cost $200-500 installed.

Point-of-Use Surge Protectors

These protect individual devices and are essential for garage door openers because: - They provide protection from internal surges that whole-house units may not catch - They offer a second layer of defense against external surges - They can be specifically rated for motor-driven appliances

What to Look For: - Joule rating of at least 1,000 (higher is better) - UL 1449 certification - Indicator light showing protection status - Clamping voltage of 400V or less - Connected equipment warranty

Installation Best Practices

For maximum protection of your garage door system:

1. Install a whole-house surge protector at your main panel 2. Add a point-of-use protector for your garage door opener 3. Ensure proper grounding – surge protectors are ineffective without proper grounding 4. Protect sensor wiring – run wires away from power lines and use shielded cables if possible 5. Install GFCI outlets in the garage for additional protection

What About Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)?

A UPS provides battery backup AND surge protection. For homeowners who want their garage door to operate during power outages AND have surge protection, a UPS designed for motor loads is an excellent option. However, most modern openers come with battery backup built-in, making a separate UPS unnecessary for backup power.

After a Major Storm

If your area experiences a significant electrical event (lightning storm, power outage, transformer explosion), test your garage door opener before assuming it's fine:

1. Operate the door through a full cycle 2. Test the safety sensors 3. Test the auto-reverse feature 4. Check remote and keypad function 5. Verify smart features are working

If anything seems off, call Garage Door University Place at (253) 242-9931 for a diagnostic visit. Catching problems early often prevents more extensive damage.

Our Surge Protection Service

At Garage Door University Place, we offer surge protection installation as a standalone service or as part of our maintenance packages. Our technicians install industrial-grade surge protectors rated specifically for garage door systems, and the installation is covered by our 3-Year Warranty.

Protect your investment and your family's safety. Call us today to discuss your surge protection options.

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