While some garage door repair may be best left to a professional, there are plenty of small fixes that can easily be taken care of yourself. By regularly cleaning the tracks, inspecting cables, and lubricating rollers and joints with white lithium or silicone spray, you can extend the life of your door and reduce the overall cost of repairs.

Squeaking or Rattling

Over time, daily operation of your garage door causes vibrations that can loosen screws and hardware. This is especially common in older doors with a lot of rust. A quick check of visible screws can help you determine if the problem is something simple to resolve, such as a loose screw or rusty hinge. Lubricating your hinges with WD-40 can also keep them working smoothly.

Slow Opening or Closing

If your garage door opens and closes slower than normal, stalls in the up position, or moves up and down in a jerking motion, the issue could be something more complicated that requires a professional repair. This is often a sign that the opener’s distance setting needs to be adjusted or the photo eye safety sensors near the bottom of the door are misaligned.

While DIY repair options are often cheaper than hiring a professional, the risk of breaking your warranty by making unapproved repairs can end up costing you in the long run. It’s always better to hire a trusted Tasker to handle any major issues that arise, particularly since vetted professionals are familiar with how your specific model of garage door is built and can quickly identify the root cause of the problem.