Repairing or Replacing a Garage Door That Doesn’t Work!

by Harvey Bond
(Chicago, USA)

You’re frustrated that your garage door won’t work. Don’t run out and try to replace it just yet. There are some simple repair tips that you could perform that just may be all you need to do to get the door working again.

In most cases, minor repair jobs can save you a lot of money by not making you purchase a whole new door. Here are some things to check out first to see if your door can be repaired:

Check the metal tracks - Garage doors run with a track system that allows the door to lift up and tuck away into the garage. Check out the metal tracks and make sure they’re still properly tightened to their supports.

Tighten any bolts or nuts that appear loose - or, if needed, replace some bolts. Loose bolts or nuts can cause the door to jam up when attempting to travel along the track.

Clean the rollers and tracks - Sometimes a garage door won’t work as effectively if the rollers on the door or the metal tracks are full of debris. Check them out and clean them if needed.

If there appears to be a sludge-like substance, then you can try cleaning the tracks and rollers with regular household dish soap. Once the debris is cleared away and the tracks are cleaned up, the door can run smoother when you’re operating it. Using lubricant oil can also enable the door to operate more smoothly.

Check the springs - Some garage doors have tension springs. Check these out to see if they’re still in good shape. You may just need to readjust the tension in order for them to work properly.

If they’re in bad shape, it would be safer to replace them altogether. Also check the pulley systems that go with the springs. Make sure they’re in good shape as well. If they’re not looking good, then be sure to replace them.

If your door has only one tension spring that’s located in the center of your track system and you think it needs to be repaired, call a professional to come do it. With the tremendous amount of tension that the spring holds, it would be too dangerous to try to repair or replace it yourself.

Check all of the hardware - Check any and all hardware attached to your door and track system. Sometimes a simple loose hinge can be the cause of your broken garage door, so check them all out and tighten whatever needs it. Don’t be afraid to replace the hinges if you think they’re the culprit.

Check the door opener itself - If you have an electric garage door opener, then check your door opening device. It may just need new batteries. If it needs to be replaced completely, check with the manufacturer for the door opener you have to see if a replacement is available.

If your door isn’t working properly, see if there may be something easily fixable before replacing the door altogether. If the door does need to be replaced, contact a professional to do it for you.

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