Among the many features of your home that might need repair, garage door components are often set aside as non-essential. However, for those who use their garage every day - for parking a car or otherwise - a faulty garage door can become an enormous inconvenience.
Luckily, many garage door issues can be handled on your own with some basic tools and supplies. For help with some of the most common problems you may encounter in the life of your garage door, here are some tips:
Garage door panels might need repairs if dented or damaged. If this happens, replacing individual panels is much simpler and cost-effective than replacing the entire door.
If the damage is minimal, try hammering out the dent with a rubber mallet. Fill small dents with body filler resin found at any automotive repair shop. These products are simple to use and come with step-by-step instructions for handling small dents with ease.
Squeaking is an incredibly common issue for garage doors. While it might seem like a minor inconvenience, it’s best to investigate the source of the squeak to make sure there isn’t a serious mechanical issue.
Most of the time, it’s the rollers causing the squeaking when the door opens and closes. To ease the squeak, you can apply an automotive door cleaner to the roller along its hinged surfaces. Other times, the hinges on the door are the cause of the squeak. In these cases, apply a basic garage door lubricant to the hinges for smooth operation.
Unfortunately, garage door springs can wear out quickly. When you start to notice your garage struggling to open or close completely, it’s time to investigate the springs. To replace garage door springs, note the size and type of the springs you have to make sure the new springs are a perfect fit.
While this job can be completed yourself, it does require some more specific DIY experience. If you’re unsure how to go about replacing or repairing the springs, it’s best to call a garage door professional for help.
These are just a few of the common garage door repair issues homeowners might encounter. While these issues are purely mechanical, other problems can be trickier to solve. For example, a faulty garage door opener could involve electrical wiring. For these issues, consult a garage door professional for the best course of action.
Eileen is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson and has been in the industry since 2004. Her experience in home sales range from a $4,000,000 single family home to a $100,000 Co-op. She covers both Westchester and Putnam County and works with both buyers and sellers. "My love for Westchester and particularly the Hudson River Valley is one of the many reasons why I enjoy working in real estate". She is a lifelong resident of Westchester County. She grew up in Tarrytown and moved to Briarcliff Manor where she raised her family. She received her MPA from Pace University and worked many years in the Human Resources field. She held the title of Vice President of HR for the largest teaching hospital in Westchester and Director of Classification and Compensation for one of the largest employers in Westchester County. After a successful HR career, Eileen decided to retire to make a full time commitment to her real estate clients. Outside of work you can find Eileen on the Tennis, Platform, or Pickleball Court along with Hiking in Westchester or the surrounding counties.