Have you noticed your garage door is starting to move differently and making a weird noise at the same time?
You are extremely tempted to fix it but you honestly have no idea what you are even looking for. The springs and motor appear to be working how they should be so you’re really at a lost.
Don’t worry! For the average person without any mechanical background, the system of a garage door is very complex. The system has many types of hardware that all supply to its function.
We are here to tell you the main functions of all of these important parts so you can understand exactly how a garage door is repaired.
Knowing how each part of your garage door system contributes to the overall functioning of the door will help you detect when a part is damaged.
Main Hardware Systems of a Garage Door
Cables
The cables are located on each side of the garage door and work in unison with the springs to help counterbalance the weight of the door. The cables help the door lift smoothly up and down. That’s why they are called lift cables.
Never ever confuse lift and safety cables!
Safety cables keep you safe from a spring-related incident due to the fact that they are installed with extension springs. Thus, damage or injury is prevented when a spring breaks because the safety cables are placed through the middle of the spring to prevent pieces from flying.
Springs
There are 2 types of springs - torsions and extension springs - that can be used depending on the size of your garage door and the amount of room that is available. Each spring performs differently and is vital in understanding how your garage door operates.
Torsion springs
Torsion springs are used for most normal size garage doors where there is an ample amount of room above the door before the ceiling of your garage. They are safer and less noisy when installed correctly. You may find either one spring or a set of two springs depending on the size and weight of your door.
Torsion springs do not require safety cables because a shaft runs through the center of the spring or springs. On the bottom brackets of the door are lift cables that wind around drums at the end of the shaft when the door opens.
When the garage door opens, the stored tension that was in the spring is released when the spring unwinds and begins to lift open the door. When the door closes, the spring then constricts to store tension for when it needs to open again.
Extension springs
Extension springs are utilized when a garage door is smaller than usual and there is less space above where the door opens. The cables that are connected to the bottom brackets of the door, similar to the torsion spring system, travel through the pulley before they connect to the springs.
This spring system occurs above the horizontal tracks that the garage door slides on. A spring is placed on both sides of the door, so the door moves in unison. When the door is closed, tension is created in the springs since they are stretched to capacity. This acts as a counterbalance for when the door opens. Extension springs are also called stretch springs because of this function.
When you install extension springs, it’s critical to install safety cables, as well. The safety cables protect nearby objects or people if the spring ever breaks. If they break, they could violently shatter causing serious injury.
Torsion (on the left) and extension springs (on the right) appear similar but operate differently.
We highly recommend purchasing from a garage door specialist, regardless of which part of the system you need to replace. This guarantees high-quality and durable components.
When Should You Change Garage Door Cables?
There are many different reasons why a cable could break but it mainly happens because of general wear and tear. As soon as you notice the cable is beginning to fray, it’s time to replace it. We have outlined some ways that will help you anticipate when your cable needs to be replaced.
If you notice the door is not aligned evenly on the track, this could cause more friction in one area of the cables. This causes that part of the cable to break down faster. Frequent inspection of the cables can prevent this from happening.
One other way that can increase the speed of deterioration is moisture. Moisture on the cables can develop in garages with poor insulation, especially if you live in a place with a particularly wet climate. Removing dirt and insects from wet cables will reduce corrosion and rusting thus increasing their life span.
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Preventive maintenance
You should schedule a professional to frequently inspect your garage doors in order to prevent costly accidents. The number of times you need an inspection will depend on the number of times you use your garage door, or the number of cycles per year.
Don’t procrastinate hiring a professional! Just because you can’t see any damage doesn’t mean that there isn’t any there. Each day that goes by where you don’t schedule an appointment, you are increasing your chances of hurting yourself and your possessions.
When a garage door technician comes for an annual maintenance check, they inspect your garage door system as a whole. They examine each component to ensure they are operating as they should. This reduces deterioration on individual parts and, as we now know, if one part is breaking, the whole system will collapse.
Here is a checklist for you to complete monthly in between annual professional maintenance. We’ve summarized in 5 main things:
● Follow the manual guide
● Inspect all the parts every month
● Balance your garage door
● Lubricate your hardware
● Clean the tracks
Why You Should Not Fix a Garage Door by Yourself
Fixing a garage door yourself is rarely a good idea. You will put your safety at risk and also anyone who is around you. Springs can lose their tension easily and when this happens, they become a wrecking force.
Trained garage door professionals have the skill set and tools to fix your problems in a safe and efficient manner. Save yourself time and money by hiring a professional instead of trying to do it yourself.
When in doubt, leave it up to the pros! By fixing the garage door yourself, you may increase damage costs and increase the chances of harming yourself.
Potential hazards associated with do-it-yourself garage door repairs
● Bodily injuries
At the least, garage doors weigh 150 pounds. Since the cables and spring are constantly under intense tension- if anything is mishandled, a number of components could become a damaging force.
● Property damages
You could easily damage your property or your belongings by attempting to fix a garage door yourself. If so, you will then have to add extra costs since you now have to replace or fix those damages.
● Thieves
If your garage door suddenly becomes more damaged then it was, you will be opening your home to potential intruders and putting your family’s safety at risk
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Get in touch with our garage door experts
Our garage door specialists are people you can put your trust in. They are certified to examine, adjust, and test your garage door system for your safety and convenience.
Save yourself time and money in the long run with our garage door services which include repair and maintenance. If you choose to work with us, you can either be a member of our annual maintenance program or pay hourly.
Have peace of mind knowing that your garage door is operating safely and smoothly all year round with Huneault Portes de Garage Doors Inc.!
For any garage door service, contact us now at 613-675-4473!
On top of all of our technical services, we also have great style opinions to share with you! We know that a garage door adds character to your house so choosing the one that matches your personality is key!
We have grouped our more than 35 designs and 10 colours into the 3 styles so you can choose easily the best for your home’s exterior. Let us assist you in choosing the best color, design, and accessories that suit your unique style and budget.
Contact us today or get a free estimate of your future garage door by email!
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