Your garage door is the largest and heaviest moving object in your home. It’s also an important component of your home’s security. However, like any other mechanical thing, parts can wear out and break over time. A garage door repair is not cheap. Hence, it’s important to know how to maintain your garage door and to address problems as they arise. So, what parts of a garage door are most likely to break, and what can you do about it?

Springs: The most common part to break

Garage door springs attach to the cables and help support the weight of the door. Being under a lot of tension, springs can break abruptly, causing the door to fall or become difficult to lift. To avoid this, homeowners should have the springs replaced every few years or more frequently, depending on usage.

Cables: The weakest link

Cables work together with the springs to help lift and lower the door smoothly. Over time, they can fray, loosen, or snap, leading to a sudden drop of the door or a crooked hang. Cables should be inspected regularly for signs of wear and replaced promptly if necessary.

Rollers: Bearings do break down

Rollers are the small wheels that work with the tracks to move the door up and down. As bearings wear out, rollers can become loose, wobble, or get stuck in the tracks, causing the door to jerk or jam. To extend the life of your garage door rollers, lubricate them with silicone-based spray.

Track: Ensure it stays straight

The track is what guides the door as it opens and closes. If it becomes dented, bent, or misaligned, the door can become stuck or fall out of the track altogether, causing serious damage to the door and mechanism. Check for obstruction or debris regularly and avoid slamming the door against the track.

Opener: Consistent usage could damage it

The garage door opener is a complex system that activates the opening and closing of the door with a remote or switch. Overuse, electrical issues, or impacts can damage the motor, gears, or circuit board and make the opener unreliable or inoperative. Check the tracks, springs, cables, and rollers before attempting to troubleshoot the opener.

Garage door problems may not always be serious, but it is important to pay attention to them! However, consider hiring an experienced and professional garage door company to make sure everything is in good working order. The professionals carry the necessary expertise and tools to repair the various parts of your garage door, leaving you feeling satisfied and secure.

Contact a local company to learn more about garage door repair services.