If your garage door isn’t working as it should, you may be tempted to try and do the repairs yourself. But garage doors are complicated mechanisms that can be dangerous if they aren’t handled properly. Here are three common problems with garage doors that many homeowners are able to fix on their own in minutes and one type of repair that is best left to the professionals:
1 – The Garage Door Doesn’t Close Fully
If the garage door is refusing to close partially or fully and reverses, it’s possible that the safety photo eyes are malfunctioning. The photo-eyes are a safety mechanism using an infrared light beam to sense a clear path. Any obstructions will trigger the door to reverse to the open position. If the safety photo eyes are not aligned or obstructed, the garage door’s safety mechanism treats this as if it were a person, pet, or other obstruction.
How to Fix:
2 – The Garage Door is Noisy
Most garage door noises result from dirty rollers, loose fasteners, or metal parts requiring lubrication — all easy fixes.Spray garage door lubricant on the roller bearings (only on rollers with metal wheels), the lift cables, and the springs every two to three months. Please Note: nylon rollers without bearings should not be lubricated, as you may cause damage to the roller.
3 – DIY Garage Door Cleaning
Keeping the garage door’s outside surface clean will improve the appearance of your home and extend the life of the door.
Use a soft-bristled brush or sponge dampened with mild dish soap to clean your garage door. Rinse the door thoroughly using clean water.
4 – Broken Spring? Let a Pro Repair That!
One type of garage door repair you should NEVER try to fix yourself is a broken garage door spring. Always call a professional.
Want to Learn More?
Contact your Raynor Authorized Dealer today.
