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Garage Door Repair – Common Problems
Garage doors add value to homes and make life easier for the homeowner. However, they do need some care and maintenance. For professional help, contact Garage Door Repair Goodyear AZ.
Lubricate the springs, rollers and hinges on a regular basis with silicone-based lubricant (not grease). This helps keep them quiet and smooth and reduces the risk of different parts damaging each other.
Garage doors are subject to considerable wear and tear on a daily basis, thanks to repeated opening and closing, weather exposure and general use. Over time, this can lead to dents, scratches, warping and other damage to the panels. Depending on the type and extent of the damage, a homeowner will need to decide whether to repair or replace a panel section.
In some cases, a panel repair will be more cost-effective than replacing the entire door. However, it’s important to consider all the factors involved and make a decision that’s best for the overall function and look of the garage door.
If the damaged panel is on the exterior of the garage door, you may want to consult with a local paint company about color matching options if you are planning on replacing the affected area. If your garage door is older and the affected panel is one of the most visible sections, a complete replacement could be your better option.
Minor damage, such as small dings or scratches, typically don’t affect the way the door functions and can be repaired fairly easily. Creases and significant rust or large dents, on the other hand, will likely require repair or replacement.
Garage door frames sit around the panels to help define their shape and offer additional insulation. They’re usually made from wood, but they can be constructed from other materials as well. Damaged or rotting frames should be treated and repaired by a professional.
Broken Rollers
When a garage door roller goes off track, it can make it difficult to open and close the garage door. The problem can also leave your garage vulnerable to intruders, bad weather, and other issues. A garage door professional can diagnose and fix the issue quickly to get your garage doors back on track.
A garage door uses many cycles every day, so it’s not unusual for the rollers to wear out over time. They are typically made of hard plastic or sealed nylon, so they can be replaced individually. Having your rollers checked regularly can help them last longer and avoid the need for replacement.
If your rollers have gone off track, it’s important to disconnect the power and work carefully to realign them. You may need to loosen some of the track bolts to allow for this. Once the rollers are back on the tracks, the technician can tighten them securely to ensure they don’t come off again.
In addition to replacing the rollers, a technician can also inspect the tracks and make any necessary adjustments. They can also lubricate the tracks and rollers to reduce friction and improve performance.
It is best to replace rollers in pairs to prevent one from causing problems for the other. It’s also a good idea to replace the old roller wheels, as they can become flat or worn out on one side from repeated use. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the rollers and replace them when needed to avoid expensive repairs down the road.
Broken Springs
Your garage door depends on springs to balance the weight of the door while it opens and closes. These springs are under a lot of tension, so if they break, it can be dangerous to anyone who uses the door and can also damage other parts of the system. If your garage door has one or more broken springs, it’s important to call a professional technician right away.
Broken Springs Result in Uneven Door Movement
Your garage doors may have one or two extension springs, which run horizontally along the track on each side of your home. When these springs break, they can release all of their stored energy and fly through the air, landing anywhere in your garage or nearby. They can hit cars, walls, or storage racks, causing significant damage to anything they touch.
Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to tell when an extension spring is damaged. You’ll see a gap between the coils of the spring and it will be very difficult to open the door manually. A professional will replace the spring, or even both springs if necessary, to restore the smooth operation of your garage door.
A broken torsion spring is a little more difficult to identify. Torsion springs are mounted on a metal rod above the door, so they won’t be hanging down like an extension spring will. However, if you notice any signs of damage to the torsion rod itself, such as rust or elongation, it’s time to call in a professional. Attempting to handle a broken torsion spring without the proper tools or knowledge can be very dangerous.
Damaged Tracks
A garage door that is off track can be a significant nuisance. Not only does it slow the opening and closing process, but it can also create safety risks for residents. The good news is that the problem may be easy to solve with prompt action and professional expertise.
Unusual Noises
If you hear grinding, scraping, or squealing sounds when operating your garage door, this could indicate that the tracks are misaligned. The problem could be as simple as a lack of lubrication, or it may point to more serious issues.
Tracks can become warped due to sudden changes in temperature and humidity levels. A twist or bend in the track can prevent the rollers from moving smoothly along it, resulting in uneven movement and a crooked door. Alternatively, the tracks might be loose or separated from the wall. In both cases, you should contact a professional for repair as soon as possible.
Obstructions in the Tracks
Dirt, dust, and other debris can clog rollers and force them to jump off the tracks when you operate the garage door. Depending on the severity of the obstruction, you can try to clear it out with a pair of vice grips or locking pliers.
Corrosion may also cause the tracks to degrade. This can happen due to road salt or rust in the air (especially in windy coastal regions) and reduce their durability. In most cases, corroded tracks are beyond repair and will need to be replaced. A professional will inspect the entire track for any signs of damage or warping and make the necessary repairs. Then, they will test the door to ensure it moves smoothly without jumping off the tracks.
Broken Sensors
If your garage door has a red LED light blinking, this usually means that one of the sensors has become misaligned. The sensor lights are located on either side of the garage door and emit an infrared beam that the garage door system can use to detect an object in its path. If something interrupts or blocks the line of sight between the two sensors, such as a box, a person or even a bike, the sensor will prevent the door from closing and will reopen immediately.
Loose screws that keep the sensors in place may loosen over time and cause misalignment, which can be easily fixed by simply tightening the screw or bending the bracket that holds it. Additionally, the wires that connect to the sensors can also become tangled or broken over time, which also can interrupt proper functioning. Carefully inspect the wires and carefully untwist or cut away any twisted or damaged sections. In most cases, replacing the wires with new ones should resolve the issue.
The sensors’ lenses can accumulate dirt and dust over time, which may interfere with their ability to transmit a signal to each other. Wiping down the lenses with a cloth should solve this problem, though you might need to do it more frequently depending on your usage and environment.
The sun’s rays can also interfere with the light emitted by your sensors, which can prevent them from communicating properly. Try shielding the sensors with a piece of cardboard or adjusting the position of the sensors so that they are not receiving direct sunlight. Once you have ruled out all of the face-palm possibilities and have confirmed that the sensors are not obstructed or dirty, test your door again by opening it manually. If the red LED light continues to flash, it is probably time for a professional to look at the system.