Every home has at least some garage. They keep your car out of the elements and out of sight, facilitate easy comings and goings, and just look great attached to your house. But like all mechanical devices, garage doors also malfunction. Some of these issues you can easily handle yourself, but others might require expert assistance. In this guide, we will discuss the top 10 most common garage door problems that homeowners have and how to solve them.
Garage Doors Repair: Why It Matters
Heck, even if it was just that small of a problem outside of your garage, there’s no reason for you to take a risk and keep ignoring it in the about Garage Door Repair. An ant of a problem is an elephant of a problem if you don’t solve it. Addressing issues as they occur can prolong the life of your garage door and prevent you and your belongings from harm. Whether it’s a loud and clunky door, a broken spring, or a busted opener, having an idea of where the root of your door troubles is coming from can help you figure out where and how to start — and if (and when) it’s time to call in the pros.
1. Garage Door Won’t Open or Close
There are a number of things that can go wrong; however, when it comes to opening and closing your garage door, that just about anyone can spot as a problem in need of fixing. It could be dead batteries in the remote, misaligned sensors, an issue with the opener, or something else.
Solution: Try replacing the batteries first and then see if anything is obstructing the sensors and reset the opener if needed.
2. Noisy Garage Door
If you do, those are grinding, squeaking, or rattling; something has most likely gone out of alignment. The issue is usually loose hardware, worn rollers, or no lubricant.
Fix: Tighten screws and bolts, and oil the rollers and hinges; replace parts that are worn as needed.
3. Garage Door Opens Slowly
If it goes up slowly, there may be an issue with the springs or the opener motor.
The Fix: Before you do anything, make sure the door doesn’t need a strong greasing. If the problem is ongoing, then you want to inspect the springs and opener. If the problem is the spring or motor, you should have a professional repair it.
4. Door Reverses Before Hitting the Floor
If the door closes, then reverses back open, the garage door opener’s limit settings may be incorrect.
Fix: Look for limit settings on your opener and see that the door closes fully without hitting the floor or reversing.
5. Remote Control Doesn’t Work
Why is my remote not working? Many times when a remote does not work, there are dead batteries, bad internal connections, or damaged and shorted electronic components.
Fix: The remote might need fresh batteries, be out of range, or require reprogramming.
6. Garage Door Gets Stuck
Dirty tracks, misaligned tracks, or broken rollers can all cause a door to stick halfway.
Fix: Wipe/mop tracks to clear them of dirt and debris. If the rollers are damaged over time or the track is out of shape, then these will have to be replaced.
7. Broken Springs
Garage door springs take the brunt of the weight and can easily break after several years of use. The door can become too heavy to lift when a spring breaks.
Fix: Broken springs are not worth the risk of trying to replace them yourself. For safe replacement, it is advisable to call a professional technician.
8. Garage Door Falls Quickly
Your springs are dead if your door slams instead of closing smoothly, or the lines are off.
Fix: Don’t use the door until it’s fixed, because this is actually a safety issue. If this does not work, it’s time to contact a professional to replace the cables or springs.
9. Opener Motor Runs but Door Doesn’t Move
Your motor may run, and the door just won’t move. This may be caused by a broken belt, chain, or gear in the opener.
Fix: Check the opener’s mechanism and tighten the loose part to reattach. For damaged gears, contact a professional service.
10. Weather Seal Damage
The bottom rubber gasket creates a watertight seal with your floor and conforms to uneven or bumpy floors. This seal is able to be broken or will begin to degrade over time.
Fix: Replacing the old seal with a new one could ensure your garage stays safe.
Final Tips for Garage Door Maintenance
- Examine Every Month: Look for wear and tear in springs, rollers, and tracks.
- Lubricate All Parts: Use a lubricant on hinges and rollers, and tracks to increase efficiency.
- Try Safety Features: Ensure the sensors and auto-reverse features are working.
Know When to Dial the Pros. For certain problems (like broken springs or opener problems), you really need to bring in a professional to help ensure safety and security.
