Garage doors (especially new garage door installations) can be an excellent way to enhance the overall curb appeal of your home but, they also serve as a means to safeguard your vehicles and belongings. Not to mention, your garage can also be an entryway to your home. Over time, just like any other mechanical equipment, your garage door can exhibit signs of wear and tear. Whether it’s the sudden grinding noise, a door that refuses to budge or jams, or opens at uneven speeds, these indications shouldn’t be overlooked.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these issues, it’s essential to call an experienced garage door technician near you when anomalies arise. Our team comprises seasoned garage door technicians who are dedicated to your garage door’s well-being and keeping your garage safe and secure. Every technician we send out is educated to handle garage door repairs near you with the utmost proficiency. Count on them to have a deep understanding of every facet of garage door parts and their mechanisms.
Common Garage Door Repair Services Near You
A number of factors can contribute to your garage door’s suboptimal performance. While some of these issues might seem straightforward for someone more familiar and comfortable with a DIY approach, trusting your garage door to a professional garage door repair technician is always a smart choice. Not only do the experts at Don’s Garage Doors come with the right tool and bring a wealth of experience and knowledge, ensuring efficient and accurate repairs, but they also we also prioritize the safety of your family and home—a critical consideration given the complexities and potential hazards associated with various garage door hardware. According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, there are about 2,000 people crushed by garage doors every year.
Broken Garage Door Springs
A common cause for garage door repairs is a broken garage door spring. While many assume the garage door opener shoulders the brunt of the weight, it’s actually the springs that do the heavy lifting! In fact, garage doors can weigh hundreds of pounds and the garage door springs lighten the door’s load, ensuring you can manually lift it during emergencies or power failures. The garage door spring ensures even weight distribution across the garage door, making for a smoother and more balanced operation each time it’s activated.
Some of the reasons why a garage door spring can break include:
Rust
Rust can accumulate on garage door springs, leading to increased friction and weakened coils. When this happens, it significantly reduces the spring’s overall lifespan.
Regular Wear and Tear
Garage door springs typically have a life span of about 10,000 cycles, with one cycle being an open and close action. Frequent usage, especially in homes with several users, can increase wear and tear. Some specialized springs are designed for 20,000 cycles, but without these, springs can break prematurely.
Lack of Proper Maintenance
While garage door springs eventually wear down, when that happens hinges heavily on regular maintenance. A skilled technician can predict when springs are close to failure, helping prevent unexpected incidents.
Broken Garage Door Rollers
Garage door roller replacement typically takes place roughly every seven years. Like garage door springs, your rollers also have a life span of a certain number of cycles. Operating your garage door with faulty rollers or rollers that are not adequately lubricated, can place undue strain on the pricier components of the garage door. It also depends on the type of material your garage door rollers are made from such as plastic vs. steel vs. nylon.
Some of the common signs that your garage door rollers need to be replaced include:
Exessive Door Vibrations
As garage door rollers degrade, the wear can lead to the door shaking or vibrating excessively during its motion. If your garage door appears to derail during use, it’s a strong indication that a roller replacement might be in order. During our regular maintenance and assessment, we conduct safety evaluations and make sure all parts are in peak working order.
Door Alignment Issues
A clear sign that your rollers need replacement is frequent garage door misalignment. The garage door roller ensures the whole system stays aligned for proper function. If your door consistently comes out of its track or seems unhinged, it’s time to consider new rollers.
Noisy Garage Door Operation
When your garage door is making excessive noise during operation, usually this can be pin-pointed to the rollers. While lubrication might sometimes alleviate the noise, it’s advisable to consult a service technician. They can assess whether a repair or replacement is needed.
Broken Garage Door Cables
With every garage door, cables are installed on each side of the garage door, playing an important role in opening and closing your garage. With the help of extension and torsion springs, these cables allow the door to move up and down smoothly. Typically if you see that the garage door cables are broken, it is best not to use the garage door as you can risk breaking the other cable or causing more damage to your system.
In addition to similar issues from other malfunctioning components, some of the signs of broken garage door cables include:
Uneven Doors
If you notice that your garage door is uneven or misaligned, chances are that the cable on one side is broken. When this happens, trying to use your garage could cause it to hit other components of your garage door system and cause further damage.
Faulty Bearings
Garage door cables run through the bearings. If these bearings fail, they can accelerate wear and tear on garage door cables. Signs of this include squeaking or grinding sounds during door movement, and sometimes, a faint burning odor due to the defective bearings.
