Gainesville Restoration and Remodeling

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Emergency Garage Door Repairs
Emergency Garage Door Repairs: What to Do Before the Pros Arrive

Emergency Garage Door Repairs: What to Do Before the Pros Arrive – The opinions expressed by the author in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Gainesville Restoration and Remodeling.

 

Emergency Garage Door Repairs

Emergency Garage Door Repairs: What to Do Before the Pros Arrive

You’re minding your own business, cruising in and out of your garage with your trusty garage door doing its thing. Life is good until, BAM! Your garage door decides to throw a tantrum.

When your garage goes on the fritz, and you are not ready to invest in a new garage door or garage door installation, panic sets in. But fear not! This guide will walk you through the steps to take before the professionals arrive. Remember, a little know-how can go a long way in preventing further damage and saving you from a hefty repair bill.

Assess the Situation

The first rule of Garage Club: assess the damage. Like a detective at a crime scene, take a step back and look at the big picture. Here’s what you need to consider before calling garage door service.

Ensure Safety

Safety should be your top priority. Before attempting any troubleshooting, disconnect the garage door opener to prevent accidental activation. Use vise grips to secure the door in place, ensuring it won’t unexpectedly come crashing down while you work.

Identify the Problem

Before the pros step in, try to get a handle on what’s happening with your garage door. Here’s how you can pinpoint the problem:

  1. Check for Stuck Points: Examine if your garage door is refusing to budge or stuck in a particular position. This could help diagnose issues related to tracks or obstructions.
  2. Listen for Strange Noises: Pay attention to the sounds your garage door makes. Are there unusual clanks, bangs, or creaks? These sounds can be indicative of potential problems with various components.
  3. Spot Mid-Air Pauses: If the garage door stops halfway during its operation, take note of the specific point. This detail can guide professionals in identifying potential disruptions in the tracks or problems with the door’s balance.
  4. Watch for Sensor Hiccups: In cases where the garage door behaves erratically, stopping or reversing without warning, consider the photo-eye sensors. Documenting these instances helps technicians address potential sensor misalignments or obstructions.
  5. Check Response Time: Evaluate how quickly your garage door responds to commands. If there’s a delay, inspect the remote batteries and watch for interference from nearby electronics. This information assists in identifying issues with the control system.

Document the Problem

In the midst of a garage door emergency, documenting the details of the issue is a crucial step that often proves invaluable when communicating with professionals. By taking note of specific details, homeowners can provide accurate information, aiding technicians in diagnosing and efficiently resolving the problem.

  1. Take a Good Look: Check out what’s happening with your garage door. Is it acting weird or making funky noises? Note down exactly what’s going on. Make a quick note of when all this started. The more info, the better!
  2. Inspect the Basics: Give your garage door a once-over. Look for anything that seems off – like parts that look wonky, misaligned tracks, or anything that seems worn out. Pay attention to how the tracks, rollers, hinges, and springs are holding up.
  3. Listen Up: Tune in to the sounds your garage door is making. What kind of noise is it? Creaking, grinding, or maybe it’s just being a bit dramatic? Write it down so you can share it with the experts.
  4. History Check: Has anything been fixed or tweaked recently? Let the experts know about any recent DIY adventures or professional help you’ve called in. It helps them connect the dots.

By taking a moment to observe and note down these specific details, you’re essentially creating a helpful roadmap for the professionals. This extra information can significantly expedite the troubleshooting and repair process when the experts arrive.

What Not to Do

While waiting for professional assistance, it’s crucial to steer clear of actions that may worsen the situation or compromise safety. Here’s a list of things you should not do:

  1. Forceful Maneuvers: Resist the urge to forcefully open or close a stuck garage door. Forcing it may cause further damage to the tracks, rollers, or motor.
  2. DIY Overhaul: Avoid attempting major repairs or disassembly if you lack the expertise. Garage doors are complex systems and DIY efforts could lead to more problems.
  3. Tampering with Sensors: Refrain from tampering with the photo-eye sensors. Professionals best address misalignment or obstruction issues to ensure proper functionality.
  4. Excessive Lubrication: Avoid over-lubricating moving parts without professional guidance. Applying the wrong type or excessive lubrication can attract debris, causing more harm than good.
  5. Delaying Professional Help: Don’t procrastinate in seeking professional assistance. Delaying repairs might lead to further damage, resulting in higher repair costs.

