3 Common Garage Door Problems

Your garage door can provide years of reliable and convenient access to your home if it is well-maintained. However, there are a few common issues that can necessitate garage door repair from time to time. This guide will explain four common garage door problems and how they are repaired.

1. Door Dents

Garage door dents are unsightly blemishes that may also interfere with the function of your door. Large dents can alter the weight distribution of a garage door and cause it to become misaligned. Even the most durable garage doors can be dented by a bump from a vehicle.

While service from a garage door repair professional is the best solution for removing dents, you may be able to fix minor dents on your own if you have a metal garage door. You can sometimes pop out dents in aluminum doors by creating an extreme change in temperature. One technique is to tape foil over the dent and warm it up with a torch, then remove the foil and quickly spray the dent with condensed air.

Dents in stainless steel doors cannot be popped out in this way, and instead must be filled with an auto body compound. This is a more involved DIY project that involves cleaning, sanding, and filling the dent with compound putty. Homeowners without experience may prefer to leave steel door repairs to a professional.

2. Broken Springs

Garage doors rely on torsion and extension springs to move smoothly. Torsion springs build tension when the door is opening and unwind to lower the door. Extension springs stretch and store tension when the door is shut to assist with opening the door.

Both torsion and extension springs can break as a result of the constant stress they are under. Broken springs can cause your door to jolt when it moves or prevent it from opening or closing altogether. The high tension forces of garage door springs can potentially cause injury, so leave it to a garage door repair professional to replace your springs safely.

3. Worn Rollers

Every time your garage door opens or shuts, it causes a small amount of wear on the rollers. Eventually, roller wear can cause loud squeaking when your garage door moves or, in the worst case, cause your door to jam completely.

Lubricating the rollers every three to four months will help to slow down wear and tear. Silicone spray or white lithium grease are good options to lubricate garage door rollers. If you notice that the rollers do not spin freely in the track, it may be time to have them inspected before they begin to cause problems.

The most common garage door problems are often fairly simple to repair. Take notice of these garage door issues so you can call for a garage door repair service when it's needed.