A garage door is used many times a day and requires regular maintenance to keep it functioning properly. Repairing a broken door as soon as possible will prevent further damage and save you money in the long run.
If your garage door is dented or discolored, a simple repair will make it look new again. A more significant repair, such as crooked or sagging, should be addressed by a professional immediately. Contact Garage Door Repair OKC for professional help.
The springs offset the weight of the door, allowing it to be easily opened and closed, either by hand or with an electric opener. However, like any component subject to continuous, repetitive stress, garage door springs have a limited lifespan and will eventually break down and need to be replaced.
If left unaddressed, broken springs can cause the entire door to become unbalanced, making it difficult and dangerous to open and close, while also posing a serious safety hazard. Regular inspections can help identify potential issues before they arise and prevent the need for expensive repair or replacement.
Professional technicians use specialized tools to safely and efficiently replace springs, while minimizing the risk of injury for homeowners. They will first determine the type and size of existing springs, then purchase new ones to match those specifications. They will then replace the old springs, carefully following the manufacturer’s installation guidelines to ensure that the door is properly balanced and operates smoothly.
Once the new springs are installed, the technician will connect the safety cable and test the operation of the door to make sure it is safe and fully functional. They may also recommend additional services, such as track straightening or roller replacement, to improve the performance of the door and minimize noise and friction.
Whether you have extension or torsion springs, you will need to take care when working with them to avoid injuries. Both types of springs are under high tension, and even a small mistake can result in disaster or severe injury. Therefore, it’s always best to let the professionals handle the work.
When replacing an extension spring, homeowners should begin by disconnecting the lift cables from the cable drums on the bottom section of the door. Once they have done so, they can loosen the setscrews that hold the cable drums to the ends of the torsion bar and remove them. They can then remove the old springs from the torsion bar and install the new ones. To ensure the safety of the homeowner, a qualified technician should always replace both springs at the same time, regardless of their current condition.
Cable Replacement
The steel braided cables on your garage door provide balance and support for the springs. These are important safety features that should be inspected regularly to ensure they are in good working condition. They should never be allowed to break as they can release the tension of the springs and cause your door to fall or become dangerously out of balance. Cables should also be inspected for rust and corrosion that can weaken them over time. Regular maintenance tasks like spraying your cables with a special garage door spray lubricant can help prevent rust and corrosion.
If your cables have broken, a professional should be called to replace them. Replacing cables is not a job for a typical do-it-yourselfer as it requires removing the springs, loosening and unscrewing set screws on the drums and using winding bars to reduce the tension of the springs. This is a very dangerous task and is not something you should attempt on your own.
A professional technician can remove the old cables and install new ones safely and quickly. During the repair process they will test the operation of your garage door to make sure it is balanced and operating correctly. They will also perform a safety inspection to ensure the other moving parts of the system are functioning properly.
Having your cables regularly inspected by a trained professional can help prevent them from breaking. During an inspection they can check the cables for signs of fraying or kinking. It is recommended that you have your cables inspected twice per year to identify any potential problems before they break.
Another important aspect of the inspection is to look for signs of misalignment or roughness in the tracks. If the tracks are not properly aligned this can put undue stress on your cables, causing them to wear out faster and resulting in additional repairs. Having the tracks adjusted or realigned can prevent this problem from occurring and extend the life of your cables.
Track Repair
Located on either side of the garage door, tracks guide the movement of the door as it opens and closes. Over time, these metal guides can become damaged or misaligned, causing the door to jerk and shutter when opening and closing. Luckily, this is an easy fix. In some cases, you may be able to straighten the track with a rubber mallet or hammer and block of wood. If the damage is severe, you can use a special tool called a garage door track anvil to bend the track back into shape.
To identify the problem, first examine the tracks to see if there are any obvious signs of damage or misalignment. If the tracks have dents or are not level, loosen any hardware (like bolts) connecting the affected section to other sections of the track. This will allow you to bend the affected section of the track back into place without stressing other unbroken parts of the system.
Once the track is bent into shape, tighten any loose hardware and check for alignment. A properly aligned track should have a slight slope toward the back of the garage and a gap of about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch between the bottom of the track and the ground. You can test this by placing a level over the track to see if it is level.
Another way to maintain the integrity of your garage door is to lubricate its moving components twice per year. This will help the system move smoothly and reduce friction between the track and rollers. Just make sure to use a lightweight motor oil for torsion springs and a silicone spray for other parts of the system.
If you’re having trouble with your garage door, don’t try to fix it yourself by following online tutorials or DIY guides. Instead, contact an experienced technician to diagnose the problem and provide the right repair solution quickly and efficiently. A technician has the right tools and safety precautions to handle high-tension components like broken cables and sections that fell off the track, and they can also save you money by ensuring you don’t fix the wrong problem.
Roller Replacement
The garage door’s rollers allow it to move along the tracks smoothly. When the rollers are worn or damaged, it can cause the garage door to become noisy or even stop working altogether.
There are several signs that it’s time to replace your garage door’s rollers, including squeaking, grinding, or rattling noises during operation. You may also notice that the garage door is pulling away from or pushing into the wall when it moves. If you have been noticing these issues, it’s important to call a professional for repairs as soon as possible to prevent more expensive damage.
If your garage door is exhibiting these problems, it’s important to replace the rollers with high-quality options that will last for years to come. The best option for this is to purchase nylon rollers, which are quieter than steel options and have a lifespan of up to 10 years.
It’s best to have professionals perform the replacement process, as they can ensure that all steps are taken for safety and efficiency. They can also help you select the best roller material, based on cost and lifespan. For example, nylon rollers are a good option for homeowners who are looking to save money on repairs or improve energy efficiency, while steel-wheeled rollers are ideal for businesses that need to withstand frequent use.
In order to replace the rollers, technicians should start by locating the door hinges. They should loosen the bolts that secure the hinges using pliers and a socket wrench, while carefully removing them to avoid damaging the door. Then, they should remove the old rollers and inspect them for wear and tear. Once the new rollers are inserted, they can use a winding bar to straighten bent track and carefully test the movement of the garage door to confirm that everything is working properly.
Once the rollers are replaced, a technician can remove the C-clamps and reconnect the electric garage door opener. They should also check the track seam and roller alignment to ensure that the new rollers are functioning correctly. Regular lubrication can help to extend the lifespan of your garage door rollers by up to 10-15 years.