Most Garador garage door faults can be fixed with a repair rather than a new door. We can send a local engineer in the Liverpool area who works on Garador doors, finds the cause of the problem and gives you a price before any work begins.
Garador is best known for steel up-and-over doors, and these are a familiar sight on semis, garage blocks and newer estates around Merseyside. The brand has also sold sectional, roller and side-hinged doors, and the engineer will adapt the repair to whichever you have.
How a Garador up-and-over door works
An up-and-over door is a single panel that swings up and back into the garage. There are two main mechanisms:
- Canopy – the door pivots on arms and part of it sticks out at the front when open. Springs on each side of the frame counterbalance the weight.
- Retractable – rollers at the top of the door run back along horizontal tracks, so the door slides fully inside. Springs and lifting arms still do much of the work.
Knowing which type you have helps the engineer bring the right springs and fixings. Our page on up-and-over garage door repair goes into the mechanisms in more detail.
We use the Garador name only to describe the doors we can help with; this site has no affiliation with Garador.
Typical problems with Garador doors
- Door feels heavy or slams shut – springs have weakened, stretched or snapped, so the door is no longer balanced.
- Door drops when half open – uneven spring tension or worn pivot points.
- Lock will not turn or the door will not latch – a worn lock barrel, bent locking rods or misaligned latches. See garage door lock repair.
- Grinding, squeaking or jerky movement – dry or worn rollers, cones or pivot bearings.
- Door jammed partly open – a roller has jumped its track or an arm has bent.
- Fitted operator struggling – often a balance issue with the door rather than the motor itself.
Garador doors use springs that are under considerable tension. Please do not try to unhook, adjust or replace them yourself.
What the engineer will look at
- Opens and closes the door by hand (with any operator disengaged) to feel the balance.
- Checks both springs for stretching, gaps, rust or breaks, and compares one side with the other.
- Inspects pivot arms, brackets, rollers and the frame for wear, distortion or loose fixings.
- Tests the lock, handle and locking rods.
- On electric doors, checks the operator, its arm connection to the door and the limit settings.
- Explains the options and agrees a price with you first.
Parts and older Garador doors
Garador up-and-over doors have been fitted for a long time, so engineers come across a wide range of ages. Springs, cones, rollers and locks for common versions are often obtainable or can be matched with suitable equivalents. For very old doors, the exact original part may no longer be available, and the engineer may suggest a compatible alternative or a different spring set-up that balances the door safely.
Where a spring has gone on one side, it is usual to replace both so the door stays even. Our garage door spring replacement page explains why.
When a repair is worth it and when to replace
Springs, locks, rollers and arms are all replaceable, and a door that is straight and solid usually has plenty of life left after those parts are renewed. Replacement is worth discussing if the panel is badly dented, the frame has rusted through at the bottom, or the mechanism has failed repeatedly. Garages close to the coast in Crosby, Wallasey or along the Wirral tend to see more surface rust on frames and springs, so a check during the repair is sensible.
If you want an electric door, some Garador up-and-over doors can be fitted with an operator; see garage door automation.
Arranging a Garador repair in Liverpool
When you call or use the booking form, mention that the door is a Garador, whether it is canopy or retractable if you know, and what it is doing. That gives the engineer the best chance of fixing it on the first visit. You can find more on how the garage door repair service in Liverpool works on our homepage.
Frequently asked questions
Can you repair an old Garador garage door?
In many cases, yes. Springs, rollers and locks can often be matched on older doors. If an original part is no longer made, the engineer will explain the alternatives before quoting.
Why is my Garador door suddenly so heavy?
The most common reason is a broken or badly stretched spring. The door is then no longer counterbalanced, so avoid forcing it and have the springs checked.
Should both springs be replaced at once?
Usually. Springs wear at a similar rate, and replacing both keeps the door balanced evenly on each side.
My Garador key turns but the door will not open. What is wrong?
A locking rod may have come loose or bent, or a latch may be out of line. This is normally a straightforward repair once the engineer has the handle assembly open.
Can a manual Garador door be made electric?
Many up-and-over doors can take an operator, provided the door is well balanced and in good condition. The engineer will check the door first.