If your garage door isn’t properly working, there are a few things that you should check before calling the garage door repairman. There are some things that you can repair on your own, and others that should not be touched without a professional knowledge. Learn the difference between these two types of problems to help get your garage door running in an inexpensive and timely manner.
Find the problem
Automatic garage doors use quite a few different mechanics to continue running. There are a number of things that could go wrong with the garage door from the rollers to the springs. Before you even begin to look for the solution, it is imperative to find the true source of the problem. Start by lowering the garage door and watching it go. If there are signs of it shaking on the way down, this may have something to do with the rollers. A noisy garage door can have many more problems. Determine where exactly the noise is coming from before proceeding. If the garage won’t open or close completely and needs to be opened manually, the problem most likely rests within the opener, not the garage door itself. When the problem rests in the overhead opener itself, most situations will require the help of a professional, although there are a few steps that can be taken.
The solutions
After you have located the source of the problem, there are a few different solutions depending on the issue. Figure out which one works for your situation, and try to mend the problem from there.
If the problem rests in the metal tracks, check for bumps and dents. This is a common problem for garage doors acting up. To mend this problem yourself get a wooden block and place it in the damaged location. Use a hammer to smooth it out. Be careful not to hit too hard, as this could result in further damage.
Dents and bumps are common, but they are not the only problems that can lie in the tracks. Make sure that the tracks are not misaligned. To take care of this problem, loosen the screws that connect the section of the track in question, and tap the door back into its place. You can use a level to make sure the alignment is right and that nothing else needs to be done.
Damage directly to your garage door can cause problems to the functions of the garage door. This may be the cause of it coming off the tracks, or may even just cause a dent that can’t be hammered out in the main structure of the door. Depending on the type of garage door you have, whether it is steel, some other type of metal, or a wood garage door, the damage will be either greater or hardly noticeable. If you put the garage back on the tracks and still notice a problem, seek professional help.
Problems with the springs, hinges, or the mechanics in the power supply can be more difficult to deal with. All you can really do is grease the moving parts and test it out one more time. If the problem persists, call a professional for help. Trying to mend the tightly coiled spring by yourself could have dangerous effects.
When your garage door goes out, take a moment to assess the problem before calling for professional help. The issue could be something you could mend on your own. Even with this, be aware of your own limitations. Don’t take on difficult tasks just to save a little. Know when it is best to call a professional.
