We often spend a lot of money to get a problem fixed. If you have little knowledge of the subject, you will figure out that the problem was simple and easy to solve.
The same goes for garage door repair! Sometimes, there might be a problem with batteries or sensors, but because you have no idea what might have gone wrong, you call a professional garage door repair company and pay a hefty fee.
That’s precisely why it is essential to have adequate knowledge of garage doors. It would help if you were acquainted with the major parts and their working mechanism. It enables you to figure out the problem and fix it yourself. Here, mechanical inclination comes in handy, too. If you aren’t that sort of a person, looking out for professional help is the best option.
However, here are the top 10 helpful tips to help you understand and make garage door repairs:
You press the button, but the door doesn’t go down; it presents a sensor problem. Now, there can be two potential issues with your sensor:
Over time, the mechanical parts usually displaced from their position. So start with checking the position and location of your sensor. If you find no noticeable difference, try placing it in a lower position. Most of the time, it works!
Blocking is one of the major causes of improper working of your garage door. Make sure nothing is blocking the sensor. Remove any such objects if they are lying in the way.
While you check down all the mechanical parts of your garage door, the problem might be with the operator. Yes, your garage door opener or remote. Sometimes, all it takes is changing the batteries. This is the most straightforward garage door repair to make. So before you take on the complex fixing system repairs, ensure there is nothing wrong with the remote.
It can save a lot of time and effort. However, if batteries pose no problem, look into the electric system for any issue.
Before you plan to do your garage repair, know there will be some heavy lifting. Other than this, there are certain aspects where a single person can’t handle the job.
Lifting off the parts, belts, or chains can be very painful if you are not physically fit. You can call a friend and get some help with heavy lifting here. This way, you ensure your safety. You can also save a lot of costs, for if something breaks off while managing everything on your own, the repair or replacement can be pretty expensive.
Just like placement, adjustment slips over time. This results in the problematic functioning of your garage door. Fixing the adjustment is easy, though.
All you need to do is increase the force setting to adjust it. For that, there is a knob at the top of the door. Rotate the knob in the clockwise direction slowly. Meanwhile, keep checking if the door has started working like before. When you find so, leave the knob right there.
You might hear screeching sounds as you open or close your door. If yes, you have loosened nuts and bolts. It’s time to fix them. And for that, you need the basic tools.
However, it is best to lubricate your nuts and bolts before fixing them in the right place. It helps get rid of the noises and ensure the good working of your garage door.
Sometimes, the motor deviates from the running limit. Whether you raise or lower your door or not, it keeps running. In this case, you need to find its limit switch and make an adjustment. Otherwise, it can damage other parts of your garage door as well.
Usually, the limit switch comes at the track or the rear. Once you fix it, recheck it. If it still keeps running, you should call a professional.
Every mechanical or electrical system needs maintenance. And so does your garage door. Going for an annual inspection is crucial to ensure all the garage door parts are in good working condition.
It becomes even more critical if you observe any problem with your garage door. This ensures timely repairs and saves you from expensive replacements or colossal damage.
Your garage door requires no high-end maintenance; however, you must have a cleaning regime. Clean the tracks, chains, belts, and bolts every three to four months. You can use a simple, concentrated house cleaner to do the job.
It removes all the dirt and grease. This way, the tracks keep running smoothly, and there appears to be no big problem.
Springs are another significant part of a garage door. When your garage door raises or lowers slowly, the springs might have a problem.
To check, unplug the door from electricity and open/close the door manually. If it is hard to raise or lower it, your springs need replacement.
The type of springs varies from door to door. Check which one is yours and if you can replace them yourself.
If you have tried everything mentioned above, it is time to seek professional help with the repair; with excellent knowledge and expertise, they will fix your garage door problem.
Sometimes, garage door repairs are as simple as changing the remote batteries, while at other times, there can be a complex electrical or mechanical issue. If you have looked into all the do-it-yourself repairs and it still does not work properly, it is best to ask for a professional. This is important to save yourself and the door from any additional damage.