5 Common Garage Door Issues and How I Fixed Them Myself

We’ve all experienced annoying garage door problems at some point. Whether it’s a broken spring, squeaky hinges, or a door that won’t close properly, issues with the garage door are frustrating yet surprisingly common. As a busy homeowner, I definitely don’t have time to wait around for a technician to come fix small problems. Luckily, many garage door issues can be easily DIY’d with just a few basic tools and some troubleshooting skills. Here are 5 common problems I’ve faced with my garage door over the years and how I was able to repair them myself.

1. Broken Springs

By far, garage door springs are one of the most common things to go bad over time. One morning, my door wouldn’t open more than a foot before slowly falling back down. It was obvious the tension springs had finally snapped. Spring replacement can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing, so I first watched some YouTube videos to familiarize myself with the process. Then I slowly removed the old springs and installed new extension springs, adjusting the tension until the door operated smoothly again. While it took some patience, I saved a bundle versus calling a pro.

2. Squeaky Rollers or Hinges

A squeaky door is never fun to listen to, especially at 6am. The source was usually older rollers or hinges that were dry and in need of lubrication. I’d remove each roller or hinge, wipe away built-up grime, and apply a thick grease. For extra-squeaky areas, I also used a spray lubricant. A few pumps of fresh grease normally did the trick to stop the piercing sounds.

3. Broken Cables

On windy days, one of my garage door cables suddenly snapped, leaving the door wonky and unbalanced. Cables are less daunting to replace than springs, though still require care. After locating replacement cables, I removed the broken pieces, loosely reattached new cables to the door and pulley system, then tensioned them properly using an adjustment wheel. Again, a straightforward fix that saved on a service call.

4. Bent Tracks

Over many years of use, the metal tracks holding my garage door could sometimes bow outward, preventing smooth operation. To repair this, I used a heavy-duty track straightening tool to carefully bend the metal back into alignment until the door rolled smoothly again. For severely bowed tracks, replacement may be needed instead.

5. Garage Door Won’t Close

Sometimes the door would get stuck midway and refuse to close fully. This was commonly due to out-of-adjustment sensors or a jammed opener. Usually a quick tweak of the sensor position did the trick, but occasionally debris needed cleaning out. I also called a local technician who specialized in garage door openers and belts for a tune-up, like Garage Door Repair in Richmond. They were super helpful getting everything back in shape.

Overall, most basic garage door issues can be tackled DIY with a little ingenuity and care. While major repairs or installs may still require a pro, small fixes save money and impatience. With the right tools and know-how, I’m now able to keep my garage door operating smoothly for years to come.