Category: Garage Door Maintenance

No matter how careful you are, there may be times when your garage door panels take on damage. Mistiming a turn onto your driveway, a kid kicking a football too wide, or even heavy hail storms can lead to denting and damage. When this happens, repairing garage door panels becomes necessary to get your garage door looking as good as new again. Here’s what you need to know.

The Importance Of Repairing Garage Door Panels

If you have dents or damage to your garage door, it’s usually important to repair it as soon as possible. Even if the dents are minor or just cosmetic damage, they will take away from the curb appeal of your home. As such, you’ll want to repair them quickly, so your garage door still looks good. 

When damage is left alone for too long, it can actually cause more damage to the garage door structure. A sizeable dent can lead to bends in your garage door tracks, and that can lead to the door sticking or even becoming unusable. If you’re leaving repairs because you think it will be too expensive, then you’ll soon see that you’ll spend even more on repairs later down the line.

As such, you want to address garage door panel damage as soon as possible. The quicker you deal with it, the easier and cheaper the repairs will be.

Can Garage Door Panels Be Repaired?

You absolutely can repair a garage door panel if it’s taken on damage. There are a couple of ways you can go about doing this, depending on the severity of the damage.

If there’s a small dent on one panel, you may be able to hammer it out yourself. This can literally be done using a hammer and a 2 x 4, or you can use a trick with aluminum foil, compressed air, and a lighter to ‘pop’ the metal back into place. Typically, this will be enough to repair minor dents in the garage door.

If the damage is more extensive or multiple panels have been damaged, then instead, you’ll want to replace the panels themselves. This allows you to correct the damage and keep most of the old garage door without having to replace it. This is a simpler repair than it sounds, so you’ll save money on a whole new door by replacing a panel or two.

When to Replace Rather Than Repair?

In some cases, it’ll make more sense to repair the garage door panels rather than replace the whole thing. However, if the damage is too severe, then you’ll want to replace the whole garage door. Here’s when you’ll want to think about replacement:

Consider the Age of the Door

The age of your garage door will have a tangible impact on whether you repair or replace it. All garage doors will have an average life expectancy, depending on the style and the materials used. 

If there’s damage to the garage door panels, consider the age of the door itself. If it’s nearing the end of its lifespan, then you’ll see that it’s not worth repairing the panels. After all, you’ll just have to replace the door in a year or two. Instead, it’ll be better to just replace the door. 

Consider the Damage to the Panels

The damage your garage door has taken will be a significant factor, too. If there’s only damage to one panel, it makes a lot of sense to just replace that one panel and carry on using the garage door as needed. 

However, if multiple panels are damaged or the damage is quite severe, then it will make more sense to replace the door entirely. A garage door expert will be able to advise you on the right thing to do. 

Look at Any Other Issues

There may be damage to the garage door panels, but take a look at any other problems your garage door has right now. For example, is it sagging? That’s a sign that it’s bending or buckling, leading to more damage along the line. You may also see the wood starting to crack, or it’s just not functioning as it should. Either way, you’ll want to look at replacing the door rather than repairing it. You’ll actually save a lot more on repairs in the long run.

What You Need To Know About Repairing Garage Door Panels

Now you’ve looked at your garage door and decided that repair will be better than replacement, you need to know what to do next. Firstly, think about color matching your new garage door panels. You could buy a new panel that matches your garage door in theory, but over time the sun and the elements may have faded your door. You’ll want to look at repainting the door once you replace the panel, so you can be sure the door looks its best.

Also, consider how many panels need to be replaced. Changing one or two out is usually quite sensible, as it keeps the garage door working as it should and ensures that you get the look that you want. If it’s any more than that, you will need to look at replacing the door itself. That’s especially true if your door has taken on more damage due to the damaged panels.

Finally, you’ll want to find a reputable contractor to replace those panels for you. While you can replace them yourself, it’s a tough job and can be dangerous when done alone. Plus, you don’t have the expertise a professional garage door repairman has, so you may not do it to the proper standard. Hire one to handle it for you, and it’ll be like the damage was never there. 

It’s easier to repair garage door panels than you’d think. They’re designed to be taken out and swapped around when needed, so if one’s taken damage, you can replace them and get the door back in perfect working condition.

Give us a call today for all your garage door repairs, services, and more! Your Garage Door Guys are ready to help.

Like everything else in your home, your garage door needs to be checked upon regularly to keep it in top condition. While you can’t keep the same garage door going forever, you will be able to keep it in good condition for longer by learning these tips on maintaining a garage door with regular checkups.

