4 Reasons To Avoid ‘Do-It-Yourself’ Garage Door Repairs

Garages are an important part of many homes. Though they are meant for vehicle access and personal storage, they are now used for all sorts of things like gyms, offices, gathering spaces, and rec rooms. Garage doors allow you to access your garage safely and whatever you keep inside. They also act as a second access point to your home.

As is true with all mechanical objects, garage doors eventually begin to falter. They need regular maintenance, part repairs, and will even stop working at times. There are many reasons why a garage door would stop working, but no matter the cause, this will disrupt your daily life. Doesn’t it always seem that the worst possible thing happens when you’re already late? On your way to work, your son’s doctor’s appointment, something… and… your garage door begins to open but then slams shut. 

In almost every circumstance, hiring a professional garage door repair company is the smartest course of action. There are several crucial reasons for this, but below we’ve outlined the four most crucial.

Garage doors weigh hundreds or sometimes even thousands of pounds. Working with something this large and heavy is dangerous in and of itself, as the risk of getting crushed is something real to consider. Without detailed knowledge about how a garage door works and how all of the components work together, the risk of personal injury is significant for those who attempt to DIY garage door issues. Imagine the garage door closing quickly and unexpectedly; it would be bad enough if you were in the way of the door or, worse, your family. Serious injury and even death could be a result. Or if not you, then your personal items could be damaged. 

Although it may seem simple, a spring repair or replacement is one of the most dangerous things you can try to do on your garage door. Springs have incredibly high tension to hold the door’s weight. If a spring loses its tension or snaps, pieces could fly out and injure you or cause the door to slam shut, which is incredibly dangerous. On top of that, if your spring turns into a projectile, it could damage your home or anything you have stored in the garage.

Garage doors seem really simple on the surface, but there are complex mechanisms that operate the systems. Without targeted, specific solutions for the various problems that can occur, the risk of furthering the damage is high. Fixing your garage door yourself could not only be dangerous but could make the problem at hand worse or even potentially introduce a new issue. A simple attempt to repair a small part could lead to the damage of a major component and an expensive repair.

Without advanced knowledge of the mechanisms, you might misdiagnose an issue, miss a more significant problem, and complicate the door’s condition even further. You also run the risk of making a simple repair that temporarily fixes an immediate problem but prolongs a more significant issue. That means you could be causing more problems that will lead to more expenses down the road. 

When you choose to hire a professional, however, you are assured that the fix will be done correctly the first time. Choose a licensed and insured garage door company with technicians that have the experience needed to diagnose and fix various kinds of garage door issues to ensure they can help, no matter the problem at hand.

You shouldn’t attempt a DIY repair on your garage door if you don’t have the proper tools. Many of the parts that make up your garage door require specialized tools; if you don’t have these tools, you won’t be able to complete the repair correctly. Aftermarket parts that help homeowners perform DIY repairs also pose a risk. If they are not an exact match, you could end up doing more damage to your garage door than good. 

Also, finding the specialized parts and tools you need to complete a garage door repair can be time-consuming and expensive. Instead of buying all the necessary equipment, try hiring a professional repair service with technicians who have all the correct parts and tools to ensure a thorough repair.

Garage doors almost always come with a warranty; you may have even purchased an extended warranty. Whether this is a part of the home warranty from the builder when you bought a new construction home or a new garage door installation you scheduled, you may be covered for various kinds of broken parts or even preventative maintenance. Attempting to repair your own garage door when something goes wrong will more than likely void this warranty. That is because the company knows that number two mentioned above is a real risk, and they do not want to take on the additional cost of fixing an issue that was not caused by the door itself or a manufacturing defect. Remember, warranties rarely, if ever, cover consumer modifications of any kind. So even if you are able to fix the small problem that came up, your warranty won’t cover you for the next, bigger issue that you cannot handle on your own. Use your warranty when it is available, for any repair that is needed, big or small.

Hiring a reputable garage door repair and installation company that has professional repair technicians can offer many benefits, including:

• Improved safety - Hiring professionals also gives you peace of mind because making mistakes while performing DIY fixes could cause significant safety issues later. However, professional technicians have the training to make the necessary repairs quickly and safely. You can continue to use your door safely without worrying about mistakes.
• Cost savings - While the initial cost of hiring a professional technician may be higher, you’ll still most likely save money overall. As we mentioned, a DIY repair can lead to added expenses later down the road. Professional repairs mean fixing the issue the first time instead of sinking more money into the problem.
• Prevent future repairs - Professional technicians offer high-quality repairs, ensuring your door gets fixed the first time correctly. High-quality solutions prevent you from needing more repairs in the future. 
• Expert advice - Technicians can advise on door usage to prevent further issues. As they fix your door, you can ask them any other questions you might have. They can walk you through regular garage door maintenance or give other tips that extend your garage door’s life span. 

Looking for the best garage door repair service in South Florida? Look no further than your neighbors at Door Gators. Our professional team boasts decades of experience and our neighborly approach ensures professional, fast, and kind service every time.