Garage Door Repairs You SHOULD NOT Attempt Yourself
When it comes to a garage door not working correctly, it helps to investigate it.
But never try to repair it yourself! Instead, contact B&W Garage Doors if you face any difficulties, as the garage door is a substantial moving part and can be dangerous, causing injury.
Broken/Stretched Springs
A garage door works with a spring system to counterbalance the weight of the door, and when adequately balanced, it must not carry a weight of more than 10 lbs, and you must be able to open the door using your hand.
When a garage door spring breaks or stretches, it can malfunction for different reasons:
- The lifetime of the spring is around 5-7 years, coming to between 10,000 and 12,000 open/close cycles, and it might have reached its lifespan.
- The spring also loses a 10% to 15% torsion yearly and eventually breaks, and you will hear a bang when this happens.
- You find that some springs can break at the end of the loop.
The reason is that the spring break with time, and the door shakes a bit when this happens and makes strange noises.
TIP: After replacing the spring, it’s essential to balance the door properly to ensure it operates smoothly and safely. If the door is unbalanced, it can lead to further issues.
Worn Out Rollers
One crucial fact about garage door rollers is that not all of them are made equally. You find rollers equipped with ball bearings that last longer than those without. Therefore, the more bearings it has, the longer it lasts.
We recommend a long-stem roller working with double hinges for the double garage door.
But why can the roller malfunction?
- A roller should roll on the track and not slide and often break when they do not have a long stem with double hinges.
- Rollers can also break when you leave the door in an open position for a long time and have single rollers, and the weight causes them to become worn out.
Broken or Frayed Lifting Cables
The lifting cable links to the garage door at the bottom of the spring system.
You find them curved around a drum to make replacing easier.
These cables are always under tension, and attempting to remove them puts you at a safety risk as it corresponds to the door’s actual weight.
When the drum misaligns, these cables fray as they rub against it and can break when it is not the correct size to carry the door weight.
TIP: If you notice frayed cables while the garage door is closed, do not attempt to open it. Keeping the door closed can prevent further damage or a potentially dangerous situation.
Tracks Misaligned
The horizontal tracks you find adhered to the ceiling with right-angle brackets and screwed to a block of wood.
When a garage door is installed incorrectly and the attachment points are not done correctly, it results in a vibration on the door.
It causes the tracks to misalign, and the door can come off the track.
When this happens, never touch any of the parts, and give B&W Garage Door a call.
Other Concerns
You may also find broken door opener gear and sprocket.
Many of these parts are made of plastic and located in the motor and can break when too much pressure is placed on it.
If you hear a loud grind, check if you have a broken spring and pull the emergency cord to switch the door opener to manually open/close.
Contact Us Today For All Your Garage Door Needs
When it comes to broken garage doors and openers, it is best to leave it to the professionals.
If you need any repairs done, you can give us a call now.
We will come out to assess your situation and provide you with the best advice to repair it.