Garage Door Parts and Common Problems (Part A)

See what our customers have to say:

Excellent

4.4

Garage door wouldn't close all the way. Kept reversing right before hitting the ground. I adjusted the sensors myself three times and got nowhere. Finally called Lenny's. Nate figured it out in about five minutes — turned out the track had a slight bend I never noticed. Fixed it on the spot. Felt a little silly for not calling sooner.

sarah zellers

Yesterday evening, A young man named Michael fixed my garage door quickly and efficiently. He was able to do repairs by using ingenuity and skill, while chatting with me politely and involving me in the process, so he could make adjustments smoothly. I was prepared for a large bill since it was a Sunday and my garage door had been somewhat damaged weeks before. He charged me a very reasonable and affordable amount in addition to the set amount for the visit. I was so relieved and so pleased. He was a jewel! And today my garage door is working well. Thank you!

Garrison Tretter

nate helped us our with offtruck 10/10

Isabella O

fixed me garage fast thank you nate

Derek Greer

Nate did a good job

Kelly Nalley

My spring broke on my garage door, we call Lennys. He came out the next morning. He was affordable and quick, only took him about an hour to fix. And he gave options, which i liked that he didnt just automatically give me the most expensive option and let me chose. I would definitely call him back.

Bekie kantor

Our son bumped our garage door and it could not open. We called them over to help us rescue our cars and fix the door. They came pretty fast and did a great job on fixing the garage door, putting it back in its place and taking care of the trim that got damaged as well. It looks like nothing ever happened. They also help us connect the garage door system to the App we have for them. They were professional and kind.We used them in other garage door issues we had on a rental property we own - were it did not open- and in that case- again- they were amazing. I will for sure reach out in the future for garage issues- if need be.Thanks for your great work.

Taylor Hamblin

Same day service! Great price and technician was very nice and respectful. I will definitely be using them again!

Nisha Bradberry

Nate! Thank you so much!! A life saver! Fast and and came in a decent amount of time! I couldn’t thank you enough! 10 thumbs up of if I could!

Jessica Jhnsn

Fast service. Completed two springs on the garage door within 30 minutes. Nate provides Great service.

When you take a closer look at your garage door, you may notice that it’s a pretty complex piece of machinery! There are a lot of moving parts that have to be in good working condition in order for your door to open, close, and protect your home against the elements.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the essential elements of your garage door as well as a few of the most common problems that we see here at Lenny’s Garage Door in Louisville, KY.

Garage Door Tracks

The garage door tracks are the vertical and horizontal metal frames along which the garage door moves. They are responsible for smooth movement of the door into the open or closed position, and must be strong enough to appropriately distribute the weight of the door.

Tracks typically come in 2” or 3” depending on the size and weight of the door and whether it will be used for residential or commercial settings.

Some of the most common problems we see with garage door tracks have to do with normal wear & tear. When tracks get dirty, for example, the friction can lead to slow or jerky movement, which can strain the opener motor. Tracks can also warp over time due to temperature fluctuations or years of normal usage, which can throw the door out of alignment. In general, tracks should be cleaned a few times per year, and may need professional maintenance about once per year.

Garage Door Rollers

While the garage door track is the framework that holds the door, the rollers are the devices that allow the door to move freely along the track. They are small wheels, usually made of nylon or steel, connected to the door and set into the tracks.

Garage door rollers are manufactured for high amounts of usage to facilitate smooth movement of the door, but that doesn’t mean that they last forever. Once these components have started to wear down, they can make noises as the garage door moves or cause friction and jolting. Luckily, the fix is fairly easy for a professional garage door technician. We can assess whether the rollers need to be cleaned or are ready for replacement to restore the smooth, silent operation of your door.

Torsion Spring

Your garage door has a single torsion spring that sits along the top frame of the garage opening. Its job is to relieve pressure from the opener motor and allow for smooth, controlled opening of the door by counterbalancing its weight.

This is possible because the torsion spring is composed of tightly-wound strong steel coils that rotate as your door moves. By storing rotational energy in those coils, the torsion spring creates force that can be used to hold the weight of the door during motion.

Problems arise when the torsion spring reaches the end of its expected life cycle. How long a torsion spring lasts will depend on a variety of factors, such as temperature fluctuations, amount of daily use, and regular maintenance. But, once cracks and breakages start to appear in the coils, it can be a potentially dangerous situation. After all, without the counterweight, the door can fall unexpectedly or be unable to open.

Replacing a torsion spring should never be considered a DIY project. The amount of rotational force stored in a torsion spring can pose a huge risk for physical harm if you’re not professionally trained. So, at the first sign of issues with this garage door component, call out a technician!

Garage Door Hinges

Garage door hinges may be one of the smaller components of your door, but they play a key role in ensuring smooth operation! Without them, your garage door would not be able to fold or bend along the sections of the door as it moves. And, each one is designed corresponding to its location on the door to avoid the door panels ever coming into contact with the tracks or other components.

So, it’s important that they be properly installed and maintained in order to keep your door in good working condition. You’ll know when your hinges are in need of care when they create a grinding or squeaking sound during operation. Sometimes, this can be as simple a fix as cleaning and lubricating them. Other times, the hinges will need to be tightened, repaired, or replaced.

Call Lenny’s for your next garage door servicing!

As a homeowner, it’s helpful to understand how your garage door works so that you can identify problems and know when to call in the pros. No matter what is squeaking or sticking, we can fix the issue to give your garage door many more years of use!

Lenny’s Garage Door will come to your home or commercial space in Louisville, Belknap, Clifton, Gardiner Lane, Bon Air, and more!