Category: Garage Door Repair

As much as the garage door is very useful to many people with vehicles all over the world, they can be very dangerous if not handled properly. A garage door is basically made of metals, and metals are quite heavy, especially if it is as large as the garage door itself. Garage doors can sometimes malfunction and lead to devastating results such as being knocked unconscious, especially by roll-up garage doors. If not closed, then they may give access to unwanted visitors and make your house unsafe. To stay in the safe zone, it is better if you follow some safety precautions. Accidents cannot be prevented, but they can be minimized or avoided. The following are three tips that you should apply to avoid garage door accidents.

1. Never race against the garage door when it is closing. You may have watched many Hollywood movies of people doing this and successfully getting to the other side. You may also make it to the other side, but you never know the day that you won’t make it across. Many people have got hurt because of a simple mistake like this. As much as garage doors have sensors to stop it from closing on objects such as humans in its path, avoid such a temptation to dash below a moving door. The sensors may fail you, and the results will be catastrophic.
2. Maintenance of the garage door is a very important factor in the road to avoiding garage door accidents. Just because your garage door is working properly does not mean that it is in good condition. Some of its components may be old or worn out, but you don’t notice because you never check to find out. You need to set up planned maintenance that will keep your garage door working at its best for the long run. Maintenance done annually does not require a lot of time but will provide your mind with a lot of peace. Experts know the weak points of garage doors and will inspect the door thoroughly and provide understandable details on what steps have to be taken next.
3. A very simple step that you can easily do by yourself is to test the garage door to see if it actually works as you think it ought to. First, you can test the automatic reverse function of the garage. This is where if the garage door is moving and you place an object in its path, then it reverses after reaching the object. If it does not, then repair it. The second things are the force test, push or pull the garage in the opposite direction to its movement; it should detect this force and stop moving. The third test is the balance test, use the mechanism of lift, and lift the garage door with your hands. If the door has some resistance and does not lift smoothly or does not stay between three and four feet above the ground, then it is out of balance, and maintenance is required.

To repair a garage door, we first have to identify the part to be fixed. The garage door consists of many different parts that can be fixed. You must carefully examine the door and all its components to identify the areas that need attention. You have to follow these simple and straight forward procedures to fix these components.

1. Check the door to ensure that the mounting brackets are tight. If they are loose, then you have to tighten the screws and bolts. Take a look at the track and ensure that it is not dented, be crimped, or have any spot that is flat. Pound the damaged spots with a rubber mallet if there is any. If they are too damaged, then you have to replace them.
2. Ensure that the tracks are in alignment. There are both vertical and horizontal tracks. The vertical tracks should plumb, and the horizontal tracks must be slanting slightly towards the garages back. Both tracks also have to be at equal height on the walls of the garage. If you notice that the tracks are not in alignment, then you should loosen the bolts and screws that hold the mounting bracket making sure that you do not remove them. Tap the tracks carefully back to their right position then tighten the bolts and screws again.
3. If the tracks are dirty, clean them with a strong cleaning agent to rid the dirt and dried up grease. Also, scrub the rollers with precision wipe them and also the tracks clean.
4. Check for any hardware that is loose and tighten them as you need. If the door swings up, then check the plates with the mounted springs and to ensure that the screws are fit tightly and tighten them if they are loose. If the door is the type that rolls up, then take a look at the hinges holding the door sections together, tighten loose screws and get new hinges if there are any damaged ones. Another thing to repair is usually the sagging of the door on one side. To fix this, just service the hinges. If the holes of the screws are widened, then get longer screws with the same diameter to replace them with. Use a hollow fiber plug dipped in the glue used by carpenters. If the wood at the hinge is cracked, then remove the hinge and fill up the cracks as well as the holes of the screws with wood filler. Give the filler time to dry up then replace the hinge. If you can manage to do it, then move the hinge onto hard solid wood.

If you have a roll-up door with a single torsion spring at its center, then it is highly recommended never to try fixing it yourself, the tension of the springs is so great that the spring can hurt you badly. To avoid such risks, call a professional to repair the torsion spring.

Garage door problems arise from time to time as the door is constantly in operation. However, anticipating a garage door repair can sometimes be devastating due to the costs involved in the repair and replacement of damaged parts. When you attempt to close your door, and it fails to do so, it could be a signal of major or minor door problem. Some of these problems can be fixed by a DIY, while others may require a professional. The top reasons that may stop your door from closing are discussed here.

