Many of the time and labor-saving devices we use every day fall into the background despite us using them so frequently. It’s only once something goes wrong and requires our attention that they come crashing back into the foreground. Once this happens, it’s best to identify the problem as soon as possible rather than putting it off for later.
In the case of overhead door repair, this is especially true. Garage doors are typically more complicated than you might expect, and their mechanisms require precise alignment so they don’t break completely. If your overhead garage door is giving you problems it might be time to call in the professionals before it’s too late.
Read on to discover some garage door repair tips before the inevitable happens!
Door Not Opening or Closing
This is the most common and obvious concern when it comes to signs of door malfunction. Fortunately, this issue is fairly cut and dry, as there’s usually no working around it. If you’re a tinkering type, there’s always a chance you could fix the issue yourself after some investigating.
However, it’s important to be careful, as the uninitiated may end up doing more harm than good while trying to understand the problem. When in doubt, it’s best not to force anything. Many of the mechanisms are sensitive and can be bent or otherwise damaged in the attempt, so a light touch could save you some embarrassment.
Unusual Noises Before Overhead Door Repair
A garage door in proper working order should open and close without complaint. This includes strange scraping, juddering, or squeaking noises. If you open your garage door to a compliment of orchestral noises, even if you’re used to it, this is a clear indication it’s due some TLC.
While the noises themselves might not bother you, they’re trying to tell you something. Anything squeaking or banging means a mechanism or a group of mechanisms has begun to fail. This could mean a lack of lubrication or failed bearings. Whatever the problem is, if ignored it’s sure to progress into more than just an annoying noise.
Remember, with enough time, even a squeak can become a mechanical failure.
Unresponsive or Tempramental
As soon as you push the button to operate your garage door, it should comply immediately. If you’re finding yourself hammering away at an unresponsive button, it’s time to consult a professional.
While it may be possible to find a workaround or a way to operate the door so it functions if you push the button in a particularly esoteric way, congratulations. The human spirit is indomitable, and you should be commended for working with what you’ve got.
This is only useful up until the button fails completely and you’re stuck in your garage, though. Sometimes it’s worth doing things properly, especially since things tend to wait until the worst possible moment to fail completely.
Sagging or Misalignment
One of the most common and irritating issues with garage doors is the tell-tale scrape of a sagging or misaligned door. Every time you pull into your drive to park, you watch as your door struggles to power past the same place it gets stuck each time you try to open it.
While this may become routine, it’s also a great way to break your garage door completely. The motors are designed for smooth operation, and will likely break when put under undue strain. It’s much cheaper to fix a sag or misalignment than it is to replace a fried motor!
Visible Damage
Garage doors are tools, and tools inevitably suffer some wear and tear through their use. Garage doors are no different, and are sure to pick up a ding here and there throughout their lives despite regular overhead door maintenance. There’s an important distinction to be made between cosmetic damage and functional damage, however.
Any damage that hinders or otherwise affects the proper movement or use of a garage door is going to prove detrimental in the long run. As soon as you notice that damage isn’t simply cosmetic anymore, it’s time to jump on the problem before it gets bigger. These issues tend to propagate as soon as you turn your back on them, so it’s good practice to nip them in the bud.
Unusually High Energy Bills
Garage doors are designed not just to keep your things safe and people outside; they’re for climate control as well. A perfectly functional garage door keeps the warmth inside your home and prevents the claws of inclement weather from stealing it away again. If you’ve noticed your energy bills have increased and can’t figure out why, check your garage door.
Time passes, parts degrade, and seals become less perfect. Before you know it, your energy bills will describe your attempts at heating the whole neighborhood. A perfect seal prevents this craziness and will save you a lot of money down the line.
Safety Concerns
If you’re wondering when to call door repair, there’s no time like the present.
If you’ve noticed any signs of door malfunction, it’s worth double-checking with a professional. Each door is equipped as standard with a safety feature or two to prevent people from getting crushed or otherwise stuck under the door as it closes. Safety features are there for a reason, and neglecting to ensure they’re in full working order is a disaster waiting to happen.
Auto-reverse mechanisms are easy enough to test, but if they’re not functional, you could end up damaging something irreparably. In these cases, it’s always best to contact a professional to check for you before making an expensive mistake.
Pros On Call
Rather than waiting for your overhead garage door to give up the ghost completely, save yourself some money as soon as you see any of these professional door repair indicators.
At Pros on Call, we’ve seen it all and can say with certainty that most big overhead door repair jobs started small before being ignored. After a few months on the back burner, even the smallest job can grow into a financial liability.
If you’d rather not wait for the inevitable, send us a service request today! Simply fill out the forum and we’ll be in contact directly.
