DIY Garage Door Repairs: When It’s Safe to Fix It Yourself

As one of the most important parts of your home, regular maintenance of garage doors is a must. But even consistent maintenance won’t keep away the eventual wear and tear and, sometimes, mishaps that would require repair. As tempting as it is to go ahead and fix the problem yourself, it’s better to pause and consider the certain risks and issues involved when doing so, and when it’s best to leave the fixing to the capable hands of the professionals.

What are some of the common garage door problems and their DIY fixes?

Your garage door is bound to encounter problems sooner if you do not regularly maintain it. However, some issues are bound to appear as your garage door nears the end of its life span. Here are the more common problems a lot of homeowners experience:

Misaligned tracks. From the name itself, this happens when it gets off track, making it bind and produce noise whenever you try to open or close it. This is one of the simpler problems that do not need roller door repair services since you can just adjust the track to realign it.

Broken springs. For your garage door to be raised or lowered, the mechanism is dependent on springs. With a broken spring, it will be close to impossible to open or close your garage door, and you may have to call in garage door repairs for this issue because it needs certain expertise and tools.

Cable issues. Aside from the springs, another crucial component of a garage door is the cable, since it’s the one responsible for carrying the weight of the door. They tend to wear out over time, so at the first signs of fraying, you should call garage door repair services to replace them and prevent your door from collapsing.

Remote control and sensor problems. The majority of garage doors today have integrated smart home technology into them. So, owners can open or close their doors using a smartphone app, which is also applicable if they have any sensors installed. The problem is that your garage door may not operate or the sensors work properly in case the remote control is broken. Issues like these are usually because of dead batteries, but if you change into new ones and it still doesn’t work, it’s best to call professional services.

What are the things I should keep in mind for DIY garage door repairs?

Admittedly, there are a few garage door problems that can be fixed through DIY, but it’s still important to practice extra caution whether you are going to fix it by yourself or by the repairmen.

Disconnect the power. One of the first things you need to do when doing repairs is to disconnect the power source. You never know what can happen, so to prevent your door from opening or closing accidentally, it’s better to do so than cause injury either to yourself or the service provider.

Never leave your garage door hanging halfway. Speaking of opening or closing accidentally, you must never attempt to fix a door when it’s partially opened since this is also high risk, leaving you wedged in between the floor and the panel.

Use the proper tools and equipment. When it comes to DIYs, we tend to use makeshift items for our convenience, but this is not applicable when it comes to fixing your garage doors. You have to have the right equipment and tools to avoid further damage and accidents.

Call professional services if necessary. In the event that you do not know how to fix your garage door, it’s best to leave it in the capable hands of professionals. Call your local garage door repair services so they can assess and repair the fixture safely and effectively. But you can also call them if you want better insight when choosing garage door materials that best fit your home and aesthetics since they will also be the ones who will handle the repair and maintenance.

When do I call a professional?

Even though there are a lot of simple garage door problems that you can fix by yourself, there are certain issues that you should leave to the professionals, such as:

If the door requires complex repairs. Some doors require the whole panel to be replaced, while others need to check with the inside mechanism. In both cases, professionals should handle such concerns to prevent further damage.

If there is major structural damage. For issues like damaged tracks or bent frames, you have to call in qualified technicians to check the extent of the repair needed.

If it poses safety concerns. If it has come to a point where your safety or the safety of the person repairing is compromised, then it’s better to work with caution and call the local repair services instead.