Garage Doors
A garage door is the largest moving object in most homes, and nearly all of its weight is carried by springs rather than the opener. That is why spring and cable work is the part of this trade that should not be a do-it-yourself project.
Most service calls fall into a small set of faults: a broken spring, a snapped cable, worn rollers, a misaligned track, a failing opener or safety sensors that stop the door from closing.
Availability
Hire Best Pros is not connecting people with garage doors professionals yet. This page is here as background reading while we work on it. Everything we do cover today is listed in our service directory.
What people usually need
- Broken torsion or extension spring replacement
- Cable, roller and track repair
- Opener repair and replacement
- Safety sensor alignment and troubleshooting
- Panel replacement after impact damage
- Full door replacement and insulation upgrades
What to weigh before hiring
Springs are a safety issue
Torsion springs hold enormous stored energy. Replacement is a job for a technician with the right winding bars and experience, and springs are usually replaced in pairs so the door stays balanced.
Repair or replace the whole door
Replacing a spring or opener on an otherwise sound door is usually worthwhile. Once panels are rusted or damaged, or the door is uninsulated on an attached garage, replacement often makes more sense.
Insulation and material
If the garage is attached or used as a workspace, ask about the R-value and whether steel, wood or composite suits your climate and exposure.
Common questions
- Why will my garage door not close?
- The most frequent cause is a blocked or misaligned safety sensor near the floor. If the sensors are clean and aligned, the problem is more likely the springs, cables or opener logic board.
- How long do garage door springs last?
- Springs are rated in cycles rather than years. A typical spring lasts several years of normal use, and heavy daily use shortens that considerably.
Related reading
- Garage door repair and replacementThe common garage door faults, which ones are genuinely dangerous to attempt, and what a replacement quote should cover.
- Home security basicsHow physical security, lighting, cameras and monitoring fit together, and which improvements come first.
- Home repairs you should not postponeRoof leaks, active plumbing leaks, electrical heat, drainage against the foundation and failing heating equipment. Why these get more expensive the longer they wait.