how to repair overhead garage door

by Miss Everette Emmerich Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

5 Secret Tips to Repair Any Garage Door

Consult the User Manual. People often dismiss the user manual as some book of nerdery when it’s full of essential information for your garage door.
Detach the Power Supply. ...
Diagnose the Problem. ...
Replace the Damaged Parts. ...
Run a Test. ...
Overhead Door Company of Portland. ...

Full Answer

How much does it cost to fix a garage door?

Maple Garage Door Repair of Ann Arbor is a licensed and insured company that provides all kinds of garage door services. It hires trained and certified garage door professionals who attend to a call quickly and do a professional job at affordable rates.

How do I get my garage door repaired?

While you may be able to examine the door, locate the problem and address the issue by yourself, dealing with the complex mechanical structure of a garage door is better handled by experts. You want to look for a locally owned and operated business with specialized expertise in garage door installation and repair.

How to fix your noisy garage door?

How to Fix a Squeaky Garage Door

Gather Supplies. If the can has a nozzle, it will be easiest for application. ...
Safety!
Locate Rollers. Standing inside the garage, locate each roller around the perimeter of the garage. ...
Spray or Apply Lubricant to the Rollers
Test Garage. Reconnect the opener and open the garage to test the effectiveness of lubricating the rollers. ...

How to remove the existing garage door?

Part 4 of 4: Installing the Spring System

Lift the door. The door should lift smoothly up. ...
Lock the door in place with locking pliers. Clamp the jaws of the vice-grips onto the track. ...
Install a torsion spring and bar for a sturdier lifting system. ...
Run cables through extension springs for a cheaper system. ...

Why is my overhead door not working?

Broken Tension Springs. A broken spring repair is one of the most common reasons why a garage door is not opening. Garage tension springs store mechanical energy that controls the movement of the garage door. Wear and tear could weaken the tension springs, which could lead to the garage door not working.

How do I get my overhead door back on track?

Use a pair of pliers and open the track precisely at the spot where the roller has jumped out of the track. Put the rollers back inside the track and close the opening in the track. Finally, use a rubber or wooden mallet to bring the track back into the correct shape.

How do you troubleshoot a garage door?

If the garage door won't open or close, begin with these garage door troubleshooting steps:Make sure the opener is plugged in and the garage circuit breaker is in the correct place.Make sure your door has not been manually locked by mistake.Replace the batteries of the keypad or remote control.More items...

Can you fix a garage door by yourself?

And, while it's tempting to save time and money by trying to fix it yourself, certain repairs can only be done by a garage door professional who has the tools and training to do it safely and correctly.

How do you reattach a garage door to track it?

0:182:16How to disengage and reengage my Garage Door Opener - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn order to reconnect it once you pull it straight down all you have to do is press your wall buttonMoreIn order to reconnect it once you pull it straight down all you have to do is press your wall button it will engage itself all by itself.

What causes garage door not to close?

2:506:32Garage Door Wont Close? 4 Reasons Why! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's loose. So what happens is over time it just moves.MoreIt's loose. So what happens is over time it just moves.

What are common garage door problems?

8 Common Garage Door ProblemsOpener Switch Not Working. ... Keypad Doesn't Work. ... Remote Control Doesn't Work. ... Garage Door Doesn't Open or Close. ... Motor Runs Without Door Moving. ... Noisy Garage Door. ... Garage Door Opening Unevenly. ... Garage Door Opening and Closing Too Slow.

How do I know if my garage door motor is broken?

Here are some warning signs you should watch out for to tell if you need a garage door opener motor replacement.The Garage Door Opener Vibrates.The Garage Door Opener Makes Excessive Noise.The Garage Door Moves Sluggishly.The Garage Door Can't Open.

How do you reset a garage door after pulling the red cord?

