Garage Doors

Garage Door Repair – How to Tell If Your Garage Door Needs Repair

Getting a garage door repaired can be an expensive undertaking. It’s important to ensure you’re addressing the right issue to maximize value and longevity.

Minor damage includes cosmetic issues such as chipped paint and cracks that don’t affect the door’s function. Repairing this type of damage typically offers more value than replacing the entire door. Contact Garage Door Repair Surprise AZ now!

Every garage door is bound to experience some movement, but excessive shaking and shuddering can indicate a problem that needs repair or replacement. A garage door that shakes and jiggles as it moves can put too much stress on the rollers, motor, or hinges, creating an unsafe environment for anyone who attempts to open and close the door.

A garage door that makes a squealing sound is another indicator that it’s time for a repair. A squealing noise can result from many different issues, including worn-out bearings or a broken spring that is under too much pressure. If left untreated, these problems can cause the garage door to lose its balance and fall off the tracks.

Other common signs that it’s time for a garage door repair include dents, dings and cracks. A minor ding or dent in the garage door can usually be buffed out with a touch-up paint, but severe dents may need to be replaced by a new panel. Cracks or rust in the panels should also be repaired by a professional so that they don’t worsen over time.

When choosing a garage door repair company, look for one that has been in business for a while. This will help ensure that they have a solid track record and skilled technicians. Additionally, look for a company that is licensed to operate and has a good Better Business Bureau rating.

Lastly, always get multiple quotes before hiring a garage door repair company. This will allow you to compare prices and work quality among companies. Also, avoid any companies that use a variety of names in their listings, websites and advertisements, as this is often a sign that they’re hiding something.

Uneven Door Movement

Every garage door will have some movement, but if yours is shaking or shuddering excessively, it is likely due to an underlying problem that needs to be addressed. Excessive movement can lead to the rollers coming off their tracks, loose hinges, or a variety of other issues that could end up causing serious injury to anyone operating the door.

Visible damage like dents, cracks, and warping should be repaired as soon as possible. These blemishes don’t just detract from the appearance of your garage door; they can also interfere with its proper operation and create gaps that allow drafts, moisture, and pests to enter your home. Additionally, if your garage door’s panels are damaged, the tension they put on other components can cause them to break or become misaligned over time.

The cables that lift and lower your garage door are under immense stress, so if you notice any fraying or kinks, it’s crucial to have them replaced right away to avoid a catastrophic failure. Working with these high-tension cables is dangerous and can result in severe injuries if you’re not careful. Always hire a professional for this type of repair to ensure that all safety standards are met.

Malfunctioning Sensors

The photo-eye sensors located near the bottom of your garage door are designed to prevent the door from closing on an object or person, so if they’re not functioning properly, it could be a very dangerous situation. It’s important to test the sensors regularly and have them fixed or replaced as needed.

A humming sound when the motor is running is another sign of a problem with your garage door. It can be caused by a faulty capacitor, a worn belt, or a failing motor. You can help prevent these problems by lubricating your garage door’s rollers, tracks, and hinges every six months with a silicone-based lubricant.

Broken Rollers

Garage door rollers are a vital part of your system as they help guide the garage door along its tracks. Eventually, however, they will wear out and need to be replaced. Worn-out rollers can create problems for other parts of your system, such as the track and hinges. It’s important to replace broken rollers as soon as possible so that other issues do not arise.

Persistent squeaking or grinding noises from your garage door can signal that it’s time for roller replacement. Steel rollers can develop rust over time, which causes them to make loud sounds during operation. While lubrication can help with the issue, ongoing noises can indicate that your rollers need to be replaced completely.

It is important to note that when you are replacing your garage door rollers, it is best to do this job with a professional. A professional will be able to ensure that the new rollers are correctly installed and that they work with your system. In addition, a professional can help ensure that the correct size and material rollers are used for your system.

Replacing garage door rollers can seem like a simple DIY project, but it is actually a fairly complicated task. It’s also a job that should be left to professionals who can follow proper safety precautions and instructions. If you try to take on this project yourself, you could cause additional damage or injury. For instance, if you bend the track while attempting to remove a roller, it could cause more damage and lead to other problems down the line. It is a risk that you don’t want to take!

Broken Cables

A garage door has one or two cables that support the weight of the door as it moves up and down. If these cables are weakened by corrosion or other factors, they can break and cause the door to become dangerously unbalanced and sag. If you notice that your garage door is sagging, it’s time for a cable replacement.

A broken cable will not only cause the garage door to sag, it may also stop the door from opening or closing when you press your remote’s buttons. This indicates that the problem is more serious than a simple lubrication or adjustment of speed settings and may require professional repair.

It is possible to replace a garage door cable on your own, but you must be very careful when doing so as it can be very dangerous. You will need a pair of vise grips to place under each door wheel guide on both tracks, and a socket wrench for loosening the spring screws and drum bolt. Once the track is secure, use C-clamps or other blocking mechanisms to hold the door in the fully open position while you disconnect and remove the old cable.

When installing the new cable, take note of which direction the previous cable traveled in the drum or pulley system. This will help you determine which way to wind the new cable, as doing so backwards can increase friction and shorten its lifespan.

Once the new cable is installed, carefully release the C-clamps and test your garage door. If it sags, raises unevenly or has trouble moving up or down when you press the remote’s controls, contact a home inspection company for more detailed repair recommendations.

Broken Spring

When a garage door spring breaks, the incredible amount of energy bound in that heavy steel will suddenly dissipate with a loud crack. If you hear this sound, you should immediately stop using your garage door until a professional can come to repair it. Doing so will prevent injury to yourself and others, as well as further damage to the entire system.

The springs act as counterweights to the garage door, helping to keep it stable and balanced when opening and closing. Without them, the door will be extremely difficult to lift.

You may also notice that the door is crooked as it moves up and down, again due to a lack of balance from the springs. A professional will be able to restore the correct tension in your garage door’s springs so that you can enjoy a smooth and safe operation.

Extension springs, found on either side of your door, work by stretching and storing energy as the door opens and closes. These are typically more cost-effective than torsion springs but still pose safety risks when they break, as the sudden release of energy can cause the door to fall unexpectedly.

If you have an extension spring, it will be easy to tell if it is broken as it will have a clear open wire at one end. If you see this, it is time to call a professional for repair, as the replacement process can be complex and dangerous, even with proper training. Attempting to replace an extension spring yourself could lead to more serious damage or injury, so it is always best to leave this type of work to the professionals.