What exactly does your warranty cover, and for how long?

Our standard parts warranty runs 5 years on springs, openers, and panels—covering defects in materials and workmanship. Labor is covered for 12 months on new installations. We also offer extended coverage options for added peace of mind. Keep your receipt and proof of service; that's what we'll reference if an issue comes up. For specifics on your particular door or recent work, give us a call and we'll review your coverage details.

My garage door came off the tracks—is it safe to try closing it?

Stop right there. An off-track door is genuinely dangerous—it can fall suddenly or cause serious injury. Don't attempt to close it or force it back yourself. The tracks, rollers, and hinges often have hidden damage once a door jumps. Call us out to inspect the whole system; we'll realign the tracks, check for bent components, and make sure everything runs smoothly again before you use it. North Carolina humidity can sometimes warp tracks over time, so this isn't uncommon.

The door won't close all the way, and my safety sensors seem misaligned. What's happening?

Those sensors sit at the bottom of each side and use an invisible infrared beam to detect obstacles. If they're dusty, knocked out of position, or their lenses are dirty, the door thinks something's in the way and won't close. First, wipe the sensor lenses with a soft cloth. If that doesn't work, we'll realign them—they need to face each other perfectly. If the door still won't close after that, there might be a deeper opener issue we'll need to diagnose.

Our garage is attached to the house, and the door is incredibly loud. Can we reduce the noise?

Attached garages amplify every squeak and rumble straight into your home. We can help in several ways: lubricating the hinges, rollers, and springs cuts a lot of noise; replacing worn rollers with quieter nylon ones makes a real difference; and adding weatherstripping around the frame dampens vibration. If your opener is old, upgrading to a belt-drive model instead of a chain-drive is quieter too. We'll assess what's causing the most noise and suggest the best fix for your situation.

How do I know when my garage door cables need replacing?

Cables typically last 7 to 10 years, depending on how often you use the door. Watch for visible fraying, rust, or gaps in the cable itself. If one side of the door hangs lower than the other, a cable might be worn or broken. Never try to replace them yourself—these cables are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury. When we replace one cable, we recommend replacing both at the same time, even if only one looks bad. This prevents balance issues down the road.

What material should I choose for a new garage door—steel, aluminum, wood, or composite?

Steel is durable, affordable, and handles the North Carolina weather well; it does need occasional touch-ups to prevent rust. Aluminum is lightweight and low-maintenance but less insulating. Wood looks classic and timeless but requires regular staining and is pricier. Composite blends the look of wood with minimal upkeep and better durability. Your choice depends on your home's style, budget, and how much maintenance you're willing to do. We can show you samples and help you weigh the pros and cons.

How do I reprogram my garage door remote or keypad if it stops working?

First, check if the batteries in your remote are dead—that's the most common culprit. If they're fresh and it still doesn't work, your remote might need reprogramming to your opener. The process varies by opener brand; most involve holding a button on the opener unit and pressing your remote a few times. Your opener manual should have the exact steps, or we can walk you through it over the phone. If reprogramming doesn't help, the remote receiver might need replacement.

What's the difference between torsion and extension springs, and which is better?

Torsion springs sit above the door and twist to lift it—they're more durable, last longer, and work better on heavier doors. Extension springs run along the sides of the door and stretch. They're less expensive upfront but typically need replacing sooner and are a bit less smooth. Most modern doors use torsion springs because of their lifespan and performance. If you're replacing springs on an older door with extension springs, upgrading to torsion is worth considering, though it does cost more initially.

What seasonal maintenance should I do to protect my garage door from NC weather changes?

Spring and fall are prime maintenance times here. Check weatherstripping and seals—our humidity and rain can cause leaks if they're worn. Lubricate hinges, rollers, and springs before winter; cold can make moving parts stiff and noisy. Inspect panels for cracks or warping, especially if your garage gets direct sun. Test your sensors and springs before the heavy rain season. In summer, make sure your door opener isn't overworking in heat. A little preventive care twice a year keeps your door running smoothly year-round.

Storm Season and Your Garage Door: What Bertie County Homeowners Need to Know

2026-04-20 6 min read

Bertie County sits in a stretch of Eastern North Carolina that doesn't get much attention until a storm is on the way. Then suddenly everyone remembers how exposed this part of the state really is. The flat terrain, the proximity to the Roanoke and Chowan Rivers, and the region's position in the Atlantic hurricane corridor mean that Lewiston Woodville and surrounding communities like Williamston, Ahoskie, and Plymouth see real storm threats every year. not just occasionally. Tropical systems, nor'easters, and severe spring thunderstorms can all bring the kind of wind, rain, and debris that puts residential structures to the test.

Most homeowners spend time thinking about their roof, their windows, and their trees. The garage door rarely makes that list. and that's a problem, because it's often the largest and most vulnerable opening on the face of your home.

Why Your Garage Door Is a Storm Vulnerability

A standard residential garage door is a large, lightweight panel system designed for daily convenience. not wind resistance. In a strong storm, wind pressure can cause the door to flex, bow inward, and ultimately fail. When a garage door fails during a storm, the resulting pressure change inside the structure can be catastrophic, contributing to roof damage and wall failure. This isn't theoretical: after major hurricanes, garage door failures are consistently cited as a primary factor in residential structural damage.

