The garage door is one of the most used parts of your home. It is also the most exposed to wear and tear.

While you can do certain repairs yourself, you need to have an advanced understanding of your garage door system. Otherwise, you might end up fixing the symptoms and not the real issue, which can cost you more money. Contact Garage Door Repair Tuttle for professional help.

Whether you backed your car into the garage door or one of the kids accidentally hit the garage door with their bike, garage doors tend to get a lot of dents and dings. These dents are often cosmetic and can be lived with, but if the dent is structural or large enough to affect the functionality of your garage door then it may be time for a panel replacement.

When it comes to repairing or replacing damaged panels, there are several things you should keep in mind. Repairing is usually more cost-effective, especially if you only have one or two panels that need to be replaced. Replacing, however, can be a longer-term solution, and it can help to extend the lifespan of your garage door.

If your garage door is exhibiting multiple signs of wear and tear then a full panel replacement might be necessary. In some cases, it’s more practical to replace the entire garage door rather than repairing each of the individual panels.

Regardless of the extent of the damage, a professional should always be on hand to determine which option is most appropriate. They will begin the process by shutting off power to the automatic garage door opener, and they may also disconnect it from the rest of the system so that they can access the affected panel.

Once the technician has removed the damaged panel they can then sand it down and apply a coat of paint to ensure that the new panel blends in with the existing panels. A good coat of paint will also protect the panel from further damage and ensure that it lasts for a long time.

Whether your garage door has one or many damaged panels it’s important to have them repaired or replaced as soon as possible. This will prevent further damage to your garage door, and it will make it easier to open and close. It’s also worth noting that a badly damaged garage door can leave your garage more exposed to the elements, which can lead to additional problems down the line.

Broken Cables

When one of your garage door cables breaks it can cause the entire door to fall or it can put extra strain on other parts of the system causing them to wear out faster than they should. It’s best to replace a broken cable before it causes any more damage to other parts of your garage door system.

Garage door cables are heavy-duty twisted cables consisting of several strands of galvanized wire that run over a pulley or wind on a drum system at either end of the torsion spring shaft. They are designed to assist the torsion spring in lifting the garage door and they unwind or wrap around the drum when the door is lowered.

These cables can break for a variety of reasons such as corrosion, rust, fraying or excessive wear. One of the most common signs that a cable is worn out or has broken is when the garage door starts to move slower than normal or if it makes loud bangs as it moves up and down.

If you notice these problems with your garage door it’s important to call a professional to fix them. They can inspect the garage door and determine if it’s a simple repair or if the cable is actually broken. They can also check if the cables are properly aligned in the torsion spring system.

Before beginning any repair, be sure to secure the door in the open position with a C-clamp or other method under each bottom wheel guide on each track to prevent it from trying to close unexpectedly while you’re working on it. Place a ladder or scaffolding under the door to help keep it stable as well. Once the door is secured, use a pair of locking pliers or clamps to secure a C-clamp under each roller track just above the bottom roller. This will help prevent the door from accidentally rolling down and crushing you or your tools.

Next, locate the broken cable and remove it from its attachment points to the garage door and the drum or pulley system. The cable is typically looped around a peg on the bottom of the garage door or it may be threaded through a bracket and unthreaded from the pulleys. Once the old cable is removed, attach a new one by affixing it to the drum following manufacturer instructions and raveling it.

Damaged Tracks

As they support and guide the door panels, the garage door tracks must endure a great deal of movement and weight. As a result, they are prone to damage. When this occurs, they must be repaired promptly before they cause further harm and possibly derail the doors. If left unattended, a damaged track may cause physical injury to you or your family and lead to more expensive repairs.

Damage to the tracks often results from metal fatigue. This is a natural condition that arises from repeated exposure to weight and vibrations, which in turn leads to bends or warping of the tracks. Over time, these bends or warps will cause the tracks to become misaligned. If left unattended, this can lead to the tracks coming off the ceiling or wall supports.

Another common cause of track damage is debris buildup or obstructions. Dirt, dust, or other debris can obstruct the rollers’ ability to move freely along the track. The solution to this is regular maintenance and cleaning of the tracks to remove dirt and debris buildup. Additionally, it is a good idea to periodically apply a silicone-based lubricant to the tracks and rollers to reduce friction and promote smooth operation.

The mounting brackets that secure the track to the ceiling or wall can also become loose over time due to vibrations or poor installation. This can cause the track to slip out of alignment, which can be addressed with tightening of these brackets. A professional will be able to evaluate the extent of the misalignment and recommend the appropriate repair method.

Often, a garage door off track can be straightened by pulling and manipulating it to restore it to its original shape. Alternatively, professionals have specialized tools that can be inserted into small sections of the track to hammer it back into place. In some cases, it may be necessary to replace a section of the track if it is too bent or damaged to be repaired. A professional will be able to provide the right replacement part to ensure proper functionality and safety of your garage door.

Broken Rollers

As the name suggests, garage door rollers are what make your garage door work. Over time, the friction from these wheels against the tracks can cause them to become flat or worn out on one end. If this happens, they’ll begin to drag across the track instead of rolling up and down it, causing the system to run into problems. In order to fix this issue, you’ll need to replace the rollers.

In many cases, your Parker-area garage door’s rollers can be saved from breaking if you’re proactive about replacing them. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind before taking the DIY approach to fixing these components.

First and foremost, you should always make sure that the power is disconnected from your garage door before beginning any work. This will prevent you or a family member from accidentally opening or closing the door while you’re working on it. Additionally, it’s best to use a ladder or step stool to access the hinges and steel tracks so you can safely remove and replace your rollers.

Once you’ve shut off the power, it’s important to clean and lubricate your garage door tracks and hardware before starting any work. This will help keep the tracks and rollers smooth, quiet and efficient. It will also extend the life of these parts, saving you money on replacements in the future.

Next, you’ll need to determine whether your rollers simply need a little adjustment or they need to be replaced entirely. You can usually tell by looking at them, as well as their history of wear and tear. For example, if your garage door rollers are made of nylon and they’ve been through multiple cycles of up and down movement, they may have worn out already. This is because nylon isn’t as durable as steel in these types of applications.

To adjust your rollers, loosen them by making several quarter turns. Be sure to note how many turns you’ve made so you can return them to their original settings once the job is done.