Garage door

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Mo
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Garage door

Post by Mo »

Probably beyond DIY or even refurbishment, but I'd like advice please.
The Up-&-Over door of the double garage was new when the garage was built, must be 35 or so years ago. It has become very heavy to open. When it gets to about a quarter of the way the weight is really hard to hold.
It is the sort with 2 runner that it goes up into with a little wheel on each. One of these is very rusty. There are springs on each side - not sure if they are doing their job.
My DIY skills are non-existant. Would it be worth tipping some oil down the casing of the springs (ever hopeful)

If I decide to splash out on a motorised door what should I look out for to avoid a costly mistake.
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lancashire lass
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Re: Garage door

Post by lancashire lass »

maybe the runners need some grease (the runners only guide the door) and the central pin of the wheel could perhaps need some 3-in-1 oil to ease it to spin more freely. The springs should not need much attention I would have thought.

Sorry, can't help with a motorised door
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Meanqueen
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Re: Garage door

Post by Meanqueen »

My motto is oil anything that is stiff or creaks )grin2(

Don't forget that your muscles are not the same as they were 35 years ago. Maybe a
good rub down with an oily rag might make them more supple. {rofwl}

Ilona
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Mo
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Re: Garage door

Post by Mo »

My SonIL thinks the springs are done-for
Yes my muscles certainly get a bit wobbly heaving it up - I don't remember it feeling like that.
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Richard
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Re: Garage door

Post by Richard »

Hi Mo

Could well be just an old age problem (the door that is, not you !!).

Oil is OK short term but for a longer lasting solution, proper grease would be better.

B&Q or even Halfords would sell it.

Richard
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lancashire lass
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Re: Garage door

Post by lancashire lass »

Mo wrote:My SonIL thinks the springs are done-for


I'm a bit surprised by that or maybe the springs I'm thinking of are different - I'm sure they could just be replaced rather than have an entire new door. Do try the grease suggestion first as it may make a difference.
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Spreckly
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Re: Garage door

Post by Spreckly »

Hope you get sorted, Mo. In our last house we had problems with our up and over garage door. One morning I couldn't open it enough to get my car out, and was rather late for work. OH used to fiddle around with the spring and the arm attached to it.
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Re: Garage door

Post by Freeranger »

Sometimes the wire slips out of the groove on the pulley, so they don't counterweight properly and you end up trying to lift the block as well as the door. It can be flipped back in if you take some of the weight of the block.
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Mo
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Re: Garage door

Post by Mo »

I'm not sure that there is a block. I've seen doors with them. I'll go and look again.
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sandy
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Re: Garage door

Post by sandy »

Mo just had this problem, spring went on one side of the door so in the end had to have new springs at a cost of £170.00. Not bad as garage door is 25 years old. The pain as had to put old car out on the street as leaks oil and didnt want it leaking in the drive.
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Mo
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Re: Garage door

Post by Mo »

How did you find someone to do that. I imagine it's easier to find someone who'll fit a new one.
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sandy
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Re: Garage door

Post by sandy »

A man wearing a sweatshirt saying Garage Doors came in the post office and I booked him to come and take a look. It took a few weeks to obtain the new springs, a new door would have cost £600.00
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Mo
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Re: Garage door

Post by Mo »

I was inspired to Google and email. Got an answer straight away (Sunday afternoon!).
£350 to replace all 4 springs & service the door (it's a big double), £350- £400 if I want a motor (but maybe I wouldn't need one if it went up properly), from £1350 for new door +£300 for motor.
I will consult the male inlaws.
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sandy
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Re: Garage door

Post by sandy »

Mo I def think you must have a bigger one than me {rofwl}
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Mo
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Re: Garage door

Post by Mo »

Well my garage door now goes up beautifully (have to remember to let go if I don't want to go up with it*)

Pulling it down again is a problem. But the chap said the new springs would slacken with time. And he put a bracket to hold the door-frame to the wall - it had come away which meant the door moved sideways and got stuck against the wall when open.





*Ok, I'm exagerating
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