We take our garage doors for granted even though we open and close them, on average, more than one thousand times a year. We use our garage door every day and don’t really give it that much attention. How many times have you thought “it’s time for me to inspect the garage door?” I’m sure the answer would be rarely. We only give it a second thought when something terribly wrong happens to this huge moving object. Garage doors repair isn’t an easy or cheap thing to do. Therefore, don’t wait for such serious problems to jeopardize your family’s safety. Instead, here are some signs to look for and maintenance tips for your garage doors.
Garage Doors Repair Signs
The Garage Door Won’t Open or Close
This is one of the most blatant signs telling you that a garage door repair is needed. There are various reasons for such incidents; for example, faulty wiring, misaligned sensors, and more. However, before you go find a professional to come to the rescue, be sure to double check that there is nothing in the way of a sensor. Your door will not open if something is blocking the sensors. In the event your garage door remains closed despite being clear of obstructions, contact a garage door repair professional.
The Response Time is Slow
Observing the garage door while it opens to see how long it takes will indicate if there’s a problem with it. Typically, it must begin to open or close within the first two seconds after you press the opener. Also, it must open and close smoothly without any delays. If you noticed there is a delay however, then the garage door might need a repair or the problem might be in the opener.
The Door Makes Noises
Garage doors that are noisy often have loose hardware, worn rollers, or faulty openers. It is best to keep your ears open to unusual noises coming from the garage door that seem out of the ordinary to avoid the last minute need for a garage door repair expert.
The Door is Off the Tracks
Old garage doors or doors that have sustained damage over the years can malfunction and become visibly off the tracks. With this malfunction it will get stuck and you won’t be able to open or close it. Nevertheless, there is nothing much that you can do at home to fix this problem. It may require specific parts and other necessary equipment which you can’t obtain or do on your own.
The Garage Door Sections are Sagging
It is not uncommon for garage doors to sag with time if they have not been properly maintained. Under the ends of the door, you’ll see large gaps when the door is closed. For your safety, it is best to check and test the balance of your garage door at least once a month. During this process, it is necessary to remove the opener from the door and manually operate it. It must not continue rising or falling when the door is brought halfway and left there. If it does, something must be wrong with your tension spring or other parts of your door.
Maintenance Tips for Garage Doors Repair
So now that we know when our garage doors need repair, we need to know how to maintain them. Or else the door won’t open when you are already running late for work. Follow these simple tips each year.
Lubricate the Moving Parts
A small amount of lubrication goes a long way in preventing noises and keeping your garage door operating smoothly. Grease the drive screw or chain of the door opener with a spray lubricant. Additionally, make sure the door’s rollers, hinges, and tracks are lubricated.
Check the tightness of hardware
It is not uncommon for garage door hardware to become loose over time since it is up and down several times a day. Check your hardware and tighten any loose roller brackets or bolts.
Test the Garage Door’s Balance
If you find the garage door isn’t balanced properly, it adds extra pressure on the opener. With time and with this much pressure, the door won’t last.
By pulling the release handle, the door opener can be disconnected from the door to determine if it is balanced. After that, open the door halfway or lower it. A balanced door will stay in this position without your assistance. Nevertheless, the spring tension needs adjusting if the door falls or rides up.
Test the Auto-Reverse Feature
It is essential to test the auto-reverse feature at least once a year as this feature is designed to prevent injury. Place a large chunk of wood or brick under the door. If the door reverses automatically after coming into contact with an object, it is functioning properly.
Fixing a broken garage door without the right expertise can often lead to further problems, and you could suffer from a serious injury. The trained experts at WeServe always recommend getting professional help to fix your door and get it back to its original condition, and to eliminate the risk of injury to yourself.
