Can I Repair a Garage Door by Myself?

If you notice any signs to suggest that your garage door could have a problem, it’s best to get it fixed immediately. However, it’s always advisable to seek professional help instead of attempting it yourself. As a homeowner, you may fancy your DIY skills, sometimes to your detriment. Contact the best garage door repair services in Langley to handle any problems. Unless you’re a garage door technician, never attempt repairs on your own.

Why Attempting Garage Door Repairs by Yourself Is Bad

Avoid the temptation of repairing your garage door. This is because it comes with certain risks like:

1) Serious Injury

The average garage door is heavy, with several parts all designed to work with precision while distributing tension accordingly. Tampering with one part can result in the inadvertent release of all this tension, causing the garage door to collapse. Attempting to do this without any expertise can result in serious physical injuries should the garage door’s full weight land on you. While attempting a garage door repair may be a cost-cutting measure, think of all the medical bills you’ll incur if you get injured, not to mention property damage. That’s why it’s always best to let the professionals handle it.

2) Aggravating the Problem

Sometimes, the issue with your garage door could be a minor one, something a seasoned technician can fix relatively quickly. However, your attempts to fix it yourself, guided by nothing more than a cursory tutorial on the internet, could make the issue worse. This could result in a rather expensive repair (or replacement) as a result of the now-aggravated problem. Regardless of how much you think you’ve understood a garage door problem, there is no substitute for certified knowledge and experience.

3) Lack of Proper Tools

Even when you have some knowledge about garage door repairs, it’s unlikely you’ll have the necessary tools just lying around for such a job. Garage door repairs require specialized tools like winding bars. Calling professional garage door technicians ensures that the repairs are done using the appropriate tools for the best outcome.

4) Fixing a Non-Existent Issue

A problem with a lack of proper knowledge and experience is that you might greatly overestimate your capabilities. This can lead to a situation where you begin “fixing” a problem that isn’t there. In addition to being a waste of time and a risk for physical injuries, this could also lead to expensive repairs later on when you realize your folly and hire a real technician.

The above are the main reasons you should contact a garage door technician immediately if you need any issues fixed. You’ll save yourself a lot of trouble (and money) over the long term.

Common Types of Garage Door Issues

Given the complexity with which garage doors are assembled, it’s only natural that one of its several components can malfunction, resulting in the need for repair.

Below are the common garage door issues.

1) Strange Noises

Squeaky garage door noises are usually the result of excessive friction in the tracks. Accumulated dirt particles like dust can also be responsible. Thorough cleaning and the application of a lubricant like WD-40 can usually solve this problem. However, there could be bigger issues if the squeaky noises persist. While you can successfully clean the tracks, any other issue requires a professional technician.

2) Garage Door Lowering

This is one of the situations that can result in injury. A garage door that lowers too quickly or one that requires an extra bit of effort to lower could indicate a problem in its operating mechanism, usually the spring. If possible, avoid using such a garage door until a qualified technician has fixed the problem.

3) Broken Parts

One of the several parts that constitute a garage door can break, either due to mechanical fatigue or some other cause. Call a garage door technician immediately to handle the problem. The broken part could be the tension bar or the springs. Expertise is required to ensure that no part is damaged during the process of repairing another.

4) Garage Door Not Opening All The Way

Several issues could be responsible for your garage door not opening or closing all the way. An obstacle like a pebble could be obstructing the mechanism necessary for opening and shutting it. Sometimes, the springs’ wires have come loose. A qualified garage door technician can troubleshoot any such problems and offer a solution.

Ultimately, you should never try to fix your garage door by yourself. In addition to the above issues, you could also void any warranty offered by the garage door manufacturer.