The older the door, the higher the risk. Many homes in Lewiston Woodville were built in earlier decades when wind load standards for garage doors were far less stringent than today. If your door hasn't been evaluated in years. or if you moved into an older home and don't know its history. storm season is the right time to take a serious look.

What to Check Before Storm Season

You don't need to be a garage door technician to do a basic pre-storm inspection. Here's what to look for:

Check the Door's Physical Condition

Look for cracked, bent, or corroded panels. any structural weakness in the door itself becomes a failure point under wind pressure. Pay particular attention to the bottom section, which takes the most abuse from water intrusion and debris. A door that's already struggling to operate smoothly on a calm day is not going to hold up when wind is pushing against it at 60 or 70 miles per hour.

Test the Bracing and Hardware

The horizontal and vertical tracks, the mounting brackets at the top of the door, and the connection points between the door sections all need to be solid. Loose or corroded hardware can fail under lateral wind load even when the door panels themselves are intact. Tighten any hardware that shows play, and replace anything that's visibly rusted or damaged. Our resource on common garage door problems and solutions covers how to identify hardware issues before they become emergencies.

Inspect the Weather Seals

The bottom gasket and side seals aren't just about keeping out rain. they also help the door maintain contact with the frame under wind pressure. A cracked or missing bottom seal means water intrusion during a storm, which can damage flooring, stored items, and the door's own components. Replacing worn seals is one of the most affordable preventive measures you can take. See our post on protecting your garage door from weather damage for more detail.

Know If Your Door Is Wind-Rated

If you've replaced your garage door in the last 10 to 15 years, check the documentation. many modern doors carry a wind load rating (expressed in pounds per square foot) that tells you what wind speeds they're tested to withstand. If your door predates those standards or you don't have any records, that's information worth getting before the next named storm. A garage door professional can evaluate whether your current door meets reasonable wind resistance standards for Bertie County's exposure level.

During a Storm: What to Do (and What Not to Do)

If a severe storm or hurricane warning is issued for your area, here are the most important things to know about your garage door:

Do not rely on the opener to hold the door shut. The electric opener is not a structural brace. It keeps the door in the down position under normal conditions but provides minimal resistance to wind-driven pressure. If you have a slide bolt or manual locking mechanism on your door, engage it.

If power goes out, know how to release the door manually. The red cord hanging from the opener trolley is your emergency release. Pulling it disconnects the door from the opener so you can operate it by hand. If you've never used it, practice before storm season. not during one. Garage Door Lewiston Woodville gets a lot of calls after storms from homeowners who can't get their door open or closed because they've never operated the manual release.

Don't try to open the door during high winds. A door that's partially open is significantly more vulnerable to wind uplift than one that's fully closed and latched. If you need to evacuate, open the door, move the vehicle, and close it completely before you leave.

After the Storm: Assessing Damage

Once it's safe to inspect your property, check the garage door carefully before trying to operate it:

- Look for panel damage. dents, bends, or cracks that could affect how the door travels in the tracks - Check the tracks. even a minor impact from debris can bend a track enough to cause binding or derailment - Test manually first. before reconnecting the opener, lift the door by hand to make sure it moves freely. If it feels stiff, uneven, or catches at any point, stop and call a professional - Check spring condition. a snapped torsion spring will be immediately obvious (the door will feel extremely heavy and won't stay open), but also look for spring ends that have pulled loose from their anchor points

If the door operates cleanly by hand, reconnect the opener and test it with the remote before assuming everything is fine. Storm vibration can knock safety sensors out of alignment, causing the door to reverse immediately after closing. Our garage door maintenance tips guide includes a full post-event checklist that's worth bookmarking.

When You Need Emergency Help

A garage door that's off its tracks, has a broken spring, or has a bent panel that's preventing operation isn't something to leave unaddressed. especially if your vehicles are trapped inside or the door won't close and is exposing your home. If you're dealing with storm damage to your garage door in Lewiston Woodville or anywhere in Bertie County, contact us for same-day assessment. We cover the surrounding area including communities along the US-11 and NC-11 corridors. You can also review our service areas to confirm coverage for your location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I brace my garage door from the inside during a hurricane warning? A: Temporary bracing kits are available and can add meaningful wind resistance to standard residential doors. If you live in a manufactured home or have an older door with no wind rating, bracing is worth considering for major storm events. That said, the best long-term solution is a door that meets current wind load standards. A professional can advise on what makes sense for your specific door and home type.

Q: My garage door got hit by storm debris and now has a dented panel. Is it safe to use? A: It depends on where the dent is and how severe it is. A small dent on an interior panel that doesn't affect the track clearance is mostly cosmetic. A dent that causes a panel to bind against an adjacent section, or any damage near the bottom rail or roller brackets, should be inspected before continued use. Forcing a damaged door through its cycle can cause track derailment or put uneven stress on the springs.

Q: How do I know if my garage door has a wind load rating? A: Check the door itself. many manufacturers include a label on the inside of the top panel listing the model and certifications. You can also search the model number online or contact the manufacturer directly. If there's no documentation and the door is more than 15 years old, assume it predates modern wind resistance standards and consider having it professionally evaluated.

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