Common Garage Door Problems: 6 Problems that Might Require a Garage Door Repair Expert

The garage door is probably the most massive, movable object in your house. If proper maintenance is neglected, it can become a huge safety hazard for pets and children.

No one wants anyone to get squished by the garage door so staying on top of routine maintenance and any garage door repair needs are vital. It may be something as simple as lubricating it with a silicone or lithium spray. Super simple, right?

For this, lubricate all chain rails, hinges, stems, and metal rollers — pretty much anything that moves. Instead of lubricating the track, clean it regularly using a wet cloth. Then, use a dry cloth to remove any left behind moisture. It’s amazing how something so simple can have such a huge impact.

Here are some of the most common garage door problems you should keep an eye out for and hire a garage door repair expert if necessary.

Dents

Dents in garage doors are very common if you have children. Balls get thrown at them or they use it as a stopping ground for their bikes.  Fortunately, it is easy to fix these dents.

Wash off the dented portion with water and soap. Let it dry then cover it with aluminum foil. Lit a lighter and run it across the foil to heat it up. Then take a can of compressed air and spray the hot foil. After a while, the dent will pop back in its place. Pretty neat, huh?

Installation

You can handle regular maintenance issues (most of the time), but some problems need a garage door repair expert.

For instance, installing a garage door is almost impossible without a professionals help. This is a task most people just don’t tackle themselves despite how many YouTube videos they have watched.

Out of Balance

Raise your garage door a few feet off of the ground, if your door can’t maintain a straight line, it’s out of balance. This may increase the pressure on your garage doors gears, damaging them.

Not to mention, it will also cause your door to get off track more easily which is a total nuisance.

Be sure to use a level to make sure everything is in alignment.

Garage Door Springs

Visually inspect the springs of your garage door for fraying or rust. Please keep in mind that these springs store an incredible amount of tension and energy. If they abruptly break, they may cause bodily damage or death so be extremely careful.

If you are noticing a problem with a spring, I think it’s better to call a professional to fix it. They know what they are doing whereas you probably are just guestimating.

The Garage Door is Off Track

Stop using a garage door that is off-track. Every time you force it to go up or down, expensive damage is being caused. As soon as you notice a problem with the door, immediately stop using the garage door opener.

Try to raise the door manually and see if you can fix the alignment by hand.

Clamp locking pliers to secure the garage door in place. Check if the track is loose, dented, or super dirty. All of these things can cause the door to come off track. If it is something more serious you should call a garage door repair expert ASAP.