Below are some simple instructions so you know exactly how to quickly reset your garage door.Door Must Be in Down Position. ... Pull the Emergency Release Cord. ... Manually Move the Garage Door and Return to Down Position. ... Pull the Emergency Release Cord Toward the Door. ... Re-connect the Trolley to the Opener Carriage.

How do you repair a metal garage door?

The process involves these steps:Wash the dented panel.Allow the surface to dry.Stretch aluminum foil over the dent.Heat the aluminum foil with a lighter (about one minute).Quickly remove the aluminum foil.Spray the dent with compressed air (30 seconds to one minute).Carbon monoxide pops the panel back in place.

How do you take apart a garage door?

2:022:43How to remove the existing garage door - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst thing we need to do is raise the door to the full open position next place C clamps or lockingMoreFirst thing we need to do is raise the door to the full open position next place C clamps or locking pliers tightly on both sides of the track under the door like this.

How do you fix a garage door string?

0:442:02Garage Door Off Track? Check the Cable and Drum! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGo ahead and remove your vice grips. The other side to make sure there's no issues go ahead andMoreGo ahead and remove your vice grips. The other side to make sure there's no issues go ahead and reattach your door to the lock.

How do I get my garage door back on track after manual opening?

How do you fix a garage door opener that is off track?

Steps to fix garage door off trackDisconnect the opener. To start the process, check overhead for a rope that connects the opener to the door. ... Open the door. ... Locate the jamming wheels. ... Put a stop. ... Bring wheels back to track. ... Work on the track. ... Test the door manually. ... Check the automatic operation.More items...•

How do I get my garage door back on automatic?

Reconnect to Automated Opener Carriage When the time comes to reconnect your garage door, simply pull the emergency release cord back toward the door to re-engage the spring lever. You can then manually move the door to the opener carriage or use the doors remote and it will connect automatically.

How do you rewind a garage door cable?

0:352:02Garage Door Off Track? Check the Cable and Drum! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we gotta take a screwdriver. And we're basically just gonna pop the cable off of this pin.MoreSo we gotta take a screwdriver. And we're basically just gonna pop the cable off of this pin.

Should I repair or replace my garage door?

When you need a single replacement panel, it is better to opt for repair over a full-fledged replacement. However, if more than one panels start to...

What is the average cost to repair a garage door?

According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost for garage door repair in the U.S. is around $243, with prices ranging between $148 and $341. These repa...

Is it safe to repair a garage door yourself?

If you have not done it before, then it can be dangerous to do it by yourself. That is why it is recommended to call a professional. However, if yo...

Why won't my garage door go down?

It could be because of loose wires at the sensors or a blocked path between the sensors. Sometimes, the transmitters fail to close the garage door....

How do I make my garage door close automatically?

You can get a garage door closer. Whenever you forget to close the garage door, it will shut down the door for you automatically. All you need to i...

Disconnect the Opener

To fix your overhead garage door yourself, first disconnect the opener. Pull the overhead rope to release the door. Next, open the door manually. Get a person to spot you. (The door is very heavy — hundreds of pounds. It could come crashing down and cause serious injury.)

Reconnecting the Track

Next, grab the edge of the track with a pair of pliers and pull the outer edge out so there is room to reconnect the wheels of the door. Once the wheels are back in place, knock the track back into position gently with a rubber mallet.

What to do if garage door won't close?

If the lenses are clean and the garage door still won’t close, the next thing you’ll need to do is check the garage door eye alignment. The eyes should be pointing in the same direction and the same exact angle. If they don’t “see” each other, they’re designed to assume there’s an obstacle blocking the garage door.

Why won't my garage door open?

Another potential issue that would prevent your garage door from opening is a bigger problem: the garage door springs may be broken or damaged. All garage doors include counter balance springs and these wear over time as they lift the weight of your garage door.

What happens if a garage door spring breaks?

A remaining spring may still function, though you might notice slower performance or a sudden increase in the amount of noise the garage door makes as the remaining garage door spring struggles to lift the weight of the door.

Do you need a screwdriver for a garage door remote?

