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Many homeowners use their garage door as the main entrance to their home, so it’s important that it’s in good working order. But like any other mechanical device, garage doors can break down and need repair.

The experts at Swift Garage Door Repair suggest that homeowners be familiar with some of the most common garage door repairs so they can decide whether or not to call in a professional.

1. Replacing broken or damaged panels

If one or more of your garage door panels are damaged, you’ll need to replace them. This is a relatively easy repair that you can do yourself if you’re handy. But if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, you can always call in a professional.

2. Replacing worn-out or broken springs

Your garage door springs are what allow your door to open and close smoothly. Over time, they can become worn out or even break. This is a more difficult repair to do yourself, so it’s best to call in a professional if you’re not confident in your ability to do it right.

3. Adjusting the tracks

If your garage door isn’t opening or closing properly, it could be due to misaligned tracks. This is a relatively easy repair to do yourself, but it’s always best to err on the side of caution and call in a professional if you’re not confident in your ability to do it right.

4. Lubricating the door and tracks

If your garage door is making noise or sticking when you try to open or close it, it could be due to a lack of lubrication. This is an easy repair to do yourself, but make sure you use the right type of lubricant so you don’t damage the door or tracks.

5. Tightening loose hardware

Over time, the hardware on your garage door can become loose. This is an easy repair to do yourself, but again, it’s always best to call in a professional if you’re not confident in your ability to do it right. You can also call in a professional to do a general tune-up of your garage door to ensure that it’s in good working order.

6. Replacing damaged weather-stripping

If the weather-stripping on your garage door is damaged, it can let in drafts and cause your energy bills to go up. This is an easy repair to do yourself, but make sure you get the right type of replacement weather-stripping so it seals properly. Another option is to install a garage door seal kit, which is available at most home improvement stores.

7. Adjusting the opener’s force setting

If your garage door opener is having trouble opening or closing your door, it could be due to the force setting being off. This is a relatively easy repair to do yourself, but as always, it’s best to call in a professional if you’re not confident in your ability to do it right.

8. Replacing the opener’s batteries

If your garage door opener is making noise but not opening or closing your door, it could be due to dead batteries. This is an easy repair to do yourself, but make sure you get the right type of batteries so they last as long as possible. Also, be sure to dispose of the old batteries properly so they don’t leak and damage your opener.

9. Cleaning and adjusting the photo eye sensor

If your garage door opener has a photo eye sensor, it can become dirty or misaligned over time. This is an easy repair to do yourself, but make sure you clean the sensor properly so it doesn’t become damaged. You can also adjust the sensitivity of the sensor to make it more or less sensitive to light. You can find videos online that show you how to do this.

10. Calling in a professional for help

If you’re not confident in your ability to do any of the above repairs, or if you’re just not sure what’s wrong with your garage door, it’s always best to call in a professional. A professional will be able to diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs so your door is back in working order.