Overhead garage doors are of two types. They can roll up in sections, or they may swing up as one piece. Both of these two types operate on spring tension. Metal tracks present on the garage walls are the paths along which the door moves. The power is provided by hefty springs. Repairs of the door when it fails to move smoothly can be done quite easily. First, check the metal tracks and the mounting brackets that fasten the tracks with the garage walls. If the screws at the brackets are loose, tighten them. Close the garage door and move inside the garage. Then examine the tracks for the presence of dents or creases. In case there exits a damaged spot, use a rubber mallet or a hammer and some scrap wood to strike those out. However, if the tracks are damaged at several places, you would do better to replace them altogether. The second task would be to check whether the tracks are properly aligned. This can be ascertained with a level. Horizontal tracks are supposed to slightly slope back towards the inside of the garage. The vertical sections of the tracks of roll-up doors should be accurately perpendicular. The tracks should reach the same height on the garage wall. You may try to realign the tracks yourself by slackening the bolts or the screws that support the mounting bracket, but without removing them, and carefully beating the tracks back into their correct position. After the work is done, you should confirm if the tracks have been returned to the proper location, and after that tighten the screws or the bolts. The tracks in roll-up garage door are somewhat more complex because these bend from vertical to horizontal. You must ensure that both the parts are aligned accurately. The third step in routine maintenance of garage doors is to cleanse the tracks and remove hardened grease and accumulated dirt. This can be done using any household cleaner. The rollers must be cleaned scrupulously. After all the parts are cleaned, these should be wiped with a dry cloth so that these are not left damp. Garage door lubricants are available in spray forms that can be applied on the tracks and the rollers as well to lubricate these parts. Otherwise, lubrication of the track can be done using graphite powder, and the rollers can be greased using silicone sprays, or even household oil. Pulleys, if present, need to be lubricated using the same material that is to be used for the rollers. All loose hardware must be tightened. Proper maintenance of garage doors is imperative to prevent undue wear and tear and for ensuring longer lifespan of the garage door. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/472334
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If your garage door has been running noisily, bouncing on its track, or sagging on one side, do not wait any longer to figure out what is wrong. Keeping an eye on these basic garage door repairs will increase the lifespan of the door as well as help you avoid larger problems in the future. Identifying problem areas With the door closed, run a thorough examination of the metal tracks inside your garage. Check for loose hardware along the length of each track, watching for loose bolts or screws on mounting brackets and spring mounts in particular. If your door rolls up in sections, replace any damaged hinges or tighten the screws on loose ones. Roll-up doors have a vertical track which will also need to be examined once the door is open and out of the way. If your hinges are loose but not broken, the screw hole may be enlarged or stripped. You can replace the screw with a longer one glued to a hollow fiber plug, which you can find at any hardware store. You can also use wood glue or filler to repair tiny cracks in the wood near the hinges. If you notice major cracks or breaks, you may need to replace the wood, re-attach the hinges, and then realign the tracks. As you examine the tracks, keep an eye out for dents and crimps in the metal. Damaged areas can be easily worked out by using a rubber mallet, or with a hammer on a small block of wood held on the dent. If the tracks are badly dented or damaged in several places, however, it is better to replace them entirely. Cleaning The tracks along the garage wall accumulate dirt and grease over time, which can harden and cause operational problems. Using a concentrated household cleaner, clean the tracks and rollers thoroughly. Do not leave them damp to air-dry; instead, use a clean towel or scrap rag to dry all components completely. If your door has developed a particularly noisy ascent or descent, consider a light application of lubricant, silicone spray, or powder. These can be applied to the tracks, rollers, and pulleys. Garage door realigning repair If your metal tracks are loose or have been hit, your door will not operate quietly or smoothly. To avoid further damage to the tracks or rollers, make adjustments as soon as you notice a potential problem. A garage door which swings up has only horizontal tracks, which should slightly slant down toward the back of your garage. Without completing removing the mounting brackets, you can loosen the bolts or screws and carefully tap the tracks back into position. Garage doors that roll up from vertical to horizontal tracks require more work to ensure all parts align equally and accurately. Many garage upkeep issues can be solved as a do-it-yourself project. Still, do not hesitate to call a specialist for major garage door repairs. Proper maintenance is imperative to ensure your door works properly and has a long lifespan. