Garage Door Parts and Common Problems (Part 2)
Like car maintenance, regular garage door maintenance can help mitigate larger, more expensive repairs down the road.
In our blog last week we went over some of the garage door parts and common issues that arise from these parts. In this week’s blog, we are going to focus on some of the smaller, more minor issues that you can run into.
Fix it before it becomes and issue
Before we dig in, we just want to start by saying that most garage door issues can easily be prevented with regular maintenance and inspections. This is especially important if you have recently moved into your home, and are not familiar with the history of the garage door. Typical home inspectors my sign off on your garage door as part of your home inspection, but they are not licensed garage door technicians and may miss some big red flags like misaligned garage door panels, bent tracks, or an over-tightened torsion spring. All of which if left to their own devices- will end up costing a lot of money to repair.
Garage Door Hinges: You garage door hinges are what connect your panels together allowing for flexible movement of the door panels to go up and down. The hinges have wheels (rollers) that fit into the track which allows them to move up and down smoothly. Your garage door opens and closes thousands of times a year, and this can contribute to wear and tear on the hinges leading to failure. If caught early this can be a very easy and inexpensive repair.
You may notice your hinges are bent or damaged due to impact. In addition, corrosion and rusting can also lead to deterioration of garage door hinges, especially when the hinges are exposed to unusually salty or damp air.
Garage Door Sensors: One of the most common issues we see, and the easiest to fix is misaligned garage door sensors. These can get bumped, or get dirty which can interfere with the sensors making it impossibly and incredibly frustrating to close your garage door. (As a safety precaution, if the sensors are not aligned your garage door won’t close.)
If you’re having issues closing your garage door, and the garage motorhead flashes its lights instead of closing- this is a good indication that your sensors need a little attention. Which could be as simple as cleaning the lens, or making sure they are aligned properly. Sometimes though the wires feeding into you sensors may be the issue- in which case it’s best to call out a professional to service them safely.
Garage door sensors do go bad from time to time, and may simply need to be replaced. This is another instance where you will want to hire a technician to install your new sensors and ensure they and your garage door are safely, and properly installed.
Garage door cables: Your garage door cables can be found on either side of your garage door near the wall. Garage door cables do the heavy lifting so to speak on the garage door. They have an integral role in the proper operation of the garage door. These cables are attached to brackets at the bottom of each side of the door and work in unison with the garage door springs to lift and lower the weight of the door as needed.
Over time, and without proper maintenance garage door cables can weaken or rust and eventually snap.
We highly recommended when one cable needs to be replaced you replace the other cable to ensure that weight is equally balanced between them. This also puts them on the same maintenance and replacement schedule.
These are examples of just a few of the issues your door may have. Ultimately there can be a myriad of problems you can experience with your garage door, especially if it’s an older model. Regular services can help maintain the life of your garage, and keep your home, and your family safe.
If you are experiencing any of the issues above, or other issues with your garage door, call us for a free consultation. Our experienced crew is standing by to help you with any locksmith and garage door issues you may have. We are also taking all precautions possible during the Covid-19 pandemic including maintaining a safe distance from our customers, wearing masks and gloves.
