What Should I Know About Garage Door Repair?

Garage door repair can be done by a professional overhead door installation and repair firm, or by a moderately handy do-it-yourselfer. There are two main parts of a garage door that may need repair: the garage door and the door opener. Both items can be fairly easy to repair with sufficient time, patience and effort. If you are thinking about doing your own garage door repair, be sure to observe all safety precautions and start work when there is plenty of daylight available.

To determine where the problem is, perform a few simple tests. If the door can open manually, but is difficult to move or is making a grinding noise, the problem is usually the actual garage door. If the door itself is operating fine, but the door opener is not working properly, then the issue is the door opener. Invest the time to carefully observe the problem and attempt to determine exactly what the issue is.

An overhead garage door moves with spring tension. The door itself rolls along metal tracks that are attached to the walls of the garage. A heavy spring creates the power through tension.

The first step in garage door repair is to inspect the metal tracks. Tighten the mounting brackets that secure the track to the wall, as these may become lose over time. Close the garage door and look at the tracks for any breaks, dents or other marks. If you find any issues, remove that section of metal track and flatten the section out with a hammer.

Use a carpenter's level to confirm that the metal tracks are properly aligned. The horizontal tracks must have a downward slant and the vertical tracks must be exactly straight. Check the alignment of the two tracks to make sure they are correct and exactly parallel to each other. If there are any issues, do not remove the screws or bolts, but loosen them and make the necessary adjustments.

Clean and lubricate the tracks and rollers to ensure smooth operation. Inspect all the hardware and tighten or replace as necessary. Over time, fasteners can become loose and require maintenance to keep the parts in the correct alignment. Inspect the springs with care to make sure there is no wear or breakage issues.

When working on garage door repair for an automatic garage door opener, check all the door hardware issues first. The next step is to inspect the angle of the garage door opener and confirm that it is the optimal angle for operation from a vehicle. Adjust it as needed to ensure a clear signal path. Check the power cord to ensure that it is not frayed or damaged by mice or water exposure.