Do I Need a Garage Door Service Call?
Garage doors and openers rely on complex mechanical and electronic parts that experience wear and tear over time. While some minor issues have simple fixes, many situations require a professional garage door service call to ensure your home remains safe and secure.
Here are the most common signs that it is time to bring in an expert.
1. Broken or Worn Springs
Springs act as a counterbalance to the heavy weight of your door. They are the most common reason for a garage door service call.
Signs of Failure: Your door won’t open, or it feels extremely heavy when lifted manually. You might even hear a loud “snap” if the spring breaks.
Expert Warning: Garage door springs are under high torque. Homeowners should never attempt to replace or tension them, as this can cause serious injury.
2. Frayed or Snapped Cables
Cables run from the top of the door to the bottom brackets, working with the springs to lift the door.
The Risk: If you notice fraying or if a cable has snapped, your door may hang unevenly or become stuck.
The Fix: Because cables are under tension, a professional technician is needed to safely replace them and recalibrate the system.
3. Electric Opener Malfunctions
Modern openers are sophisticated devices that can fail for various reasons. You likely need a garage door service call if:
Electrical Issues: A lightning strike or power spike has damaged the circuit board.
Mechanical Wear: You hear the motor running, but the chain or belt isn’t moving.
Sensor Misalignment: The photo-eye sensors are bumped out of place, preventing the door from closing. While you can sometimes realign these yourself, persistent issues often point to a deeper wiring problem.
4. Worn Rollers and Hinges
If your door is making grinding or squeaking noises, your rollers or hinges may be reaching the end of their life cycle. Worn rollers can pop out of the tracks, causing the door to jam. Regular lubrication is helpful, but once the bearings fail, professional replacement is the only reliable solution.
Preventative Maintenance Saves Money
An annual garage door service call is a smart investment. A technician can check the balance of your door and lubricate all moving parts, catching small problems before they lead to an emergency breakdown. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Is your garage door acting up? Contact Dodds Doors today at 1-877-503-6337. We have been the #1 rated garage door company in the GTA for over 60 years, providing expert garage door service call support to homeowners in Toronto, Vaughan, and beyond.