Every homeowner has had to call a garage door repair service for something at some point. But, it is essential to remember that not all problems are the same and can be fixed by just calling someone who does garage door repairs. We have compiled 10 of the most common things homeowners should do before they call in a professional.
1. Check the obvious:
When a garage door gets stuck, most people assume a problem with their door opener or springs. This may be true in some cases, but checking for obstructions to the door’s tracks, bent rollers, and loose cables before calling for service can save you time and money.
It may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how often people overlook things in their garage door tracks and the area around them. This is a cause of many problems with doors that open and close without coming off of their tracks or getting stuck midway through opening/closing. If there’s anything in the way, such as snow, trash cans, or even toys, remove them.
2. Check the batteries:
Most garage door openers use an electric eye safety sensor system that will not function without adequately installed batteries. Before calling for help, check whether the sensors are unplugged or need new batteries. Also, suppose your garage door opens without any problems outside but not inside. In that case, it could be because of bad sensors, so check them out first by changing the batteries if needed.
3. Check your safety sensors:
Another thing that is very important to understand about safety sensor systems is that they are only effective when properly maintained. Suppose the safety system has been compromised by debris in the tracks or bent rollers. In that case, it will not accurately assess whether or not to open the garage door when you enter the garage. Before calling for service, check for obstructions in the tracks and ensure all of your rollers are in good condition with no visible damage.
4. Clean up debris:
Houses in Washington DC areas with high precipitation levels or a lot of wind can accumulate leaves or other forms of waste in their garage. It’s affecting the functionality of their garage door opener system. Garages doors openers require a clear path above the door as it closes. So, the sensors can use infrared beams to determine whether or not to open. Suppose you’re noticing leaves or other debris piling up in there. In that case, it could affect the functionality of that area and safety for everyone who depends on opening their home with just one click! You should make sure there isn’t anything blocking any pipes near ground level before calling a repair company. If they get clogged, no matter what type of opener system has been installed, people will have trouble entering/ exiting without assistance; from someone else! Not fun at all during blizzard conditions when cars can’t go outside due to high winds knocking down trees onto power lines causing widespread outages across several states. Before calling a repair company, check out your garage for any debris and clean it up if needed.
5. Replace your opener’s remote:
For most people, their garage door opener is a useful device but a little boring. The last thing they want to think about before going inside from work is replacing the battery in their remote control. Unfortunately, this means that sometimes remotes get lost or put away with dead batteries, which will cause them to stop working entirely until fixed. In addition, garage door opener remotes are usually equipped with a panic button which can be helpful when encountering problems while entering or exiting the garage. So if your remote is not working correctly, try to replace the batteries or press the panic button.
6. You probably need new garage door springs:
One of the most common garage door problems is heavy-duty springs that wear down and break. Sometimes tension needs to be added so that the weight of the door doesn’t pull awkwardly on garage door springs which can damage them or cause excessive wear over time. If you find out that one of your springs is broken. You should immediately stop using it until it has been replaced by a professional and licensed garage door company. A garage door company knows how to properly install new garage door springs without causing further problems for your home or family members.
7. Check for loose cables:
There are several cables that run through the tracks of most garage doors. These cables are usually connected to an electric opener system and will not function properly if they become loose or disconnected. Notice that one of your garage door cables is hanging unusually low. It might be loose, so inspect the tracks for damage and reattach any broken pieces before calling a garage door repair company.
8. Check for lube:
Garage doors can open and close many times throughout the day on their own with no problem at all. But after years of daily usage, some parts may require oiling or other lubricants to keep them performing as expected. If you notice that your garage door is getting noisy or feels stuck when opening and closing, there may be a minor issue with the oiling system. Some older garage doors also use metal rollers instead of nylon, making them heavier and requiring extra effort from garage door springs. Checking for this minor maintenance issue before calling a repair company can save you time and money.
9. Check the safety cable:
A small metal wire attaches securely to the bottom of most garage doors and prevents them from closing on children or pets who are playing in front. If this cord snaps – which can be caused by any number of factors like too much weight applied suddenly when someone steps onto its other end as they walk towards you (which would cause it break). Then there is a risk for severe harm because these cables have no protection against sharp objects getting stuck between their strands; nor do they provide enough strength themselves without another support system holding up whatever might otherwise come down upon us if something fell off high places nearby, so inspect yours before you call for service.
10. Check your garage door’s weather seal:
The weather seal is what creates an airtight connection between the bottom of your garage door and the concrete in your driveway. Suppose this seal becomes worn or unattached to either part. In that case, you can expect cold drafts to blow into your home during the winter months, which will not only make it harder to heat but also make doors difficult to close. For optimal performance, check these seals before calling for a repair service so that they can be appropriately replaced instead of just being glued back together by a technician who does garage door repairs.
Author: DC Garage Door
