When handling basic home repairs, homeowners have a few options: DIY or hire a seasoned professional. The internet is a wealth of videos and tutorials that can teach you how to tackle nearly any project, (not to mention HGTV shows and the DIY channel) and can make home improvement much easier for the average Joe.

Basic handyman jobs like changing out light bulbs, tightening loose screws, and fixing a running toilet are things that are generally easy to take care of. So when your garage door gets stuck on its track or begins to squeak on a regular basis, how do you determine if you should try and fix the issue yourself or call a professional? The answer isn’t always clear, because it could be a simple fix like tightening a bolt, lubricating a hinge or even changing the remote battery out when the door is no longer performing. At The Up & Up Garage Doors, we believe that the safety of our customers is most important.

Today, we will discuss some common garage door issues and a little more background on spotting an easy fix versus knowing when to call a pro:

If you’re having issues trying to open or close your garage door via the remote, make sure that the remote’s battery doesn’t need to be replaced first. If you’ve also tried the button on the wall control with no luck, there’s a good chance it’s an issue with the power source. There are a few ways to test this out. First, make sure the motor unit is completely plugged into the wall outlet. If this isn’t an issue, it’s also a good time to make sure that there isn’t a blown fuse. Check your circuit breaker if you sense a power source issue within the garage.

If you’ve tried all of the above and there’s still no movement, the problem could possibly lie within the motor of the garage door and will most likely need to be handled by a professional.

If your garage door has movement but sounds louder than usual or squeaky, you may want to check the door from the inside to see if the noise could be coming from a roller that needs to be replaced, a hinge that needs to be lubricated, or something more serious like an off-balance door. Lubricating the hardware is also a simple way to test any potential moving parts issues and it’s always good to check this to see if it does the trick. Rusted out hardware usually calls for a more advanced repair or parts replacement, so it’s best to call someone in this case, rather than risk your safety.

Modern garage doors are equipped with motion detection sensors that are meant to help protect you, your family, and your furry friends so that no one gets injured when the garage door is moving up or down. If there is a sensor issue, the door may get stuck and not be able to go up or down. This is a very serious safety issue, especially if you have small children or pets. This should be taken care of as soon as possible by a trained professional.

If your garage door’s movement seems strained or jerky when rising or moving downward, there could be a potential cable or spring issue, which can also be very serious. Torsion springs can be especially dangerous if they fail, as they don’t extend as far as tension springs and can snap and cause the entire garage door to drop very quickly. If anyone happens to be near or underneath the door when this occurs, it could lead to serious injury or even death due to the extreme weight of the door.

When your garage door fails, the fix can sometimes be simple, but more often than not, it’ll fall under something more complex. If you’re unsure and don’t want to risk it, it’s always best to call a professional that is well-versed in garage door repairs and maintenance to ensure the safety and peace of mind for you and your family. We think that Tim ‘The Toolman’ Taylor would agree.

The Up & Up Garage Doors is a family-owned company in Austin, Texas. We are fully-committed to providing the best customer care possible, offering more than a decade of experience in garage door repair and installation. Our company is also fully-licensed, insured, and bonded with an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and many positive testimonials from past customers. We offer 24-hour emergency service, so we are always available, whenever you need us.