Most people don’t really think about their garage doors until something breaks. But by then you’re faced with a wrench in your day and a repair bill you don’t need. Worse – what if you need a whole new garage door installed way before that time should have come?
Why Regular Garage Door Maintenance Matters
What we tell our Sacramento customers is that regular garage door care and maintenance will help minimize all-out breakdowns, as well as costs associated with professional repairs from garage door companies like us! Regular maintenance will allow you to spot issues before they become real problems, and your garage door will run smoother and last longer.
Garage doors are a big investment, and an important utility in your everyday life. So, just like you take your car in for regular tune-ups, you should do the same for your garage door: Ignore the brakes on your car too long, and you’ll end up in a scary situation on a winter road, eventually. Ignore the torsion springs on your garage door, and the whole thing might come crashing down when they snap.
Inspect Your Garage Door Twice Per Year
We’d suggest doing regular visual inspections. You’re likely in and out of your garage every day; why not take a moment or two every few weeks to take a quick walk around your garage door, the opener, the door’s parts and frame? A few minutes here and there and the occasional little DIY garage door repair costs you way less than replacing a broken garage door.
Pay close attention to how the door opens and closes from time to time. Is your garage door noisy? Does it open smoothly, or is there a nasty grinding noise? Does it seem off balance? Does it open too slowly? Does the door rattle more than it used to? Are the tracks straight and symmetrical?
Signs Your Door Is Off Track
If your overhead door is off track or off balance, you’ll know. It’ll be loud, the garage door opener will have to work a lot harder than it should, and the bottom of your door will be crooked when it’s closed. A quick look at the tracks, rollers, and cables should tell you what’s gone wrong.
Adjusting the cables, replacing rollers, or unbending a track are safe DIY garage door repairs. If you see a broken track, tracks that have come off their anchors, or a door that’s jumped its tracks, then you should call the professionals to fix it. Better safe than sorry.
Don’t Forget the Nuts & Bolts
It’s always a good idea to go over all the nuts and bolts of your garage door with a socket wrench. Tighten everything at least once or twice a year, depending on how much you use it. But be careful not to over-tighten, or you’ll actually make things worse. Just like stripping a screw, you can destroy a lot of things by brute forcing problems. Take your time and tighten just until it feels secure.
Also, make sure to inspect the rollers and the garage door trolley system at least once a year. They need to be replaced every seven years or so. Replace any worn, chipped, or cracked rollers as soon as possible. To do this, remove and re-install any roller brackets not directly attached to the cable system. We recommend nylon rollers for garage doors, because they’re quieter than metal, and they don’t rust or corrode.
Scope Out the Springs
You should also inspect the torsion springs found above your garage door panel for any signs of damage or rust. Garage door springs help counterbalance the weight of the door. Without a working spring, the garage door won’t open. And if the torsion spring breaks, it poses a real danger to you and your car as it causes the overhead door to come crashing down. If this is the case, you should contact a technician and schedule an appointment for garage door torsion spring repair as soon as possible. Never mess with a damaged garage door spring.
Replace Your Weather Stripping
Cracked weather stripping should also be replaced. The weather seal keeps moisture and vermin out of your garage. Removing and replacing the weather stripping on your garage door is a job you can easily do yourself. Buy weather stripping by the foot at any hardware store. Cut it to size and insert it into the grooves, keeping the wide angle of the flange inside the door. When you notice surface cracks and the seal is not as flexible as it once was, that’s when it’s time to replace it.
Test Your Garage Door Opener’s Battery Backup System
Try disconnecting your opener from your home’s power source to make sure that the battery is still working. It should kick in almost immediately after the power goes out. If it doesn’t, it’s better that you caught it now instead of during an emergency. If it’s a rechargeable battery, make sure that it’s able to hold a charge. Plug it in to a different source and see if the battery charges then. If the battery doesn’t recharge even using a different plug, try a spare if you have it or order a replacement. If that still doesn’t work, you might need a new garage door opener system.
Garage Door Repairs Best Left to a Professional
Some repairs are easy enough to do yourself, but others can be complicated, frustrating, or downright dangerous. Know the limits of your expertise — and patience! If a job looks beyond your capabilities, there’s no harm in calling a garage door repair professional. Fortunately, we provide 24/7 emergency garage door repairs to the Greater Sacramento area, including Folsom and El Dorado Hills. Call us anytime you need!
Garage Door Springs Can Get Scary
Like we’ve said: replacing broken garage door torsion springs is a dangerous job that should always be left to a professional. Your garage door springs are under an incredible amount of tension. If they should suddenly snap or be released, they can cause serious bodily injury and even death.
Belts & Cables Need Careful Care
Broken garage door cables are another repair that should be left to a professional. Because they are connected to the springs, they, too, can cause serious bodily injury if not handled properly. You should, however, visually inspect both the springs and cables periodically. Look for rust or frayed ends.
Panels Require Professional Help
Any time you’re dealing with the actual garage door, it’s better to have a professional deal with it. If your garage door has a panel that’s cracked, corroded, loose, or otherwise compromised, stop using your door and get a garage door repair technician out to you ASAP. A compromised panel can do anything from mess up your tracks to burn out your garage door opener from unbalanced wear and force.
If you see signs of obvious wear, call a professional and schedule service for your worn-out garage door. We can inspect the damage and determine if a repair is necessary. When you catch things early and have an experienced eye to assess the situation, you can avoid big problems and bigger repair costs. Fewer visits from us, and a longer life for your garage door. It’s a win-win.
Got a Question? We’ve Got Answers & We’re Happy to Help
If you’ve got any questions or concerns regarding how your garage door is working, feel free to give us a call. We may have a few suggestions, and we’re always available to come out and take a look. When it comes to a dysfunctional garage door, it’s better to be safe than sorry. As the go-to garage door experts for the Sacramento area, we’re here to help.
We Feature 24/7 Emergency Garage Door Repair Service
Some garage door repairs you can see coming and plan ahead for. Others are surprises that happen at exactly the wrong time. Give us a call; we can help, any time of the day or night, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer emergency garage door repair to the Sacramento region, including Rocklin and Granite Bay. We’re local and we care.
Whether you’ve got a garage door off track or need to adjust your springs, call SACS GARAGE DOOR REPAIR for fast and professional service. Serving the Sacramento area, we offer a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee
Emergencies can’t be planned for, but it’s good to know exactly who to call when one occurs.