Worn Springs
Most garage doors rely on big, thick springs to open and close properly. The springs may be mounted above the opening or alongside the roller track on each side. You can perform a visual inspection of the springs, looking for evident signs of wear. If the springs are squeaking when the door opens and closes, apply a light lubricant. If the springs look worn or the squeak persists, however, call a garage door pro. Tampering with the springs yourself can be dangerous.
Worn Cables
Metal cables connect the springs to the bottom of the door on each side. If your cables look frayed or worn, you should have a garage door pro take a look at them as soon as possible. You don’t want to wait until the cables break, as this could cause injury.
Loose Brackets
The cables are connected to brackets on each side of the door. These brackets are under a lot of tension. Visually inspect each one to make sure it is firmly attached to the door. If it isn’t, call a garage door pro for troubleshooting advice. Do not try to loosen or adjust this bracket yourself. Newer garage doors are equipped with tamper-resistant brackets, which prevent non-professionals from adjusting them.
Pinched Fingers
One other safety issue that really has nothing to do with calling a pro involves your fingers. Garage door troubleshooting functions best when you practice basic commons sense. Don’t stick your fingers between sections when trying to lower the door. If you do, there’s a good chance they will get pinched. That hurts. When manually raising or lowering the door, always use the handles.
