A malfunctioning garage door can be repaired with a variety of solutions. It could be as simple as replacing dead batteries in the remote, or it may involve disassembly of the equipment to diagnose and fix the problem.
A homeowner can often fix minor damage, such as dents and misaligned tracks, but more significant problems, like broken springs or extensive structural damage, should be left to the experts. Contact Garage Door Repair Mustang OK now!
Overhead garage doors are complex systems. They use many moving parts and safety features to open and close and keep people and items safe. If one part of the system is broken or not functioning correctly, the entire door can be unsafe to use and may need repair.
While it’s possible to perform some minor maintenance on your own, there are certain signs that it’s time to call a professional. One of the most common is hearing a lot of noises coming from your garage door. If it’s making grating, grinding, or rumbling sounds when it moves, you should get it checked out right away.
Another sign is if the door isn’t properly aligned with its tracks. This can be dangerous because the door may bang into the opening of your garage or hit anything stored inside. You can easily check this by removing the opener and manually lifting the door to see if it stays in place or moves.
Lastly, if you’re finding that you’re constantly having to replace or repair parts of your garage door, it’s probably time for a new one. A new garage door can add a nice touch to your home and increase its value, too. A professional can help you find the best option for your needs and budget. They can also install your new garage door quickly and efficiently, so you can start using it immediately.
General Inspection
In general, a garage door inspection should begin with a visual examination of the door. This should include a look at the paint job for fading, blistering or peeling. It is also important to check for dents, cracks or gaps that can allow moisture into the garage and encourage mold.
Examine the track mounts and bracing to make sure they are securely attached. Older doors with extension springs require containment cables to prevent broken parts from being propelled around the garage if they snap. Newer garage doors use shaft-mounted torsion springs and do not need these containment cables.
The rollers allow the door to move along the tracks and should be examined for wear. Look for lopsided steel rollers or cracked nylon ones that need to be replaced.
A modern garage door usually has polyurethane or polystyrene insulation between the steel or wood panels to protect against temperature extremes and reduce energy bills. Inspect the insulation for abrasion, damage or warping.
If the garage is equipped with a trolley or carriage that uses a chain, belt or screw to move the carriage assembly, examine the rail for warping and make sure the assembly moves freely. If it does not, adjust the tension to take out the excess slack. Also, if there is a keypad on the garage wall, verify it is working. Finally, if the garage is wired for a push button or remotes, test them.
Tracks
Garage door tracks may not be the most glamorous part of the system but they play an important role in its function, ensuring consistent, quiet operation and safety. Regular maintenance including visual inspection, lubrication, and cleanliness can minimize the risk of misalignment or other problems.
Tracks consist of vertical and horizontal rails that guide the doors as they move up and down. Vertical tracks are installed on either side of the door opening, while horizontal tracks are located near the ceiling. The track wheels ride in the grooves of the tracks to allow the door to roll smoothly.
Residential garage doors are typically equipped with standard radius tracks that measure 15 inches in width. The standard radius allows enough room for the operator motor to lift the door sections. In a taller garage or commercial/industrial setting, a hi-lift track configuration with a smaller radius curve can be used to accommodate more headroom.
Track bolts, commonly referred to as “whiz nuts” due to their unique fastening arrangement, are another critical component of the track system. The small bolts have a special hole in the end that holds a flat washer or lock washer to guard against track bolt turning. When tightened, the flange nut on top provides additional locking and security. If the bolts loosen, the track can become misaligned or damaged.
Rollers
Rollers attach the tracks to the garage door and allow it to open and close smoothly. They can become noisy and squeak, and they should be lubricated regularly to keep them running smoothly. The lubrication may be something as simple as white lithium grease, or you can use degreaser or penetrating oil. If they are worn out, or have cracks or bent wheels it is time to replace them.
Choosing the right type of rollers depends on the priority, necessities and expectations for your garage door. Steel rollers tend to corrode and will require lubrication frequently. They are less expensive than nylon, but they do not last as long. They can also be dented or chipped by objects that hit them. Rollers with ball bearings operate smoother and quieter, but they are more expensive. Rollers with a sealed design are more resilient to moisture, but they are more costly as well.
The wheel size on the roller should match the track width and the weight of your garage door. Residential doors usually have two-inch rollers, while extremely heavy commercial or industrial doors will need three-inch wheels. The stem on the roller should match your opener, too. Some older systems used 3/8” stems on their rollers, but those are no longer available. The installer will know which stem size to order for your door. The installer should also be familiar with the manufacturer’s cycle ratings to ensure that your new rollers will last a minimum of 15,000 cycles or more.
Hinges
Hinges are the small components that connect garage door panels and allow them to move up and down on their tracks. Like the other garage door parts, they can be subject to wear and tear from heavy daily use, exposure to the elements, or age. If you notice your garage doors are noisy when opening and closing or squeaking, it is time to replace the hinges.
You can also check for signs of damage by looking at the hinges themselves. They should not be cracked or rusted. Using the right type of hinge for your specific door is important. Heavier doors will require stronger, heavy-duty hinges than lighter doors. The hinges should be matched in size and gauge, too. 11-gauge hinges last longer than 18-gauge hinges all things being equal.
If you need to replace your garage door hinges, choose high-quality ones. Look for ones that are rust-resistant and made of solid steel to ensure they hold up to the weight of your garage door. Also, make sure to get the correct number of hinges for your particular garage door. Hinges are usually numbered (stamped) to indicate their location on your garage door. Hinges located between the bottom and the next higher panel should be #1 hinges, the ones between the second and third panels should be #2 hinges and so on.
The best garage door hinges are also certified by a reputable manufacturer to meet industry standards. Choosing the right hinges for your home and properly installing them will save you money in the long run by helping your garage door operate smoothly and safely.
Photo Eyes
Photo eyes are an important safety feature to ensure a garage door does not close on children, pets or anything else in the path. They are located about six inches above the ground on either side of your garage door and use an invisible beam to communicate with each other. If anything obstructs or breaks the line of light between the two, it will prevent the door from closing.
It is possible for a homeowner to check the condition of their photo eye sensors, but it is also a job for a professional. One of the most common problems with photo eye systems is a malfunction that will cause them to not activate at all or to close only partially. These are easy fixes for a garage door professional who can quickly and easily resolve the issue for you.
Whether you have thru-beam or retroreflective photo eye sensors, the first thing you should do is make sure nothing is blocking the lens from each sensor. Gently wiping the lenses with a soft, damp cloth and then drying them should remove any dust, cobwebs or debris that may be interfering. Once the lenses are clear, you can check the alignment of the sensors by holding a length of string or wire and passing it in parallel beside each eye. If the LED lights on both the sender and receiver photo eye are flashing, the sensors are out of alignment and need to be realigned.