Maintaining a Garage Door With Regular Checkups

Here’s what you need to do to keep the garage door working and in good condition every season. 

1. Do A Visual Inspection

The very first thing you need to do when checking your garage door is to watch it in motion. Open and close it a few times with the opener, and see how it looks. You want it to be smooth and fluid. Are you seeing any jerky motions? That’s a sign that the springs, pulleys, or cables may need attention. 

As you do this, listen to the door too. It shouldn’t squeal, or make grating sounds. It’s easy to tune them out as you use the door every day, but you’ll want to find the source of the noise before the problem gets worse. 

2. Clear Out The Tracks

Your door needs to travel up and down the tracks every time it moves, so you’ll want to keep them in good condition. Take a look at the tracks, and see if there’s any dirt or debris blocking them. If there is, clear it out and ensure they’re free of obstruction. 

At this point, check if the tracks are plumb with the door using a level. If they’re slightly out, you can make some adjustments yourself. If you find the tracks are significantly bent though, you’ll need to call a professional. They may need to replace them for you. 

3. Inspect Your Rollers

The rollers sit at the edge of the garage door, and you’ll need to make sure you check them. They should be in good condition, free of chips, cracks, or wear. Typically, you’ll start seeing this show up in your rollers every five to seven years, so you’ll want to change them out when this happened. 

Typically, you can change a roller by just removing the bracket that holds them to the door. However, never remove the bottom roller brackets. These are attached to the lift cables which are under tension, making them dangerous. This is another job for a garage door professional.

4. Tighten Up Hardware

Over time, the hardware in your garage door will start to loosen up. That’s thanks to the vibrations that are involved in opening and closing the door. This isn’t a problem if you’re doing maintenance at least twice a year, though. 

Check for any loose bolts in your garage door, and use a socket wrench to tighten them up as needed. Check the brackets holding the door tracks to the wall, as well as the fasteners holding the garage door opener to the framing. 

5. Check Your Cables And Pulleys

The cables and pulleys on your garage door are what give the connection between the springs and the door, allowing it to lift. There are two types of springs that your garage door could have. Extension springs are long thin springs that are installed along the horizontal portion of the door track. Torsion springs are installed on a metal rod above the door opening. 

You’ll want to take a look at this system, seeing if the cables are looking worn, or the springs are looking looser than usual. If you do see any problems, you’ll need to call a professional rather than handle them yourself. These hold a lot of tension, and it’s dangerous to attempt repairs on your own. 

6. Lubricate All Moving Parts

Now you’re ready to lubricate the garage door. This is an essential step in your maintenance process, as it keeps everything moving. If you forget to do this, it can cause parts to seize up and stop working, potentially causing more damage. 

You’ll want to get all moving parts with white lithium grease. A spray-on solution is best, as it allows you to coat everything evenly. Spray it on the rollers and hinges, and then wipe off any excess with a cloth. You’ll also want to lubricate the extension spring openers and the bearings on torsion spring openers. 

7. Check The Door Balance

If a garage door isn’t properly balanced, it’s going to be harder for it to open every time. It’ll have to work harder, and that means that parts will wear out sooner. Luckily, you’ll see that you can check for this problem very easily. 

Unplug your garage door opener, and open up the door manually to about halfway. If the door is properly balanced, the door should stay open. If it isn’t, it’ll slide shut on its own. Call a professional to help you diagnose the problem. 

8. Check The Auto Reverse

Next, you’ll need to check the auto-reverse feature. This is a vital safety feature on garage door openers, so you need to ensure they’re working properly. Again, this is quite easy to do. 

Simply get a 2×4, and place it in the path of the garage door. Then, hit the remote to close it. If it’s working correctly, it should sense that something’s in the way, and reverse back up again. If it doesn’t do this, check the photo eyes on either side of the door. They may simply need cleaning, or realigning, so they can properly sense anything in the way. 

9. Clean The Door

Finally, take a look at the door itself. Over time it may develop dents, rust, and other issues. You’ll want to correct these, as it’s better for your curb appeal and will ensure the door looks its best. Sand rust spots on steel doors and re-paint them. Give fiberglass a wash with an all-purpose cleaner, and sand and repaint wood doors. 

Now your garage door has been fully inspected and is ready for another six months of use. Make sure you keep doing these checks to keep the door in good condition for as long as possible.

