Garage Door Repair Yukon is a complex job, and it requires special skills to perform correctly. This is especially true if you’re dealing with metal doors.
Start by measuring the width of your garage door. Then, divide it in half and mark the center point. This is where you’ll affix the mechanism that lifts and lowers your garage door.
Damaged garage door panels can detract from the overall appearance of your home and reduce your curb appeal. They can also lead to other problems, including difficulty opening or closing the garage door, and may compromise your garage door’s security. The first step in addressing damaged garage door panels is to assess the extent of the damage. Minor cosmetic blemishes such as scratches and dents may be repaired with sanding, wood putty and repainting, while larger cracks and bends may require panel replacement.
Many things can damage garage door panels, including impact and weathering. Regular exposure to sun, wind and rain can cause the metal panels to rust or fade, which can lower the aesthetic of your garage door. Additionally, impact from an auto accident or a sports ball can dent or break the panels.
If the damage is limited to one or two panels, replacing only the affected ones may be sufficient. However, if the entire garage door has been hit by a vehicle or was subjected to severe weather conditions, the panels may need to be replaced in their entirety. During a panel replacement, a garage door repair technician will carefully inspect the rest of the garage door to ensure that there is no damage to other essential components such as the tracks, springs and opener. They will then help you choose the replacement panels that match your existing garage door’s style and design.
Broken Cables
Cables have a limited lifespan and will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. Seeing visible signs of wear and tear with individual strands fraying is one of the most common indicators that it’s time to replace your garage door cables. A sudden bang is another symptom of broken cables that should be looked at by a professional right away.
Garage doors move up and down and wind and unwind constantly, putting a lot of friction on the steel cable. This can also lead to corrosion, causing the cable to become worn out. Regular lubrication can help reduce the amount of friction between parts and increase your cable’s lifespan.
If you suspect your garage door’s cable has snapped, open the door as far as it will go and repeat the ladder and locking plier steps to free the old cable. Once you have slack in the cable, remove it and follow the instructions for your particular type of door to replace it.
If you have a single spring system, be sure to use a second spring as a backup to keep the door in balance until you can get your new cables installed. A garage door that’s out of balance can cause serious damage to your vehicle or any other items in the garage and is extremely dangerous to operate manually. Loose cables can also trigger safety features that prevent the door from moving until you make the necessary repairs.
Broken Rollers
If you’re dealing with a noisy garage door that won’t open or close, or if the door jumps off its tracks regularly, it may be time to replace your rollers. Over time, metal-on-metal contact can cause them to wear out and rust, particularly with steel rollers that are exposed to moisture. Nylon rollers are less likely to rust, but they can still degrade over time. If you have metal-on-metal rollers, it’s important to use a garage door lubricant regularly to reduce friction and wear.
To replace a garage door roller, first disconnect the power from your opener motor and engage manual operation of the door. Next, locate where the roller jumped off the track and line it up with the spot on the track where it was located before slipping it back into place. You might have to pry the rim of the track slightly open using the claw on your hammer, but just enough to create space for the new roller. After putting the roller in place, you can lock it into position with a pair of vice grips and apply a bit more lubricant to help keep it in place.
It’s also a good idea to inspect the rollers and tracks periodically for signs of damage or wear. This will help you identify problems before they become more serious, and it can save you a lot of money in repairs down the road.
Broken Springs
Whether your garage door uses extension springs or torsion springs, they can break if they aren’t properly lubricated. This happens when dirt, grime and other debris clog the springs, preventing them from expanding and retracting during their cycles. This causes the coils to lose their elasticity and gradually wear out.
Eventually, the coils will break or snap – leaving your garage door unable to move up and down. This is why it’s so important to keep them lubricated. Using a silicone-based lubricant a few times a year can help extend their lifespan.
Even though it’s possible to replace extension springs on your own, it’s usually best left to professional technicians. They’ll have the specialized tools needed to ensure that you’re installing the right springs for your door and that they’re installed correctly. It’s also not a good idea to try to do this yourself if you’re unsure how to properly handle the task.
Because springs contain stored energy, they can cause serious injury if handled incorrectly. If you attempt to replace a garage door spring without proper training and tools, you could end up putting yourself in danger. In addition, you could also aggravate the problem by misaligning your springs or choosing the wrong ones for your door’s weight and height. This could cause your door to break or not open properly. This can lead to costly repairs and potential safety risks for you and your family.
Damaged Tracks
The tracks that guide your garage door’s movement can suffer damage due to many factors. Track damage often results from wear and tear over time, especially in heavy use areas, but weather conditions can also play a role. Even a small crack in the track can cause problems for the whole system. It’s possible to fix damaged tracks, but it’s usually easier to replace them entirely.
Improper Installation
If your garage door was installed incorrectly, it could lead to misaligned tracks or other issues with the overall operation of your garage door. This can cause the door to stall during operation, or result in increased friction and other damage to other components.
Routine Maintenance
Performing routine lubrication can help prevent damage to your garage door’s tracks. Using a high-quality lubricant designed for this purpose is recommended. It’s important to apply the lubricant at points where metal touches metal – this helps reduce the amount of friction that occurs as the door moves up and down.
Some repair services will offer a service to perform a complete inspection of your garage door. This service can include checking the tracks for damage and ensuring they are aligned properly. This can be a great way to save money on costly repairs in the future. A professional can also advise on the optimal frequency of lubrication to keep your garage door in top shape.
Damaged Hardware
In some cases, repairing damaged hardware is easy enough for homeowners to do. Tightening a loose screw, replacing an old weather strip, or lubricating your door’s rollers are all routine repairs that most homeowners can do on their own.
However, if your garage door has suffered extensive damage, it’s time to call a professional. Even if the dents and dings on your door are minor, the cumulative effect of collisions with vehicles and children’s toys can degrade the function and aesthetic appeal of the entire system.
Replacing damaged springs and cables also requires intricate work by professionals to prevent a safety hazard.
Many homeowners are tempted to fix their garage doors themselves, especially after watching a YouTube video. But attempting DIY repair can lead to future costs that are much higher than hiring a professional in the first place. Besides the fact that it can be difficult to do a quality job without professional equipment and knowledge, DIY mistakes may cause further damage to the system. It’s best to leave the complex task of repairing your garage door to a professional near Long Island. They have the expertise, tools, and know-how to quickly identify and repair the problem. They can assess your needs, determine what parts are needed, disassemble the system to repair or replace the components, reassemble the system and test its functionality. A successful repair requires a high level of technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, attention to detail, the ability to follow instructions or diagnostic manuals and physical dexterity.