A garage door that’s broken can be a real nuisance. It can be dangerous if it’s not fixed right away, and it can leave your belongings vulnerable to theft or damage.
Online videos and how-to articles make garage door repair look easy, but it’s usually a task that is best left to the pros. A professional can ensure the job is done correctly, saving you both time and money.
Broken Springs
A garage door has a set of springs that keep it balanced and moving, and they are under a lot of tension. As a result, they can break over time. Thankfully, there are usually several warning signs to let homeowners know the springs need servicing.
One of the most obvious signs is a visible gap or stretched-out appearance in the springs. The gap or stretching is a sign that the spring has reached a breaking point and will no longer function as intended. The other way to tell is by pulling the red emergency release cord hanging down from your garage door opener rail. This will place the door in manual mode, meaning you can open or close it by hand.
Keeping the springs well-lubricated with a silicone-based lubricant should help them last longer. However, it’s important to have a professional inspect the springs a few times each year to ensure they are in good condition and working properly. This can prevent damage caused by improperly sized or installed torsion springs. A professional will also know what type of springs to use for your specific door.
Broken Cables
The garage door is heavy and needs strong cables to help raise and lower it. These cable are made of long strands of metal woven together into a long braid. They’re typically made of stainless steel as it lasts longer than galvanized wire and doesn’t transfer rust.
When the cables break they cause a large amount of force to be released in the process of dropping the door towards the ground. This is dangerous for anyone who is in the way, especially any cars parked in the garage. Replacing these high-tension cables can be tricky, but it’s a job better left for trained professionals.
Begin by clamping a C-clamp or placing a ladder/scaffolding under the bottom roller on each track to hold the door in the open position. Next remove the old cable by locating the end with no loop and sliding it off of the pin at the bottom of the drum. Next unravel the new cable and follow manufacturer instructions to attach it to the drum, ravel it, and loop it over the bottom peg.
Stripped Gears
When the garage door opener has stripped gears, it can no longer lift or lower the heavy door. The nylon gears inside the operator case are prone to breaking down under excessive stress. A humming sound with no movement of the door can indicate these are broken, and you can test them by tapping on the bottom casing – plastic shavings should fall out.
A Garage Door Service of Richmond TX that won’t open or close is dangerous to anyone using it and must be fixed right away. A professional can quickly realign the unbalanced or misaligned door and prevent further damage to other parts.
Keeping your garage door in good condition can help you cut down on energy costs and keep your home safe from pests and moisture. Regular yearly maintenance also gives your technician the opportunity to catch and fix problems before they become serious. For example, if the door has dents that need hammering out, it is much cheaper to do so when they are small than when they threaten your safety and make it difficult to open the garage.
Damaged Tracks
Over time, your garage door tracks can become damaged. This can occur for a number of reasons, including accidentally closing the door on something, such as your car or another stored item in your garage. This can cause a lot of damage and you’ll need immediate repair services.
Additionally, if you hear screeching or squealing noises when opening or closing your garage door, this could indicate that the track is not properly lubricated. It is important to clean your garage door tracks regularly and coat them with a lubricant designed specifically for your garage door.
Typically, you’ll only need to replace one or more of your garage door tracks, not the entire thing. However, it is still crucial to contact a professional, as this type of damage can put additional stress on the rest of your system and cause other problems later down the line. It’s also a safety issue, as a damaged garage door can fall on you or your loved ones. This can lead to severe injury or death. Avoid this by getting a prompt repair service from your local ProperShop Technician!
Broken Remote
When you click the button on your garage door remote, a signal is sent to the opener that transmits an RF (radio frequency) message encoded with instructions for what action it should take. When this information is correctly relayed, the motor moves the door open or closed as requested. However, if your door isn’t responding to the remote, there could be several causes of the problem.
Tip: First, verify that the remote battery is fresh and that the unit is within range of the opener. It’s also a good idea to test the opener’s antennae for excess debris buildup or damage, which can interfere with an efficient signal being relayed.
The photo eyes are safety sensors located near the floor that align face-to-face across each side of your garage door. A pea-sized LED laser beam sends a signal between the two eyes, ensuring that small children, pets, or objects are not in the path of the door as it opens and closes. These lenses can easily become dirty, however, which prevents the sensor from communicating with the opener. This can be easily fixed by cleaning the lenses or removing an obstruction in their path.