Garage doors can be of different types depending on how it is affixed, and they are usually automatic or manual. Some of the common types of garage door types are tilt doors, rolling doors, and panel doors. Garage doors are a susceptible to damage. You need to ensure they are always in good condition. Most garage doors are bulky and labor intensive, making repairs best left to a professional. Garage doors can break at any time of the year or due to natural wear and tear. With all the necessary tools and know how, you can be able to conduct repairs on your own without contacting a repair company. When you realize that your garage door is not functioning efficiently, it might need simple repairs that you can do on your own.
Steps in Garage Door Repair
Repairing your garage door can be a simple task. Below are steps that you can follow to repair your garage door:
1. Inspect your door.
The first step in repairing your garage door is identifying the problem with it. You will need to inspect your garage door to identify the problem. Check if all the bolts and screws are in place, see if the door is well aligned, determine whether the springs are in excellent condition and well lubricated. The inspection exercise should allow you to inspect every part of your garage door and identify the area that is having some issues.
2. Assemble the tools you will need.
After concluding the inspection, you would have identified the problem with your door and this will give you a hint of the tools you will need for a successful repair exercise. You will need to assemble all the required screwdrivers, pliers, and spanners.
3. If you need to change the garage door, get the door measurements and purchase a new one.
If you decide that your garage door needs a replacement, take the measurements by measuring the actual structure member. You will also need to measure the headroom and ensure that there is enough space where the door will match. You should try to fit the new door to make sure there are no barriers in the framing of the door.
4. Remove the door.
Before you lower your door, you will need to know which kind of entry you are dealing with as doors are different. Depending on the door model, some require being taken out in an up position or in a down position. You should ensure that tension is minimized when taking it off. You will be able to release the garage door once you have locked it into position as there will be no tension on its springs. Garage doors are heavy and can weigh up to 150 pounds hence when locking them in place, you will need to use a clamp or seek assistance from a third party. If you are alone, it is essential to use a brace to help lower the door down and minimize any calamity that might occur in the process.
5. Remove the garage door panels.
You will need to remove the door’s pin found in the top center brace and then untighten the brace. You will then remove the bolts from the top panel and the nuts from the door’s next panel down. Once you have removed the screws and the nuts from the door panel, the first panel will come out, and you should repeat the procedure until all the boards come out.
6. Framing and leveling the new door.
The next step is ensuring that you prepare your door frame for the new entry. You will need to remove the previous 2’ x 4’S head trim and replace it with a new one and use 16-penny nails to put them in place. Level the door for maximum efficiency and operation. You can use a compass to ensure that the door is in the right position between the bottom of the door and the concrete. If you find that the bottom of the door is not in level, you can use a circular saw to trim its bottom panel. The trimming will make it easy for your new door to fit into the door frame.
7. Install the weather stripping and ensure the corner brackets and hinges are in place.
You will need to mount the weather stripping using galvanized nails to prevent rusting. Ensure that you install the corner brackets of the door in the right place. You can use the R and L labels to ensure you install them on the right side. After installing the corner brackets, start building the door’s hinges. You will notice that the hinges have numbers and remember the first section takes one while the second section has two hinges on its corners and one in the middle, etc.
8. Installation of the tracks and rollers, marking the hinges, and attaching the panels.
After installing the bottom hinges, you will need to install rollers on every side of the door. You will need the brackets to fasten the track which is around the bottom wheels to a wall. Do not fasten the track if you have not confirmed that the door can close as you desire. This will help you eliminate the process of having to unfasten it again to fit it well. When marking the hinges, use a tool known as the carpenter’s square.
9. Fasten the tracks, hinges and put in place an end bearing.
After confirming that the tracks are in good position and will not overlap with rollers, use screws to fasten them. When fastening them, ensure the horizontal and vertical track are connected. Fasten on the hinges to ensure that the door will remain in place by using hardened screws that are durable. You will then have to install a cable and spring to aid in opening and closing of the door.
10. Finally install the operator support, trim and then paint it.
Use brackets to keep the operator in position, install the trim, and paint the door with your desired color.
Repairing a garage door is labor intensive. You will need to dedicate more time in repairing it and might require more than one person for safe replacement.
