A broken garage door can be a major safety hazard for you and your family. It can also give criminals easy access to your home.

While it may seem tempting to attempt a DIY repair after reading an online tutorial, this is often better left to professionals. Here are a few common garage door repairs that should be left to the experts: Contact Garage Door Repair Surprise AZ now!

A garage door’s rollers are critical for smooth and efficient operation. If they become damaged or worn out, this can seriously affect the door’s overall performance.

A visual inspection of the rollers can help identify potential problems. If they’re visibly cracked or chipped, this can indicate that it’s time for a replacement. Jerky movements can also be a sign that the rollers are damaged or misaligned. In some cases, the door may even come off its tracks if the rollers aren’t replaced in time.

The best way to maintain the rollers is to regularly clean them with a damp cloth and then lubricate them with a high-quality silicone or lithium-based lubricant. This can reduce friction and help the rollers to operate more smoothly.

When a roller gets damaged or worn out, it’s important to consult with a professional technician to perform a repair or replacement. Working with heavy doors and their components can pose safety concerns, and improper repairs or replacements can damage your garage door or even lead to injuries or property damage. In addition, complex repairs or replacements of major parts can increase labor costs and require specialized tools and equipment. For these reasons, it’s best to leave them to the professionals.

Damaged Weather Stripping

While some minor damage to the weather stripping can be repaired using patching or sealant, more extensive or severe damage may require replacing the weather stripping entirely. This is a common problem that occurs over time due to the constant opening and closing of the garage door. It’s a good idea to inspect the weather stripping regularly and have any damaged sections replaced as soon as possible.

You can do a simple test to see if the weather stripping is doing its job by pressing your finger against it. It should feel cushiony and pliable, but if it feels hard or brittle, this is a sign that the weather stripping is not sealing properly and needs to be replaced.

If the weather stripping has any gaps or holes, it can allow drafts into your garage and lead to high energy bills. Replacing the weather stripping can reduce drafts, improve energy efficiency, and prevent water and dirt from entering your garage.

There are several different types of weather stripping available, including foam tape and silicone, which is self-adhesive and can be applied easily. Vinyl and rubber tubing is another option that features hollow tubes that can be inserted into milled grooves on the doorframe. These are more durable than foam tape and are effective at reducing drafts. When choosing a replacement, choose one that is the same size and thickness as your old weather stripping.

Damaged Panels

Garage doors are more complicated than many people realize, and every single component plays a role in the overall functionality of the system. So, when one panel becomes damaged it’s important to weigh your options for repair or replacement.

The age and condition of your garage door can play a role in your decision making process. For example, if your door is close to or beyond its expected lifespan, it may be more cost-effective to replace it than to continue investing in repairs.

Another thing to consider is how extensive the damage is. For instance, if the broken panel has caused other issues with your garage door, such as misalignment or off track operation, it may be necessary to replace multiple panels in order to restore the original function of your garage door.

Finally, the aesthetics of your garage door should also factor into your decision. For example, a dented or cracked garage door panel will look out of place and can negatively impact the curb appeal of your home. If the issue is minor, however, repairing the panel may be enough to restore its appearance.

Broken Springs

Broken springs create a loud crashing sound as they unwind, creating a risk of injury. The springs store a lot of energy and the sudden release can cause damage to the garage door or property stored within it, or even harm someone who attempts to manually open the door.

Typically, you can spot the most common sign of broken springs by examining the springs themselves. If you see a gap or stretched-out appearance, the spring has snapped. The best way to prevent springs from breaking is to have them lubricated regularly. This can greatly increase their lifespan and make them work more smoothly.

If you can’t find a visible break in your springs, check for loose cables. They work closely with the springs to raise and close the door, so if they’re loose, the springs are probably nearing breaking. If this is the case, a professional can repair both the broken spring and the loose cable to ensure your safety.

Attempting to repair a broken spring without the proper tools and knowledge can lead to serious injury. Fortunately, a trained garage door technician can safely repair or replace a broken spring and ensure that the door is balanced and operating properly. In addition, they can perform a free safety inspection to make sure all the mechanical parts of the door are in good working condition and meet safety standards.

Broken Cables

The counterbalance system of a garage door includes cables that connect to the springs above and help handle the weight of the door. Because of the amount of tension they carry, these cables can experience a lot of wear and tear. If one cable snaps, it can cause the whole system to become unbalanced and challenging to operate. Inspecting and replacing these cables as soon as they start showing signs of wear and fray can prevent serious issues down the road.

A homeowner can easily identify signs of a broken cable by inspecting the cables. Check for a cable that’s loose and frayed, as well as any spots where the cable is touching other moving parts of the system like pulleys and hinges. Inspecting the cables regularly can also make sure they’re properly installed and lubricated.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to call in a professional garage door repair technician to help. Attempting to replace the cables yourself can lead to injury, as well as more expensive repairs down the road. Getting the job done right can ensure your garage door is safe to use and operating smoothly. It can also prevent further damage to the system and your valuable items in storage. Professionals can also conduct a thorough inspection of the entire garage door and provide advice for future maintenance. This may include readjusting spring tension and cleaning moving components with a garage door-specific lubricant.

Broken Tracks

A garage door track can become bent due to heavy impact or from misalignment. It can also break if you back into it while trying to open your garage door and cause significant damage.

Several components hold your garage door tracks in place including nuts and bolts. When they come loose it can cause a lot of stress on other parts and components and may even result in your door coming off the track. Keeping up with routine maintenance can prevent your track from becoming bent or damaged by loose hardware.

Conduct routine visual inspections of your tracks and rollers to identify dents, bends or rust. These signs of wear can be an indication that your tracks need to be replaced. Regularly cleaning and lubricating the tracks can also help them last longer. Lubrication reduces friction and keeps them running smoothly.

To straighten a bent track, first loosen the screws and bolts that connect the affected section to adjacent sections. Then, remove the affected section of the track. Mark it and the areas above and below so that you can align your replacement track correctly when reattaching it to the wall. Use a level to check for proper alignment and tighten the hardware you have loosened evenly without over-tightening it. Afterwards, you should test your garage door to ensure that it’s operating correctly and safely. It’s best to leave major repairs like this to professional technicians, as attempting to fix them without the right skills can lead to additional problems that cost more money down the road.