When your garage door stops running smoothly, you may find yourself in trouble. Arriving at work a few minutes late on account of malfunctioning equipment may be the least of your concerns. There is the possibility of the garage door damaging other parts of the structure (as is the case when a torsion spring snaps). There may also be the possibility of bodily harm, should the equipment fail and you or someone else happens to be in the vicinity (e.g. right under it) when it happens. A system failure could also allow a thief entry into your home. That is why, at the first signs of trouble, you should make sure to look into it. Here is a list of questions that usually run through most people’s heads they contact a professional establishment.
How Do I Keep My System In Good Condition?
Repairs may not be expensive, but they do have a cost associated with them. Replacement can cost even more. That is why as early as installation, people should evaluate the system that will best suit their particular need. Keeping your system well-maintained involves monthly cleaning and lubrication. Prevent accumulation of foreign material by wiping the parts. Use mild soap when dirt is difficult to remove. Just make sure you wipe them dry right after. You should also lubricate the moving parts after you clean them. Use silicon spray or household oil for lubricating moving parts and apply powdered graphite on the tracks. DIY Note: plastic idler bearings should be left alone.
How Is Troubleshooting Done?
This is where you pull out your detective’s hat and maybe fix the problem yourself. Examine the hinges, bolts and screws. Tighten everything that looks loose. Check the tracks for alignment and dents. You should also check the cables and springs for rust. They should be in good condition. You can determine your system’s condition by implementing a door balance test. Open the door manually. It should lift off the ground and stay open around four feet off the ground.
When Should Professional Services Be Consulted?
When the problem has something to do with track alignment, cleaning various parts, or tapping out a few dents, you do not usually need a garage door repair serviceman assistance. However, if the problem has something to do with a torsion spring (it is the single spring mounted right above the door that helps in opening and closing), you might need the services of a professional as it can difficult to do it yourself. Torsion springs are in a state of high-tension and are known to cause much damage when they aren’t carefully dealt with. You’ll know this may be the problem by the process of elimination. When most of the other parts have checked out fine and your door still doesn’t operate smoothly enough, it is probably the spring.
Note that most of the garage door troubles you may be dealing with can be avoided through regular maintenance. However, everything is subject to wear and tear. If it’s something that is in frequent use, such as a garage door, there is an even bigger chance of things going awry. You can try to fix things yourself. Lubrication and cleaning do not take much time or effort. For anything else, you can always look up a garage door repair service company.