Your garage door is in use every single day. It gets used at least twice a day, when you go out to work and when you come home. Because of this, all the moving parts that make up your garage door will wear out over time.

That’s why it’s so important you tune up your garage door, and ensure that it’s working at top capacity. Here’s when you should give it that tune-up, and what’s involved in doing so. 

When Should You Schedule a Garage Door Tune Up?

The answer to this question differs slightly, depending on how you use the door. On average, a full garage door tune up should happen once a year. That should be enough to catch any problems and stop them in their tracks. Sometimes you can leave it a little longer. That tune-up can be done every two years if the door is quite new, or it’s rarely used. 

However, you don’t want to leave it much longer than that. If you do, then problems will go unnoticed. When that happens, they can cause serious problems with your garage door. It could stop moving without notice, trapping your car inside for example. That’s why a regular garage door tune up is so important. 

Do You Need To Tune Up Your Garage Door Now?

Not sure whether the garage door needs to be taken care of now? There are a few signs that show that you need to take care of it. These include:

Audible grinding or squeaking: A garage door may be loud when it opens and closes, but if it’s making new noises, then that’s a cause for concern. That can be a sign that the door isn’t sat properly in the tracks, or that the tracks themselves are bent. This will need to be corrected quickly, to prevent further damage. 

Damaged rollers: Take a look at the rollers on your garage door. Can you see any damage? This could be anything like chips, cracks or wear in the rollers. If you see any of this, that will affect how the door moves. As such, you’ll need to have them replaced. 

Uneven door: Does the door look like it’s askew in the tracks? That’s another sign that the garage door tracks are bent. If the bending isn’t too extreme, it can be hammered out. If it’s gone on for too long, then the tracks and even the garage door itself will need to be replaced. 

Garage door can’t stay open: A good test to do is to open the garage door halfway, and then let go. Will the garage door stay open? If it can’t, that’s a sign that the springs are starting to wear out. That poses a danger to you if the springs snap, so you’ll need to have them replaced as soon as possible. 

There are lots of things that you need to take care of during a garage door tune up. Look for any of these issues, as that’s a sign it’ll need help now rather than later. 

DIY Or Professional Tune-Up?

If you think your garage door could use a tune-up, should you do it yourself or get a professional to handle it for you?

There are certainly some smaller jobs you can handle on your own. If you know what to look for, you can do a visual inspection and see if anything looks amiss. You can also do some tests and maintenance yourself, as detailed below. 

If you see anything that needs repair though, such as your springs, then you should call on an expert to help you. Parts of your garage door are going to be difficult to repair yourself, so you want someone with experience to help you with it. 

Maintaining Your Garage Door

Each year, you’ll want to do an inspection of your garage door, to see if anything needs to be fixed or replaced. Here’s what you should be looking for:

Lubricate the door: This is a task that actually should be done twice a year but is very easy to do. Use a spray can of lithium grease, which is often marketed as garage door lubricant, and spray it into all the moving parts of the door. That includes the lock, rollers, and so on. That helps everything move smoothly and avoid damage. 

Check the garage door balance: As detailed above, test the garage door balance. If it can’t hold its own weight, that’s a sign that the springs need to be replaced. 

Test the photo eyes: The photo eyes on your garage door opener stop the door from shutting on anything in its path. Test this, by placing a 2 x 4 of wood in its path. If it auto-reverses, then the safety feature is working as it should. 

It’s also a good idea to clean the photo eyes off, as they are close to the ground and get dirty easily. A soft cloth is enough to do this. 

Listen to the door: Listen to the garage door when its in operation. Is it making new or strange noises as it moves? If so, get in touch with a garage door tech to get to the bottom of the issue. 

Replace the weatherstripping: The weatherstripping at the bottom of your garage door will keep the weather out, as well as any pests trying to get in. If it’s starting to get loose or worn, replace the weatherstripping to keep your garage safe. 

Clean the garage door: Finally, once you’ve checked everything you can give the garage door a good clean. If there’s any cracked or chipped paint, you can also remove it and repaint the door for a fresh look at this point.

With these tips, you’ll know exactly when your garage door needs a tune-up, and what you should be looking out for. Keep a close eye on the door, and call for help from the experts should you need it. 

If you’re in Simi Valley, consider making us Your Garage Door Guys for all your garage needs, including sales, installation, repair, and garage door tune up services.

If you’re interested in learning how to fix garage door rollers, you’re probably having trouble opening and closing your garage door effectively.

