Most people don’t worry about their garage doors – that is, until something goes wrong. Here are some of the most common garage door problems, so that you know what to look out for:
Noisy Garage Door
Noisy garage doors can become very annoying, very quickly. Luckily, most noisy garage doors can be fixed with some basic maintenance. If routine maintenance doesn’t quiet your noisy door, it’s possible that your door’s hinges need to be replaced or that the rollers in the metal tracks have worn out and can no longer run smoothly. To get this fixed, it’s better to call a professional.
Worn-Out Springs
Garage doors need finely tuned springs in order to run smoothly. Since these springs provide a counterbalance to the weight of the door, they are always under constant pressure and will eventually wear out. When your garage door struggles to open, it’s likely that the springs are wearing out and may need replacement.
Getting professional repairs for your garage door springs is the only way to properly fix this issue since the springs are under substantial pressure pose a safety risk if you try to DIY the repair.
Misaligned Sensors
There are two laser sensors on the base of your garage door; they help prevent damage and injuries by stopping the garage door from opening or closing if there is an object near it. The sensors must be precisely lined up to perform efficiently; but, these can become misaligned, causing the garage door to not operate at all. Fortunately, the sensor boxes can be adjusted until they are lined up again.
Garage Door Isn’t Opening or Closing All the Way
If there are issues with your garage door opening or closing, you should check the safety sensors. They need a clear line-of-sight in order to work properly; so, make sure that there isn’t anything blocking them.
If the sensors aren’t the problem, look at the rollers to make sure that they are working properly. Damaged or rusty rollers can no longer function properly, so lubricate or replace them as needed.
Lastly, you should check your limit switches. For safety purposes, they signal the garage door when to stop moving. If the setting is incorrect, the door can stop too soon. Additionally, the switch may be too far from the motor unit, which can disrupt the connection between the devices, making your door unresponsive to your signal for it to open or close. If you notice a problem with your limit switches, call a professional.
The Remote Isn’t Working
Hitting the button on the remote, only to find that the garage door won’t budge, can be frustrating. Before you replace the remote altogether, make sure that you aren’t hitting the button while you’re out of range. The door may not respond if you’re too far away. If that is not the problem, then you may just need to change the batteries on the remote.
The best way to stop these problems before they occur is with regular garage door maintenance. Consider getting a professional to inspect and lubricate your garage doors a few times a year
