Garage door repair mistakes pose a danger to our cars when they ding or scratch them and the people in our households. Close to 100 children have been seriously injured or killed by automatic garage doors since 1974.

If you’re handy, you might think it’s okay to attempt fixing garage doors by yourself. For minor repairs, that’s fine. But when it comes to the big stuff, like faulty motors or bent high-tension springs, you need to be aware of the dangers of DIYing it.

To avoid injuring yourself or your family, read on for a list of the top five garage door repair errors.

1. Ignoring Problems for Too Long

If the garage door grinds and squeaks every time you open it, you know there’s garage door damage. If it’s not too loud or doesn’t go on for too long, it’s easy to let these sounds slide. But if you don’t address these noises right away, a minor oil job could turn into a seized motor or another costly repair.

Try to take a look at the problem yourself first, but if you can’t diagnose the issue, it’s time to give your local garage door repair service a call. Remember to inspect all parts of your garage doors often; if you’re familiar with what a “healthy” door looks like, you’ll recognize when it’s out of alignment.

2. Not Using the Right Tools

You might think you have a pretty decent set of tools at home, but are you sure you have the garage door repair tools a specialist would use? If you use the wrong type of bolt in the frame or use nails instead of screws, you could compromise the entire system’s integrity.

Always consult with the instruction manual for your door model before attempting any repairs yourself. If you don’t have the correct tools, don’t try to use something else in their place. Go out and buy, hire or borrow what you need, or ask a garage door repair company to come and take a look.

3. Not Keeping up With Maintenance

More often than not, homeowners don’t notice something is wrong with their garage door until it ceases, or worse, falls onto their car or a family member.

Scheduling a professional service once or twice yearly is the answer to keeping garage door repair costs low–especially if you have an older door. The repair person will check the springs, frame, and automatic opener for problems.

If you’re guilty of neglecting a service or two, garage door company lodidoor.com recommends choosing a low-maintenance material like steel. Steel doors are lightweight, low cost, and do well in any climate.

Garage Door Repair Mistakes: Call in the Professionals

Even the most experienced DIYer can make a mistake when it comes to the tricky automated door opening systems and heavily-loaded springs and pulleys of a garage door. If you’re worried you’ve already made any of these garage door repair mistakes, drop a line to your local repair specialists. They’ll help you diagnose the problem and get it fixed quickly and safely.

Are you looking for more advice on how to repair everyday household items? Be sure to browse the other Lifestyle articles on our blog.