Garage doors can be tricky. Far from a recent invention, garage doors have changed over the years thanks to technology. Innovations have included automatic garage door openers, which have made it easier than ever for a door to be opened. Gone are the days where homeowners had to manually slide or lift up their garage door. With innovation comes more garage door parts, which in turn leads to more issues. So many parts working in tandem with one another can lead to semi-frequent garage door repairs. Sometimes a repair is complicated enough to call a professional; other times it’s a quick DIY fix that requires very little. When is it time to know if you’ve got this or are beyond your skill level? Here are a few things you can try before you call in the pros.
The first step to garage door repair is to identify the problem. Lower the door and watch it operate. Is it slow or does it stutter? There might be a problem with the garage door opener. Is it shaking? There might be a problem with the rollers. If it doesn’t open with the remote or wall switch but works when you’ve disconnected the opener, it might be another opener repair issue.
Repairing a Door Off Track & Noisy Door
Is the door tight against the track? Check the track for dents or misalignment. One of the most common garage door repairs is a door veering off track. Place a wooden block where the dented area is and hammer it out with a wooden hammer. Go easy. You don’t want to further damage the track. If the track is misaligned, loose the screws to even it out. To keep your garage door tracks in great shape, take some time every few months to properly clean them. Get rid of any dust, dirt, grime or anything else that has built up on the track. If the track isn’t smooth, this can force the door to go off track.
Once the door’s tracks have been cleared, lubricate the tracks, as well as all moving garage door parts with a lubricant. Warning: don’t use WD-40 or a similar lubricant. It can prematurely rust your door parts, which can lead to premature replacement. Instead, head to the local hardware store and find the best garage door lubricant money can buy. Regularly lubricating your door will add to its lifespan, meaning you won’t have to shell out for more repairs. And if your garage door is making noises that are driving you or your neighbor insane, a lubricant should do the trick. Noise can also be minimized by tightening down all bolts with a wrench. Tightening down nuts and bolts is a regular practice that you can undertake to maintain your door. Your garage door moves multiple times a day, which can force screws to get loose due to the vibrations.
Clean the Safety Sensors
Safely cleaning the safety sensors of your garage door is a vital maintenance task that keeps your door running. These sensors prevent accidents by detecting obstructions in the door’s path. Start by disabling the power to your garage door opener. This step prevents any accidental door movement while you’re working. Examine the sensor parts, usually mounted near the ground on each side of the garage door, for any dirt or dust that might block their operation.
Use a soft cloth or a cotton swab to clean the lenses. Avoid using abrasive materials that could scratch the lenses. Ensure that the sensors are correctly aligned so that the invisible beam of light between them is unobstructed. After cleaning and aligning the sensors, test the garage door to confirm that it operates smoothly. Try putting an object in the path to make sure that the safety sensors are working correctly. Regularly cleaning the safety sensors is essential for maintaining your garage door.
Leave Complex Issues to Garage Door Repair Companies
If your door is having issues with the opener or spring, let the professionals handle it. While there are countless blogs online dedicated to DIY garage door repair, they’re not meant for those who don’t have the necessary tools or experience. The overhead garage door is the largest entryway into your home and trying to fix it out without proper knowledge could lead to it getting damaged. Consider how long a “simple” repair like spring tune-up will take you if you’ve never done it before. A garage door service could be in and out in less than an hour, saving you precious time. That’s also not the mention the innate danger that comes with complex repairs. The door could fall down, a string could snap, or you could accidently force the door to go manual. Your health and safety are never worth it to save a few bucks. If you’re interested in learning more about your overhead garage door, speak to the repair company. They’ll walk you through the ins and outs of your door, and explain key garage door parts. Who knows, you might learn a thing or two?