Up and over garage door repair in Exeter
Professional up and over garage door repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-160
Typical Duration
1-2.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Up and over garage doors fixed properly - springs replaced, cables renewed, mechanisms adjusted so it opens and closes smoothly again.
When Your Garage Door Stops Working
One day it's fine, next day it weighs a ton or won't stay up or makes horrible grinding noises. Up and over garage doors are brilliantly simple mechanisms - until something wears out.
Most failures are springs (they counterbalance the weight), cables (they connect everything), or the mechanism itself (pivots, rollers, catches). All fixable, none DIY-friendly if you value your fingers.
⚠️ Warning: Garage door springs are under massive tension. When they snap, they can seriously injure you. This is genuinely one to leave to someone who knows what they're doing.
Common Problems
| Issue | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Super heavy to lift | Broken/worn spring | Replace springs |
| Won't stay open | Spring tension lost or catch worn | Adjust or replace |
| Lopsided when opening | Cable snapped one side | Replace both cables |
| Grinding/squeaking | Dry mechanism or worn rollers | Lubricate or replace parts |
| Sticks halfway | Bent track or misaligned | Straighten/realign |
What's Involved
🔧 Assessment
- Check spring condition and tension
- Inspect cables for wear/damage
- Test mechanism operation
- Identify what needs replacing
📦 Repairs
- Replace springs (both sides for even wear)
- Fit new cables if worn
- Adjust/lubricate mechanism
- Straighten tracks if bent
✅ Testing
- Multiple open/close cycles
- Check balance and operation
- Adjust catches and locks
- Leave it working smoothly
Pricing Guide
| Repair Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple adjustment/lubrication | 1 hr | £85 |
| Cable replacement | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-110 |
| Spring replacement (pair) | 2-2.5 hrs | £110-135 |
| Spring + cables | 2.5-3 hrs | £135-160 |
Based on £60 minimum + £50/hr. Parts (springs, cables) charged separately at cost.
Common Repairs
✅ Spring replacement - counterbalance springs wear out and snap
✅ Cable renewal - cables rust or fray, then snap
✅ Mechanism lubrication - dry pivots cause sticking and noise
✅ Track alignment - bent tracks make door stick or jam
✅ Lock/catch adjustment - worn catches won't hold door open
Why Choose Us for Up and over garage door repair in Exeter?
Safe spring and cable replacement
Smooth operation restored
Mechanism adjusted properly
Tested before we leave
What to Expect
Step 1: Diagnosis
I check the door mechanism, springs, cables, tracks - work out exactly what's failed and what needs replacing. Give you the cost for parts and labor.
Step 2: Repairs
Replace springs (always do both sides), fit new cables if needed, adjust the mechanism, lubricate everything, straighten any bent bits.
Step 3: Test & Adjust
Multiple open/close cycles to make sure it's smooth and balanced. Adjust spring tension if needed. Check locks and catches work properly.
🔧 DIY Tips
Maintenance you CAN do safely:
🔧 Regular lubrication
- Spray WD-40 or similar on all pivot points
- Wipe off excess
- Do this every 6 months
- Stops rust and keeps it smooth
📐 Keep tracks clean
- Brush out dirt and debris
- Wipe down with cloth
- Stops door sticking
✅ Check and tighten
- Visible bolts and fixings (not springs!)
- Door handle and lock
- External trim
⚠️ DO NOT attempt yourself:
- Spring replacement (seriously dangerous)
- Cable fitting (connected to springs)
- Anything involving the spring mechanism
- Major disassembly
💡 Pro trick: When the door's working, mark the position of the springs with a permanent marker. If they snap, you'll see they've moved - helps diagnosis.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Old garage door? Sometimes repair costs approach replacement cost. I'll be honest about whether fixing it makes sense or if a new door is better value long-term.
Both springs - Even if only one's broken, I replace both. They're the same age, done the same work, the other one will fail soon anyway.
Parts availability - Most standard up-and-over door parts are readily available. Unusual or very old doors might need ordering, which adds a day or two.
Prevention - Annual lubrication and keeping tracks clean extends life significantly. Five minutes a year saves expensive repairs.
Electric doors - If yours is motorized, that's a different job (electrician territory). But the manual mechanism still needs maintaining.
Frequently Asked Questions
My garage door is really heavy to lift - what's wrong?
Usually the springs. They counterbalance the weight of the door, and when they wear out or snap, you're lifting the full weight yourself. Replacing springs gets it back to smooth, easy operation. Don't try to replace them yourself though - they're under massive tension and dangerous.
Can you fix a snapped cable?
Yes - cables run from the springs to the door mechanism. When they snap (usually rust or wear), the door won't lift properly or might be lopsided. I replace both cables at once (even if only one's gone) so they wear evenly.
The door opens but won't stay up - what causes that?
Either the springs have lost tension (not counterbalancing properly), or the mechanism that holds it open is worn. Both fixable - I'll check which it is and sort it.
How long do garage door springs last?
Typically 7-10 years with normal use, but depends on how often you open/close and whether the door's been maintained. If yours are original and the house is 10+ years old, probably due for replacement anyway.
Is this urgent or can I wait to get it fixed?
If the door won't close, get it fixed soon - security issue. If it won't open or is really heavy, less urgent but annoying. If the cable's snapped or spring's broken, don't try forcing it - you'll make it worse or hurt yourself.
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