Using your garage door daily – especially as the primary entrance to your home – puts heavy wear and tear on all your garage door parts. Eventually, a part will break or malfunction, leaving you will a garage door that won’t open or close. But what are the major garage door parts and how do you identify the issue with your garage?
Here are the most common garage door repairs and how to identify why you have a broken garage door.
What Are the 5 Most Common Garage Door Repairs?
1. Garage Door Spring Repair
What is a garage door spring?
Garage door springs play an important role in maintaining your garage door’s weight as it operates. They counteract the force of gravity on the door, ensuring it stays in place when moving. Springs are located above the door (torsion springs) or on either side of the door (extension springs).
How do you know you have a broken garage door spring?
- There is a 2-4 gap between the spring’s coils.
- Your garage door is heavy when you try to open it manually.
- Your garage door slams down suddenly when it tries to open.
- Your opens crooked or at an angle.
What to do if you need garage door spring repair?
If you see a break in your spring or your garage door won’t open, you need to schedule garage door spring repair with a professional. Springs hold a high amount of tension to maintain the garage door’s weight so it’s dangerous when this tension breaks. Never try to replace a garage door spring yourself!
2. Garage Door Cable Replacement
What do garage door cables do?
Garage door cables are attached to brackets at the top and bottom of the door and work with the springs to maintain the door’s weight as it goes up and down.
How do I know I need garage door cable replacement?
- Cables are frayed or rusted.
- You see cables hanging loose or broken.
- Your garage door comes up at an angle.
What to do when you have broken garage door cables?
Like springs, cables hold tension to maintain the garage door’s weight. Never try to replace or readjust broken garage door cables yourself, call a professional for garage door repair.
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3. Garage Door Opener Repair
What is a garage door opener?
A garage door opener is the motor that allows you to automatically operate your garage door at the touch of a button. It works together with the springs, cables, and tracks to reliably and safely operate your overhead door.
How do you know you need garage door opener repair?
- Garage door won’t open or close.
- The light is off on your garage door opener.
- Garage door has delayed response or opens slowly.
- Garage door starts to close and automatically reverses.
What to do when you have a broken garage door opener?
The first troubleshooting step you can take with a broken garage door opener is to ensure it is receiving power. You can also try replacing the batteries in the remote or keypad and testing the sensors on either side of your garage door. If none of these tests restore function, call a local garage door company for garage door repair.
4. Garage Door Panel Replacement
What are garage door panels?
Garage door panels are the horizontal sections that make up the door and allow it to fold open and closed. Most doors are made of four steel, wood, or aluminum panels stacked on top of each other and connected by hinges.
When do I need garage door panel replacement?
Cars, stray balls, and off-track garage doors can damage panels, causing them to bend or dent. With extensive damage, your garage door may not operate with broken panels. If you have damage that is centralized to one garage door section, we may recommend garage door panel replacement as a more cost-effective option instead of a full garage door replacement.
What to do when you have a broken garage door panel?
If you see visible damage to one or more garage door panels, immediately stop using your door and call a professional. Continuing to use the damaged panels could cause the garage door to come off-track, leading to more costly repairs.
5. Garage Door Roller Replacement
What are garage door rollers?
Garage door rollers are small, steel or nylon wheels that sit in the tracks, allowing the garage door to roll up and down.
When do I need garage door roller replacement?
- Rollers have visible wear and tear.
- One or more rollers are out of the track.
- Garage door operates loudly or shakes.
- Garage door is out of alignment.
What to do when you have worn-out garage door rollers?
If you have worn-out rollers or an off-track garage door, do not touch anything! Continuing to operate the door or repair the issue yourself could cause damage to more parts. Instead, call for emergency garage door repair.
Dodson Garage Doors Can Help With Any Garage Door Repair
If you need garage door repair near Birmingham AL, contact the experts at Dodson Garage Doors! We are a locally owned and operated company, committed to serving our community with integrity and kindness. Call us today at (205) 213-0894 for a garage door repair near you!
