We learned about issues that are common to garage doors in part one. Now, let’s find out how you can deal with them through reactive and preventive repairs.
Reactive repairs are repairs done for issues that demand immediate attention, such as in the case of broken cables, or other faulty mechanisms. These corrective measures are especially important because injury reports from garage doors are high. A 2007 report by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System says that more than 2,000 doors fell for no reason, while around 7,500 cases for pinched or crushed section joints were listed.
These numbers underscore the importance of the other type of garage door repairs: preventive. These things, in particular, should be considered to ensure the functionality – and safety! – of your garage doors.
Tighten up hardware. Garage doors are among the most frequently used home accessories, and this takes a toll on the hardware, sooner or later. Roller brackets and bolts must be tightened with a socket wrench every so often to secure them to the system.
Replace faulty parts. Your door rollers should be inspected every two years, and replaced every seven or so years – regardless of whether you have steel or nylon rollers. Cracked or brittle weatherstripping should also be replaced right away, so your home can stay constantly protected against the elements.
Lubricate moving parts. A spray lubricant must be used for the overhead springs, while the chains or screws can be coated with white lithium grease.
Clear the tracks. The tracks should be free of any debris.
Adjust unbalanced springs. One way to test whether your garage door’s springs are still balanced is to disconnect the opener and move the door about halfway up. If it does not stay in position, there is an issue with the counterweight system or the spring, and an adjustment must be made.
Most homeowners may feel tempted to take care of preventive repairs, considering that some of them — such as lubricating chains or screws – can be done easily. But a trained eye sees what a regular eye cannot, which is why these kinds of repairs are still best delegated to a professional.
But what exactly does a professional do? Why do you need one? And if you must pick one, who do you choose? We will tackle that in the closing segment of this series.