A garage door is used often, so it’s no wonder that it can suffer damage over time. It’s important to contact a residential garage door specialist for repairs as soon as possible to prevent the problem from getting worse and leading to a costly replacement.
When looking for a repair company, ask friends for referrals and read reviews online. Also, make sure the company is licensed, bonded, and insured. Contact Garage Door Repair Norman OK for professional help.
Cables are heavy-duty twisted steel wires that bear the weight and tension of your garage door, allowing it to open and close smoothly. They’re typically made of galvanized steel and can last for years with regular inspections. But damage to these cables can disrupt the overall balance of your garage door system and pose serious safety hazards. Here are some signs that your garage door cables need immediate repair:
Snapped cable
When a garage door cable snaps, it can leave the system unbalanced and cause other components to wear faster or break. The best way to prevent this from happening is to regularly inspect your garage doors for frays, kinks, or other signs of wear. If you notice any of these issues, call a technician immediately.
Other signs that your garage door cables are in need of repair include squeaking or other noises while the door is moving, visible damage to the cable drum, and the presence of rust or corrosion. Additionally, if the metal parts of your door’s pulley system are grinding together or you notice a burning odor, these could be signs that the bearings have gone bad.
Like all metal components, your garage door’s cables are susceptible to wear and tear over time. They’re also prone to corrosion due to exposure to the elements. These problems can be caused by water or moisture near the bottom of your garage, faulty pulley bearings, and misaligned track tracks. Performing routine maintenance can help prevent these problems from occurring, but the only surefire way to protect your garage door’s cables is to have them replaced regularly.
While it is possible to replace a garage door cable on your own, it’s recommended that you hire a professional. The process requires a lot of technical and mechanical knowledge, and it can be very dangerous to attempt without the proper tools. Your local home inspection company may be able to recommend a skilled technician.
During the replacement process, you’ll need to disconnect and secure the power to your garage door, disassemble the old cable from the roller track, run the new cable along the ceiling and over the drum, and wind it in place. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for this step.
Broken Spring
As we mentioned above, garage door springs are under a lot of tension and need to be replaced regularly in order for your garage door to function properly. When one of your springs breaks, it’s important to call for immediate service because the garage door will become unbalanced and difficult to open or close. The best way to know if your garage door springs are broken is to check for gaps. Springs are supposed to be connected from end to end and tightly wound; if you see a gap, it means the spring is damaged and needs to be replaced.
Depending on the type of garage door you have, you may have one or two springs. If you have an extension spring system, it will be mounted above your garage door and if you have a torsion spring system, it will be inside the garage. When either of these springs break, you’ll usually hear a loud bang when they snap. A shattered extension spring is especially dangerous because it can launch outward and hit whatever’s in its path, like your car or a nearby storage rack.
When replacing your garage door spring, a professional will first remove the old spring and then install the new one. They will use the winding bars to tightly wrap the new spring around the torsion tube, ensuring that they’re wrapping it as many turns as recommended by the supplier. After the spring is wrapped, they’ll secure it with set screws on the winding cone and lubricate it.
During this process, they’ll also be checking the other components of your garage door to make sure they’re in good working order. If there are any worn or rusted pieces, they’ll replace them before installing the new springs to ensure everything is functioning correctly once they’re in place. They’ll also test the new springs to make sure they work properly. If the garage door moves unevenly, a professional can adjust the track alignment to fix it. Likewise, they’ll make sure that the safety cables are connected and that they’re preventing the door from falling in the event of a spring break.
Damaged Rollers
The rollers are a vital component of the garage door, helping it move up and down its tracks smoothly. But if they get damaged, the whole system can suffer. If your garage door seems to be taking longer to open and close or moving unevenly, this could indicate that the rollers are out of alignment with the track.
If you suspect this is the case, it’s important to contact a professional for repairs right away. Ignoring the problem can lead to larger, more expensive issues.
In the worst-case scenario, a misaligned roller can cause the whole track to derail from the wall or ceiling. This can result in costly damage to personal property, and even serious injury or death.
The main cause of a garage door going off-track are loose or broken rollers, which can get dislodged by dirt and grime and other debris on the tracks. Another common reason is vehicle impacts, which can cause the doors to rub against the tracks and throw them out of alignment.
Fortunately, the rollers are relatively easy to replace. First, make sure to disconnect the garage door opener and lift it manually using locking pliers. It’s also a good idea to have a set of heavy-duty gloves on hand, since the high-tension cables that support the door can be quite dangerous to tinker with.
Once you have the door opened manually, you’ll want to remove the old rollers and place the new ones carefully in their places. This is a good time to check that the pull cables aren’t frayed or broken. Once the rollers are in place, you’ll need to tighten the bolts that hold them in place.
It’s a good idea to have your technician inspect the rollers and tracks after replacing them. They’ll retighten, clean and lubricate the entire system to ensure it is working as it should. They’ll also look at other components of your garage door, including the springs and cables, to ensure they are in good condition. In addition, they can help you create a maintenance plan to avoid future problems.
Damaged Tracks
A garage door’s tracks provide housing for the wheels that assist in opening your garage door. When these are damaged, the door may become dislodged or even fall completely off track. This could damage the entire opening system of your garage door or injure someone who is trying to open it. It’s important to address any signs of damage in your track immediately to avoid further damage and expensive repairs.
The most common cause of garage door tracks becoming damaged is a collision. This can be the result of a vehicle running into your garage door or it could be due to a lawnmower or other heavy object colliding with it. Damaged tracks can also be caused by a build-up of dirt or debris on the rollers that causes them to jump off track. If you notice this problem, it is best to call a professional as they will likely need to replace the entire track system.
One of the main reasons homeowners choose to fix their own garage doors is because of the ease and cost-effectiveness that comes with it. Unfortunately, some DIY projects are better left for professionals and it is in this case with bent garage door tracks.
If the garage track is only slightly bent, it might be able to be straightened. However, you should first loosen the necessary hardware including bolts and screws that hold the affected section of track in place using an adjustable wrench. This will allow you to bend the track back into shape without causing it to crack or break.
Once you’ve loosened the necessary hardware, clamp on to the damaged track with a pair of vise-grip pliers. Then, slowly apply pressure to the bent part of the track to help it return to its original position. It’s important to apply the force gently so you don’t damage other parts of your track.
Once you’re satisfied that the track has been straightened, you can tighten the bolts and screws that were previously loosened. It’s also a good idea to test your garage door to make sure it is functioning properly.