Helpful Home Tips
Archive for November, 2009
When to attempt to fix your garage door or opener and when to call a professional.
So, your garage door is having issues, should you call someone or try to fix it yourself. In these economic times we are all trying to save some money, so here are some helpful tips to decide whether to call a professional or not. If your door is not going down first thing to check is the safety eyes. Make sure the lights are illuminated (the sensors are located on either side of the door just above the floor). If the lights are flashing or one light is not illuminated then attempt to line them up. If you cannot, it is time to call someone because the sensors may be faulty.
If the door is noisy then you should first lubricate key components with a Teflon based lubricant to see if it helps. You should lubricate the hinges, tracks, and springs (only lubricate the springs if the springs are above the door when closed, typically on a big door). If the door won’t open check for broken springs, if they are broken call a professional! Springs are under high tension and attempted repair by an untrained individual can result in serious injury.
If your remotes are not working first check the batteries and replace if unsure. If still no result, check the wired button on the wall and make sure you do not have a switch labeled “vacation” or “lock”. If you do, make sure the switch is in the “unlocked” position and retry the remotes. If still no result, you can attempt to reprogram the remotes using your owner’s manual. Keep in mind you may have a faulty remote or circuit board in the motor. If you have frayed or broken cables, call a professional. If the door is stuck or crooked, call a professional.
Lastly, if you are unsure of any do-it-yourself repairs, please call a professional garage door repair company. Please remember safety first, your garage door is the largest moving item in your home and it is very heavy.
This post was provided by – Garage Door Repairs Marietta GA
Garage Door Maintenance
Garage doors are rarely properly maintained. Come on, let’s be serious, we push the button and it goes up and down, it must be working properly. Well if we took that approach with our cars we wouldn’t change the oil or replace worn tires, which would lead to costly repairs and they wouldn’t last. A garage door is the same way. It needs to be regularly lubricated and inspected for worn parts. Lubricating your garage door is equally as important, and it is quick and easy. Twice a year you should lower the door all the way down, and then lubricate all the hinges, the tracks, the wheels, and the springs. Lubricate the springs only if you have the ones that coil around a tube above the door (typically large or double doors). While lubricating the door, it is important to do a visual inspection. Check for loose or missing bolts and nuts. If some are loose, carefully tighten them. If you notice any frayed cables, leaning or missing rollers, or bent hinges you should call a professional.
Next you should check the balance, with the door already in the down position, pull the release cord to release the door from the opener. You should now be able to raise the door manually. Attempt to raise the door to waist level (3-4 feet), the door should stay there suspended on its own or gently settle to the ground. If the door slams down or you cannot raise the door, then you should call a professional, it is possible the springs are worn or broken. If the door is easy to raise, manually run the door all the way up and down and make sure it runs free, without binding or jerking. If all seems well reattach the door to the opener.
Now, you should check opener safety features. If you have “safety eyes” check that the door will not go down when the beam is broken. If the door does not stop on the way down, this is a serious safety concern, call a professional. Other safety checks and recommendations can be found in owner’s manuals.
This post was provided by Garage Doors Canton GA – Legacy Garage Doors.