Garage Door Repair: What You Should Know

Most garage door repairs should be done by a professional overhead door installation and repair company, as they have the tools and knowledge for this type of work. You can do some of the repairs yourself if you are moderately mechanically inclined. When a garage door needs repair, there are two main parts that may need repair. This would be the garage door opener or the door itself. With enough patience, effort, and time, both can be easy to fix. If you decide you want to repair your garage door yourself, be sure to observe all safety precautions. You also need to work when plenty of natural light is available.

To determine where the problem is, you need to perform two simple tests. The simplest test to do is on the door opener. Use it to see if you can open the door without problem, but if it doesn’t work properly, then this is your problem, but if it works properly, test the door. To see if it’s the garage door that needs repair, open it manually. If it makes a screeching noise or is difficult to move, then the problem is the door. The overhead door is moved by spring tension and rolls along metal rails attached to the garage walls. A heavy spring creates the power that goes through the tension. When you are working on garage door repair, you should always check the hardware first for any issues after checking the door opener.

When it comes to a garage door repair project, the first step is to inspect the metal tracks. You must tighten the mounting brackets that secure the rail to the walls because they can loosen over time. After closing the garage door, look for cracks, marks, or dents in the rails. If you see any, remove just that section of the tract and using a hammer, flatten that section.

To make sure they are lined up correctly, use a carpenter’s level. Vertical tracks have to be exactly straight while horizontal tracks have to slope downwards. Check to make sure the track alignment is correct and that they are parallel to each other. If you notice any problems, be sure to only loosen the screws and bolts, but do not move them to make any necessary adjustments.

To ensure trouble-free operation, you must clean and lubricate the rollers and tracks. You should also inspect the springs carefully to make sure there are no breakage or wear issues. Fasteners can also loosen and will require maintenance over time to get the parts lined up properly.