We often get the following question: can I repair my garage door myself? The answer is: sometimes. Occasionally, you can make minor repairs yourself, but often you will need to call in the experts. It is important that garage doors are regularly maintained, and repaired as soon as you notice a problem. A good way to do this is by getting your garage door serviced, as problems will be identified and repaired quickly.

Do it yourself
Here are some easy things that you can do yourself to make sure your door remains in tip top condition.

• Examine the fittings on a regular basis. These will include the door hinges, the brackets, and the plates where the spring is mounted. If you notice that any of the screws or bolts are loose, tighten them. Leaving them could result in significant wear and tear.
• Make sure that all moving parts remain lubricated. Use an aerosol spray lubricant on the hinges, rollers, and tracks. You should also lubricate the lock mechanism on your door by spraying lubricant into the keyhole and moving the key about a few times.

Call in the experts
If you notice wear and tear on the hinges and rollers, you may be able to replace them yourself. However, if you are at all unsure, contact a reputable garage door technician, who will carry out garage door repairs professionally. In particular, if you think there is a problem with the cables or the spring, you should definitely call the experts, as they are under high tension and are dangerous if handled incorrectly. Cable repairs or replacements are quite common and should always be left to a professional. You should also check the tracks for dents and rust, as they may need to be replaced.

Other common problems include a faulty motor or a problem with the automatic opening and closing mechanism. Make sure the power supply is still working, check your remote, and if all seems okay, it's time to call in a technician who can check if repairs are needed.

This article was written by Up and Over Doors Ltd, a garage door supplier and specialist in garage repairs in Bristol. For more information, visit www.upandoverdoorsltd.co.uk.