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8487753 Before, garage doors were made of wood. These doors effectively keep cool air out during the winter. But these days, garage doors are made out of other materials that don't have natural insulating characteristics. That's why there is a need to install garage door insulation. It is a known fact that most people don't insulate their garage doors. Garage door insulation is needed because it can effectively save energy by stopping heat loss. You can choose from a variety of insulation that's available in the market. Kits can be composed of panels and made out of fiberglass, glass, foam and other materials. Try to pick the one that would be suit your needs. It is a must for attached garages to have their doors insulated. There are people who say that this is an unnecessary extra cost but you'll feel the difference once you have it insulated. A garage sharing one wall with the house should be treated. The whole house will benefit from it. You'll see your monthly energy bills experience a decrease once installed. It is also important to install garage door insulation on detached garages as well. The garage is not only a storage area for some; it is also a work space. That is why the garage should be shielded from the harsh elements nature has to offer. The area will be a better area, especially for someone who spends a lot of time in it. If you're looking for garage door kits, there are plenty available in the market today. You can find one for any door type. You can get polystyrene panels and have it installed by a professional. There are DIY kits available as well. No matter what you get, in the end it will transform your garage door into an efficient thermal shield. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2301979 While automatic garage door openers can be extremely useful and convenient they can also become a burden when not working properly. Here are a few tips and pointers to help keep your door opener in tip top shape, or help you determine the solution to fixing a malfunctioning one. However, since all garages are different and operate in many ways, be sure to consult your owners manual or professional repairman for more help if needed. Maintenance The first step to a properly functioning door is to properly maintain its many moving parts. Here are four simple and effective ways to ensure years of use: Yearly Inspections: The best and most effective way to solve a problem is to prevent it. Be sure to inspect your door and electric motor for anything that seems out of the ordinary. Loose and worn hinges, tired springs, and wobbly nuts and bolts are some common issues that may arise. Be sure to address any potential problems before they worsen and create additional, more complex problems. Paint and Stain: Be sure to keep your garage door properly painted and stained. What most homeowners do not realize is that this step includes both the inside and outside of your door. Only painting the exterior door can weaken the paint through moisture, causing your door to warp. Lubrication: The many moving parts must be kept lubricated, especially the rollers and hinges that allow the door to bend and move smoothly. Apply a low viscosity, permeating oil such as WD-40, PlusGas, Liquid Wrench, PB Blaster, Mouse Milk, Unilease, GT85, Kroil, or CRC 5-56 at least once a year. Watch the Door Tracks: The tracks that guide the door must be kept in proper alignment to effectively guide the rollers. If the track needs adjusting, loosen the support bolts and use a hammer and small wood block to return it to its correct position. Troubleshooting and Repair Several problems can arise in your garage door or opener because of their many parts and exposure to weather. The most common problems can usually be fixed fairly easily, but since garage doors differ, be sure to check your owners manual to ensure proper repair. One of the most common problems can be that the door becomes difficult to open and close. This problem could potentially be with the electric opener, in which case you should address your owners manual. The simple way to check this is to pull the release cord that often dangles below the opener to raise the door manually. If it works fine when you do this, then the problem is most likely with the electric opener. If the door seems exceptionally heavy, the problem could be spring tension. Do not try to adjust the spring tension yourself as they are under extreme amounts of pressure and can be dangerous to adjust, call a properly certified repairman instead. If your house is fitted with a swing-up, one piece door that is sagging in the middle when it is raised, you or a repairman can install metal reinforcing rods across the center of the interior door. If your door does not open completely but only opens 4 or 5 feet, the limit adjustment screw should be adjusted according with the owner's manual. If the door does not close entirely, the adjustment screw needs to be manipulated as well. Refer to your owners manual for the placement of these screws on your model of opener. Most problems with doors and openers can be solved relatively simply with a few adjustments every few months, and can be prevented with simple maintenance. If the proper steps are taken, garage doors should last more than 20 years, and garage door openers should last at least 10, but small steps like those described above can make a big difference. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3268320 |