Dead transmitter batteries

Transmitter controls work best when fitted with powerful or new batteries. Ensure your transmitter battery is changed regularly as old batteries will not work and may ruin the transmitter system. Remove the battery and replace it with new sets and try closing your garage door again. If the door does not close with the new batteries in place, the problem could not be the battery. Inspect the door for other issues.

Misaligned track

Bad weather such as storms, strong wind, and poor door handling may cause the door tracks to misalign.

Misaligned photo-eye

Your door transmitter has a small photo-eye through which signals are transmitted to your door opener. If this is blocked or misaligned, the signals will not transmit to your door, and the door will not close.

Transmitter or opener issues

The transmitter and or opener may have system issues that may cause them to malfunction. When this happens, the signals will not be generated or transmitted to your door, and as such, the door will not close.

Broken springs

Springs are an imperative part of your garage door. When they get broken, the door will not close safely. Broken springs may cause the door to fall down dangerously as opposed to safely rolling down, and this should be carefully handled. If you suspect the problem to be a broken spring, do not attempt a DIY on the door.

Poorly set garage door limit

When the garage door limits are poorly set, the door may not close up properly and may sometimes begin to close and open up again. If this is the issue with your door, engage a professional to adjust the settings for better door functionality.

Something is blocking the door

The garage door rolls down or up while in operation. When an object falls or lies on the way of the door, it will block it from either opening or closing safely. Ensure you check your door track carefully to ensure there is no object. Broken spring or spring parts can also lie on the door tracks and block it from closing. If you suspect this could be dangerous to handle, call for professional door service.

Your garage door is locked

When your garage door is locked as a security measure so that it does not fall off accidentally, the door will not close. This should be checked before attempting to close the door as forceful closing will destroy the lock mechanism of your garage door.

Tension springs or cables are broken

Tension springs and cables are the key features of the door that helps it to pull up or down. When the tension springs and cables garage door is broken, it can be very dangerous and fatal for you and your family. If you identify this as the issue stopping your door from closing, urgently call an expert to check and rectify this issue professionally.

As a result of constant operation, garage doors experience3 a number of problems from time to time. Some of these problems may be complex and require an expert intervention to repair or rectify while others are simple minor issues that you can rectify through a do it yourself without hiring a professional. The most common six-door problems have been discussed here.

Poorly set garage door limit

When the garage door limits are poorly set, the door may not close up properly and may sometimes begin to close and open up again. Sometimes this may happen as a result of worn-out springs or cables. The spring tensions may also be the culprit, and this may require that the spring or cable tension of your garage door is adjusted. If this is the issue with your door, engage a professional to adjust the settings for better door functionality.

Grinding noise

Noise on your garage door may be a result of loose parts or a squeaky section. However, these are simple signs that your garage door needs lubrication or tightening of the loose parts. Try applying lubrication directly on the affected parts and see if this resolves the problem.

Rust formation

Garage doors made from non-galvanized steel are much more exposed to rust. The door accumulates moisture during wet seasons and begins to rust over time. This makes the door tarnished, robbing your garage of that splendid look it had when new.

These are common door problems in wet conditions and can be easily resolved by a do it yourself. When the door begins to rust, clean the affected area using dishwashing soap and rub the area with vinegar to dissolve the rust. Once the rust is removed, apply primer and paint.

Unresponsive garage door remote or opener

The transmitter and or opener may have system issues that may cause them to malfunction. When this happens, the signals will not be generated or transmitted to your door, and as such, the door will not close.

The remote batteries may also fail to work. Transmitter controls work best when fitted with powerful or new batteries. Ensure your transmitter battery is changed regularly as old batteries will not work and may ruin the transmitter system. Remove the battery and replace it with new sets and try closing your garage door again. If the door does not close with the new batteries in place, the problem could not be the battery. Inspect the door for other issues.

Your door transmitter has a small photo-eye through which signals are transmitted to your door opener. If this is blocked or misaligned, the signals will not transmit to your door, and the door will not close.

Cracks

In wooden garage doors, cracks are very common. Always use a waterproof filler or sealant to caulk the crack whenever you notice them.

Broken weather sealant

Your garage door weather sealant keeps water out, seals air leaks, and reduces street noise. Always remove and replace broken or old weather sealants.

