Garage Door Problems We Fix
Most garage door failures come from a short list of causes. Springs wear out, cables fray and snap, rollers wear and hinges loosen, the door comes off its track, panels dent or crack, sensors misalign and the opener motor or circuit board fails. A garage door is the heaviest moving part of your house, and the springs hold a lot of stored energy, so repairs involving springs and cables should be left to professionals.
- Broken springs and cables
- Doors off track
- Dented or cracked panels
- Noisy rollers and hinges
- Opener and sensor problems
- Weatherstripping and seals
The Most Common Failure
Garage Door Spring Repair
A door's springs counterbalance its weight, so a broken spring leaves a heavy door that will not lift, or that slams shut. Springs wear by the number of times the door opens, and a typical spring is rated for a set number of cycles. We replace springs in matched pairs, set the tension for your door's weight and check the cables, drums and balance. Please do not try to wind or release a spring yourself, because the stored force can cause serious injury.
- Springs replaced in matched pairs
- Tension set for the door's weight
- Cables, drums and balance checked
- Safe, tested operation
Tracks, Rollers and Cables
Off-Track Doors, Rollers and Cables
A door that is crooked, jams or makes noise is often off its track, or has worn rollers, bent track sections, loose hinges or a frayed cable. Forcing it makes the damage worse. We check the door and the hardware, realign or replace the track, install new rollers and hinges and replace worn cables, then test the door's balance and travel.
- Tracks aligned or replaced
- New rollers and hinges
- Frayed cables replaced
- Balance and travel tested
Remote, Sensors and Safety
Garage Door Opener Repair and Replacement
An opener can fail from a worn gear, a dead circuit board, a misaligned sensor or a broken remote. We diagnose the opener, repair what can be repaired and replace openers that are past it. Modern openers have safety sensors that stop the door if something is in the way, and a reverse test you can check at home. We set the force and travel so the door works smoothly and stays safe for kids and pets.
- Opener diagnosed and repaired
- Safety sensors aligned
- Remotes and keypads programmed
- Force and travel set
Dents, Cracks and Wind Damage
Garage Door Panel Repair and Replacement
A car bumper, a hockey puck or a windstorm can dent or crack a panel. Single panels can sometimes be replaced, but only if the door model is still available, and a panel that does not match can look worse than the dent. We assess the damage and tell you honestly whether a panel, a section or a new door is the better spend. Hail can dent steel doors too, so ask us about hail damage if you are making an insurance claim.
- Dents and cracks assessed
- Panels replaced where possible
- Whole door replacement when better
- Hail damage documented
Warmth and Quiet
New Garage Door Installation and Insulation
A new door can transform the look of your house and the comfort of your garage. Insulated steel doors keep the garage warmer in winter and quieter all year, and a well-sealed door stops drafts, snow and pests. We help you choose the style, colour, windows and insulation level, remove the old door and install the new one with proper springs, tracks, seals and opener.
- Insulated steel doors
- Style, colour and windows chosen with you
- Old door removed and hauled away
- Seals and weatherstripping installed
The age of the door and the type of damage decide.
Repair or Replace Your Garage Door?
Repair makes sense when:
The door is under about fifteen years old
A spring, cable or roller failed
Only one panel is damaged
The opener works but needs adjusting
Replacement makes sense when:
Several panels are damaged or rusted
The door is old, drafty or noisy
Repairs keep costing money
You want better insulation or style
Garage Door Not Working? Tell Us About It
Tell us what the door is doing, the make if you know it and a photo, and we will call you back.
What Affects Garage Door Repair Cost
The Part That Failed
A roller or sensor costs less than springs, and springs cost less than panels or a new opener.
Garage Door Safety
Test the Reverse
Place a board in the door's path. A working opener will stop and reverse when the door touches it.
Disable the Opener If Stuck
Use the release cord and call for service rather than forcing a stuck door.
Garage Doors in Calgary Winters
Why Call Blueprint for Your Garage Door
Questions About Your Garage Door?
Send the size, what it is for and a photo of the area, and we will call you back.
Book a Garage Door Repair
Frequently Asked Questions About Garage Door Repair
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Q. How much does garage door repair cost in Calgary?
It depends on what failed. A roller or a sensor costs much less than a pair of springs, and springs cost less than panels, a new opener or a new door. We diagnose the door and give you a clear price before we start.
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Q. Why did my garage door spring break?
Springs are rated for a number of open and close cycles, and they fail when they reach it. Cold weather, rust and a poorly balanced door shorten that. When one spring breaks, the other is close behind, so we replace them as a pair.
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Q. Can I replace a garage door spring myself?
We strongly advise against it. Torsion springs store enough energy to cause serious injury, and mistakes during winding or release are a common cause of garage door accidents.
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Q. My garage door will not open. What should I check?
Check the remote battery, the wall button and the power. Look for a lock on the door and for a disconnected opener. If the door is heavy to lift by hand, a spring has probably broken. Do not force it, and call for repair.
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Q. My garage door is making noise. What does it mean?
Squealing and grinding usually mean dry or worn rollers and hinges. Banging can mean a bent track or loose hardware. A noisy opener may have a worn gear. We diagnose and fix the cause.
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Q. Why does my garage door go up and then back down?
That is usually a safety sensor problem. Sensors near the floor can be misaligned, dirty or blocked. It can also mean the travel or force settings need adjusting.
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Q. How long does a garage door last?
A steel garage door commonly lasts 15 to 30 years, but springs, rollers and openers wear out sooner. Regular lubrication and care help the whole system last.
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Q. Can a dented garage door panel be replaced?
Sometimes. It depends on whether your model is still available and whether a replacement panel matches. If not, replacing the door can look better and cost less than a patch.
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Q. Is an insulated garage door worth it?
In Calgary, usually yes for an attached garage or a workshop. Insulation keeps the garage warmer and quieter and helps the door stay rigid. It also reduces heat loss into the house.
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Q. Do you install new garage doors?
Yes. We help you choose the style and insulation, remove the old door and install the new one with springs, tracks, seals and opener. We also build garages. See our garage builders page.
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Q. Do you repair garage door openers?
Yes. We repair and replace openers, align safety sensors and program remotes and keypads.
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Q. Do you offer emergency garage door repair?
Call us and tell us the situation. If the door is stuck open or a spring has failed, we will try to book you in quickly. Emergency and after-hours calls can cost more.
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Q. Can hail damage a garage door?
Yes. Hail can dent steel panels and crack windows. Hail damage to a garage door can be part of a home insurance claim, and we can photograph it.
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Q. How often should I service my garage door?
Once a year is a good habit: lubricate the rollers, hinges and springs, tighten loose hardware, test the safety reverse and check the balance by lifting the door halfway by hand with the opener disconnected. If it does not stay put, call for service.
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Q. What size and type of door do I need?
Standard single doors are about nine feet wide and double doors about sixteen, but older homes vary. We measure the opening and the headroom and recommend a door, track and opener that fit.
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Q. Can I keep my old opener with a new door?
Often yes, if the opener is in good shape and compatible. An opener over about fifteen years old may lack modern safety features, and it is often worth replacing it with a new door.
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Q. Which areas do you serve?
We repair and install garage doors in Calgary and in Airdrie, Chestermere, Cochrane and Okotoks, and in the areas between.