The garage door rollers on your door are an important part of the system. If you start seeing issues with your garage door, then they could well be the cause of them. Here’s how to tell if your garage door rollers are the culprit, and how to put the problem right. 

In this article, we’re taking a closer look at how to fix garage door rollers.

How to Fix Garage Door Rollers

The short answer to this is, call in the experts. There are many jobs you can DIY when it comes to your garage door, but replacing the garage door rollers is not one of them. 

This is because working on your garage door is a dangerous job. They weigh upwards of 150 pounds, and you don’t want that to fall on you as you’re working. As well as this, a good garage door expert will install your new rollers for you properly, and ensure that everything is working as it should before they leave. 

If you’re going to hire an expert, make sure you’re finding one that will do the best possible job. It’s always a good idea to check sites like Trustpilot and the BBB to see what others have to say. You can also talk to family and friends, to see if they have any recommendations. 

Once they have the new rollers in place, they’ll show you how to take care of them, so you get the most out of them before they need to be replaced again. 

Here’s how to fix garage door rollers.

Signs Your Rollers Need To Be Fixed

There are all kinds of things that could go wrong with your garage door, so you need to understand when the issue is being caused by your garage door rollers. These rollers are what guide your garage door up and down the tracks, so if there’s any problems with the door going up and down, they could be the problem. Here’s what you should be looking out for. 

Noisy garage door: Of course, your garage door is going to make some noise when you’re using it. Are you hearing way more noise than usual though? If you’re hearing popping or grinding from the door, that’s a sign that the rollers are damaged.

Don’t change the rollers just yet though, as there are other things that can cause this problem. A locked torsion spring or worn hinges can also create a noisy garage door, so check for these as well as wear in the rollers. 

Uneven door: When you open your door, does it open unevenly? If it’s sagging to one side, that’s a sign that a torsion spring may be wearing out. It can also be a sign that one of the rollers is wearing out too, so you’ll want to work out which one this is. 

When checking springs, be careful as they carry a lot of force. When they break and spring loose, they can cause damage and even injury, so take care. 

Vibration: Again, you’ll expect the garage door to vibrate a bit when it opens and closes. If that vibration gets violent though, that’s a problem. If you let this keep happening, it can allow nuts and bolts to start to come loose. 

This often happens when rollers wear down. They’re designed to let the garage door move smoothly, so when they’re worn out you’re going to see more vibration. 

Damage and defects: When you take a look at your rollers, you may see some visible damage to them. This can be cracks or chips, that show that the roller is nearing the end of its lifespan. Check the rod too, as a bent rod also shows that the mechanism needs to be replaced.

Check the lifespan: All garage door rollers will wear out after some time in operation. Keep track of how old yours are, as that will tell you if they need to be replaced. Plastic and steel rollers without ball bearings will only last a few years, while steel and nylon rollers with ball bearings will last up to 15 years. 

Maintaining Your Garage Door Rollers

You have your new garage door rollers in place, so you’ll need to do some work to keep them in the best possible condition. This is very easy to do, you just need to follow these tips:

Do regular inspections: This is the most important thing you can do for your garage door. If you’re keeping a close eye on it, you’ll be able to spot if anything goes wrong much quicker. It’s better for garage door safety too, as you won’t have a problem get worse without you knowing about it, and potentially putting your family in danger. 

Look for any signs of wear and tear on the door. You can also conduct a test of the auto-reverse if you have a garage door opener. Make sure that everything is working as it should. 

Lubricate the door: This is so important for your whole garage door, not just the rollers. You’ll need to lubricate all moving parts regularly, including those ball bearings in the rollers. This keeps everything moving smoothly. Use lithium grease to do this, and you’ll get the best results.

Call in experts when needed: Have you seen anything that isn’t quite right on your garage door? If so, then you’ll want to call in the experts right away. Some homeowners shy away from this, as they feel it’s expensive. However, if a problem is repaired by a novice or left alone, it’s going to be a lot more expensive to fix the damage. If left long enough, the whole garage door may have to be replaced.

If you see anything that needs to be replaced or repaired, call those experts now so they can take care of it for you.  

Your garage door rollers are one of the most important parts of your garage door. Keep an eye on them, and get help to repair or replace them if you see any signs of damage. That way, you’ll be able to avoid major breakdowns before they even happen. 

The key to extending the life of your garage door is keeping it maintained year after year, especially if you experience extreme weather in your area.

