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In general, it can be frustrating when things don’t go your way or do what they are meant to do.
A garage door that’s stopped working for some unknown reason is no different.
There are ways to check on your door and fix the problem manually, which have been simplified into steps for you.
In more extreme cases, give us a call! We specialize in garage door repair in Dallas.
Door Diagnosis
Before contacting us for a garage door repair, it helps you understand what could be wrong with your door.
The two main components of a garage door are the actual door and the opening mechanism.
Overhead doors in home garages usually swing up in one piece or roll up in different sections.
Doors like these move on metal tracks attached to the wall and springs that give the door the power to move.
Roll-up door tracks must be aligned properly, and everything should be hinged securely.
If you notice anything wrong with these parts, DIY garage door maintenance is not all that difficult.
Maintenance Matters
Here are some ways to check your garage door health and what to do if anything is amiss.
Step 1: Take time to double-check the metal tracks attached to the garage wall.
If the mounting brackets are loose, simply tighten the screw or bolts within the brackets.
Next, if possible, check the tracks for any dents or flat stops from inside the garage and with the door closed.
If there are visible crimps, you can use a rubber mallet to hit it back to its original shape.
In the case that you don’t have a rubber mallet, using a hammer against a sturdy piece of wood works too.
For more serious damage, it will be time to replace the tracks.
Step 2: Make sure the tracks are leveled.
Horizontally installed tracks should be slanting down towards the back of the space.
The roll-up door’s vertical tracked should be exactly perpendicular.
If one or the other of these tracks are misaligned, do not completely remove the screws or bolts holding them in place.
Simply loosen them, re-check position using a leveling device, and then tap the tracks back into proper alignment.
Step 3: Clean up the tracks to remove any hardened grease or dirt that has accumulated over time.
You can invest in a concentrated cleaner for this job.
Clean the roller thoroughly but make sure to wipe them dry along with the tracks.
Step 4: Tightening and checking for any loose parts is also necessary.
If you have a swing-up door, look over the plates where the springs are mounted.
Roll-up door owners should check on the hinges, which hold different door parts together.
A door that seems to be sagging to one side is easily fixed with the proper tightening or readjustment of the hinges.
There are times where the screw or bolt hole is enlarged.
Replace this bolt or screw with a longer one with the same diameter.
It is possible to utilize a hollow fiber plug that has been dipped in carpenter’s glue along with the new screw.
If the surrounding wood is cracked at the hinge, remove the hinge first.
Then, fill in the screw or bolt holes and wood cracks with a wood filler.
After letting the filler dry, simply replace the hinge.
However, it is best to move the new hinge onto solid wood that hasn’t cracked before.
Dallas Garage Door Tech Offers A Lending Hand
Some cases are harder to repair at home.
If the garage door rolls up but only has one spring, it is best to seek our help.
Usually, the tension of the spring is great and can cause injuries.
This type of door moves on the horizontal track with the power spring mechanism mounted on the door frame and hooked onto the door.
The tension of the spring is controlled by the cable on a pulley for roll-up doors.
To adjust the amount of tension, you can reknot the end after pulling on the cable to whichever length is preferred.
When none of these seem to be the problem, it seems that the door is beyond DIY garage door maintenance.
We’re here to help; contact the Dallas Garage Door Tech now!
