Coming home to a
garage door that will not properly open or close is frustrating. What can be even more frustrating is waiting
days for a garage door service to come and fix the problems. Luckily, garage
door repair can be simpler than it seems.
There are several common problems that can occur with a garage door that
the homeowner can fix on their own.
One of the most
common problems with a garage door is when it will not open or close
properly. When this occurs, the first
step to take is to check the electric opener itself. Check the batteries first, to make sure that
they are not dead. If the batteries are
in working order, the next step is to check the keypad that is mounted to the
garage door casing. If the keypad is not
functioning properly, the opener may need to be reprogrammed. Consult the owner’s manual for further garage
door repair instructions. Closely follow
the steps in the manual to effectively reprogram the opener.
Garage doors can
also get sticky or move less smoothly over time. If the garage door gets stuck on its way down
or up, it may need some lubrication.
When choosing lubrication, no need to spend too much, just choose a
brand that will suit the garage door as well as the squeaky hinges around the
house. When the lubrication is acquired,
wipe it over the garage door’s hinges and metal rollers. Also, check the tracks for signs of dirt or
disrepair and make sure that they are properly aligned. If the tracks appear rusted or dirty, a
little steel wool and elbow grease will take care of the problem. However, if the tracks appear to be
misaligned, a garage door service may be required to ensure the proper repairs
are made to the door.
Sometimes, when
the garage door is released it is unable to remain in position and it
falls. If the garage door is not able to
stay in position or to transition smoothly from up to down, the extension
springs need to be checked for wear.
Extension springs are easy to locate as they are on the back side of the
garage doors. If they appear to be worn,
cracked or misshapen, they need to be replaced.
The extension springs can be purchased at a local hardware store and
installed with minimal effort and cost.
Be sure to measure the gage and the length of the extension springs
before purchasing replacements.
Garage door repair
starts with the homeowner. Paying
attention to the signs that the garage door is in need of repair is the initial
step to preserving the door for many long years to come.