As owner of a Brisbane emergency garage door repair service for over two decades, I’ve grown all too familiar with costly mistakes homeowners unwittingly cause in panic when a garage door unexpectedly fails to function. From improperly forcing panels open to taking apart automated machinery they fail to correctly reassemble, good intentions often create worse issues. Take warning from my most cringe-worthy encounters and save yourself headaches down the track!
Forcing frozen door panels
When warped bottom panels stick along the ground in rainy periods and fail to reopen, some try aggressively pounding them open with blunt objects or prying them upwards to wedge vehicles out. This generally achieves little beyond buckling panels now making seals impossible while also compromising internal strengthening ribs leading to collapse under motor demands. Pick up the phone before you pick up a pry bar!
Losing control of disconnected doors
Electric garage openers make operation effortless when functioning normally. Yet when sensors malfunction or power fails, some owners disengage the motor’s carriage from lifting arms enabling manual access. Without the system’s counterbalance engagement, doors then careen rapidly out of control, slamming violently often with people or property underneath. Never disconnect a powered door without mechanical locking catches securing panels in place first.
Here are some additional tips for mistakes to avoid when garage doors stop functioning properly:
- Never allow children to play with or tamper with garage door opener wall controls or remote transmitters which can lead to accidental dropping or entrapments.
- Avoid attempting adjustments of automated opener chain/belt positions if sagging, tightening or squeaking develops. Motors require recalibration when moved from factory alignments.
- Do not try splicing severed power cords yourself or rigging substitute power sources like extension cords creating fire/electrocution risks. Replace damaged wires completely.
- Refrain from spraying penetrating oils, lubricants or other chemicals on door panels and automation systems to “loosen up” operation. These attract debris deteriorating function over time.
- Never place household step ladders or other temporary climbing aids atop garage door panels trying to open latch hardware from the outside once stuck. These lack stability leading to falls.
- Do not attempt accessing automated door programming menus or altering position force limits if operational logic fails. Doing so without training generally amplifies problems.
- Avoid using garage door panels as ad hoc work tables or cutting surfaces when completing construction projects which often dent/scratch finishes and throw alignment off long term compromising function.
Securing site first
Loose hardware scattered below broken garage doors causes nasty falls for unsuspecting passersby, especially on slippery rainy days around homes. Prevent injuries by cording off the area widely then sweeping debris before assessing issues. Bonus if children can’t access tools enabling creative injury pursuits in the interim! Double check adequate precautions taken before phoning services.
Conclusion
Well intentioned “patch jobs” aimed at quickly working around broken doors often transform minor issues into major repair or full replacement headaches according to years of service calls answering over-ambitious homeowner handiwork gone wrong. Protect yourself through early issue detection via maintenance schedules and calling certified professionals at the first sign of functionality problems rather than conducting DIY guessing games creating exponentially larger expenses ultimately. Learn from my cringes so you don’t have to be the one cringing later! The wise swallow temporary access inconvenience to prevent lasting mechanical catastrophe.
