If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our experience of offering 24-hour garage door repair services, it’s that most garage door emergencies or repairs are completely avoidable. While some just happen through natural wear and tear, many are caused by neglect, a lack of upkeep, and mishaps. As a homeowner, it’s easy to forget about how important the overhead door is because it’s so often taken for granted. However, the garage door is the largest entryway into your home, which means if things go awry, it can be a major safety and security for you and your family. There are variety of DIY garage door repair methods that you can to ensure that you avoid unnecessary repairs.
General Maintenance and Upkeep
A little lubrication goes a long way. Every few months, take 15 minutes and go over the rollers, gears and any other moving parts with a quality garage door lubricant. Don’t use WD-40 or other lubricants that don’t have a general purpose. Using oils and lubricants such as these can rust important garage door parts, which can force you to repair pieces that otherwise have a long life-span. Lubrication can pay dividends when it comes to staving off garage door repairs. Your door will certainly make less noise and operate in a smoother fashion. A door that operates smoothly is less likely to shake and rattle, which can then lead to screws and other parts getting loose.
On that note, pay specific attention to overhead door parts that you can tighten. As time goes on, the vibration of the door can force key parts to get loose, which can then interfere with the operation. Spend some time every few months and tighten things down. Once things are in place, inspect garage door springs and tracks for rust. A rusty overhead door part needs to be replaced as soon as possible because it can lead to a larger repair down the road. Get it fixed now for peace of mind in the future.
Don’t forget to clean garage door tracks. Remove, dirt, debris, grime, pebbles, and other minor lodgings so your garage door rails can operate and run smoothly. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with a door off track, which will mean your door won’t be operable until it is fixed.
Quality Matters
When it comes to garage door installation, like much in life, you get what you pay for. Buy a cheap door or work with an inexpensive company, and you’re not getting a quality door that’s built to last. Other aspects you should consider when it comes to quality:
- Thickness of the steel or hardware.
- Quality of exterior weather-stripping.
- Quality of insulation.
The best way to meet all these requirements is to do copious amounts of independent research beforehand. If you’re replacing garage door parts, go online and find the best brand and materials that fit your door.
You’ll be surprised by how basic most garage door installations are. A key example where you could likely do with an upgrade or replacement is with your overhead door springs. Most garage spring systems are cheap and use extension springs, which aren’t recommend by most garage door services. Extension springs expand and contract with each cycle (open and closure), meaning they become weaker and looser with each use. Extension springs are known to lead to extreme door vibrations, which can lead to parts becoming looser. Not to mention that they’re quite nosy. A simple upgrade would be to replace your existing extension system with torsion springs. These springs rotate, meaning they maintain optimal performance over a long period of time and don’t make as much noise. While they are costlier, they will also last you far longer. For bonus points, consider a two-spring system that balances the weight of the overhead door. This upgrade, and all garage door spring repairs, should by handled by experts.
Don’t Wait to Call a Professional
If you do encounter a problem or concern with your garage door, don’t put it off. Most issues get worse and more expensive the longer you procrastinate, especially if you continue to use the door. You will also be putting your health in danger, as a faulty door could collapse or break. That’s why we offer 24-hour emergency repair services to the Sacramento and Rancho Cordova areas.
And don’t try to repair your garage door yourself unless you absolutely know what you are doing. You can actually cause expensive damage to your door, not to mention risk serious bodily injury or even death. Call a professional!