Garage Door Repair: What To Do Yourself And When To Call A Pro
Garage doors can be a bit mystifying for some homeowners, especially when they're acting up. It can be hard to know what problems you can fix on your own and which ones really need a garage door repair technician. The good news is that, when it comes to the most common issues with garage doors, you can determine that fairly easily. Here's a look at a few things that you should know about malfunctioning garage doors, what you can do, and when you need to call for repair.
Door Not Closing
When your garage door isn't closing completely, or it's reversing in the track and staying all the way open, that's usually a pretty simple fix. In most cases, this is the result of the safety sensors at the base of the garage door. These sensors detect the presence of anything in the way of the garage door due to a disruption in the beam that projects across the door from one sensor to the other. When that beam is broken, it tells the garage door there's something in the way, so it shouldn't close.
Sometimes, it's not the result of an obstruction, but because of either dirty or misaligned eyes on the laser. If you wipe the sensors off with a damp cloth and you're sure there's nothing in the way, you should call a garage door repair technician to adjust the sensors and help you restore the beam.
Door Really Loud
Garage doors aren't exactly quiet appliances, but they shouldn't be obtrusively loud, either. If your garage door has gotten progressively louder or suddenly makes a really loud sound, it could be as simple as needing lubrication.
Apply a garage door lubricant to the springs, the roller bearings, the lift cables, and the hinges of the door. If you have a garage door with nylon rollers, don't lubricate those because it could damage the nylon. If lubricating the door doesn't resolve the noise, you should reach out to a garage door repair technician to determine what's going on.
Broken Springs
Your garage door springs are a crucial part of the door's balance and control system. They are also heavy and under extreme tension. If a garage door spring breaks, you should never try to repair it yourself. You can check the springs for visible damage, such as cracks or chips, but don't try to replace them because it's a dangerous process. A garage door repair technician has the training and the equipment to replace garage door springs safely.
These are just a few of the things you should know about garage door repairs and when to call a technician. Talk with a garage door repair company like Armor Overhead Door for more info.