Over the course of a week, your garage door goes up and down hundreds of times. This repeated movement creates wear and tear that, if left unattended, can cause serious damage. While some problems are easy to spot and fix, others require more extensive work. Fortunately, professional repair technicians are available to help you restore your garage doors to working order. Choosing the right company can make all the difference between an efficient, affordable fix and a costly, frustrating failure.
In addition to technical knowledge, garage doors repair professionals need a range of other skills and expertise to complete repairs successfully. These include physical dexterity, attention to detail, the ability to understand and interpret diagnostic manuals, and communication and interpersonal skills. In many cases, trying to tackle a problem without these skills can lead to a trial-and-error-centered process that only fixes the symptoms of the issue rather than the actual issue. This can cost you more money in the long run, as it means that your garage door may soon experience the same issues again.
One common garage door repair is replacing a broken spring or cable. These are heavy, under constant pressure, and are at risk of breaking or severing if not properly replaced by a knowledgeable technician.
Before you call a technician, however, it is important to test your door to see if it can be fixed by a quick DIY fix. First, turn off the power to the opener and manually lift the door. If it stays in place, it is balanced and working correctly. Next, look at the photo eyes to ensure that they aren’t blocking or misaligned. These sensors are designed to detect if something is in the way of the door as it opens or closes, and they can be a safety feature that saves you from injuries or property damage.
Another common garage door repair involves replacing the weather stripping. This material seals the gap between the garage floor and the ground, keeping out rain, ice, and pests. It is also a crucial component of maintaining the functionality and appearance of your garage door, and it should be replaced when it becomes worn or damaged.
Finally, if the panels of your garage door have become dented or scratched, a skilled technician can replace them with new ones. Replacing a single panel can be relatively inexpensive, but if ignored for too long, the damage will spread and can cause the entire door to fail.
When hiring a repair service, it is also essential to get several bids before making a decision. This will help you distinguish between manipulative companies and trusted professionals. When calling around, ask how long they have been in business and what their credentials are. Also pay attention to how they answer the phone. If they answer with just their name, they may be a part of a lead-aggregator site that simply forwards queries to a list of clients they’ve already paid for.