Garage Doors and Openers...
Installation, Maintenance and Repair

If you've read any of my toilet repair information, you will relate to the concept of "simple complexity". Often, a garage door repair has not a single obvious malfunction, but rather a potpourri of minor problems adding up to a major malfunction!

The Q&A below are separated into "garage doors" and "garage door openers".  Because there is some overlap in their idiosyncrasies, be sure to check both lists as you look for information.

Garage door repair and maintenance

Glossary of garage door terms and definitions...

The History of Garage Doors...

Should I insulate and weatherstrip my garage door?

There is nothing broken on my sectional garage door... you know, no parts laying on the floor... but it doesn't open and close smoothly any more. How do I figure out what is wrong?

How do you adjust or replace garage door springs?

How do I replace a broken roller or hinge on my garage door?

What are safety cables and why do I need them?

I've tried to install a garage door bottom weather-strip, but it is so unmanageable that it always comes out crooked. Is there an easier way to install it than just nailing it?

Our garage door rubs against the beams in our garage ceiling when we open it.  We would like to install a garage door opener, but the track would make it almost impossible!  What can we do?

Garage Door Openers

Basic garage door opener troubleshooting

Tell me about garage door opener safety, oh wise one!

Can I really install a garage door opener myself?

Yes, you can install a garage door opener yourself!

My garage door opener doesn't close all the time. Well, sometimes it does... then sometimes it reverses at the bottom, sometimes it reverses right after it starts moving. What's a mother to do?

Some companies are bragging about their screw-drive garage door openers? Are they really better than chain drive?

The remote control on my garage door opener no longer works? How can I test it?

The chain on my garage door opener seems to be sagging and rubbing on the track. How do I adjust it?

My opener doesn't work. I noticed that the light on the electric eye was off, so I disconnected it, but the opener still will not work. What's wrong?

Our garage door rubs against the beams in our garage ceiling when we open it.  We would like to install a garage door opener, but the track would make it almost impossible!  What can we do?

When the power goes out, I can't get into my garage.  Is there some device I can install to allow me access in an emergency?