Usually, garage doors can be repaired by the homeowners themselves. For example, a noisy/jammed door might simply require some cleaning and lubrication only. In case of a problem with the torsion spring, you might need to call in a professional. So before you do, make sure you check out the following:

Before proceeding to the repair, make sure to unplug your garage door opener, so that you do not get an electric shock while you are repairing your garage door. You will most likely be standing on a ladder, which is a very bad place to get an electric shock, since you may also fall off the ladder. Also, remember to wear safety glasses when working with power tools.

Here is a list of things to check before calling for a professional for your garage door repair:

1. Check the Metal Tracks for Damages

Check the garage door’s metal track for dents or bumps. If any, use a wooden block and a hammer to set the crooked part straight. This is a very useful technique and helps solve the problem quickly.

2. Check alignment of tracks

The door might not work smoothly because of improper alignment of the metal tracks. To fix this, unscrew the metal tracks a little; gently, tap the tracks back into the right alignment and check again using a level. After you’ve fixed this, you garage door will be working just fine.

3. Check for Dirty or Wet Tracks

Clogged dirt in the door tracks or simply moisture can cause your garage door to function improperly. All you have to do is get a good regular cleaner and clean out hardened dirt and old lubricant and then let any moisture dry out.

4. Ensure proper Lubrication

Merely lubricating both, the tracks and the rollers, can fix the problem and conclude your garage door repair in no time. For lubrication, you may use a lubricant spray or a silicon spray. It is probably better to lubricate the tracks after cleaning them. Actually, any movable part will benefit from lubrication.

5. Tightening the Loose Bolts and Screws

As the heading suggests, simply tighten all bolts and screws to fix the problem. In case the screw hole has gotten bigger than the screw itself and you hence cannot tighten it, use a wood filler to fill those holes. This tip comes in handy when solving your garage door problems.

Do Not:

If your problem still persists despite following the above measures, the problem might lie in the door spring. It is important to note here that trying to fix the torsion spring can result in serious injury. That is why, if the problem is being caused because of the torsion spring, do call in a professional to get it fixed. Many people attempt at fixing the torsion spring themselves, and there have been incidents where serious injuries resulting in either death or chronic damage to the brain have been caused.

Remember, safety always comes first. Never attempt to fix your garage door if you are doubtful. Call in a professional to save yourself from the risk of serious injury.

About the author: Adam Stranton has done extensive research regarding garage door repairs. He has a lot of great information about garage door opener repair and garage door repair.