Garage Door Repair

Overview

• Restore smooth, safe operation of an up‑and‑over or sectional garage door by replacing worn hardware and adjusting tension.• Skill level 3 / 5 (confident DIYer with basic mechanical skills).• Typical duration 2–3 hours hands‑on.

Safety First

1. Disconnect the opener and lock the door in the down position before working on springs.

2. Wear safety glasses and heavy‑duty gloves—springs and cables can snap under tension.

3. Use torsion‑bar winding tools (never screwdrivers) for spring adjustment.

4. Support the door with a stepladder or prop if lifting cables are off.

5. Keep children and pets well clear of the workspace.

   
   

Tools & Materials

Step‑by‑Step

1. Isolate and inspect

Why: Confirms the exact fault—frayed cable, broken spring, bent hinge.

2. Release spring tension

Why: Removes stored energy so you can safely detach cables or rollers.

3. Remove worn part

Why: Eliminates the failure point causing jams or imbalance.

4. Install matching replacement

Why: Correct‑spec cables and springs keep the door balanced.

5. Re‑tension springs

Why: Restores counterbalance so the door stays mid‑travel without drifting.

6. Align and lubricate tracks

Why: Straight, clean tracks reduce strain on opener and rollers.

7. Test door balance & safety reverse

Why: Ensures smooth manual lift and correct opener force.

Completion Checks

• Door moves quietly, with no rubbing or jerking.

• It stays mid‑way without drifting up or down.

• Safety reverse triggers when a 40 mm block is placed under the closing door.

• All fasteners torqued; no loose brackets or dangling cables.

  
  

When to call a pro instead

If torsion springs are above head height without a safety shaft, panels are damaged, or you lack proper winding bars and heavy‑duty clamps, hire a qualified garage‑door engineer—high spring tension can cause serious injury if released incorrectly.