Is your garage door not working properly? Don’t worry, you can easily fix it yourself by following these 11 easy steps. First, make sure to unplug the garage door opener before starting any repairs. Then, identify the problem and determine if it is something you can fix yourself or if you need to call a professional. Finally, get started on the repairs and your garage door will be up and running in no time!
1. Check for Obvious Problems
Before you start trying to repair a garage door, make sure that your garage door opener is unplugged. If the problem still does not go away after checking for simple, obvious problems like broken springs or broken rollers, it might be time for an expert. When in doubt, call a pro.
2. Check the Tracks and Rollers
After plugging in your garage door opener (if applicable) check to make sure the tracks are clean and free of any debris. Next, look at the rollers on either side of the tracks. If they are loose or off track, tighten them into place with a screwdriver or drill set to reverse rotation while turning counterclockwise until tight enough to keep from falling out of their slot but loose enough to move easily.
3. Check the Cables and Chain
Inspect both upper and lower cables running from your garage door opener to the roller tracks. If either of them are broken, they must be replaced before a garage door can move properly. The chains that connect your garage door to your opener should also be checked for worn links or any other damage. If you find or suspect that either is damaged, you or a pro will need to replace it using an inch pound torque wrench going in a clockwise direction when turning it while holding onto the end of the screwdriver with another hand. This cannot be done if you have extension springs on your garage door so if this is what you have, not attempt this repair yourself.
4. Check the Rollers
First, inspect the rollers on your garage door one at a time by tilting them up with a screwdriver or drill set to reverse rotation while turning counterclockwise until they are all the way up and off of their track. Next, clean them with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. After drying thoroughly, apply car wax to each roller surface placing it back into its track.
5. Check the Springs & Brackets
If you have torsion springs, make sure that they are not twisted or contorted in any way before attempting to move your garage door opener. Usually, if this is damaged it will be necessary for a professional to handle this problem because it can be dangerous to attempt to repair this on your own. If the springs are only off track, you may be able to put them back into place using needle nose pliers by twisting them while holding onto their shafts in order to get it back in its original position before pushing up until they slide underneath the mounting brackets.
6. Check for Worn Cables, Hinges & Rollers
If your garage door is still having problems after checking all of the previous areas of concern, look at each hinge on both sides of your garage door. If one or more are bent, distorted or broken they need to be replaced right away because they can cause damage if left unattended which is not worth taking that risk. Next is the rollers that attach your garage door to the hardware on your walls. If any of these rollers are damaged beyond repair, it might be a good idea to replace all of them since they work together as a unit that allow your garage door opener to function properly. Finally, inspect both cables that attach from your garage door opener to each roller track for signs of wear or damage. Any evidence of fraying or cracking must be replaced immediately because they can break at any time which will cause more damage than if you had done this task when problems first arose. Be it tightening the loose narrow screws or securing any metal component with Silicon Bronze Fasteners, an open-ended wrench comes in very handy.
7. Oil Cables (if Applicable)
If there is visible metal on either end of where the cable attaches to either the motor unit or wall mounted bracket, it probably needs oiling. You can use a can of spray WD-40 or equivalent to lubricate the cables. Usually, you will only need to do this half way down where they attach to each other because that is where they tend to become corroded over time but if your garage door has one long cable coming from the motor instead of two shorter ones, that needs oiling as well.
8. Replace Worn Parts
If you have already replaced any springs and cables, don’t forget to check both parts for signs of wear before reassembling them back into place. As stated earlier, never attempt repairs on torsion springs yourself. If your problem still persists after completing all recommended repairs listed in these steps, call for professional help immediately unless it is an emergency situation in which case you need to call Garage Door Repairs Essex right away.
9. Verify All Parts are Secure/Check Safety Receptacle
Before reattaching any parts, make sure that they are secure by trying to pull them away from the wall or motor unit using both hands while simultaneously pushing against them to see if they budge at all. If either end appears loose when doing this step, tighten each screw, 316 Stainless Steel Nuts and Bolts until everything is snug before replacing your springs and tracks. Also inspect the safety receptacle on both ends of your garage door for signs of wear or corrosion because these could cause future problems with your opener. Make sure it has a green light shining through before closing your garage door so not to run the risk of it being ripped out while closing.
10. Test Operate Your Garage Door
After completing all previous steps, test your garage door opener to double check for proper functioning before you actually close your garage door. You can do this by pressing the push-button or pulling on one of the rope handles located near each end if your door is chain driven. If there are still problems, call for professional help immediately.
11. Close Your Garage Door & Reset the Alarm if Applicable
Finally, you can now close your garage door by typing in your code or pressing the push-button located on your opener’s motor unit. After completing all of these steps, reset the alarm on your keyless entry pad system if you have one installed on either side of your garage door by holding down the button until it beeps before entering a new four-digit access code that only you will know about to keep unwanted people from using it to gain entry into your home. Now enjoy many years of trouble-free service from your new garage door!