Garage door cables are a safety feature of garage door running through the torsion springs and do the heavy lifting of the door every time it comes up or goes down. The cable also works as a backup just in case the spring fails. This way, it prevents violent spring recoil and thus preventing any damage or injury to the door or any property. The cables can sometimes slacken and come out of the track, or if the tension is too high, they can snap and fall off. Before attempting cable repair, find out the cause and kind of damage and follow the following steps.

However, it is considerate to know that attempting garage door cable repair is a dangerous activity that should not be a do it yourself for a new unskilled person. This activity may require that you engage an expert technician in order to reduce the chances of injuries.

Release tension on the springs

The garage door springs are stressed every time the door opens or closed. It is a dangerous practice to attempt any cable repair before releasing the spring tension, as this may cause the springs to recoil more suddenly and cause injury.

Loosen the cable

Using a vise-grip, clamp, grip the shaft and turn it just enough to loosen the cable. Be sure not to excessively turn the shaft as it could cause the cable to unwind on the other side of the door, making the task more time-consuming.

Remove the cable

Once the shaft is loose, remove the old cable from the pin at the bottom of the door and unwind the cable slowly to remove it from the drum.

Replace the cable

Once you have removed the damaged garage door cable, you need to do an immediate replacement with a new standard garage door cable of about 8 feet 6 inches in length. Take the cable and slide the tip of the cable into its slot in the cable drum. Keeping your hand on the cable, wrap it tightly on the drum until you can easily attach the loop at the other end of the cable to the pin at the bottom end of the door. Once this is done, turn the shaft using a vice-grip in order to tighten the cable around the drum. Be more cautious not to overtighten the drum.

Test your garage door cable for free play

Once you have done the replacement, check round the drum for misalignments of the cable. Once you are sure the cable is well fixed on the drum and the torsion springs are adjusted to the right tension, remove the clamps from the garage tracks and gently lower the door by hand. It should be able to close and open more easily with less force.

Always check the cable for kinks or frayed portions and try to establish the causes of such damages. It is also important to keep the cables free from the accumulation of debris by avoiding the use of heavy lubricants, which may attract dirt.

Wondering how you can revitalize your old or tarnished garage door without doing a major replacement? Garage doors are your home exterior entry points and are, therefore, constantly exposed to bad weather and external forces such as kicks. Doing a repair on broken or worn out door parts may not be as costly as replacing the whole door set. Such repair works can also return the lost glory to your garage doors when properly and professionally executed. Consider the options available here and make a decision on which options are friendly to your pocket and weather around your home.

Paint up the door with a new décor

Old garage doors can sometimes look rusty as a result of mold or rot factors settling on the door over time. These doors are also exposed to dust, and this completely tarnishes the initial design and paintings on your garage door. Applying a new paint gives your door a completely new look and is actually cheaper than whole door replacement. Always be sure to scrub molds and thoroughly clean the door using soap and machine washer for better results.

Use embellishments to update the look of your garage door

Decide on the design you prefer by considering your home exteriors, preferences of your family members, and the cost of preferred embellishments. Once you have made a decision on the design you want, buy, and install the embellishments. You can also add vinyl sidings and panel overlays or just be creative and use varying materials that fit the design that you desire.

Always remember to do early research or ask the workers at the local hardware on how to properly install the embellishments and overlays so that your home improvement project does not turn into a catastrophe.

Depending on the materials you choose, repainting or adding embellishments on your garage door will help you create a gorgeous design that fully blends with the environment and returns glory to your visitors and family members.

Advantages and disadvantages

Painting or adding embellishments on your rusty garage door can be a DIY, or you can engage a professional if you are going to think twice about getting dirty. However, a DIY do idea will definitely save you time and money. It is fun to do and can be a great bonding opportunity for your family. However, you are on a mission to improve the face of your garage, and therefore this activity must be well researched in order that you do not end up ruining your garage door.

If you realize that you have a complex garage door with more complicated features and you are not experienced in DIY door repair or painting, engage a professional to assist. These people are trained in such services and are up to date with emerging designs and materials that will give your door a completely new look.

What to consider

Before you begin your remodeling project, consider your budget, the materials you want to use, the overall design of the house attached to your garage, the functionality of your garage door and the added value your enhancing features brings to your home just in case you decide to sell it out.

