IF YOU’RE FACING GARAGE DOOR TROUBLES, HERE’S WHAT TO DO!

Are you having difficulties with your on-the-blink garage door? After opening and closing thousands of times over the years, it’s bound to require some sort of attention. There are numerous reasons for garage door problems. Here are some of the most probable possibilities and solutions.

Easy Issues to Fix

Does your garage door not close at all? Your garage door has a photo eye on both sides. Between them is an invisible beam, which, when broken, prevents the garage door from shutting. See if these sensors are misaligned or grimy.

Check your transmitter batteries. Perhaps they simply need replacement, and then your garage door will work.

Does the garage door opener run, but your garage door doesn’t budge? If there’s a power failure, your garage door opener comes with a disconnect switch allowing you to open or close your garage door by hand. This switch is attached to a rope or knob, which can get unhooked inadvertently. Close or open the door manually all the way, then securely reattach the hook. Finally, with your transmitter, try opening or shutting the garage door again, and now it should work.

Is your garage door opener running for a few seconds, then turning off? If your garage door still doesn’t move, and the door’s shut while the garage door motor is attempting yet failing to lift the door, then it’s time to examine the springs. If that isn’t the issue, check the track for any tiny obstacles. If neither of these is it, then see if your garage door is the kind with a built-in lock that’s been engaging accidentally. This often happens with older garage doors.

Does your garage door go down all the way, then open again? The open-and-shut limit settings of your garage door opener are probably on the fritz. These settings tell the garage door opener how far the garage door has to move before being completely closed. If the settings are set too high, the garage door will touch the floor before the opener thinks it ought to, because it assumes the door is hitting something in its path. It will reverse automatically, to stop from crushing it. To find out how to set the open-and-shut limits, check the manual.

Is your garage door opening and closing randomly? If it’s opening or shutting all by itself, it’s not only inconvenient, but also unsafe. First, look at the transmitter. Make sure it’s not stuck beneath some object that’s inadvertently pressing on the control mechanism. For example, the transmitter might be underneath items you forgot in your automobile, or somewhere else in the vicinity. Also see what the transmitter’s frequency is; a neighbor may have exactly the same one you have.

Complicated Issues

Your garage door track might be out of alignment. This is bad. The metal track of your garage door has to be properly aligned, or it won’t move. If there are any bends in the rails, or gaps between the rail and the rollers. The weight of the garage door will compound these issues as the years pass, so don’t procrastinate, because the door could become dangerous. It’s time to call a professional.

Does your garage door slam down with a bang? You likely have a broken tension spring, which normally counters the garage door’s weight. Or, the cables connected to the tension spring are broken. Either problem is hazardous. Hire a garage door repair expert.

What if your garage door goes down part way, and opens again? A garage door is designed with a reversing mechanism to prevent it from smashing an item caught in its path. The reversal instruction is activated by anything on the ground blocking the garage door’s path, such as a toy, box, trash can, or bicycle. But also there might be a buildup of debris on the garage door’s tracks ~ dirt or a small object ~ which will stop the rollers from moving forward. This is serious, requiring professional attention.

If your garage door won’t open at all, it’s very likely that the spring is failing. Your garage door probably has one or two torsion springs. If either of these springs is broken, the door will malfunction. Hire a professional for repair or replacement.

Don’t adjust the garage door yourself, unless you’re an engineer! If not serviced correctly, a garage door spring can cause injury or even be deadly. The garage door bottom brackets, cables, and drums may also need adjustment. Consult a local reputable professional garage door company. If you’re in Peachtree City, Georgia, consider a legitimate company such as Peachtree City Garage Door Repair.

Prevent Future Issues

Set up a regular garage door maintenance schedule. To extend the life of your garage door, it’s smart to keep your garage door in tiptop condition. Especially if you use your garage as an office, game room, or workshop, you ought to maintain it very well.

Lubricate your garage door springs, rollers, and hinges ~ at least once per year, before winter arrives. Without lubrication, the springs will rust, and the coils will bind. Use a top brand, so it won’t dry out. Just a light coating will do the trick.

Schedule an annual inspection with a trustworthy local garage door company. Cables, pulleys, springs, and wires require extra attention by an expert technician.

Every two years, clean your garage door and it will last much longer. Wash it on both sides with a sponge and mild dish soap and water. Rinse well. Clean the garage door opener sensor eyes too, using a dry, clean cloth. Keep the area around the sensors free of cobwebs and dirt. If your garage door is steel, apply car wax to protect against cold weather. If your garage door is wooden, if there are any signs of peeling or chipping, apply a coat of paint.

Once a month, go over the components of your garage door system. Tighten loose bolts. Replace worn parts. If you notice any strange noises when your garage door opens and closes, be sure to investigate.

Garage door maintenance takes minimal time and effort, and it’s absolutely worth it. You’ll spend a lot less on any repairs that do arise, and you won’t likely need to replace it for a good many years.