7 Typical Garage Door Problems and How to Fix Them – The opinions expressed by the author in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Gainesville Restoration and Remodeling.
7 Typical Garage Door Problems and How to Fix Them
The garage door has evolved over the years from a manually-operated wooden door that was often too heavy to conveniently open and close. Nowadays, garage doors come in almost all varieties: steel, wood, glass, fiberglass, and aluminum. Most of these doors are opened through a remote control or an app on your mobile phone that you can use even if you are on the other side of the world.
Modern garage doors are also equipped with several high-tech features, such as backup power when blackouts happen and an insulation system. Nevertheless, even if they are modern and have highly-advanced technology, they will still require proper care and maintenance.
Additionally, garage door repair should be the primary solution the minute you realize something is wrong with the door. However, it is also vital for you to know how to identify garage door problems so you can apply the proper action for the situation.
Signs That Say Your Garage Door Needs Repair
1. Your garage door is unusually noisy.
When your garage door makes loud noises, don’t waste any time and immediately check out what is causing the noise. The volume of the noise shouldn’t matter because even the softest noise is an indication that there can be problems with your garage door.
The first thing you should check is the track’s nuts and bolts. If any of them are loose, these can cause the door to become noisy, especially if they move up or down. If this is what you are experiencing, ensure that you tighten these nuts and bolts. Once done, check if it still makes noises. If it still does, check if the track is off the line. If it is, this may be what is causing all the noise.
Another possible problem would be the need for lubrication. Lubricate the garage door’s springs and rollers, or have them changed if the problem persists.
It is also possible that the problem isn’t with the door itself but with the loose belt of the opener unit. Once this is determined, tighten the unit right away. Have it replaced immediately if the problem isn’t resolved after the tightening.
2. Your garage door does not fully close.
Garage doors have something that looks like a camera lens. These are called photo eyes, and these should be the first thing you should check if your garage door does not completely or fully close. These “eyes” are actually sensors, and if they are dirty or something gets in their way, they won’t function properly. Check them to make sure that nothing is obstructing their way, or wipe off dirt using a glass cleaner and soft, clean, dry cloth,
Ensure as well that the photo eyes are properly aligned.
3. Your garage door has gaps.
Garage door gaps are caused by constant use (wear and tear). If you do not contact your garage door specialist right away, this can cause serious problems, such as water buildup.
This may also be caused by a cable or spring that has snapped. If this is the case, the cable or spring should be replaced immediately.
4. Your garage remote is not functioning properly.
Your garage door is not working. No matter what you do, it doesn’t budge. Have you tried checking the remote? It might need a new set of batteries, especially if you haven’t replaced them since you started using the door.
You should also check the antenna and ensure that it is working properly. Lastly, your remote may just be out of range, so move closer to your garage door and try opening it again.
5. You hear your garage door’s motor running, but after a few seconds, the door still would not open.
If a storm recently hit your area or if you have had power interruptions quite recently, you can experience this problem with your garage door. If your garage door’s motor is running but doesn’t open, it may be that the door’s disconnect switch was engaged, which means the garage door can be opened manually if there is a storm, power outage, and other similar situations. Sometimes, you may forget to disconnect the switch after the power comes back on.
6. Your garage door makes a high-pitched sound.
A high-pitched sound similar to scraping comes from your garage door as it goes up and down is a sign that there is something wrong with the tracks and rollers. You can clean the tracks yourself, but you have to ensure that you check each track from one end to the other. Remove any debris from the tracks and check out its overhead parts. Ensure that there are no loose tracks – and tighten the bolts if necessary.
Call your garage door service specialist if you want to make sure that all loose parts are tightened, and the necessary repairs are properly done.
7. Your door shakes or vibrates.
There is nothing cool about garage doors that shake or vibrate. Even the slightest shaking or vibration can indicate problems with the rollers and tracks or opener. They have to be regularly cleaned and well-maintained to prevent debris from gathering around them.
Get in touch with your garage door specialist if the problem persists after a thorough cleaning.
The list above enumerates the most common problems your garage door may have. The best thing to do to prevent such situations from happening to you is to have your garage door regularly cleaned and maintained.