You don’t really consider the parts of your garage door until you’re either repairing a garage door or choosing a new one to install. While it’s always a great idea to leave it to experts, it’s not a bad idea to know what components make up one of the most essential parts of your home. Knowing these overhead door parts not only helps in communicating effectively with garage door repair professionals but also in making informed decisions when it comes to maintenance and replacements. This will also allow you to know which garage door parts are great for DIY repair projects and what you need for maintenance.
Here’s a brief breakdown of the most common garage door parts and what they do. Spoiler alert: each component is crucial to making sure your garage door operates smoothly.
Garage Door Springs
The springs are first and foremost the most dangerous garage door part. They make raising and lowering your garage door so easy, despite the fact that it weighs several hundred pounds. Your springs are able to do that because they are under incredible tension, which makes them extremely dangerous to work with. Mounted on each side of a garage door wall, extension springs lift the weight of the door up and down. The tension spring winds up when your garage door closes. It’s the part of the garage door that maintains stored energy under tension. Notice something is wrong with your garage door and think the spring is the part that’s causing the problem? Call a professional. You don’t want to mess with one of the most crucial and heaviest parts of the door. When a garage door spring breaks, it can have very dangerous results. This can also occur during installation if it isn’t done with the right tools and knowledge. Long story short: don’t touch your garage door springs and call a professional. It’s cheaper than the ambulance if things go wrong.
Garage Door Cables
Attached to your springs, and potentially just as dangerous if they snap under load, are your garage door cables. These cables are responsible for lifting the heavy weight of the garage door as it moves up and down. As the door operates, the cables wrap around the cable drum to maintain proper tension and prevent slack. While the garage door is open, these cables are under immense load, bearing significant weight and tension. If one of these cables breaks, it can cause the entire garage door to go off balance, posing a safety hazard and potentially damaging other components. It’s essential to regularly inspect your garage door cables for signs of rust or wear. If either cable looks rusted or has broken entirely, stop using your garage door immediately and call a professional to replace the damaged cable. Ignoring these issues can lead to severe accidents and further damage to your garage door system.
Garage Door Panels
The panels form the main body of the garage door and are integral to its structure and appearance. These panels can be made from a variety of materials, each offering unique benefits. Wood panels, for example, provide a classic, aesthetically pleasing look but may require more maintenance to protect against weather damage. Steel panels are known for their durability and strength, making them a popular choice for enhanced security and longevity. Aluminum panels are lightweight and resistant to rust, ideal for areas with high humidity. Fiberglass panels offer a balance of durability and lightness, along with excellent resistance to dents and corrosion. These panels are typically connected by hinges, allowing the door to bend and flex smoothly as it opens and closes along the tracks, ensuring consistent performance and visual appeal.
Overhead Door Brackets & Hinges
The brackets and hinges are the garage door parts that hold the separated boards of garage door together. They allow the garage door to bend as it rolls up and down. Overtime, these parts will need to be replaced. It’s also a good idea to tighten them down with a wrench every few months. You should also lubricate them regularly with silicone-based lubricant. Make sure to use a product specifically for garage door maintenance and not just your can of WD-40. Keeping these components secure helps maintain the alignment and functionality of your garage door. Regularly checking and maintaining these parts can prolong the life of your garage door and prevent unexpected breakdowns.
Garage Door Track
Your garage door track is on either side of the door and provides surface area for the rollers to raise and lower the garage door. It is possible for your garage door to come off track. If this happens, stop using the door immediately! You might need to get new parts. Always reset it back to the track if that’s not the case or call a garage door repair professional to assess the situation.
Garage Door Trolley
You can find your trolley on the rail that connects your garage door to the opener. You can easily spot it on most garage doors, as it is where your emergency manual release cord is located. The garage door trolley uses a cable to open and close your garage door, meaning that keeping it well maintained and in good working order is paramount to the smooth operation of the door.
Garage Door Rollers
The rollers on your garage door are the part that makes the garage door run so smoothly. If your door starts to stick, this is the garage door part you’ll want to lubricate. Scouring it with rubber wool will help eliminate rust. You could also try soaking the rollers in Coca-Cola and then kerosene. This will first remove any rust from hard-to-reach areas and help protect the rollers from further corroding. If you need to replace the hinges, call a garage door repair company. These hinges are under a great deal of pressure and can be potentially hazardous.
Garage Door Parts: Part of Your Life
Garage doors are an essential part of our daily lives, providing convenience, security, and functionality to our homes. They are often taken for granted until something goes wrong, at which point the disruption can cause significant inconvenience and stress. When a garage door malfunctions, it can leave you in a difficult situation, highlighting just how crucial these systems are to our routine.
Understanding the various parts that make up your overhead door is your best bet for ensuring smooth operation and quick resolution of any issues. Familiarizing yourself with these components can help you identify and locate replacement parts at your local hardware store or communicate the problem to a professional repair technician. By knowing the basic anatomy of your garage door, you can take a proactive approach to maintenance and repairs. By doing this you can minimize downtime and maintain the safety and security of your home.
This knowledge not only empowers you to handle minor issues but also ensures that you can describe problems accurately to a professional, facilitating quicker and more effective repairs. Keeping your garage door in good working condition is crucial. It plays a significant role in your home’s overall functionality and convenience. Regular maintenance and timely repairs can extend the life of your garage door. This will prevent unexpected breakdowns and ensuring your garage door remains a reliable part of your everyday life.