Sandusky Door and Hearth - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

We answer common garage door, fireplace, and Big Green Egg questions

Investing in the best garage doors, fireplace, and Big Green Egg for your home or business requires research. Sandusky Door & Hearth is your resource to answer your garage door, garage door opener and remote, fireplace, and Big Green Egg questions. If you have a specific question that isn’t addressed here, our sales team is ready to help. Give us a call today!

How do I buy a garage door near Sandusky, Ohio?
Sandusky Door & Hearth is your source for residential and commercial garage doors in Sandusky, Ohio and northwest Ohio area.  You can browse our selection on our website or stop in to our showroom and one of our highly trained sales professionals will guide you through all the garage door specifics.  

Do you provide free estimates?
Yes. You can call us with the size of your garage door and the style you prefer and we can give you pricing right over the phone. Our installers always come out to the house to double check measurements before ordering any new door, and there is no fee for this service.

How do I get my garage door repaired?
Garage doors are not only the largest moving object in your home, they are most dangerous. No matter what the situation is, garage door repair is a job for a professional! 

Garage doors are extremely heavy and garage door springs are under an incredible amount of tension and pressure. Significant injury could occur if a DIY-er attempts installation or to repair a broken garage door or spring. Sandusky Door & Hearth technicians are factory trained professionals and will repair your garage door properly and quickly. 

Can I schedule a weekend service call?
We are available for garage door emergencies on Saturdays. To schedule Saturday service please call 419-624-0200. 

Can I replace a section of my door, or do I need to replace the whole door?
Yes, replacing only a section of your garage door is possible in some cases. However, depending upon the extent of the damage, the entire door may need to be replaced. Our technicians will evaluate your specific situation and make recommendations for the best solution.

I just heard a loud bang coming from my garage, what should I do?
The noise you heard is most likely a broken garage door spring. This can be dangerous, so please do not attempt to open the door. Call Sandusky Door & Hearth immediately for garage door service.

Can my garage door be painted?
Many of our residential garage doors can be painted. Please see your owner’s manual or contact the Sandusky Door & Hearth sales team for specific painting instructions. In addition, most of our commercial doors can be powder coated. We offer 197 powder coat colors to best complement the look of your home or your business.

Can I add a keypad to my existing garage door opener?
Yes, newer rolling code technology allows keypads to be added wirelessly to any operator manufactured after 1996.

Where can I get extra remotes for my garage door opener? Where can I get batteries for my garage door opener?
All universal remotes are not the same. Come to Sandusky Door & Hearth for brand specific replacements, wireless garage door openers, and to replace batteries.

What is R-value, and how does it benefit me?
As the largest moving part of your house, your garage doors can also be the largest source of energy loss if they are not insulated properly.  R-Value is a measure of thermal efficiency, and the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating properties of the door. Whether you need residential or commercial garage doors, our sales team will help you determine the proper insulation properties for your needs. 

The opening around my garage door is painted and constantly peeling. It needs to be painted and I want it to match my garage door. Can you help?
Yes. We offer Aluminum Jamb Wrap in multitudes of colors to match your existing siding, house trim or garage door that is clean and maintenance free. Aluminum Jamb Wrap easily covers up cracked and split wood and gives a smooth finish to your garage door opening.

What is the difference between the screw, belt and chain drive garage door openers?
Screw Drive

  • Powerful, fast and quiet
  • Maximum power for heavy doors

Belt Drive

  • Quiet and smooth performance
  • Ideal for garages adjacent to living areas

Chain Drive

  • Rugged and reliable
  • Suitable for most garage doors

What makes a quality overhead door / garage door ?
Our team of garage door professionals is ready to help you choose the best garage door for your home! Today’s garage doors are available in durable materials like steel, aluminum, wood, and glass. Available features include glass windows and insulated garage door panels. The automatic garage door opener type (chain drive, screw drive, belt drive) is also a factor in selecting the best quality garage door to suit your home, budget, and style. Learn about the components of your garage door here. 

My garage door spring is broken, now what?

Because of the torsion spring’s extreme tension it should only be repaired or replaced by a qualified professional. Please do not attempt to repair or replace a spring on your own! Call Sandusky Door & Hearth to ensure reliable and safe service of your spring. The garage door torsion spring is located above the door opening and therefore is something you can usually see and determine if it is broken. A broken door spring is a common reason for garage doors to not raise or lower since the spring works to help your garage door opener lift the garage door. 

Why aren’t my garage door safety eye sensors working?

To ensure that your garage door closes properly, photo-eye sensors need to be aligned correctly. If the sensors are out of alignment, it may result in your garage door not closing. Also, if the lens of the photo eyes becomes dirty or obstructed, this can impact operation. A flashing photo eye is an indication that there is an obstruction or alignment issue. Remove any obstruction or debris, and adjust the photo-eye to allow your door to properly operate. It is important to keep your garage door sensors in good working condition as they are essential to keep the garage door from closing if an object passes through the infrared beams. If you are not able to successfully troubleshoot your garage door sensor issues, please contact us.

