Garage Door Repair Papillion, NE

A homeowner in Papillion, NE, contacted Titan Garage Doors NE for help with their garage door. Their door had become difficult to open, and our technician found some hinges heavily rusted. Our technician suggested all hinges be replaced, including those already weak and prone to breaking. The owner agreed, and we installed heavy-duty garage door hinges with a galvanized finish. After the garage door hinge replacement, the door resumed its smooth operation. The client was pleased with the speedy turnaround and reasonable costs and promised to call us again if they needed garage door repair again.

There are several reasons why your garage door is not closing correctly. The most common cause is overuse, especially when the garage door is opened and closed regularly. However, another reason could be that the garage door hinges have become old and worn, making them weaker and more susceptible to breaking.  

How Garage Door Hinges Work

The purpose of garage door hinges is very straightforward. They enable the door to be raised and lowered by attaching it to the overhead frame. However, this ostensibly simple idea has a few specifics essential to ensure your garage door remains safe and secure while supporting heavy loads.

Types of Garage Door Hinges

Center Hinges

Center hinges are positioned on the edge of the panels, holding them together.

End Hinges

The door panels of a garage door are connected to the door track by end hinges. These hinges also support the rollers that enable the panels to move up and down the track. The panels can slide smoothly along the rounded portions of the door track because of how the hinge is designed.

Many standard hinges are made from galvanized steel in various sizes and gauges. The steel gauge is often used to identify hinges—the thicker and stronger the hinge, the lower the gauge. You must use a lower gauge hinge if your door is particularly heavy.

Garage Doors Gauges

• 18 Gauge hinges - Generally effective on light single-car garage doors.

• 14 Gauge hinges - Preferable for the majority of residential garage doors.

• 11 Gauge hinges - Frequently used for commercial garage doors.

Most Frequent Issues with Garage Door Hinges

Noisy Garage Door Hinges

A squeaky hinge is the most typical garage door hinge problem. Hinge noise is produced when there is friction from unlubricated hinges.

Solution:

• Lubricate the door's brackets and the roller attached to the bottom bracket.
• Rotate the roller to spread the lube within the barrel. You will also have to lubricate the pivot point where the two halves of the hinge meet and all other hinges on the door.
• For the end hinges, apply lubrication to the barrel that holds the roller.
• Choose a silicone-based lubricant instead of other lubricants like WD-40.
• Wipe off any excess lubrication.

Stuck Garage Door Hinge 

The hinges can become stuck if you do not open your door for a long time. The main issue is not lack of use, but the dust builds up on the hinge pin. It can make the door difficult to open and put extra strain on the door opener.

Solution: If your hinge is sticking, you may need to remove the pin to clean and lubricate it. Replacing the entire hinge may be necessary if you cannot remove the pin.

Broken Garage Door Hinge

The hinges on your garage door are vital to its function and can easily become damaged. If you have heavy objects constantly hitting the door or if it's been neglected over the years, the hinges may break and need to be replaced.

Solution: Hinge replacement. Even though the hinges looked in good shape and the door was relatively new, they might not have been strong enough to support the door. In addition, the hinge should have a stronger gauge than the springs.

Repairing Garage Door Hinges

If you are having trouble with your garage door, it is best to consult a professional. However, if you insist on repairing yourself, ensure you order the right hinges. Each hinge has a number that corresponds to a certain type. Give these numbers to the vendor so they can send you the appropriate product.

Pull the emergency release cord first if you are repairing your garage door hinges. It will prevent anyone from moving the door while you are working.

Garage Door Repair near Me

If your garage door is not opening or closing properly, you may need a garage door repair or maintenance service. Our professionals at Titan Garage Door NE can help. Our experts will look at your door to check for any additional problems that could be causing the hinges to deteriorate. Our team can resolve any issue with your garage door. Contact us today for a free consultation.