4 Most Common Garage Door Repairs You Can Make Yourself

If your garage door is having trouble opening and closing, you may need to repair certain parts. These include the torsion spring, cables, and photo eye sensors. These repairs are often simple and inexpensive. You can find them online or build them into your door. Once you have them, you can put your door back together.

Rebalancing your Garage Door

If your garage door is not lifting entirely or moving in all directions, there is a good chance the door is out of balance. When it is properly balanced, it should rise and lower without slamming or sagging. If you are having trouble with the door, consider calling a professional to fix the issue.

Pull on the release handle and lift it halfway to check if your door is out of balance. If the door doesn’t stay in place, the springs or counterweight system are out of balance. This is the most common garage door repair and should be addressed immediately.

Rebalancing your garage door is a simple process. It can also extend the life of torsion springs. Torsion springs are used in most automatic garage door mechanisms. It is essential to rebalance these springs regularly to prevent them from wearing out prematurely.

Replacing a Torsion Spring

Replacing a torsion spring on a garage door is one of the easiest repairs you can make yourself. A torsion spring is a spring that is used to open and close the garage door. Over time, these springs can become worn and broken. To replace the torsion spring, you must remove the old spring. Before you replace the spring, you must measure the length and width of the springs. Measure the length of each spring’s coils using a measuring hook. The length and width should be in decimal format. Once you’ve measured the length and width of the springs, divide them by 20 and 40 to get the wire diameter.

A torsion spring is extremely dangerous, so it is important to follow safety precautions when attempting to replace it. It’s also important to use the proper tools for the job. If you don’t have experience in this process, you should not attempt it yourself. Always hire a professional like those from Rainier Garage Door who knows how to perform the repair correctly. Also, be sure to wear personal protective gear. This should include safety glasses and a durable pair of gloves made of thick, durable materials.

Replacing Cables

Replacing cables for garage doors can be a reasonably straightforward task. First, you will need a step ladder and locking pliers or C-clamps. Once you’re up there, you’ll need to locate the cable. It will likely be located near the winding drum or in a notch.

You’ll need to replace the cables at least once a year. Ensure that you check them visually for fraying and other damage. If they’re frayed or have any oxidation, they should be replaced. Otherwise, they could break prematurely, compromising the function of the door.

Garage door cables are made of strong and flexible metal. They wind around a drum when the door opens and closes, and a frayed or broken cable can put undue strain on other components. If you need help with how to go about replacing your cables, consult a professional who has decades of experience working in the Long Island area.

Replacing Photo Eye Sensors

Replacing photo eye sensors is a simple garage door repair that can save you time and money. Most problems with photo eyes are pretty simple, such as having them accidentally bumped or getting dirty. While the owner can quickly fix most issues, a more complex issue may require professional help.

Photo eye sensors are attached to a pivot bracket, which may have been moved. Some may have been broken or misaligned by repeated use. In this case, you can try bending the bracket so the LED light can shine through. Once the sensor is fixed, secure it back in its position.

Another common garage door repair issue is a malfunctioning photo eye sensor. This sensor detects the presence of an object or a person by sending a signal. However, the door may only open or close when this signal is received. This problem can also result in the garage door auto-reverse feature. Luckily, the replacement of the photo eye sensor is relatively easy.