If you have a garage door that’s giving you trouble, it might be tempting to just try to fix it yourself, especially if you’re the kind of person who likes to take everything apart and put it back together again. If this sounds like something you might do then read on to find out if DIY garage door repair is the best option for you.
In this post, we’ll go over how to prepare yourself for your DIY garage door repair, the most common problems that can happen with your garage door, the reasons why you should practice extreme caution, and how to fix them yourself if you want to.
Diy garage door repair is only applicable under special circumstances
There are many things that you can do on your own and you can likely fix the majority of garage door problems yourself.
You should only attempt to repair a garage door yourself if you know exactly what you are doing, or have experience repairing other types of doors. Perhaps you could give it a try if the problem with the garage is obvious and easy to diagnose. This is an obvious reason, only attempt this if you have the right tools for fixing the problem at hand. Finally, this could be a possibility if the job or fix is only a one-man job.
Determine the problem with your garage door
Before you get started, make sure you’re aware of the possible causes of your garage door problem. The first step to troubleshooting any issue is gathering information. If you can determine what’s wrong with your garage door, then it will be easier for you to fix it yourself.
If none of the common issues seem to apply in your situation and you still can’t figure out what’s wrong with your garage door, then call a professional for help or hire someone who knows how to fix these things.
Get the right materials for repair
To repair your garage door, you’ll need to have the right materials. You should be sure to get the exact parts for the type of problem you’re having, as well as the tools necessary to install them. If you’re unsure about what repairs are needed, it’s best to find a professional garage door repairman who can help provide an estimate on costs and any other recommendations that may be necessary before starting work to prevent further damage from occurring.
It’s also important when working on your garage door that you obtain all of the safety equipment necessary for working around heavy machinery like this.
You should have a first-aid kit nearby and emergency numbers at hand because fixing garage doors is no small matter.
Work on one problem at a time and keep notes
Once you’ve decided to repair the garage door yourself, it’s important to remember that you can only work on one problem at a time. If you try to fix multiple things at once, it’ll be hard for you to keep track of what needs fixing and what has already been fixed.
You’ll also want to take notes in case your garage door breaks down again, or if someone else fixes it for you, or if another person just wants to look at your notes so they can understand everything that was done for them to not only get the job done but also prevent future problems from happening again.
Safety first
Before you start repairing your garage door, make sure you have the right tools and equipment. Never attempt a DIY repair for your garage door if you don’t have any of these. Professionals are highly trained in safety procedures when fixing garage doors because they are extremely heavy and have sharp parts!
- Wear safety glasses. You can pick up a pair at any hardware store. They will help prevent any debris that falls from accidentally hitting your eyes and could potentially cause an injury.
- Wear gloves. These will protect your hands from cuts and scrapes as well as keep them clean so that no grease or oil gets on them (which might affect the outcome of what you’re doing).
- Use a hard hat if there’s a chance that something heavy might come falling on top of your head; it may also be helpful when working near electrical cords to prevent electric shock injuries.
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Parts of the garage door that may need repair
It’s important to know every part of the garage door before attempting to repair it. You don’t want to repair something else or replace it with another part accidentally. Read about these certain parts and find out if you can repair them yourself, what you may need, how to begin the process, and when to call a professional.
Garage door springs are the most dangerous parts to replace
The most dangerous part of repairing your garage door is working with springs. These heavy-duty devices can suddenly snap back and cause serious injury if they’re not handled correctly. If you don’t have someone around who can help you lift them safely, consider calling in an expert for this part of the job.
You also need special tools for replacing springs or cables on a garage door opener. You’ll also need a new spring or cable if yours has snapped due to age or corrosion from exposure to weather over time! In other words: Don’t try this at home unless you’re 100% confident about what you’re doing concerning safety considerations.
Garage door panels weigh a lot
If you’re lifting a panel, it’s important to know how heavy it will be. The average garage door panel weighs between 70 and 80 pounds—pretty hefty. Why are they so heavy? Garage doors are made of steel and have a lot of moving parts. Each one could have up to 12 cables, or torsion springs, attached to its bottom edge that connects with a winding gear at the top of your doorframe. As if all this weren’t enough weight for you to handle.
The best way is to use two pieces of 2×4 lumber (often called “lifts”), one on each side of your panel. Rest the lift against something solid like a stud in your wall inside your garage so that when lifted each end will not move left/right which would cause damage during the installation process (like breaking off hinges).
This is one of the main reasons why you should only trust the professionals with your garage door repairs. They’re too heavy for just one person to handle.
Garage door cables are easy to install, but they’re also easy to install incorrectly
The first step to installing garage door cables is determining what type of cable you need. If you have a torsion spring system, a rope and pulley system, or a chain and sprocket system, consult the manual for your garage door opener to find out whether your model requires an extension spring or not. If it does, buy two springs: one for the top section of your door and another for the bottom section. If it doesn’t require an extension spring, buy just one—the same size as what came with your opener originally. When installing these cables in place of old ones that have broken after years of use due to wear caused by friction rubbing against them repeatedly during closing/opening cycles over time—be sure not to reuse any bolts from broken cables that still work well enough because doing so could potentially weaken them even further down the line.
Installing the wrong cables or installing them incorrectly could lead to accidents in the future, so only attempt this if you know exactly what to use and how to install it.
The opener can be replaced but it needs to be aligned
The opener, the motorized mechanism that lifts and lowers your garage door, can be replaced, but you’ll need to have an experienced person make sure the tracks are aligned. If you don’t align the tracks, your door won’t open and close properly.
It’s important to note that if a garage door has more than one spring and you’re not replacing the springs at the same time, then it might not be safe for you to work on your own. The most important thing is to make sure everything is secure before trying anything else.
Trust the experts with this. It could save you money in the long run if things are done right the first time.
BCS Overhead Door
In conclusion, if you’re going to take the plunge and repair your garage door, be sure that you know what you’re doing. The best course of action is to call BCS Overhead Door when faced with any problems. We have trained technicians who can quickly diagnose the issue at hand and provide solutions that are safe for your home’s environment and budget.
If you’re looking for a trusted garage door repair company in College Station, call us at (979) 218-9213. We offer a wide range of services including garage door repair, garage door installation, and garage door opener repair. We are available 24/7 to help with any of your garage door needs.