Fixing a bucked garage door should be handled as an emergency as buckled doors may expose your home or garage to security threats. The first step in restoring a buckled garage door is the establishment of exactly the kind of problem or cause of damage. Once this is known, repair work should be a simple, do-it-yourself process.

One or more of the steps below can be taken in order to restore your garage door integrity.

Lubricate the door hinges

When a door becomes dry and rusty, it begins to make screeching noises while opening. This is a sign that it needs lubrication. Dust particles, in most cases, settle on the door’s moving parts making it very hard to open or close. It may be as a result of a very small problem that your garage door buckles. In this case, apply a little grease to your door’s rollers to keep it functional for a long time.

Adjust the tracks

Stiff garage doors do not play efficiently and will require a lot of energy to operate. In most cases of bucked or stiff doors, bent or misaligned tracks are among the most common culprits. This may occur due to excessive use of your garage door or as a result of bad weather conditions like strong winds and storms. Most of these misalignments are minor issues that can be easily resolved by adjusting the tracks that have been impaired. However, doing a full replacement of the tracks gives your door a new look making it operate again like it was new. Both of these decisions depend on the level of damage.

Adjusting the tracks requires you to loosen their brackets with a screwdriver or wrench first. Once they are loosened, the tracks are gently shifted to the left or right, causing the doors to move easily. Always use a vertical level to check the tracks for alignment. Once this is certain, relight ensure the brackets using a screwdriver. Open and close it several times to ensure the problem is sorted.

Install a garage door strut

If you have tried all the above solutions and your buckled door condition persists, try the strut installation remedy. Garage door struts are steel bars installed at the top of your garage door and are generally used as support for the door as it opens and closes.

Struts are generally installed on doors to prevent them from bending and buckling while under pressure. This happens when the door is hit by a strong wind. Double garage doors are heavier, and at least three reinforcement struts are recommended.

When installing the garage door struts, be more careful as unevenly installed struts can cause more harm than good to your garage door. As opposed to DIY, it is more advisable to engage a door expert to install the strut for you as this saves you time and money.

The extra material of the door strut can significantly alter the weight of the door. However, a professional door technician can re-calibrate the entire system to counterbalance the additional weight of the struts making your garage door much more efficient.

Attempting to DIY a garage door repair is something very odd does as long as the replacement parts, tools, and time is available. However, it comes with several other risks, which may cause you to use much more money than the initial cost of a garage door repair when engaging a professional technician.

The top five reasons why you should avoid DIY garage door repair are:

The Garage Door Might Fall On You

Garage doors are generally very heavy, weighing in many cases more than eighty pounds. While attempting a DIY on a ruined garage door, the door cables or springs may jam or snap suddenly, causing the door to fall on you, property, or even a family member. This may increase your costs as you may end up spending much more money on hospital bills, property repair or replacement, and even worse mortuary and funeral fees! This is the reason for engaging a certified professional or company that has insurance options just in case further damages are caused in the course of repair.

It Is Dangerous

Apart from the dangers of the door falling on you, attempting a DIY on a garage door is a far-end dangerous practice to anybody with little knowledge on the functionality of a garage door. Garage door cables can snap and cut your finger, and the spring can recoil unexpectedly and harm a part of your body, working tools may injure you or a family member and many more other dangerous occurrences.

You can ruin the door further

As a non-expert professional, you may not be able to do a professional assessment of the damage your garage door is experiencing. This may lead you to use wrong information about your garage door damages, and as a result, you may attempt a repair on parts that may not require such repairs. Still, the repair may target the right parts but could be poorly or wrongly executed, leading to further door damages. It is therefore advisable to engage an expert to do your garage door repairs in order to reduce costs, restore the security of your home, and reduce chances of accidents.

Buying Improper Parts

Are you an expert on garage doors? Most likely not. How then can you avoid buying the wrong parts or probably undersize or oversize for the replacements? It takes an expert technician to identify the right quality of parts to buy. This will help you avoid counterfeiting, as this can drastically lower your home safety.

 A Waste of Time

Garage Door Repair can be time-consuming if you try a DIY without expert knowledge. This may sometimes lead to loss of money as paying the wrong person to do a job they are not qualified to undertake increases risks of a second breakdown, and you will definitely spend more money on repairs. It is, therefore, a definite waste of time as more time will be spent in trying to fix the issues arising from the DIY non-expert repair attempts.