subject: Fixing That Cranky Garage Door Yourself [print this page] Are you annoyed because the garage door isn't working? Don't head out and replace it right away. First try a few of these easy repair ideas that could possibly be all that's required to get your garage door functioning properly once more.
In most cases, minor repair jobs can save you a lot of money when it comes to garage improvement by not making you purchase a whole new door. Here are some things to check out first to see if your door can be repaired:
Examine the tracks. Garage doors function on a metal track that lets the door rise up and slide away. Go over the tracks to be certain that they are correctly fastened to their backings.
You'll also want to tighten up any nuts or bolts that seem to be loose. There may even be some that need replaced.
Make sure that the tracks and rollers are clean too. In some cases, if they have a lot of debris in them, they won't work well. So, check them out and clean them if you need to.
If there appears to be a sludge-like substance, then you can try cleaning the tracks and rollers with regular household dish soap. Once the debris is cleared away and the tracks are cleaned up, the door can run smoother when you're operating it. Using lubricant oil can also enable the door to operate more smoothly.
Examine the springs. Many garage doors utilize tension springs. Look these over to discover if they are in sound condition. You might only have to reset the tautness for them to function correctly. If they are in poor condition, it will be better to get some new ones.
Also check the pulley systems that go with the springs. Make sure they're in good shape as well. If they're not looking good, then be sure to replace them.
If you only have one tension spring right in the middle of the track for your garage door and you think it may need replaced or fixed, make sure you get a professional to help. Since these springs are under a huge amount of tension, it can be very dangerous to try replacing or repairing these springs on your own.
Examine every bit of hardware connected to your track and door arrangement. Occasionally it might be just an improperly fastened hinge that is the reason for your worn out garage door, therefore test all of them and tighten where necessary. Do not be scared to change the hinges if you believe that they are the guilty party.
The door opener itself should be checked out as well, since it could be the problem. It may need to have some new batteries placed in it. However, you may need to totally replace the garage door opener as well. If it does need replaced, make sure it's compatible with your door.
If you see that the garage door is not working right, check and see if you can do something to fix it before you go out and buy a new one. However, if you do need a new garage door, make sure to have a professional come and install it.
