Garage Door Repairs: When To Get Professional Help

No matter what kind of garage door you own, at times you may run into issues that will require repairs. This can be frustrating, but because your garage door is one of the entry points to your home, you must keep it well-secured and in good shape all year round. The last thing you want to happen is a broken garage door causing accidents or an opportunity for thieves to gain access to your home.

Whether you think you need a garage door spring replacement or garage door cable repair, this guide will help you learn what could be wrong with your garage door and when it’s time to seek help from professionals.

Keep reading to learn about garage door repairs.

Common garage door repairs

There are several reasons that something could go wrong with your garage door. If you have an electric garage door there may be more complex issues, however, even traditional garage doors can sometimes break.

Your garage door won’t close all the way

Have you noticed your garage door isn’t closing properly? Perhaps it’s going halfway down and then gets stuck. Or maybe it only opens part of the way. If this is the case, you shouldn’t ignore it as it indicates there is an issue with the way your garage door is functioning and could get worse if you don’t repair it soon.

Malfunctioning doors usually mean a problem with the door’s balance and track itself, the garage door opener or even the springs attached to the door. If you can’t find the problem yourself, it may be a good idea to speak to a professional garage door repair company about what is wrong and how it can be fixed.

Broken or old door springs

Over time, your garage door springs can wear down and may eventually break. The up and down movement is enabled by the torsion spring which can sometimes break. The way you can tell if it’s broken is if you hear a loud sound that mimics the sound of a firecracker. Even if you weren’t aware when the spring broke, you can tell if it is the spring that is the problem because it will most likely be hanging down.

You might also have a problem with the spring even if it is still intact because it may become stretched over time. The best way to see if this is the problem is whether the door stays open or if it goes up and down more slowly than it should.

You may be able to repair a garage door spring yourself but only if you know how. This is because torsion springs can be very dangerous when you’re attempting to repair or replace them without the appropriate tools or knowledge. The springs will be packed with pressure when they’re under stress and if they fly when the garage door spring is released improperly, the resulting force can easily injure you or someone else.

Worn rollers or bearings

If you’ve noticed some strange sounds from your garage door when it moves such as popping or squeaking, then it may indicate a problem with the rollers. The popping sound suggests that the rollers are worn out whereas the squeaking is a sign that the rollers and bearings need to be lubricated. You can do this by using grease on the outside of the roller if they are plastic right where the shaft meets the roller.

Or if the rollers are steel, apply the grease to the ball bearings found at the innermost part of the roller, where it meets the shaft. This should be a pretty easy fix and you won’t necessarily need the help of a professional.

Obstructed photo eye sensors

This technology is extremely helpful for ensuring your garage door is safe for your family and your vehicles. If something is in the way of the photo eye sensors it will prevent your garage door from closing on top of objects or people in the door’s path. They may malfunction or become blocked which can prevent your door from closing properly. If so, you should call a professional as this feature must work properly.

Garage door fob issues

You may have problems with your garage door that aren’t due to the door but the fob or remote opener. There are a few issues that you may face when it comes to your garage door opener which could be due to a problem with the remote batteries or a problem with the opener’s transmitter. If you are unable to open your garage door at all, why not check the batteries of your opener as a starting point? If the problem still isn’t fixed, you may need help from a professional.

When to seek professional garage door maintenance

There are a few instances when you can DIY a garage door repair yourself, but most of the time it is better to call a professional. If you have any of the following problems, you should contact your local garage door shop to help with the repairs. You don’t want to risk damaging your door even further or potentially causing injury to you or a member of your family.

• Broken Springs – As mentioned above, tension springs can be very dangerous and the last thing you want is to cause an accident. If you suspect an issue with your garage door springs or you want to attempt to replace them, it’s best to call a professional. They will know exactly what could be wrong with your springs and can help you repair it safely.

• Broken hardware – Single hinges can be repaired easily yourself, however, if you need to replace or repair multiple hinges, you may want to seek professional help as the entire door may need to be removed.

• Broken or cracked panels – If your garage door needs to be replaced, it may seem like a simple fix but these panels are heavy and you’ll likely need the help of another person. If you are unsure you can speak to a professional to help you get the task done.

• Broken wheels – If the wheels of your garage door are no longer turning, you may need to replace them. It can be quite complex to replace garage door wheels, so you may need the help of a professional.

• Broken fob or opener – Automatic openers can be difficult to fix yourself as they contain many different parts and components as well as electrical wiring. This can lead to several electrical hazards, so it’s best to use a garage door technician to repair this.

Cornwall Garage Doors – Garage Door Cable Repair & Much More

Cornwall Garage Doors doesn’t just provide new garage doors and installations, we also offer garage door maintenance for various issues. If you have issues with your garage door such as broken springs, cables or panels, let the professionals do the hard work. It’s important to carry our garage door repairs safely; sometimes a DIY job just won’t cut it. Our technicians are highly experienced with a range of garage door repairs so you know yours is in the right hands.

It’s essential for the safety of your garage door that it is repaired by a professional. Even if you aren’t completely sure what the issue is, our technicians can come to your home to assess the problem. We will know the best way to deal with any garage door issues and ensure the repairs are carried out efficiently and at an affordable price. If you need garage door repairs in Cornwall then speak to our team at Cornwall Garage Doors today.