El Dorado Hills Garage Door Repair

Tag: garage door parts

  • You Can Replace Your Garage Door Hinges Yourself

    A malfunctioning garage door hinge can disrupt the smooth operation of your garage door. It causes inconvenience and potentially compromises security. Fortunately for us, repairing a broken hinge is a manageable task that can be tackled with the right tools, knowledge, and attention to detail.

    A Broken Hinge Will Make Itself Known

    Before initiating repairs, it’s essential to identify the problematic hinge. A broken hinge might exhibit signs such as squeaking, misalignment, or visible damage. Carefully inspect the hinges along the door’s edges to pinpoint the faulty one.

    Make Sure the Door is Closed and To Disengage the Opener

    Garage doors are heavy and under tension, posing potential safety hazards during repairs. Ensure the door is fully closed before starting. Additionally, unplug the automatic opener before continuing. You can also disengage the door from the opener to prevent accidental activation. You should also have someone else with you for safety purposes. You’re working with a big and heavy door; safety always comes first. 

    Take a Trip to the Hardware Store to Get the Right Materials

    To tackle the repair, gather the necessary tools and materials. You’ll likely need a socket wrench set, a hammer, a screwdriver, replacement hinges matching the existing ones, lubricant, and safety goggles. If you’re not sure what hinge you need, you should take a picture of your current one and bring it to the store. There should be a small number on the hinge that should tell you what kind you need. If in doubt don’t be afraid to ask the store staff. They’ll be happy to help you out here.

    Secure the Garage Door and Remove the Broken Hinge

    Start by securing the garage door in place using clamps or locking pliers to prevent it from moving during the repair. With the door secured, use a socket wrench to loosen and remove the bolts securing the broken hinge. Gently tap the hinge with a hammer if it’s stuck due to rust or debris. Take this opportunity to clean the area surrounding the hinge while you’re there.

    You Can Now Install Your Brand-New Hinge

    Once the old hinge is removed, align the new hinge in the same position. Insert the bolts into the hinge holes and tighten them securely using a socket wrench. Ensure the hinge is snugly in place but avoid overtightening to prevent damage.

    Try Testing the Door Manually Then Lubricate the Hinge

    After replacing the hinge, manually open and close the garage door to test its functionality. Listen for any unusual noises and check for smooth movement. If everything operates smoothly, apply lubricant to the hinges to prevent friction and ensure continued smooth operation. You can reengage the opener at this point as well. Test it with the opener as well to make sure it still runs smoothly.

    Keep Up with Your Preventative Overhead Door Maintenance

    To prevent future issues, establish a routine inspection schedule for your garage door. Regularly check all hinges for wear, tightness, and alignment. Additionally, perform lubrication at these intervals to maintain smooth operation. Address any minor issues promptly to prevent them from escalating. Timely identification of potential problems allows for proactive repairs. It reduces the risk of major malfunctions and extends the lifespan of the garage door system.

    Replacing A Second or Third Hinge Is Easy While You’re Working

    After replacing the damaged hinge, it’s advisable to inspect the adjacent hinges for any signs of wear or damage. It’s not uncommon for neighboring hinges to experience increased stress when one fails. This can lead to accelerated wear & tear. Carefully examine the hinges for rust, cracks, or misalignment. If you notice any issues, you can replace those hinges as a preventive measure against future malfunctions.

    You Should Address Any Misalignments Before Walking Away

    Misaligned hinges can lead to operational issues and premature wear on the garage door mechanism. If you suspect misalignment during the hinge replacement process, readjust the hinge’s positioning. Loosen the bolts slightly and maneuver the hinge to align it correctly with the door and the adjacent hinges. Once aligned, securely tighten the bolts to maintain the correct position.

    It’s Okay to Seek Professional Help

    While fixing a broken garage door hinge is possible for some homeowners, certain situations might need professional help. If you encounter extensive damage, lack the necessary tools or expertise, or if the repair seems beyond your comfort level, stop what you’re doing. You should contact a garage door repair professional. It’s better to swallow your pride and spend a little more than it is to get hurt or damage something.

    Repairing Door Hinges is A Great Way to Save Money on Repairs

    Repairing a broken garage door hinge is a manageable task that homeowners can undertake with the right tools and precautions. By identifying the problem, using proper safety measures, and following the straightforward repair process, you can restore the functionality of your garage door efficiently.

  • Common Garage Door Parts that May Need Replacement

    Garage doors are actually fairly complicated pieces of machinery, with a lot of moving parts. Though with care and regular maintenance they can last many years without issue, there are some common failure points that should be inspected somewhat regularly, especially when strange noises and other outside-the-norm behavior starts cropping up. Let’s take a look at some of the common culprits for garage door issues:

    Springs Can Break – and They’re Dangerous

    Springs are under basically constant tension throughout the life of your garage door, so it’s no wonder they tend to be one of the first parts that need to be replaced. Worn-out springs tend to cause your garage door to open and close strangely, or, in the case of complete failures, cause it to close on its own. 

    Visual inspection is really all they need, make sure they don’t look stretched out or bent, but also make note of any “off” sounds occurring when opening and closing. All these can be signs of it nearing the time for a replacement.

    Sensors – Clean or Replace

    Call the “photo eye unit”, these sensors are what stop modern garage doors from closing on any obstructions, including people. Good practice is to clean them fairly regularly and make sure nothing is blocking their path. However, if your garage door is closing partially and then opening back up, or you have caught it trying to close down on something in its path, you should consider a replacement to avoid any potential accidents.

