A garage door is important to your home’s function and security. Having a company perform annual maintenance can prevent simple issues from becoming major repairs, which is better for your budget and safety.
A crooked or sagging door usually indicates that the springs are worn out and need to be replaced. This repair is relatively inexpensive. Contact Garage Door Repair Blanchard now!
A broken garage door spring can be a dangerous job for homeowners to try to replace on their own. Both extension and torsion springs are under a great deal of tension. Trying to replace these springs can lead to injury and property damage if the homeowner needs to have the right skills and tools. Leaving the job to a professional will ensure that the job is done safely and correctly.
The first sign of a broken spring is usually hearing loud snapping sounds as the door moves up or down. This is because the broken spring is no longer doing its job to balance the weight of the door. Other signs of a broken spring include seeing slack cables or noticing a gap in the old spring. A broken spring can also cause the cable to break, which can leave the door in a dangerous position and lead to further problems with the system.
If the homeowners notice a hole in their torsion spring, they should contact a garage door repair professional right away. They can inspect the spring and provide a replacement to keep the door safe. When replacing a torsion spring, the garage door professional will secure the door in the open position using locking pliers or a C-clamp, loosen the set screws on the pole, carefully release the springs from their brackets, and then install the new spring. They will then wind the new spring and make sure it is tight enough to be able to lift the door, test the new spring by raising and closing the garage door a few feet, and then secure the stationary cones, center bracket, and cable drums.
When a garage door’s extension springs break, they can cause serious injuries to anyone who is near the door at the time. Extension springs are not anchored in place like torsion springs, which means that when they break, the released tension can go anywhere. It could hit someone in the head or back, or it could damage vehicles or other items in the garage. This is another reason why it is best to hire a professional for garage door repairs and other maintenance tasks.
Damaged Panels
As your garage door ages, it will naturally experience some level of damage. In most cases, minor wear and tear will cause cosmetic blemishes such as small scratches, dents or rust patches. These can be easily repaired with paint or wood filler. However, if you are noticing a number of damaged panels in your garage, it’s time to consult a professional for repairs.
Many homeowners opt for DIY repair projects, but this isn’t always the best option. In addition to requiring significant labor, it can be difficult to find the correct replacement parts and may result in mistakes that could cost you more in the long run. Plus, the improper use of tools can lead to additional damage to other components of your garage door system.
Whether your garage door has sustained severe structural or cosmetic damage, it’s important to consult a reputable Clopay dealer to evaluate its condition. Your local expert can recommend the most effective repair or replacement options based on the severity of your damage.
While you can perform some routine maintenance tasks on your own, it’s a good idea to have your garage door inspected at least twice per year. During this time, your local Clopay dealer can provide necessary lubrication, help you identify early signs of damage and ensure that your garage door is working correctly.
Your garage door is more than just a functional part of your home, it adds to its curb appeal and helps to provide insulation. If you have a damaged panel, it’s important to repair or replace it as soon as possible so that the damage doesn’t spread and affect other parts of your home. In addition, a panel that’s bent or warped will compromise the safety of anyone using your garage and can make the door harder to operate. For these reasons, replacing your garage door may be a more cost-effective solution than trying to fix the individual panel.
Damaged Weather Stripping
Weather stripping is the stuff that stops drafts and critters from coming in through garage doors, but it can wear down or become damaged over time. Replacing it is a relatively easy job that can save energy costs and keep your garage clean. It’s also one of the best fixes for preventing moisture from damaging your doors, walls and floor, so it’s well worth doing before winter and summer arrive.
A damaged or worn weather strip can create a gap that allows cold air to enter your garage and warm, moist air to escape it. This means that your home’s heating and cooling system will have to work harder, which drives up your utility bills. It can also cause damage to your door or paint and may lead to rust.
You can often reattach loose weather stripping with adhesive or screws, depending on how it’s attached to the door or frame. It’s important to clean the surface before attaching new stripping. Also, choose a type of adhesive that’s compatible with your door’s material.
To make sure the new weather stripping fits properly, use a putty knife to gently peel back a small section of the old seal to see if it comes off easily. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to use a blade or utility knife to cut off the end. Then remove the rest of the stripping from the channel or mounting surface by hand, being careful not to damage any paint.
If the weather stripping is missing a significant portion of its surface, it should be replaced. You can usually find replacements at your local hardware store or auto parts store. These are typically made of vinyl clad with a cloth covering and fit into a slot cut into the door or frame, or they can be a foam-backed type that adheres to the surfaces. If you’re replacing foam-backed weather stripping, make sure to scrape off the residue on the channel or mounting surface before installing the new one. Also, make sure the new stripping matches the original in size and shape.
Uneven Door Movement
Over time, the tracks that guide the door up and down might become misaligned due to vibrations or impact damage. They can also become warped or bent from improper installation, which can make the door move unevenly. Regardless of the cause, this is an easy problem for a service professional to fix. They can loosen mounting bolts and gently tap misaligned sections with a mallet to get them back into alignment. Once they’ve done this, they will test the door to make sure that it moves smoothly in both horizontal and vertical motion.
Another cause of uneven movement is a lack of proper lubrication. This can lead to a number of problems, including increased shaking during operation. To counter this, a service professional will carefully lubricate the hinges, bearing plates, roller pins, and roller wheels of the door to minimize friction.
In addition to helping the door move more smoothly, this will also help extend the lifespan of these components. Regular lubrication will also help prevent the metal parts from wearing down faster than they should.
Garage doors are complex pieces of machinery with many moving parts and electrical wiring. For this reason, it’s best to leave any major repairs to a professional. A service professional will be able to check for and repair any of the above issues as well as any others that might be plaguing your garage door. By trusting a professional, you can be confident that your garage door will continue to function properly and efficiently for years to come. Just remember to always fix the underlying issue, rather than fixing the effects or symptoms of the problem. This will avoid more costly repairs down the road. To learn more about this or to schedule a repair, contact your local garage door service provider. They can provide a free estimate and consultation for you. They can also recommend any other services that may be necessary for your home or business. They have years of experience working on a variety of garage doors, both commercial and residential. They can help you choose the perfect model and style for your home or business, and even install it for you if needed.