Is your broken garage door giving you a hard time? Are you facing issues like an inoperative garage door, a garage door not closing properly, or is off the rails? Such signs may indicate that it needs repair or maintenance. Before diving deep into the topic, let’s explore more about garage doors.
A garage door with automatic functionality is generally an electric assembly with a motorized opener. This installation helps raise and lower the door with a push button, a wall switch, or a smartphone app. This assembly is available in several door style variants like sectional, roll-up, and tilt-up. The materials range from steel and aluminum to wood and fiberglass. Garage doors not only provide convenience and safety, but they also add to the curb appeal of your property.
Common issues with garage doors
For a perfectly working garage door, all of the parts need to work in unison. An automatic garage door consists of the following parts:
- A garage door opener or motor unit
- A remote control or keypad transmitter
- Safety sensors
- An extension springs assembly
- Tracks and rollers
- Drive mechanism (chain, belt or screw)
A small displacement, breakage, or maintenance issue in any of these may affect a smooth and safe door operation. When an input signal is given to the assembly using a push button, remote switch, or a command using the app, a signal is generated that reaches the opener’s receiver. The motor is activated which spins a chain, belt or screw drive. A trolley connected to the door pushes or pulls to shift the door’s position. The springs attached to the door store the energy to counterbalance the door’s weight and let the motor glide slowly for a smooth operation.
Garage doors generally offer a rugged operation. Though sometimes external factors or some fault may cause it to malfunction.
Here are some common issues with automatic garage doors:
- Garage door not opening or closing
Sometimes, the garage door may not close or open on pressing the button. Common reasons can be a power outage or dead remote batteries. If you have checked the power source and replaced the batteries, and everything seems alright, the safety sensors might be misaligned or the door opener might be faulty. You can try cleaning and realigning the sensors.
- Noisy operation
If the garage door is making a grinding or squeaking sound while opening or closing it, it may indicate an issue with the hardware. Dry rollers, loose hardware or worn-out hinges may be some of the reasons for the unusual sound. If you succeed in locating the problem area exactly, you can try lubricating the moving parts with silicone spray and tightening the bolts if any loose ones are there. However, if the same issue persists, you should immediately contact an expert broken garage door repair company in your area.
- Uneven movement
In case the door has uneven movement or is closing with a jerk, causes like bent tracks, worn rollers or broken springs may be the reason. Sadly, there are no quick fixes for such issues. You can try inspecting the tracks for dents and rollers for wear. The best way to handle it would be – leave it to the pros – the broken garage door repair professionals.
- Door reverses before closing
Sometimes, the garage door reverses before fully closing. Modern garage doors are fitted with photoelectric sensors on either side of the door frame. These sensors shoot an invisible beam across the opening. Any hindrance in between may block it and the door may reverse instantly to prevent injury or damage. In some cases, cleaning the sensor lens or checking the wiring can fix the issue. For other cases, call the professionals.
- Broken springs or cables
The door spring helps open or close it smoothly. Cables support the springs’ operation and prevent crashing in case of spring malfunction. As the garage doors are generally very heavy, trying to repair them in this case may cause injury. The best way to get it fixed is to call a professional. Broken garage door experts come with the right set of tools and training and can get the job done safely.
While most of these issues are unavoidable, some of them can be prevented with regular maintenance.
Quick and easy tips for broken garage door repair
The garage door of your house is the second entry to your property, and a faulty one may expose it to intruders. So here are a few quick and easy tips you can follow for broken garage door repair:
- Inspect the door regularly
Symptoms like an unusual sound, an irregular movement, or grinding are the first signs of a faulty operation. While you open and close the door, watch and listen closely.
- Check the screws
The repetitive door motion can loosen bolts and brackets over time. Keep a socket wrench handy so that you can tighten up the roller brackets and track supports for the door to function properly.
- Lubricate moving parts
Locate the moving parts of the assembly and use a good quality lubricant twice a year. Apply a silicone-based spray or garage door lubricant to the moving parts, such as rollers, hinges, springs, and bearings. Avoid using grease as it attracts dust and grime.
- Clean the Tracks
Wipe the tracks using a damp cloth to remove debris.
- Test the Balance
Pull the red cord and lift the door halfway to test its balance. If it retains its position, it’s balanced. A sudden fall or rise may indicate that the springs need adjustment.
- Check the sensors
The photoelectric sensors at the bottom need to be cleaned to operate perfectly. Wipe the photo-eye with a soft cloth and make sure they are aligned.
For other issues, call broken garage door repair experts, as they are the best people to rely on in case of a door malfunction. They can inspect the assembly and inform if any maintenance or repair is required.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Why won’t my garage door open or close when I press the remote?
If your garage door is not reacting to your remote, check first that there is electricity and that you are not using a dead battery. Provided that these are not the problem, then the problem may be in the misaligned safety sensors or a defective opener. Attempt to clean up and realign the sensors. If that doesn’t help, it’s time to call the experts at Door Dorks for a professional inspection and repair.
- What causes my garage door to make loud or squeaking noises?
Loud garage doors are usually the result of dry rollers or loose hardware or worn-out hinges. You may make some attempts to lubricate the moving points with the help of silicone spray and fasten loose bolts. In case the noise persists, one should call on a garage door repair expert.
- Why is my garage door closing unevenly or jerking?
A rough and jerky start motion normally indicates bent tracks or worn-out rollers, or broken springs. The following problems are usually professional, and they may be complicated and dangerous to repair without proper equipment and skills.
- What should I do if my garage door reverses before closing?
The photoelectric safety sensors fitted to your garage door can help it reverse in case something gets in its way. Wash the lenses of the sensors and align them. In case the problem persists, the wires may be at fault and will require professional services to get them fixed. Contact Door Dorks to diagnose and fix the issue quickly.
- Can I repair broken garage door springs or cables myself?
No. The heavy garage door is held up with springs and cables, which are at high tension. Attempting to fix them on your own may result in severe injury. It is better to make the replacement of these components or repair them with a trained garage door technician.