    Lube Garage Door Rollers for a Smooth Ride

    Rollers are probably the most common cause of a “noisy” garage door. They can be maintained with regular cleaning and a bit of silicone lubricant. Don’t use WD-40, as it may help in the short term, but it is a degreaser and your rollers need a bit to operate properly. Broken rollers are usually fairly obvious to diagnose, causing noisy and shaky openings and closings.

    Tracks

    Tracks likely do not break on their own, but the problem is if one of the aforementioned issues has occurred then the garage door may not be aligned exactly properly, which then can cause damage to the tracks themselves.

     If your garage door is getting stuck or seems to not be closing quite properly, especially after a previous issue, your tracks may need to be taken a look at. Regular inspections help here as well and note any bends or cracks in their structure.

    Call A Pro When You’re in Doubt

    Often it can be difficult to diagnose all the parts at work in garage doors on your own. If you’ve checked all these parts out and are still facing issues, it’s probably best to call a professional repair service that has the experience, tools, and parts needed to get things back in working order.

  • Warning: Don’t Lubricate Garage Door Tracks!

    Not All Your Garage Door Parts Need Lubricant

    Keeping your garage door parts well-lubricated is generally considered a good idea when it comes to prolonging the lifespan of your door. Nearly every part could use a light coating of silicone or white lithium grease a few times a year.

    However, one mistake often made by garage owners is lubricating the tracks. Those who do, run the risk of a garage door off track. With lubrication on the tracks, the door can easily slide right off.

    Feel free to clean the tracks with a damp cloth, but save the lubricant for the springs, rollers, hinges, and bearings.

  • Best Practices that Can Prolong Garage Door Life

    Three Simple Tips for All Garage Owners

    A garage door offers a convenient way to enter and exit your home, store vehicles, and keep your property safe. As long as you follow proper maintenance and safety precautions, you can expect to have a garage door that performs well for many years to come.

    Here at EDH-Serrano, we’ve talked a lot about keeping your garage door parts well lubricated. But what other best practices are there for garage owners? We’ve dug up three mistakes that garage door users make all too often. Read on to learn more.

    3 Ways You Could Mess up Your Garage

    1) Dislodged Sensors

    The sensors found on both sides of the garage door base must be accurately aligned for the door to function properly. They’re a great safety feature and can prevent damage and injuries from occurring. However, during the normal course of operation, it’s common for them to become misaligned or dirty.

    To fix:

    – Adjust the sensors with your hand and try to line them up. Adjustments can also be made by loosening the bracket that holds it in place.

    – Due to the sensitivity of the sensors, even the slightest nearby object can prevent operation. Ensure the path between them is cleared appropriately.

    – Wipe both lenses clean with a soft microfiber cloth. Be careful not to scratch them.

    – Inspect the wiring behind the lenses and make sure it’s not damaged or tangled up

    2) Keep Stuff Away from the Garage Door Rails

    The rails on your garage door are designed to keep it secure while it operates. A slight obstruction can cause a garage door off track problem, which is extremely dangerous.

    – Don’t place objects in or near the rails.

    – Don’t lubricate the rails as it isn’t needed.

    – Some home and business owners have placed storage shelves on either side of the garage doors. We have seen the items being stored on the shelves fall over and get in the way of a closing door, causing it to come right off the track. Shelves are great but keep them away from the door and rails.

    3) Pulling Into the Garage? Make Sure You Have Enough Clearance

    Parking your vehicle in the garage is a normal habit for most garage owners. In fact, it becomes such a habit that when owners purchase a bike or kayak and place it on top of the vehicle for transportation, they’ll drive right into the garage and forget to check if there’s enough clearance. This leads to a devastating amount of damage to their garage, often requiring new garage doors to be installed.

    – Measure the amount of clearance you have from the top of your car to the top of your garage. This can help you remember the need to exercise caution while driving into a garage.

    – If needed, step out of your vehicle and make sure there’s room to pull in. Don’t take unnecessary risks.

    Practicing Garage Door Awareness Could Save Money

    Staying alert while operating your garage door can go a long way in preventing costly accidents. With a little knowledge and proper care, you can keep your garage problem-free for many years to come.

  • This Lubricant Should Never Be Used on Garage Doors

    Don’t Use WD-40 on Your Garage Door!

    When it comes to garage door maintenance, it’s crucial to use the right lubricant. Contrary to popular belief, WD-40 should not be your go-to option. While it may initially improve your door’s performance due to its cleaning properties it won’t last. Every homeowner needs to understand that WD-40 is not a lubricant; it’s a solvent. This means it can strip away existing oil, leading to metal-to-metal contact, which can cause long-term damage to your garage door.

    What’s the better choice for lubricating your garage door then? Two highly recommended options are white lithium grease and silicone lubricants. These not only offer superior lubrication but also help protect your garage door parts from wear and tear. When using lubricants, ensure you’re applying them to the correct parts of the door. It’s essential not to overdo it, as excess lubricant can attract dust and dirt, potentially causing more harm than good.

    You can use WD-40 to clean parts like rails if you want. White lithium grease and silicone are two of the best choices and offer superior lubricating qualities. Just be sure you’re lubricating the correct parts and cleaning everything else whenever you’re performing maintenance.

    If you’re unsure on how to lubricate a garage door and a text guide just isn’t enough, check out this video of Mike Holmes explaining how you can lubricate your garage door safely.