If your garage could use some new garage door parts, it can be difficult to find a trustworthy source. Professionals can help.

Home improvement projects have been on the rise during the COVID pandemic. In fact, more than three in four homeowners surveyed said that they completed at least one major home project in the last year.

Garage door repairs are among these. They are sturdy devices made to last decades, but, like other machines, they need the occasional tune-up.

Having a garage door that needs repair not only endangers your home and vehicle but can also be dangerous for you and your family. When components wear out or break, they can cause a lot of problems.

Fortunately, with the right garage door parts, you can tackle many repairs yourself. That can save a lot of money.

There are two things to consider here. The first is whether you can perform the task yourself, and the second is knowing where to find quality parts.

The information below will assist you in answering both of these questions. It will help you get your garage door back into shape in a safe and affordable manner.

Garage Door Parts You Should Not Replace Yourself

A good rule-of-thumb is that if you are uncomfortable with any replacement task, then it is best to hire a professional to handle it. Some people enjoy and are good at learning a new maintenance task and tackling it themselves.

If you are not one of these people, leave it up to the pros. Garage doors can weigh several hundred pounds. It is imperative that you repair or install them correctly.

Even if you are comfortable tackling most DIY home projects, there are two garage door parts that you should show particular caution while replacing.

Track

The first is the track that the garage door rollers move along. These are usually made of steel, which means they are strong, resistant to corrosion, and rarely need replacing. But there may be other reasons you would need to change them out, such as needing different dimensions to accommodate a new garage door type.

Since these are structures that hold your door in place, it is important that you install them in the correct manner. Failing to do so could mean that your door does not open or close. It could even cause damage to your garage.

Torsion Spring

The other garage door component that can be dangerous to replace is the torsion spring. These sit at the top of your garage opening. As your garage door closes, the spring winds up and stores energy that is then used to open the door.

For this reason, torsion springs can become dangerous projectiles if broken or incorrectly installed. Also, if you find that a torsion spring has become corroded or damaged, it is important that you replace it as soon as possible.

While it is not impossible for you to replace these or other complex garage door parts, always be sure you know what you are doing. You don’t want to do damage to your door that will cost much more to repair than the money you saved repairing it yourself.

Garage Door Replacement Parts

Like with almost any other product, it doesn’t take much searching to find options for purchasing garage door parts online. And, like other things you buy on the internet, it is possible to find cheap garage door parts.

Be careful, though; many of these are low-quality. Besides them being unreliable and having a short lifespan, they can be dangerous. If you are purchasing parts online, be sure to go with a reputable retailer.

Automatic Openers

There are a wide variety of garage door openers and remotes. These include ones that can be controlled through your smartphone or synced with your home security systems.

You can install many of these yourself. Although they require some knowledge of electrical wiring.

Auto-Reverse Components

All garage door openers in the United States must come equipped with an auto-reverse feature. These rely on safety sensors to indicate if an object or person is under the garage door while it is lowering. It triggers a response that stops the door and raises it.

The lasers in these sensors can become obscured by dust or debris. If they are not working, try cleaning the lenses before replacing them.

If you have to replace them, be sure to go with a reputable brand. For safety reasons, it is important that these components work as intended.

Miscellaneous Parts

Garage doors myriad parts that can need replacing from time to time. These include cables, chains, belts, hinges, rollers, and others.

Many of these parts are inexpensive, and you can find them at almost any hardware store. Because of how ubiquitous many of them are, you will also find many off-brand alternatives.

Like with major parts, proceed with caution. Purchasing name-brand parts for your garage door ensures that they will fit and work as they should.

Find Quality Garage Door Parts

Fixing your garage door is an investment in your home. Finding quality parts is imperative for garage door function. And remember that it is important to know how to install garage door parts before you begin.

Now that you have an idea of how to identify garage door parts and replace them yourself, you can be confident that your garage door is operating properly. Remember that correct installation is as important as finding the right part.

At Garage Harmony, we offer garage door parts, as well as service and repair. We keep a large inventory of spare parts to fit most brands.

If your repair or replacement requires professional expertise, our trained technicians can fix your door quickly and within your budget. We offer free quotes and consultations, so you have nothing to lose by reaching out to us today.