What does garage door maintenance service include?

Maintaining your garage door is important to keeping it in proper working order. A maintenance visit from Sandusky Door & Hearth begins with a general inspection. The inspection and maintenance call includes actions such as lubrication of hinges and rollers; inspection of rollers and cables, springs, fasteners and cables, safety sensor photo eyes, weather stripping and seals; and assessing any replacement needs. Regular garage door preventive maintenance by a qualified technician can help reduce the chance of a garage door repair emergency. Contact us to schedule a maintenance appointment. Or in the event of a broken garage door or emergency, please contact us.

What parts of my garage door need regular maintenance and lubrication?

Keeping the moving parts of your garage door in good working order requires some regular maintenance. We recommend that door hinges, rollers, and torsion springs should be lubricated regularly to keep these parts running smoothly in all seasons.

As a homeowner with some basic DIY knowledge and spare time, this can be accomplished on your own. Garage door lubrication can be done with a manufacturer recommended lubricant. Learn more about your garage door parts here. For regular service and maintenance, we recommend also relying on a professional garage door technician. Call us to schedule now. 

 

Are gas hearth products expensive to operate?
Operating cost will vary by region, by gas utility, and by fuel type. Based on national averages, a natural gas fireplace consuming 27,000 BTUs/hr will cost less than 20 cents/hr to enjoy. LP units run slightly higher. Your monthly gas bill should include your exact cost per therm (100,000 BTUs). Based on this rate, and the BTU input listed on the rating plate on your appliance, you can calculate the cost for your area.

How do I clean my gas logs?
Never, ever wash your logs. Remove the logs carefully from the fireplace in a box, take them outside and use a soft brush or vacuum to clean them. Make sure you replace the logs exactly as they were originally placed.

Why am I feeling a cold draft from my wood burning fireplace?
There are several possible causes of feeling cold air from a wood fireplace. You will want to make sure the damper is closed. Also check the installation manual for any other potential openings that may need to be shut. If the fireplace is mounted on cement versus plywood, that can also transfer cold into your home. If the chase area or doghouse is not insulated adequately, that could also cause a draft. We have created a diagram of a typical fireplace and have briefly explained the components to help you better understand your fireplace. Please check with your builder or installer on the insulation of the chase. 

Doesn’t the solid glass panel keep me from getting heat out of my direct vent gas fireplace?
On the contrary, the glass panel keeps warm room air which your furnace has already heated from going up your fireplace flue. Direct vent fireplaces are excellent sources of zone heating by bringing room air in the bottom grill, heating and returning it to the room through the top grill.

How much gas does the pilot light use?
A pilot light will burn 800 to 1500 BTUs/hr. Your monthly gas bill should include your exact cost per “therm” (100,000 BTUs). Based on this rate you can calculate the cost for your area to operate a pilot light.

How often should my gas fireplace and venting be cleaned or serviced?

Proper cleaning and maintenance of your gas fireplace is essential to efficient operation and safety. The frequency of fireplace cleaning, service, and maintenance needed will depend on how much you use your fireplace, and the type of installation. Our qualified fireplace maintenance technicians recommend an annual service, maintenance, or repair prior to the cold months and heating season. Please contact us to schedule fireplace service.

Why won’t my gas fireplace logs light?

Several common issues that may prevent your fireplace from igniting include old batteries in the remote, tripped circuit breakers in the home, gas valve closed, pilot light blown out, thermostat not set properly, or your thermocouple or thermopile needs replaced. Pilot lights can go out on any gas appliance, including gas fireplaces. Some homeowners are comfortable re-lighting, or you may prefer to have a professional provide gas fireplace service support near me. Please contact us for service, maintenance needs, or parts replacement. 

What brands of gas fireplace does Fireside Hearth and Home service?
We carry and service the best gas fireplaces available in and around Sandusky including brands like Heatilator, Heat&Glo, Quadrafire, Monessen, and Simplifire, and accessories from Stoll Industries, Empire Comfort Systems, RH Petersen and Thermo-Rite. Please visit our fireplace showroom to learn more. For gas fireplace service and maintenance near me, please contact us online or call 419-476-0300 or 800-228-3980.

How often should I have my gas fireplace or insert inspected?
The professionals at Sandusky Door & Hearth recommend having your gas fireplace inspected annually, at the beginning of the colder months and fireplace and home heating season. A qualified fireplace service technician can check for worn or damaged parts and for any gas fireplace log issues. With proper maintenance, your fireplace will serve you all winter long for many years.  

What’s the big deal with the Big Green Egg? Why is it so popular?
If you don’t know, ask someone who owns one. They will be sure to tell you why they love it! There are as many reasons to love the Big Green Egg as there are ways to cook on it. The ceramic construction of the Big Green Egg is designed to absorb smoky flavors from cooking and infuse that smoky flavor into other food you cook. The more you use it, the better it works. Its versatility allows quick cooking of burgers and steaks, baking pizzas or cornbread, and long, slow smoking of ribs. The cooking options are endless with some of our customers even cooking their Thanksgiving turkeys on the Big Green Egg!