Slow Door Opening & Closing
If your garage door isn’t opening or closing as it typically does or is completely stuck, the cables might require replacement. Indicators include the door moving significantly slower or faster than normal. Observing such changes often signals the need for repairs.
Garage Door Drum Replacement
When your garage door is shaking or making noise, it could also be the result of damaged drums. When this happens, it is best to replace the drums quickly as this can impact other components of your garage door system resulting in more expensive repairs. The drums can also totally fail when you least expect it which can cause damage to yourself or your vehicle. The garage door drums work in conjunction with the springs and cables. The garage door cables wrap around the drum as the garage door opens and when the door closes, the cables unwind off the drum. If any of these parts malfunction, the garage door will fail to open or close smoothly. They can also slip off as a result of the following:
Damaged Torsion Springs
Garage doors may have one or two torsion springs. If a spring breaks, cables can unwind, potentially causing the door to drop suddenly. However, when two springs are in place, a functional spring might still support the door.
Obstruction
Garage doors have an auto-reverse feature and photo safety eyes to avoid closing on objects beneath. If these systems fail, the door can crash onto items like your car bumper. This may cause the cable to slack on one side.
Improper Spring Tension
Spring tension varies based on door size. Once installed, springs are pre-tensioned. Inadequate tension can affect cable operations, either from too much or too little force, leading to cables misaligning with the drum.
Mismatched Cable and Drum Sizes
Heavier doors need sturdier cables. Undersized cables can strain and wear out early. Similarly, the drum size should match the door height, ensuring it can accommodate the cable length. It is crucial that you purchase the type of cable drum that is appropriate for the height and weight of your door.
Bent Garage Door Tracks
The horizontal and vertical tracks of garage doors play a pivotal role in guaranteeing smooth operation. When the garage door tracks are bent, the rollers and door can have a difficult time opening or even staying firm on the tracks. In other words, bent tracks can mean that your garage door won’t open or can fall off.
You may have bent garage door tracks if you are experiencing the following:
Shaking Garage Door
Unusual door shaking, suggests that the track is bent. Such issues can escalate to accidents if overlooked. The door might be off its track, risking damage to nearby objects.
Uneven Door Movement
If your door opens or closes unevenly, it might be misaligned from its track. While it might seem tempting to fix it yourself, it’s crucial to remember the door’s substantial weight. A mishandled adjustment can lead to damages or severe injuries.
Rail Damage
Inspect your garage door rails for visible dents or damages. Even minor imperfections can evolve into significant issues impacting the entire system. For smooth operation and safety, ensure rails are promptly repaired or replaced when damaged.
What Are the Typical Costs of Garage Door Repair?
Garage doors can get stuck due to various reasons. Sometimes, a simple obstruction in the track is the cause, which can be easily addressed by removing the object.
If the wheel tracks get damaged, it can also lead to a jammed door. For such repairs, the costs generally range from $133 to more than $160.
Why Should You Consider Professional Garage Door Repair Near You?
Garage doors are intricate mechanisms and, while some homeowners might consider handling minor issues, it’s crucial to be aware of the complexities involved.
Safety Concerns
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission highlights that there are several garage door-related accidents reported annually. Given that garage doors are usually the heaviest moving parts in homes, it’s imperative to handle them with care and expertise.
Efficiency and Expertise
Professionals have the tools, skills, and experience to address garage door problems efficiently. Their expertise ensures that the root cause of an issue is identified correctly, saving both time and potential future repair costs.
Correct Parts and Installation
Garage doors require specific parts tailored to the door’s model and design. Professionals ensure that the correct parts are used and installed properly to maintain the door’s integrity and functionality.
Protection of Door Integrity
Experienced technicians can ensure that all parts of the door, whether malfunctioning or not, are treated with care, preserving the overall health and lifespan of the door.
Contact Us Today For Garage Door Repair Near You
Whether you have a broken garage door spring, faulty garage door roller, broken door cables, need a drum replacement, or a bent track, call Don’s Garage Doors for expert garage door repair near you. Our team of garage door technicians are well versed in various garage door repair techniques so you can expect competent and efficient service, right to your door. We carry all the best garage door brands and garage door materials. We treat every project like it’s our own and value customer satisfaction. If it is time for a refresh, Don’s is an expert new garage door installation as well! At Don’s Garage Doors, we have been servicing and repairing garage doors since 1989, and we have over 102,000 happy customers. We have an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau and are recommended by Team Dave Logan.
Give us a call today and schedule your garage door repair near you!
