Garage doors are a lot more than the garage door themselves. There is actually a lot of moving parts that make your garage door system work. That also means a lot of different parts that could malfunction and make your garage door not work as it should. This could leave your garage door stuck closed, stuck open, crooked, or just hanging half-open. None of these scenarios are good. We want to give you a quick rundown of the most common garage door repair services that you may need over the lifetime of your garage door.
Garage Door Spring Replacement.
Your garage door springs are what fight gravity in order for your garage door to open and close. Over their lifetime, they will extend and contract. They are rated for so many cycles, one open and close being a cycle. Depending on the use of the garage door, these will wear out at some point in time. Also, garage door springs are made from metal, usually steel. This Houston humidity can easily rust any metal. It’s best to keep them lubricated at least twice a year, but sometimes they rust regardless. If your spring looks like has been dunked in the Gulf of Mexico, it’s best to replace the spring. Other indications your garage door spring needs to be replaced:
- Your garage door opener won’t open the door
- The garage door closes faster than normal when using an automatic opener
- Your garage door is crooked when opening and closing
Garage Door Panel Replacement.
It is so easy to have happened. You hit the accelerator instead of the brake, a ball hit the door, etc. and next thing you know your garage door has a sizable dent. Sometimes those dents can affect how well your garage door rolls up or down. The panels can separate themselves causing all sorts of issues. Instead of having to replace your whole garage door, you can just replace your garage door panel, saving you money in the long run.
Garage Door Opener.
Your garage door opener is what moves your garage door to open and close. They are meant to last 10 to 15 years depending on the make and model. Yet of course, due to Houston humidity and usage, it is easy for garage door openers to wear out sooner or malfunction if not properly taken care of.
There are lots of reasons why a garage door opener may not work properly. Your limit settings may need adjusting if the door won’t shut all the way. Your laser sensors could be dirty and need cleaning or need to be realigned, or a component in the opener itself may have malfunctioned or shorted out. If your garage door opener is malfunctioning, it’s best to call a professional for garage door opener repair.
The Garage Door Is Off Track.
Sometimes a garage door will come off its tracks or become crooked. You do not want to try to force the door open or closed if this the case as you can actually make things worse. Bent tracks are a common problem with garage doors. If the bend isn’t too bad, it can be hammered out. If it has warped too badly though, you’ll need to have the track replaced. Another common reason would be the door hitting an object on one side, momentarily tilting the door, and causing one of the side cables to become misaligned. Whatever the cause is, the garage door should not be left in this position for too long as worse damage can occur. Instead, it would be best to call a professional for off-tracked garage door repair.
Garage Door Lubrication and Tune-Up.
One of the best ways to avoid at least some of these problems is to have your garage door system tuned up and lubricated by a professional every couple of years. Lubrication is essential to keep all moving parts of the door working as they should. This includes the chain or belt on the automatic garage door opener, the hinges, rollers, bearing plates, springs, armbar and lock, and the top of the rail. A tune-up can catch small issues with things like your springs and tracks before they become problems on their own.
Spectrum Overhead Door LLC has been in business in the Houston and surrounding area since 2006. We provide Houston area residences with an award-winning garage door repair. Call our main office at 281-748-9542 or if you live in East Houston 713-557-3407 for a free quote today!