5 Common Garage Door Issues and How to Fix Them
A well-functioning garage door is essential for the security and accessibility of your home. However, garage doors can develop problems over time that can be frustrating and sometimes dangerous. In this article, we will discuss five common garage door issues and provide tips on how to fix them.
1. Garage door won’t open or close
If your garage door refuses to open or close, it could be due to various reasons such as dead remote control batteries, misaligned safety sensors, or a malfunctioning opener. To fix this issue, try replacing the batteries in the remote control, check if the safety sensors are properly aligned, and make sure the opener is connected to power. If these steps don’t work, consider calling a professional technician for assistance.
2. Noisy garage door operation
A noisy garage door can be annoying and could indicate a problem with the door’s mechanics. Common causes for this issue include loose hardware such as nuts and bolts, worn-out rollers or hinges, or a lack of lubrication. Tighten any loose hardware, replace any worn-out parts, and lubricate all moving parts with garage door-specific lubricant.
3. Garage door sticks while opening or closing
A sticking garage door may be a result of dirty or clogged tracks, misaligned tracks, bent rollers, or insufficient lubrication. To fix this issue, clean the tracks with a cloth or soft brush and remove any debris that may be obstructing the path. Check if the vertical tracks are plumb (straight) and carefully realign them if needed. Replace any bent rollers and apply lubricant to all moving components.
4. Garage door closes unevenly
An unevenly closing garage door could indicate a problem with the springs or cables responsible for balancing the weight of the door. Inspect both the torsion springs (located above the door) and extension springs (located along the sides) for signs of damage, corrosion, or wear. If you find any issues, do not attempt to repair the springs yourself since this can be dangerous. Call a professional technician to replace or adjust the springs or cables.
5. Garage door remote not working
If your garage door remote isn’t working properly, try replacing the batteries first. If the problem persists, check if other garage door remotes are experiencing the same issue – this will help you determine if the problem lies with the remote or the opener itself. If it’s indeed an issue with the remote, you may need to reprogram it in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or purchase a new one.
No matter which of these common issues you encounter, always seek professional help when in doubt. The expert knowledge of a qualified technician can ensure that your garage door remains in excellent working condition and prevents potential injuries from attempting DIY repairs without proper know-how.