The garage door is an essential part of the home. Over time, though, it can get
damaged. While it might just be a small dent, it could also be something worse,
leaving you unable to open or close your garage door. So, if you have a problem
with your garage door, read this guide to find out ways to fix it.
There
are several things that can be wrong with the garage door and, thus, several
different ways to check what the problem is.
Simple Fixes
First, you'll want to check the tracks on which the garage door
rolls up. The most common (yet easily fixed) garage door problems occur on this
tracking. Inspect these metal rails for any bends or dents. If any are found,
use a rubber mallet to hammer them out. If, after repairing these dents, your
garage door still won't open or close properly, then the problem lies elsewhere.
Your garage door might also be malfunctioning due to a problem with the
alignment of the tracks. The two tracks need to be perfectly aligned for the
door to work properly. To fix this problem, begin by loosening the bolts that
are holding in place the track you need to adjust. Then, tap the track with a
rubber mallet until it moves into a better position. You can use a level to make
sure the track is in the right place. Just remember to tighten the bolts and
screws after readjusting the track.
If the door seems a little
"sluggish" when you open and close it, the problem may be due to dirty tracks or
too much friction. Using a regular household cleaning product, clean the tracks
of any dust, dirt, and hardened grease. You can also lubricate both the track
and the rollers, using lubricant spray for the former and vegetable oil or
silicone spray for the latter.
More Involved Fixes
If none of the above solutions fix the
problem with your garage door, there's probably a more complicated problem. You
can first try tightening all of the screws, bolts, and hinges. As you do this,
carefully inspect all of these connections for any visible damage. If any
components are broken, you'll need to replace them. It's possible that the hinge
is fine, but the wood behind it is cracked. To fix this problem, remove the
hinge and use wood filler to repair the wood.
The problem with your
garage door may also be due to the springs either having too much or not enough
tension. The springs are often attached to a piece of metal with several holes.
You can increase or decrease the tension of the springs by adjoining them to
different holes. If your garage has once central spring, instead of two on the
side, you should have a professional come and adjust this for you. That's
because the tension for this type of spring is so high, you could get damaged
trying to adjust it yourself.
Since you keep one of your most valuable
possessions (your car) in the garage, it's important to have a garage door that
works properly. While these tips can help you repair a broken door, they can
also help you make sure it is well maintained.