A key component of a garage door is the opener – the part that makes the garage door open automatically. When it comes to openers, homeowners have two options – chain driven or belt driven. Each opener has its own benefits and disadvantages so we want to help you decide what works for your door.

Chain driven openers use a chain in order for the garage door to open while belt driven openers utilize a rubber belt. This difference in operation affects the noisiness when the garage door opens or closes. Chain driven openers while more affordable, are much louder than belt driven openers. They do require more maintenance since metal can rust and be affected by temperature changes but repairs and part replacements are easier to find and less costly since there is more easier availability of these openers. Belt driven garage door openers while more expensive, provide a quiet and smooth performance and often times have extra features such as wifi connectivity.

Things to consider when deciding on whether you’d like a chain driven or belt driven opener are as follows:
1. Is your garage detached from your home? If yes, chain driven may be the better option as noise might not be an issue whereas attached garage can cause more noise disturbance
2. What kind of garage door do you have? If you have a heavy or custom door, chain driven is recommended as it can hold more weight than belt driven openers.

If you’re struggling to decide which is the better option for your garage door, reach out to our pros at Nv Services so we can guide you.

Your garage door is one of the hardest-working parts of your home—opening and closing multiple times a day. Over time, wear and tear can cause issues that affect safety, security, and convenience. At Nv Services, we’ve repaired thousands of garage doors across Houston, TX, and we’ve seen it all.

Here are six of the most common garage door problems, plus tips on what you can do—and when it’s time to call a pro.

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1. Garage Door Won’t Open or Close

Possible causes:

• Dead remote batteries
• Faulty garage door opener
• Broken torsion springs

Quick fix: Replace the batteries and check the opener for error lights. If the problem persists, it’s likely a spring or motor issue that requires professional repair.

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2. Noisy Garage Door

Hearing grinding, squeaking, or rattling? That’s a sign of:

• Loose hardware
• Worn rollers
• Lack of lubrication

Fix it: Tighten nuts and bolts and apply garage door lubricant to rollers, tracks, and hinges. If the noise continues, it may be time to replace aging parts.

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3. Garage Door Is Off Track

This is a serious issue that can damage your entire system. Causes include:

• Accidental impact
• Broken cables
• Misaligned rollers

Warning: Don’t try to force the door closed. Call a licensed garage door technician immediately to avoid injury or further damage.

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4. Opener Remote Isn’t Working

This could be due to:

• Signal interference
• Dead batteries
• Need for reprogramming

Pro tip: Check for obstruction near the antenna on your opener. If your remote still doesn’t work, try reprogramming it—or replacing it altogether.

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5. Garage Door Is Unbalanced

If your garage door is heavy on one side or closes unevenly, the springs may be:

• Worn
• Overstressed
• Broken

What to do: This is not a DIY fix—garage door springs are under extreme tension. Call a professional immediately for safe replacement.

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6. Garage Door Reverses Before Closing

Modern garage doors come with safety sensors that prevent accidents. If your door keeps reversing, it could be:

• Sensor misalignment
• Dirty lenses
• Electrical issues

Try this: Gently clean the sensor lenses and ensure they’re aligned. If the problem continues, the sensors may need replacement.

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When to Call the Experts

While some garage door issues are easy to fix, others can be dangerous without the right tools and training. At Nv Services, we offer same-day garage door repair in Houston and surrounding areas—fast, affordable, and always reliable.

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Need Help With Your Garage Door in Houston, TX or surrounding areas?

Contact us at 832-566-5981 or request a free service estimate online. From broken springs to complete garage door replacements, we’ve got your door covered.

It’s pretty inconvenient when your garage door malfunctions and your busy life schedule gets thrown off right? But what if we told you, you can minimize the occurrence of these inconveniences by having maintenance done to your garage door. Here are 10 steps you can do to extend your garage door’s life.

• Apply lubrication regularly to parts such as the rollers, bearings and hinges.
• Clean the door tracks to avoid anything from getting in the way.
• Clean the weather strip to avoid dust or critters from entering the garage and causing damage. Dust pile up in the tracks can obstruct smooth gliding of the door.
• tightening any loose hardware such as nuts or bolts
• Ensuring that the garage door is balanced
• periodic inspection of the door for wear and tear

Now some of these steps you can do yourself such as cleaning the weatherstrip or applying lubrication however the other steps we do recommend you contact a professional to properly inspect your garage door and its parts.