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We’ve all heard it—that annoying, drawn-out squeak as the garage door rolls open. Most of us shrug it off, maybe spray a bit of WD-40 and carry on. But what if we told you that minor noise could be just the tip of the iceberg?
Garage door repair is more than just silencing a squeak or fixing a jam. In fact, with a few lesser-known tips, you can enhance your garage door’s lifespan, security, energy efficiency, and even your property’s value.
Let’s go beyond the obvious and dive into garage door repair tips you’ve probably never tried—but should.
1. Use Lithium-Based Grease, Not Just WD-40
Most homeowners instinctively reach for WD-40 to stop squeaks. While it may provide temporary relief, it’s actually a degreaser—not a long-term lubricant.
Instead, use white lithium-based grease or silicone-based spray on the rollers, hinges, and springs. These lubricants are specifically designed for metal-on-metal contact and will help your garage door operate smoothly for longer periods.
Pro Tip:Don’t over-lubricate—too much can attract dust and grime, causing more damage over time.
2. Check and Tighten All Hardware—Regularly
Did you know the average garage door opens and closes more than 1,500 times per year? That kind of movement can loosen the nuts, bolts, and brackets over time.
Set a reminder every few months to inspect the following:
- Brackets holding the tracks to the wall
- Roller brackets
- Bolts on the hinges
Tighten any that have started to wiggle. It’s a small job, but it can prevent larger mechanical issues down the road.
3. Clean and Align the Safety Sensors
If your garage door randomly stops and reverses, your photo-eye sensors might be dirty or misaligned. These sensors, located near the bottom of the door, prevent it from closing on objects, pets, or people.
What you may not realise is that something as simple as cobwebs, dust, or sunlight glare can affect their performance.
Quick Fix: Use a soft cloth and gentle cleanser to wipe the lenses clean. Then make sure both sensors face each other perfectly—if one is even slightly misaligned, it could cause false reversals.
4. Replace Weatherstripping Before It Rots
Most people wait until their garage is freezing cold or soaking wet to notice that the weather seal is damaged. The rubber or vinyl strip at the bottom of your garage door helps keep out water, cold drafts, and pests.
Replacing it regularly is a cheap way to protect your garage and improve energy efficiency.
To replace:
- Remove the old seal.
- Measure the door’s width.
- Slide in or nail a new weatherstrip (available at most DIY stores).
5. Balance the Door Manually
An unbalanced garage doors can cause excessive strain on the opener and lead to early failure of springs and cables.
Here’s how to test the balance:
- Disconnect the opener (usually with a red release cord).
- Lift the door halfway and let go.
If it stays in place, it’s balanced. If it moves up or down, the tension needs adjusting—this is a job for a professional.
6. Install a Surge Protector for Your Opener
This one’s a hidden gem. Your garage door opener is an electronic device, and like any electronic, it’s vulnerable to power surges. One lightning storm or faulty wiring could fry the circuit board.
For a few pounds, you can plug the opener into a surge protector to avoid a costly replacement.
7. Schedule an Annual Professional Inspection
Even if you’re the hands-on DIY type, there are limits. Torsion springs, in particular, are under extreme tension and can be dangerous to repair yourself.
Having a professional perform a once-a-year inspection ensures:
- All safety mechanisms are working
- Springs and cables are secure
- Tracks are properly aligned
- The opener is calibrated
Think of it like a MOT for your garage door—you’ll thank yourself later.
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