Common Garage Door Repairs You Should Never DIY

Your garage door is likely the largest and heaviest moving object in your home. While many homeowners in our community enjoy tackling weekend home improvement projects, certain garage door repairs carry significant risks that far outweigh the potential savings of a “do-it-yourself” approach. At The Jaydor Company, our primary concern is your family’s safety.

This guide outlines the specific repairs that should always be handled by trained professionals to avoid catastrophic injury or property damage.

Replacing Broken Torsion Springs

The torsion spring is the literal muscle of your garage door system. These components are wound under an incredible amount of tension to counterbalance the weight of the door.

The Problem

Over time, the metal in these springs fatigues and eventually snaps, often with a loud bang. Once broken, the door will feel extremely heavy or refuse to open at all.

Why DIY is Dangerous

Attempting to replace or wind a torsion spring without specialized tools and training is one of the most common causes of serious garage door injuries. If a tool slips or the spring releases unexpectedly, it can cause severe lacerations or even be life-threatening.

The Call to Action

If you see a gap in your spring, do not pull the red release cord. Contact The Jaydor Company immediately for a safe, professional spring replacement.

Repairing Frayed or Snapped Cables

Garage door cables work in tandem with the springs to lift and lower the door smoothly. These steel aircraft cables are under the same intense tension as the springs.

The Problem

Moisture and wear can cause these cables to rust, fray, or snap entirely. A broken cable often causes the door to hang crookedly or become jammed in the tracks.

Why DIY is Dangerous

Because the cables are attached to the bottom brackets which are under spring tension, they can whip out with enough force to cause serious harm if they are disconnected improperly. Furthermore, an improperly installed cable can cause the door to fall unexpectedly.

The Call to Action

If your cables look worn or have slipped off the drum, keep away from the door and call our team to restore the system’s balance.

Realignment of Bent or Damaged Tracks

The tracks act as the guide rails for your door. For the door to move safely, these tracks must be perfectly vertical and aligned with surgical precision.

The Problem

Accidents involving vehicles or even heavy garden tools can bend or misalign the tracks. This leads to a door that shakes, grinds, or gets stuck halfway.

Why DIY is Dangerous

Homeowners often try to hammer a track back into place, but this can cause the rollers to pop out of the track entirely. If the door loses its guide rails while in motion, the entire structure can collapse.

The Call to Action

Stop using your door if the tracks appear bent. Let our technicians professionally realign and secure your tracks to ensure long-term safety.

Replacing Damaged Bottom Brackets

The bottom brackets are the hardware pieces located at the very bottom corners of your garage door. They serve as the anchor point for the lift cables.

The Problem

These brackets are often the first to rust due to exposure to rain and snow, leading to a weakened connection.

Why DIY is Dangerous

Many people do not realize that these brackets are under permanent tension from the garage door springs. Removing the bolts on a bottom bracket without first securing the spring tension can cause the bracket to fly off at high speed.

The Call to Action

If your bottom brackets look corroded or loose, do not attempt to tighten the bolts yourself. Reach out to The Jaydor Company for a professional hardware inspection.

Trust the Professionals at The Jaydor Company

At The Jaydor Company, we have the experience and the right equipment to handle these complex mechanical issues safely and efficiently. We provide upfront estimates and a meticulous safety walkthrough so you can have total confidence in your garage door’s operation. Do not risk your safety on a dangerous DIY repair. Give us a call or schedule your appointment online to get started.