Garage Door Repair: Dos and Don’ts
Lockdown has not only turned our world upside down but has also left us stranded without any hope of being saved as far as house maintenance is concerned. It’s hard to find groceries for the next month, let alone finding a plumber to repair tap leaks. At this juncture, DIY seems like the only solution. We have been forced to learn to do everything ourselves rather than rely on professionals who saved our time and prevented many headaches. While spending 24/7 inside the house, with only Netflix and board games as an escape from our monotonous life, finding odd jobs around the house has become more of an act of desperation rather than necessity.
DIY home repairs challenge us, provide entertainment, and save money and give us a sense of accomplishment. However, some repairs are better left to professionals, as they are not only difficult to accomplish without messing things up even more but also dangerous. You can not only irrevocably damage what you were trying to fix in the first place but can also hurt yourself and others. Garage door repair comes under this category.
When your garage door suddenly stops working, you might want to fix it yourself, but doing something like this will be an ill-advised move. It will be better to consult a professional in that scenario. A garage door opener’s mechanisms are involved, whether it is a Chain Drive Opener, a Belt Drive Opener, or a Screw Drive Opener. If you try to repair a garage door opener yourself, then the chances are that you might make the problem worse, as the repair needs skill and specialized tools. If the repairs are not in order, it could even be deadly, as garage doors weigh several hundred pounds, and when coming down with enough force, they can cause severe damage.
However, these are the worst-case scenarios. Garage Door needs low maintenance if only you follow a few tips and measures religiously all year round. This way, you won’t be stuck banging on your garage door when you have to leave in a hurry. The old motto of ‘Prevention is better than cure’ is there for a reason.
Garage door maintenance is more often than not neglected until the very last moment, leading to a costly repair bill later on. It is better to set a routine as it can save you a lot of trouble later on. Twice-a-year seasonal inspection is a must, but other than that, listed below are a few easy tips that you can follow for a well-maintained garage door:-
- Watch and Listen: The door’s jerky movements and the presence of grating sounds while the door is in operation can hint that it’s time for its maintenance. Always observe whether the springs, pulleys, cable, etc., are symmetrical or not.
- Track Inspection: Always check the tracks on both sides of the door and make sure that it is free of debris and rust.
- Hardware Tightening: The constant motion and vibration of the door can loosen up the bolts. Tighten up those loose bolts with a socket wrench. Also, always check the brackets holding the door tracks to the wall and ceiling and the fasteners anchoring the garage door opening unit.
- Inspecting the Rollers: The rollers should be inspected at least thrice a year and should be replaced every five to seven years. Replace any rollers that are cracked, chipped, and worn immediately. Although please refrain from removing the bottom roller bracket because these are attached to the lift cables, which are under a lot of tension.
- Inspecting the Cables and Pulleys: Inspect the lift cables and pulleys and immediately replace them if you spot any sign of damage on them.
It is advised to call in professional help if you need to replace cables and springs since these are high tension parts and can lead to dangerous situations when mishandled.
- Lubrication: Lubricating the moving parts and rollers will reduce stress on them and door openers and increase their life. Applying a high-quality lubricant twice a year on rollers and hinges can go a long way.
- Door Balance: If the garage door is not well balanced, then the opener will have to work harder, and as a result, will not last long. Check it once a month and get it replaced if needed.
- Weatherstripping: The rubber weatherstripping at the bottom of the garage door not only keeps the cold, dust, and dirt out but water as well. Check it regularly to see whether it is fair or damaged. If it is worn, then replace it.
- Maintaining the Door: While checking other parts is necessary, check the door itself too. If it has rust spots, then it should be sanded, primed, and repainted. You have to be extra attentive to the wooden doors since water damage is widespread.
Following these steps can save you a lot of unnecessary hassle in the long run.
