Beginner’s Guide to Garage Door Repair
Garage Door Repair Norman OK involves repairing or replacing the parts of residential garage doors. This includes the cables, springs, motor, and other mechanical components. It also includes addressing problems such as a broken panel, burnt-out motor, or damaged tracks.
It is important to fix your garage door as soon as it begins to show signs of wear and tear. Doing so can save you money in the long run by avoiding expensive repairs.
Misaligned tracks are one of the most common reasons that garage doors can get hung up on their way down. Over time, normal wear and tear or impact damage can cause the tracks to shift from their correct position. Fortunately, this is generally easy to fix by loosening the track screws and gently tapping them back into place. If you’re unsure of how to adjust your tracks, it’s best to leave the job to a professional.
A great way to identify if your tracks are out of alignment is by looking for gaps between the door and its track. If you see gaps, especially on both sides of the track, this means that the tracks have shifted and need to be repositioned. This will help ensure that the door opens and closes properly and reduces energy costs and exposure to external elements.
Another way to spot a problem with your tracks is by listening to them as they move up and down. Listen for any rubbing noises or grinding sounds that occur when the track hits a certain point. If you hear any new rubbing or grinding noises, this is definitely a sign that it’s time to call in a professional for some help!
It’s also possible for the tracks to become slightly bent over time. This typically happens if the track is hit by an object or by vehicle traffic. In some cases, the track may need to be replaced completely, but slight bends in the tracks can usually be corrected by repositioning them.
Loosening the Track Screws
Begin by loosening the track screws that hold each of the tracks in place using a wrench. Next, gently tap each track’s bottom with a rubber mallet to shift it into its correct position. Once the track is positioned correctly, use a level to make sure that it is perfectly straight. Once you’ve tightened the screws, repeat these steps for the other track to complete the process.
Broken Belt or Chain
A squeaky or noisy garage door chain or belt is not only annoying, but it can also signal that the system requires some lubrication. A squeaky chain or belt may be caused by dirt or dust that has accumulated on the pulleys, but it can also result from loose or broken parts that need to be replaced. If the problem is the latter, you will need to replace the entire rail assembly and install the new chain or belt.
To do this, you will need to disconnect power from the motor unit and remove the old chain or belt. You will then need to carefully remove the rail bolts and lock washers and lower the motor unit down onto your step ladder. Make sure you are comfortable handling these steps and are using a sturdy ladder that is secure to the ground. Once the motor unit is detached, you will need to remove the rail from the header bracket and the fastener ring from the header bracket clevis pin.
Once you have removed the rail from the bracket, you will need to disengage the safety sensor wires and disconnect the wall control and remote cable from the opener motor unit. You will then need to remove the nuts, bolts, and lock washers that secure the motor unit to the ceiling bracket. Once this is done, you will need to support the motor unit with one hand and slowly lower it down, resting it on the top of your step ladder. Once you have lowered the motor unit, you will need to remove the fastener ring from the header rail clevis pin and install the new belt or chain.
Once the new chain or belt is installed, you will need to re-engage the opener cable and connect the garage door remote and the wall button. Once everything is reconnected, you will need to test the garage door to make sure that it opens and closes properly. If the new chain or belt appears to droop when it is tested, you will need to adjust the tension to ensure that it is tight enough.
Malfunctioning Safety Sensors
Sensors are essential in garage door systems, providing safety and enhancing security. However, like any electronic device, they can experience issues from time to time that need to be addressed immediately. Fortunately, most of the time, these are fairly easy to fix on your own without needing professional assistance. To do so, turn off the power to the opener, unplug it, and locate the wires that run between the sensors. Once you’ve done this, look for signs of damage and try to straighten or cut away any broken or exposed sections.
Next, you’ll want to ensure that the sensors are properly aligned. Using a spirit level tool, or an app on your smartphone that can measure plumb, you can check that the green and red lights on each sensor are at the exact same angle to one another. If they’re not, simply move them to the correct position until the blinking stops.
In addition to being out of alignment, there could also be obstructions blocking the sensor’s view. This can include a bucket, broom, or box left before the sensors. The sensors may also get obstructed by snow, rain, or any other debris that’s clogging the driveway.
Finally, you should also check that the sensors are linked to the opener correctly. A broken or damaged wire could prevent them from transmitting the necessary signals to the opener, causing it to malfunction. Wiring issues are usually caused by loose or worn out connections, or pinched wires that drop their voltage and cause the system to act wonky.
If your garage door is not working properly, it may be time to call a repair professional. All American Doors offers comprehensive electrical inspections and professional troubleshooting services, ensuring optimal sensor functionality. For more information, contact us today. Our team is ready to help!
Torn or Rough Weather Stripping
There are times when it’s obvious that your garage door needs new weather stripping. You’ve identified a draft, a seal has torn, or it just doesn’t seem as tight as it should. Fortunately, replacing weather strip is easy and relatively inexpensive, so you can do it on your own or hire a professional to help.
There’s no shortage of different types of weather stripping available at hardware stores and home improvement centers. Some are more expensive than others, but they all serve the same basic function. Most are made of soft, flexible rubber that creates a seal around the edges of your garage door to keep unwanted air, rain, light and insects from entering your home.
Before you buy any weather stripping, clean the area to be treated with soap and water to remove any dirt or grease. You can also use an adhesive cleaner or a plastic putty knife to scrape away any old glue or residue. It’s important that you don’t damage any wood or metal areas where your weather stripping will be installed, as this can create a problem for the future.
Once you’ve cleaned the area, dry it thoroughly with a cloth. Next, test your weather stripping to make sure it’s working properly. To do this, close your garage door and run your hand along the bottom edge of it. If the weather stripping is in good condition, it will feel squishy and have a little give to it when you press on it.
If the weather stripping feels hard and brittle, it’s probably time to replace it. Rough and worn weather stripping isn’t as effective at keeping out the elements, which can cause your heating or cooling costs to increase. It can also allow moisture to seep into your garage and cause rust or mold problems. The best way to prevent these issues is to install a solid weather strip that can keep the elements at bay.