We use our garage doors all the time. In fact, some of us use them more frequently than we use our front doors. After all, when you’ve just parked your car in the garage, it’s quick and convenient to enter your home via the garage — especially when you’re carrying bags full of groceries.
However, all this use results in considerable wear and tear. Over time, that inevitably leads to your garage door breaking down. If a breakdown has just happened to you, then you might be wondering whether to call a garage door pro or try to fix it yourself.
DIY vs. Professional Garage Door Repair
Of course, the question of whether you need professional garage door repair depends largely on the type of issue you’re dealing with. It also depends on how comfortable you are making DIY repairs and what your current budget is for getting your door fixed. It’s best to leave significant repairs to a professional to ensure you don’t create lasting damage to your door. Minor issues might call for a trip to the hardware store and a few minutes of work.
Drawbacks of DIY Garage Door Repair
Before deciding to repair your garage door yourself, it’s important to realize that although a lot of articles and videos on the internet can provide theoretical instruction, they don’t provide you with the experience a garage door pro has. What’s more, since you don’t always know when a qualified garage door mechanic has written the article, you might not be getting the best information.
In addition, there are several risks associated with DIY garage door repair that you need to keep in mind:
- Damage: If you’re not familiar with all the different parts of the lift mechanism, it’s all too easy to cause more damage. What might have been a small problem can quickly become a big one.
- Extra cost: If you’re unable to resolve the problem yourself, you’ll have to call a garage door pro after all. Doing both will cost you more out of pocket than it would have if you’d called a professional in the first place. At the same time, any damage you cause yourself isn’t covered by a warranty, unlike a professional’s work.
- Extra time: Professionals have the specialized knowledge, tools, parts and expertise to the bottom of a problem quickly and get your door in working order. Working through a problem yourself can mean spending hours understanding your door’s components and what you need to do to fix it. Your door could be out of commission for days rather than a few minutes. Hiring a professional will ensure your garage door is back to normal quickly and let you spend your time on other tasks.
- Injury: Garage doors have springs that are under a lot of tension. If one of these springs breaks, it could hit you with full force and cause serious injuries. Similarly, depending on the type of repairs you’re trying to do, you could face injuries from the garage door itself.
- Insurance: When you rely on a qualified professional, you can rest assured knowing insurance will cover any damages or injuries should they occur. Many companies also carry liability insurance to protect you from legal responsibilities if someone else is injured. Hiring a professional offers the best way to protect your home, property and yourself.
Common Garage Door Issues You Can Fix at Home
Now that you know trying to repair your garage door yourself comes with certain risks, it’s time to take a look at what types of garage door issues you can troubleshoot yourself:
- Squealing or crunching noises during opening and closing: This issue can be due to two problems with the tracks — dirt or a lack of lubrication. You can resolve this situation yourself by first cleaning dirt out of the tracks. Then, try opening and closing the door. If you still hear the noises, oil the tracks using a lubricant such as WD-40.
- The door doesn’t open all the way: Failure to fully open can be due to two issues. First, something may be blocking the tracks. Inspect them carefully and check for anything that might be obstructing the door’s path. If you can’t find anything, then the garage door spring isn’t functioning properly anymore. You’ll need to call a garage door professional to repair it.
- The opener remote isn’t working: The remote control should open your door seamlessly. You can determine whether the transmitter is an issue by testing the remote inside your garage. If the door responds, the remote control is the issue. In this case, a simple battery change is all it takes to get your door back in working condition. If the door still doesn’t open, check the opener’s antennae for debris or damage.
- The door won’t open with the keypad: Keypads offer security and comfort for many homeowners. The keypad may not be synced if your door doesn’t respond when you type in your home code. First, check the batteries and replace any dead ones. Then, refer to your manual to determine how to sync the keypad and remote. This fix should only take a few minutes, but call the manufacturer if consistent problems persist.
Garage Door Issues for the Professionals
No matter how much you might want to do it yourself, sometimes there are tasks you can’t or shouldn’t complete on your own. Here are additional garage door issues that you should call a professional to address:
- The garage door lowers too quickly: If your garage door is moving faster than usual, you probably have a problem with the springs. Avoid using the door again, as doing so can be very dangerous. Call your garage door pro right away.
- The garage door doesn’t open at all: Several issues could be causing this occurrence. The sensors might not work, the Wi-Fi connection might be disrupted on a smart garage door opener or there could be a problem with the motor. You should call a professional to determine exactly what the problem is.
- The unit is misaligned or moves unevenly: This phenomenon is almost certainly due to one of the springs giving out. Don’t try to fix this yourself — call a professional.
- Broken hardware: While replacing a single hinge may be a DIY solution, multiple broken pieces are a definite sign to call a professional. You never know what pieces are close to snapping or causing further damage, so asking for help is the best course of action.
- You’ve tried some tips, but none are working: You may find yourself in a situation where you’ve tried to reduce that squeaky noise or tightened all the bolts you can see, but nothing seems to resolve the issue. If you can’t identify the problem or don’t know how to fix it, you should call a professional to identify it for you.
Contact Quality Overhead Door for Garage Door Repairs
Quality Overhead Door began serving the Toledo area in 1982, giving us decades of experience in the industry. We provide trustworthiness, reliability, commitment and responsiveness to ensure each homeowner receives the quality service they deserve.
We offer outstanding maintenance and repairs on every make and model of garage door, so you can always rest assured that your door is in the best hands. Contact us today to schedule service for top-notch garage door repair in the Toledo area!
Additional Resources On Garage Door Repair:
- Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
- How to Care for Your Garage and Prevent Costly Repairs
- Guide to Seasonal Garage Door Maintenance
- Garage Door Maintenance Checklist
- Do I Need Annual Garage Door Maintenance?