In this article, we’re taking a closer look at how to maintain garage door opener and its components.

How to Maintain Garage Door Opener

Your garage door opener is an essential part of your garage door, but it’s so easy to take it for granted. After all, you get home every day, push the button to drive into the garage, and never give it a second thought.

Of course, that’s until something goes wrong with it. You don’t want to be dealing with a garage door opener that won’t work as intended, so here’s how to maintain the garage door opener and keep it in top condition. 

Here’s how to maintain a garage door opener.

Be Careful Around Your Kids

To your kids, the automatic garage door opener will be something that’s fun to play with. Many like to play ‘beat the door’ when it’s shutting to race under it or keep opening and closing it with the remote. This constant use will wear out parts on both the door and the opener itself. If they’re racing under the door, they could get seriously hurt. The auto-reverse function on modern garage door openers should stop this from happening, but you should always be careful. 

Teach your kids to never play with the door, and that they should never go under it when it’s moving. Keep all openers out of your children’s reach, to ensure that they can’t open the door without you present. As an added measure, ensure the push-button control for the door are placed high up enough on the wall that they’re out of their reach. 

Keep Photo Eyes Clean

Speaking of the auto-reverse function, this is controlled by the beam of light that’s shot out of the photo eyes, near the bottom of your door. These keep a continuous beam between them, and when it’s broken it triggers the garage door to open back up. Usually, this will happen if something is blocking the path of the door when you’re trying to close it. It’s an important safety measure that you must have on your garage door opener. 

The problem with this is that they often get dirty. They’re close to the floor, so dirt often gets kicked up near them. When the eyes are blocked, the light beam is blocked too. That leads to the system believing that there’s something in the path of the door, so it won’t shut properly. If you clean these off regularly with a soft cloth, you shouldn’t have this problem. 

While you’re looking at the photo eyes, you can see if they’re still properly aligned. The alignment of the photo eye is important, as again this can break the beam and send the signal that there’s a blockage. To check this, tie a length of string between the two eyes, and use a spirit level tool to see if it’s level. If it isn’t, adjust the photo eyes until the string is level, as that will show they are perfectly in line with each other. 

Keep Moving Parts Lubricated

One of the most important things in maintaining a garage door is lubricating all the moving parts. That includes the hinges, rollers, tracks, and more. Essentially anything that moves needs to be regularly lubricated. If they aren’t, you’ll soon see the garage door squeaking and squealing as you use it, and parts will wear out faster than they would otherwise. 

The same goes for your automatic garage door opener. If you use a chain belt operated opener, you’ll need to ensure this is lubricated too along with the rest of the door. When choosing a lubricant, use one that is lithium grease based. This is the best lubricant for garage doors and will ensure that everything runs smoothly. Don’t use a product like WD40, as it’s not actually designed for use as a lubricant and can actually make things worse for your garage door opener. 

Test The Garage Door Balance

Your garage door should open easily, but if it doesn’t that’s going to put extra stress on the garage door opener. When running maintenance checks on the door, check the balance of the door too. 

To do this, unplug your garage door opener and open the garage door about halfway. Step back, and see if the door stays open on its own. If it does, then it’s evenly balanced and you won’t need to worry about it. If not, then you’ll need to adjust the springs. These may need to be replaced, and if that’s the case that’s something you’ll want the professionals to do. It’s a dangerous job, so keep yourself and your family safe. 

Clear The Garage Door Tracks

Your garage door tracks should be clear as if they aren’t that’s going to put more stress on the system as a whole. It’s usually quite easy to clean the tracks out with a cloth, removing any build up in them that would make it hard for the garage door to move. 

As well as this, look for any bends in the track. When using your door, listen to the door for squealing noises. Also, look to see if the door shuts or opens unevenly, as that’s another sign of a bent track. If there are smaller bends or dents, these can be hammered out yourself. If the dents are more severe though, a professional will need to handle them for you. 

Consider Replacing Your System

Even if you take good care of your automatic garage door opener, you’ll need to consider replacing it at some stage. Most experts recommend replacing it if it’s over 20 years old. This is because openers older than that may not have auto-reverse safety features. They may not have rolling codes either, something that’s very important for garage door security. If yours is older than this, look into having it replaced. 

With these maintenance tips, you’ll be able to keep your garage door opener in top condition. It’s important to maintain your garage door, so check it over regularly and take action as you find any problems with it. If you’re ever in doubt, call on a garage door repair team to help you out.