Conclusion

Facing a garage door emergency can be daunting, but with the right steps, you can mitigate damage and ensure a smoother repair process. Remember to prioritize safety, explore DIY fixes cautiously, and, when in doubt, call in a garage door repair service. By taking preventive measures, you can reduce the likelihood of future emergencies and keep your garage door functioning smoothly.

 

Emergency Garage Door Repairs: What to Do Before the Pros Arrive

7 Typical Garage Door Problems and How to Fix Them

7 Typical Garage Door Problems and How to Fix Them – The opinions expressed by the author in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Gainesville Restoration and Remodeling.

Garage Door Problems

7 Typical Garage Door Problems and How to Fix Them

 

The garage door has evolved over the years from a manually-operated wooden door that was often too heavy to conveniently open and close. Nowadays, garage doors come in almost all varieties: steel, wood, glass, fiberglass, and aluminum. Most of these doors are opened through a remote control or an app on your mobile phone that you can use even if you are on the other side of the world.

Modern garage doors are also equipped with several high-tech features, such as backup power when blackouts happen and an insulation system. Nevertheless, even if they are modern and have highly-advanced technology, they will still require proper care and maintenance.

Additionally, garage door repair should be the primary solution the minute you realize something is wrong with the door. However, it is also vital for you to know how to identify garage door problems so you can apply the proper action for the situation.

 

Signs That Say Your Garage Door Needs Repair

 

1.  Your garage door is unusually noisy.

When your garage door makes loud noises, don’t waste any time and immediately check out what is causing the noise. The volume of the noise shouldn’t matter because even the softest noise is an indication that there can be problems with your garage door.

The first thing you should check is the track’s nuts and bolts. If any of them are loose, these can cause the door to become noisy, especially if they move up or down. If this is what you are experiencing, ensure that you tighten these nuts and bolts. Once done, check if it still makes noises. If it still does, check if the track is off the line. If it is, this may be what is causing all the noise.

Another possible problem would be the need for lubrication. Lubricate the garage door’s springs and rollers, or have them changed if the problem persists.

It is also possible that the problem isn’t with the door itself but with the loose belt of the opener unit. Once this is determined, tighten the unit right away. Have it replaced immediately if the problem isn’t resolved after the tightening.

2.  Your garage door does not fully close.

Garage doors have something that looks like a camera lens. These are called photo eyes, and these should be the first thing you should check if your garage door does not completely or fully close. These “eyes” are actually sensors, and if they are dirty or something gets in their way, they won’t function properly. Check them to make sure that nothing is obstructing their way, or wipe off dirt using a glass cleaner and soft, clean, dry cloth,

Ensure as well that the photo eyes are properly aligned.

3. Your garage door has gaps.

Garage door gaps are caused by constant use (wear and tear). If you do not contact your garage door specialist right away, this can cause serious problems, such as water buildup.

This may also be caused by a cable or spring that has snapped. If this is the case, the cable or spring should be replaced immediately.

4. Your garage remote is not functioning properly.

Your garage door is not working. No matter what you do, it doesn’t budge. Have you tried checking the remote? It might need a new set of batteries, especially if you haven’t replaced them since you started using the door.

You should also check the antenna and ensure that it is working properly. Lastly, your remote may just be out of range, so move closer to your garage door and try opening it again.

5. You hear your garage door’s motor running, but after a few seconds, the door still would not open.

If a storm recently hit your area or if you have had power interruptions quite recently, you can experience this problem with your garage door. If your garage door’s motor is running but doesn’t open, it may be that the door’s disconnect switch was engaged, which means the garage door can be opened manually if there is a storm, power outage, and other similar situations. Sometimes, you may forget to disconnect the switch after the power comes back on.

6. Your garage door makes a high-pitched sound.

A high-pitched sound similar to scraping comes from your garage door as it goes up and down is a sign that there is something wrong with the tracks and rollers. You can clean the tracks yourself, but you have to ensure that you check each track from one end to the other. Remove any debris from the tracks and check out its overhead parts. Ensure that there are no loose tracks – and tighten the bolts if necessary.

Call your garage door service specialist if you want to make sure that all loose parts are tightened, and the necessary repairs are properly done.

7. Your door shakes or vibrates.

There is nothing cool about garage doors that shake or vibrate. Even the slightest shaking or vibration can indicate problems with the rollers and tracks or opener. They have to be regularly cleaned and well-maintained to prevent debris from gathering around them.

Get in touch with your garage door specialist if the problem persists after a thorough cleaning.

 

The list above enumerates the most common problems your garage door may have. The best thing to do to prevent such situations from happening to you is to have your garage door regularly cleaned and maintained.