Can I Repair a Garage Door by Myself?

Without a doubt, garage doors form a vital component of many homes. Most doors undergo significant stress daily due to heavy usage. They’re also prone to damage over time. Keep reading to learn which issues are amenable to DIY solutions and which to refer to professionals.

Drawbacks of DIY Garage Door Repair 

The web contains many DIY garage door repair articles and tutorials that teach how to repair garage door issues. However, these materials are sometimes written by laymen who do not understand the nitty-gritty of these doors. 

Moreover, one cannot easily acquire the several decades of finesse that experts possess from merely watching a DIY solution video for garage door issues.  In no particular order, these are some of the drawbacks you should know before you repair garage doors yourself. 

• Unprecedented Harm. Most of these doors have hidden parts that could cause serious harm if you attempt to dismantle them. An example is the garage door spring which is usually under heavy tension. If it is released without proper care, it could cause harm or bodily injuries. Similarly, some other components of the door could inflict unintended injuries if not dismantled by a garage door mechanic.
• Time wastage. Typically, experts are trained to identify and solve a technical issue within the shortest possible time. They’ll use state-of-the-art equipment to troubleshoot and solve the issue. If you try a DIY solution, you can end up wasting a lot of time without achieving anything tangible. 
• Extra damage and expenses. Most laymen are unfamiliar with the intricacies and parts of their door and tend to do more damage to attempt a repair. This is especially detrimental when you make a minor issue more complex. Similarly, you might have spent some money on DIY solutions only to end up consulting an expert. This means you have to spend more and, in some rare cases, have to buy a new door. Hence, before you ask if you can repair the garage door by yourself, you must be aware of these drawbacks. 

Common Garage Door Issues You Can Fix At Home 

These are some fairly common issues people encounter with their doors that come with DIY solutions. 

• Dysfunctional Keypads. Apart from the usual garage door opener, some garage doors come with additional keypads. These keypads offer a more formidable layer of security since the codes will only be known to predetermined users. Sometimes, the keypads might be dysfunctional and fail to open the door. The first way to troubleshoot this problem is to make sure that the batteries are working. Thereafter, you can consult the door manually to make sure that the keypad is well-synced and re-sync if needed. If the problem persists, do not hesitate to contact the manufacturers. 

• Non-functional remotes. This is similar to keypads that aren’t working. Some garage doors come with remotes that make it easy to open and close from a considerable distance. However, the remote might fail to open the door occasionally. Check the battery and replace it appropriately if corroded or weak. You can also check if the opener’s antennae are not clogged with debris. 

• Abnormal noises. Some garage doors give funny noises over time which can be squeaking or otherwise. The usual cause of this is the accumulation of debris on the door track. Check the track and clean all dirt on it. Another cause of the squeaking sound in a garage door is the lack of adequate lubrication on the track. You can buy dedicated garage door lubricants and apply them on the tracks. Let the oil sip in for some time, then try opening the door all the way. 

• The door doesn’t open fully. When your garage door doesn’t open fully, there’s a big chance that something is obstructing it on the track. Inspect the track throughout its length and ensure nothing that could cause obstruction isn’t present. If the track is clear, the problem could be a faulty spring, which would require getting in touch with a professional. 

Garage Door Issues For The Professionals

These are common garage door issues to which you should call a professional’s attention.

• The door opens rapidly. It’s quite dangerous if your garage door opens too quickly. If this happens, it is best that you use other entrances into the building, as the door could lead to bodily injuries. The usual culprit is a faulty spring in most instances and the best step is to get the attention of a professional.
• Multiple faulty pieces. Fixing a single broken piece like a hinge in your garage door might be advisable. However, when you have multiple broken hardware, it is best that you refer to a professional. The reason is that apart from fixing the issues appropriately, a professional will give you the underlying cause and how to prevent future damage. 
• Non-functional door. A garage door that doesn’t open at all is usually beyond the scope of DIY solutions. It might be due to hardware or software issues. Troubleshooting the real cause might be cumbersome and tiring for a layman but not for a professional. The problem in a nonfunctional door can range from a faulty sensor or wrong installation. 
• DIY solutions not working. Certain garage door issues defy every DIY solution out there. Moreover, you might have spent a fortune trying to get it done yourself. The next step is to get in touch with a professional. The same applies to garage door issues that are recurrent. 

Contact GTA Garage Doors For Garage Door Repairs

GTA Garage Doors have been serving the Toronto area for a long while, especially in issues that relate to garage doors. We have experienced garage door professionals that work with state-of-the-art tools to help build owners repair and install garage doors.

GTA Garage Doors recognizes the fact that garage doors are an essential component of a house and, as such, is quick to respond to complaints or emergency door issues. No matter the garage door’s model, savvy technicians are available round the clock that can provide rapid and reliable service.