This is easy to do in most cases, though some garage door remotes are screwed in to keep them secure and require a screwdriver to complete the task. Also, if you have more than one remote for your garage door, it’s a good idea to replace those batteries as well since they were likely installed at the same time.

How do I replace a garage door spring?

So before you spend several hours fixing your garage door, it’s a good idea to gather a few professional estimates for garage door spring replacement. Start your garage door spring replacement project by getting a rough measurement of your springs (length and diameter). Then measure the width and height of your door.

How do I lock a garage door opener?

Position your ladder to the side of the spring ends so you're never directly in front of the spring cones when they're winding or unwinding. Keep the garage door opener disconnected from power at all times, and lock the door in the lowered position, especially when you're winding the springs.

How to tighten a torsion tube?

Snap a locking pliers onto the torsion tube to lock it into place while you tighten the drums. Rotate the drum to wind the cable into the winding grooves. Pull the cable as tight as possible before tightening the setscrews. Leave the locking pliers in place and repeat the tightening procedure on the other side. You want equal tension on both sides. Otherwise, the door will open unevenly.

How to organize a garage?

Shove a winding bar into a bottom hole of the winding cone of the good spring. Hold the bar in place while you loosen the two setscrews. Hang on tight; the spring will push with powerful torque as the screws release. 51 Brilliant Ways to Organize Your Garage.

How to remove cable drum from door?

Starting on the left side of the door, slide the torsion tube to the right so you can remove the cable drum. Then slide the old spring off the tube.

How heavy is a garage door?

Most garage doors are heavy (200 to 300 lbs.), so call in three strong friends to help you lift the door and hold it open while you lock it in the full raised position with a locking pliers. Then move your vehicles and have your friends help you lower the door. Garage Door Tune-Up.

How to keep a door in place when you let it go?

If the door springs are properly adjusted, the door should stay in place when you let go. If the door falls when you let go, add a quarter turn to each spring. Repeat if necessary. If the door continues to open on its own, release spring tension in quarter-turn increments until the door stays in place when you let go.

What is the head unit of a garage door opener?

The openers you will often see today are likely to be belt-driven, chain-driven, or worm gear-driven (direct drive). There are a few types of garage door openers, ...

How often should I inspect my garage door opener?

When one fails to operate, the results can be frustrating and highly inconvenient. Making regular inspections at least once a year can alert us to potential issues lurking around the corner. A simple visual check and yearly lubrication of our entire garage door system will often prevent many of the common problems described here. As with any home repair project, addressing small problems before they can become big ones is always your best bet.

Why does my door opener stop and reverse?

If the opener runs and the door tries to close, but suddenly stops and reverses, the problem is usually either too little downward force from the opener, or an obstruction is blocking the sensors from seeing each other. The first solution is to eliminate the obstruction if there is one and re-test. If that is not the cause, the door itself may be causing an unusual amount of friction. This happens as doors age, bolts loosen, and components stretch.

What happens if the door sensor is broken?

Regardless of the reason, if this beam of light is broken, the opener will not work and the overhead light will flash. This is an extremely important safety feature, so don’t ever try to bypass it.

Why does my garage door opener not have power?

If the opener does not have power, the most likely cause is a tripped circuit breaker. Locate the circuit breaker, turn it off until it clicks, and turn it back on. If the circuit breaker instantly turns off again, there is a short in the electrical system that must be corrected before proceeding.

Why does my door opener make a grinding noise?

When it fails, there is usually a grinding noise near the head unit. Sometimes the issue is a broken belt or chain, and sometimes the drive gear inside the head unit shears off. All openers will have a small door, or very often, a removable light cover. This is easily identified as the location of the light bulb.

What to use to lubricate a door?

Lubricate any moving parts of the door with a spray lubricant. The pros use silicon or lithium grease. The use of mechanic’s grease or oil is not recommended, as these lubricants will trap dust and grime, making the problem worse over time.