Garage doors seem relatively simple to operate. However, you may be surprised to learn that this simple mechanism can leave you in a predicament when it breaks down. Understanding your garage door components and how they work can help you identify garage door malfunctions. You can also notice damage and mitigate it quickly by scheduling а garage door repair Tempe service when you need professional help. The following tips about garage door repairs may help you save money and avoid purchasing a brand-new garage door.
The first thing you may ask yourself when looking at a garage door is, “What are the different parts of a garage door?” Indeed, if you’re unaware of the components, it’s hard to notice irregularities.
The Door and The Opener: Typically, garage doors have two main components – the door and the opener. The door rolls on tracks and operates through spring tension. The opener is usually tied to the wall using bolts and screws at various points.
While parts of the opener can fail, the door may also malfunction. For example, if you have a wooden garage door exposed to weather elements, it might experience rot. Once the surface is compromised, it makes opening and closing more difficult. Similarly, it poses a significant security risk for your home. Therefore, regularly staining and sealing the wood is crucial.
The Metal Tracks: The metal tracks that support the garage door can also malfunction. The mounting brackets holding the tracks to the wall can come loose and require re-tightening. However, if any parts crack or break, you’ll need a replacement.
It’s also good to check the alignment of the tracks. The horizontal tracks should also align towards the back of the garage, and the vertical tracks should be aligned with the door. An improper alignment could be due to loose or damaged mounting brackets that require immediate replacement, or they may cause additional damage.
Hinges: The hinges holding the door together on roll-up doors can come loose or break. For example, sagging often indicates a hinge that requires re-tightening or replacement. The sagging may occur over time as the screws holding the hinges to the door become too small for the expanding space. Replacing the screw with one of a larger diameter and a hollow fiber plug with carpenter’s glue reduces sagging. Fortunately, a garage door repair Tempe service will restore your hinges accordingly.
Torsion Spring: As the pressure on the torsion spring on the garage door mounts, it can damage the coil. Contacting a garage door repair service is crucial to fix torsion springs because they operate under pressure and pose a significant risk of injury.
Roller: Garage door rollers can become worn over time and affect the operation of your door. You’ll notice this as the door jerks when it moves or gets stuck in place. A trained garage door specialist can identify worn rollers, so schedule an overhead door repair service to check your door.
GT Garage Door Repair also specializes in commercial garage door repair for businesses in Tempe and surrounding areas. From warehouse doors to rolling steel gates and loading dock systems, our technicians are trained to handle the demands of commercial-grade equipment.
Our commercial services include:
• Emergency repairs to minimize business downtime
• Motor and sensor diagnostics for automated systems
• Spring, cable, and roller replacements
• Preventative maintenance for long-term performance
• Upgrades for fire-rated and high-security doors
Whether you operate a storage facility, retail shop, or industrial site, you can count on us to keep your doors functioning safely and efficiently. Contact GT Garage Door Repair to set up a commercial service appointment that works around your business hours.
The garage door opener is a crucial part of any garage door. This gadget is the force behind your entire installation, pulling and lowering the door’s weight. Usually, this installation consists of a reversible motor that operates a carriage along a rail that sits above the door.
A garage door opener is one of the handiest gadgets you can install. And you can install it yourself, following these general instructions and the specific instructions that come with the unit. The unit also has a drawbar to close and open the door.
Most doors have a relay and reverse switches that open and close the door. With a modern garage door, you can install a radio receiver and send signals from your car, making it easy to access your home without getting out of the vehicle.
You may want to check your motorized opener if your garage door doesn’t open properly. However, if the door is stuck in a raised position, avoid pulling the emergency release cord because the whole door could come crashing down. Instead, unplug the opener to prevent accidents. Overhead door repair Tempe professionals can quickly assess the damage and repair all moving parts.
Your garage door opener may have the following problems:
Wall switch and wires: If the remote still works correctly, the issue may be with the wall switch. Frequently, these fail and need replacement. Your garage expert can check the switch and wires to test the installation and determine if your controller is broken. They can also check if the cables are faulty and replace them with a fresh set.
Safety switch: If the door goes up but only goes down with the help of the wall switch, it’s time to replace your safety sensor. Usually, the small light at the sensor should light up. If the lights are off, our garage door repair, Tempe service will replace them with a matching set.
Circuit board: You may find that you have power to the outlet, but you have no lights and sound from your opener when you push the wall switch or use the remote. In this instance, a garage door specialist can quickly verify if you have a faulty circuit board. If that is the case, you can purchase a new circuit board or wait for the technician to specify the model. Just be sure to protect your outlets by getting a surge protector.
Trolley carriage: Sometimes, your trolley carriage may move, but your garage door still won’t open. In this case, the trolley carriage may be broken and need replacement. However, your garage door technicians may pull off the old one first, for inspection, before installing a replacement. It’s best to have a professional repair a trolley carriage on a garage door opener because you need to clamp the chain down to the rail. If not, you may lose the chain’s location on the sprocket and significantly slow down the reassembly.
Main gear drive: If your opener makes grinding noises, but the door won’t open, your main gear is probably broken. The main gear consists of plastic components in direct contact with the worm drive gear on the motor. Your garage door specialist can find a replacement part and install it in no time.
The spring and cable system in your opener is one of the most critical components of your garage door installation. The system could rely on torsion springs or extension springs to pull and lower the weight. Each system provides a safe counterbalancing force for opening and closing your garage door.
Torsion springs
Torsion springs are mounted on a metal rod parallel to the door above the opening. The springs are tensioned, making them twist and coil whenever you apply force. Usually, these springs use cables and pulleys. They have an average lifespan of 10,000 cycles, which means they need replacement after a decade of use.
Extension springs
Extension springs run perpendicular to the garage door and are mounted above the horizontal door tracks. The springs hold tension by extending out. This spring system requires cables and pulleys and lasts up to 10,000 cycles. Once the lifetime lapses, you’ll need a replacement.
Ideally, 10,000 cycles are approximately seven years, although some spring systems can last longer. Regular inspections by a licensed garage door inspector can help you identify old spring systems and replace them on time before they damage other components. Lastly, the garage door springs repair often includes replacing both springs. The process is dangerous and should be performed by a trained garage door professional. Our team of certified technicians provides complete garage door spring replacement in Tempe, irrespective of the model.
If your garage door won’t close, the issue could be with the safety sensors, track alignment, remote signal, or a damaged spring. Make sure nothing is blocking the sensors and that they’re clean. If the door still won’t close, professional inspection may be needed to diagnose hidden mechanical or electrical issues.
You should consider replacing your garage door if it’s severely damaged, outdated, or requires frequent repairs. If the issue is minor, like a worn spring or misaligned track, repair is often more cost-effective. A professional can assess whether your door’s condition justifies a replacement or a simple, reliable repair solution.
Some minor garage door issues, like tightening loose bolts or lubricating parts, can be DIY-friendly. However, more complex problems—especially involving springs, cables, or openers—should be handled by trained technicians. Attempting major repairs yourself can be dangerous and may void your door’s warranty or cause further mechanical damage.
The average garage door opener lasts 10 to 15 years, depending on usage, maintenance, and model quality. Regular servicing, such as lubricating moving parts and replacing worn components, can extend its life. If your opener shows signs of wear or struggles to operate, it might be time to upgrade.
