When something breaks in your home, you grab your tools and set to work. You are the DIY type and in most cases, you know just what to do or can easily find a how-to guide or video and follow along. Attempting to install or repair a garage door that has malfunctioned, however, can prove to be difficult and dangerous. These are some of the garage door repairs you shouldn’t do on your own.
3 Garage Door Repairs That Are Dangerous to Do Yourself
Here’s a look at the top 5 garage door repairs that are dangerous to do on your own. We recommend you contact us right away if you need a repair completed.
1. Panel Replacement
Face it, damage to your door is bound to happen. Dents and dings are no big deal but they can make your door look old and damaged. Replacing a single panel is a great option for those minor issues that need to be fixed. Choosing to do it yourself, however, can prove to be challenging. Common issues homeowners face when attempting a DIY panel replacement include:
- The panel doesn’t match. If you have an older model, finding the correct model and manufacturer can prove to be difficult.
- If the door has not been disconnected it could open unexpectedly.
- While attempting to gain access to the damaged panel that needs to be replaced, other panels could become damaged.
- Manual operation of the door while replacing the damaged panel can cause undue stress to the body of the installer.
- Removal of the springs to replace the panel could lead to further injury or property damage. The unexpected release of tension when removing the spring often leads to it being propelled forward towards people and property.
If you do not have the proper training you could be placing yourself at risk. Ensure a proper match and a safe replacement by calling in a professional garage door technician.
2. Detached Door
When the rollers have come off of the track and the door is no longer operable, this is indicative of a detached garage door. While this may seem like a simple issue to correct, it has its own set of complications and dangers.
The door unit is extremely heavy and could lead to serious injury if you attempt to lift it back onto the track yourself. If the rollers are not properly aligned with the track it could come off again unexpectedly. Subsequently, if you do not find the initial cause as to why the door detached in the first place you could end up facing the same issue again in the future. Calling in a professional to assess the problem and ensure your door is repaired correctly is your best option for a lasting repair.
3. Rollers & Cables
Damaged rollers can cause the door to detach or fall leading to property damage and personal injury. When the rollers glide along the track it allows for a smooth open and close of your door. If they have sustained damage or corrosion, it could cause the door to malfunction.
Replacing these requires the door to be and remain balanced. Without proper training, the door could drop and hurt someone.
Cables coil around the drums causing the door to open and close. These cables can wear out over time and will need to be replaced. These cables are high-tension and if replacement isn’t done the right way, they could snap leading to serious injury or death.
Both the rollers and cables are key elements to the operation of any garage door. When they are damaged or broken your door becomes inoperable but attempting to replace the rollers yourself is never a good idea. Calling in an experienced garage door technician guarantees you a safe installation.
Contact the Experts
Attempting any garage door repair yourself can be dangerous no matter how avid the DIYer you may be. Garage door systems are complex and require proper training and attention to detail in order to be properly installed or repaired. So, leave the tough stuff to the experts and call your local garage door experts to make the repair!
