59% of garage door injuries come from malfunctioning joints.
Most Americans use their garage as the main entry point to their home. If this is you, a malfunctioning door can pose a serious safety threat to your family.
Here’s a list of eight common garage door problems:
- Garage Door is Possessed
- Door is Stuck
- Screeching Garage Door Problems
- Door Opens Too Slowly
- Door Won’t Open
- Door Closes Too Fast
- Garage Door Opener is Running But Door Doesn’t Open
- Door Won’t Close All the Way
Keep reading to learn how to fix them.
1. Garage Door Is Possessed
If images of Poltergeist come to mind, you probably need an exorcist. If your door is opening and closing on its own then one of these is more likely the issue:
- There is a circuit board issue.
- Something is interfering with the signal.
- Your remote batteries are dead.
If you find your batteries are dead, then scoot on over to your local convenience store. If it’s the other two, it’s time to call a professional.
2. Door Is Stuck
Has your door has gone up never to come down again? Try these common garage door troubleshooting tactics:
- Your remote batteries are dead or the sensor is malfunctioning
- There is a buildup on the wheel tracks
- The rollers need replacement
- The door is hung unevenly
Buildup on the tracks can be especially common in areas with more arid climates. Rollers need to be inspected twice a year and replaced every 7.
If you find that the door is hung unevenly or the tracks are bent, it’s time to call in the pros.
3. Screeching Garage Door Problems
27% of Americans say that there garage door rollers have never been lubricated. This is a surefire way to run into trouble with your home’s largest access point.
Lubricate your door’s hinges and rollers if you are experiencing this problem.
If you have heard a loud bang or crash in your garage, your springs may need replacement.
4. Door Opens Too Slowly
Let’s be honest, many of us wait till we get home to use the potty. When your rushing, a slow garage door is the pits.
Here are some common issues:
- Hinges and rollers need lubrication
- Springs need replacement
- The speed setting needs adjustment
Lubrication and adjusting the speed settings on your opener can be a quick fix. If you know what you’re doing they should take no time at all. If you don’t or you find that a spring is broken or warped, seek out a pro.
5. Door Won’t Open
A garage door opens and closes roughly a thousand times a year. If your door won’t open or opens then immediately closes, here are some tips for you:
- Sensitivity of the opener needs adjustment
- Remote batteries need replacing
- Garage Door springs need replacing
You can find directions for adjusting the opener’s sensitivity in the owner’s manual. Sometimes a door can function perfectly in every season but winter. This is a nice second option after your rule out the batteries.
Garage door springs are their lifeblood. If your door opens then immediately closes, the springs at the top of the door need replacement. To save on cost, call a professional to replace all the springs at the same time. If you have replaced any springs within three years, replacing the broken ones will do.
6. Door Closes Too Fast
Doors that fall or close too fast are especially dangerous to children. Garage doors come equipt with tension strings, cables, and springs that safely raise and lower the door. If any of those are broken it can cause the door to close too quickly or fall.
Contact a professional immediately to ensure all safety precautions are taken.
7. Garage Door Opener Is Running but Door Doesn’t Open
If you can hear the opener running but the door is not opening your issue may be:
- The disconnect switch is activated
- Cables or springs need replacement
All garage door openers come equipt with a disconnect switch in case of a blackout. Disconnect switches allow your to operate your garage door manually. Manufacturers included this feature so our cars won’t be trapped during an outage.
Refer to your buyers manual on how to locate your disconnect switch.
8. Door Won’t Close All the Way
Many Americans are embarrassed about their neighbors looking into their garage. Your door may not close all the way or may reverse before closing completely. Here are a few issues you might be facing:
- Limit switch needs adjustment
- Photo-eye/sensors need inspection
- Debris on the wheel tracks.
The limit switch determines how far your garage door goes until it is completely closed. This is adjusted when the door is installed. If you believe this is your issue, refer to your opener’s manual to locate and adjust your switch.
If something is blocking the photo eyes/sensor the door will not close all the way. It may also close but immediately reverse. The photo/eye is a safety sensor that reverses the door if anything is blocking its path.
Check for any obstructions along the doorway that may be blocking the sensors. You can consult your openers manual to determine where the sensors are. This will also help you determine if they are functioning properly.
Debris on the wheel tracks should be cleaned off gently.
Consult a technician if your door is still not functioning after these measures.
To DIY or Not to DIY?
That is the question of our era.
New garage doors offer homeowners a return of investment of as much as 4%. That’s roughly $6K on a house worth $157K. So when it comes to DIY, weigh your options.
You may find the answer to “how to fix a garage door” is: let someone else do it
Get your hands dirty if batteries need replacing or light cleaning is involved. When safety is a concern, don’t hesitate to give us a call.