Garage door repairs are often done by the homeowners. There five things you need to check before you call a professional. Sometimes, there are things that you can fix yourself. For instance, you can often fix your squeaky garage door by simply lubricating it. However, if it is something more serious like damage to the the springs, then it’s time for you to call for a garage door repair service.
Before you proceed to check your garage door you should make sure that you have unplugged the garage door opener to avoid an electric shock. When you check your garage door, you will most likely be standing on a ladder, which is a bad place to get shocked by the electricity. Aside from getting an electric shock, there is also a chance that you might fall from the ladder so ensure that is secured properly. Also you may need to wear safety goggles for protection from any dust, grease, loose bolts or screws.
Now that you know what to do before checking the garage door, here are the things you need to check before hiring a company for a garage door repair service.
Metal Tracks
Metal tracks often get damaged. If you see that your tracks are broken, use a wood block and a hammer to fix the damaged part. This will straighten the track.
Alignment of the Tracks
If the tracks are not aligned properly, you cannot use the door properly as it will most likely jam. If this problem occurs you might just need to loosen the screws or bolts and tap the tracks slightly to align the tracks. You may also use a level to check if the alignment is perfect.
Filthy Tracks
Dirty tracks may also cause the garage door not to work properly. To fix this problem you need to remove the dirt that causes the door to stick. You may use regular cleaners to clean the area.
Squeaky Tracks and Rollers
If the door rollers are hard to run along the tracks you may need to lubricate them. Apply a silicone or lubrication spray to these parts. Make sure that you do it after cleaning these areas for better lubrication.
Loose Bolts and Screws
Bolts and screws tend to become loose since you may open and close the door several times a day. If this happens, you just need to tighten the screws and bolt to fix the problem. If the problem has made the whole too large you can fill them up with fillers to tighten the bolts and screws. These are things you can check and fix yourself without needing the help of professional services. If the problem is in the garage door springs however, then that’s time to get a garage door spring replacement service from a professional company. This can be quite a dangerous job and you are better off letting them use their skills to do the job for you.