Garage doors are built to be tough, durable and secure, but after years of use, a few scrapes and maybe a couple of bumps, it’s not surprising that your garage door could develop a few problems.
Although with regular servicing and maintenance these problems should be kept to a minimum, sometimes your door simply needs a replacement part or a bit of oil to get it going again. Have a look through these common problems and recommendations for repairs…
#1 Jammed or uneven garage door
This could be caused by a number of things – we recommend checking the track first. If it appears bent or damaged, try adjusting it or straightening it with a wooden mallet. If this doesn’t work, replace any broken bits to give you back full operation.
If this doesn’t work, check the condition of the torsion spring cables and the extension spring cables. If these appear weak or broken, it’s best to call in a professional to get them replaced, as they hold a lot of tension and it can be dangerous to do it yourself.
#2 Squeaky doors
If when you open and close your door it makes a squeaking noise, it probably only needs a little lubricant. Apply 3 in 1 motor oil to the rollers, bearing and hinges and the squeaking should stop.
#3 Door closes half way, but then reverses
The chances are, if you have an automatic mechanism, the function of your garage door is being interrupted by the photo eyes that are designed as a safety feature to stop the door if something causes an obstruction. Give the eyes a clean and try realigning them, as per the manufacturer’s instructions, and your door should return to full function.
#4 Door opens slowly
If your door is going slowly, or sounds like it’s struggling to lift the door when you operate it, it’s likely that the torsion spring is damaged, frayed or broken. If this is the case, there won’t be enough tension in the springs to support the weight of the door. As with all springs, the tension can still cause an injury if dealt with wrongly, so call in a pro if in doubt.
#5 Door won’t close all the way
When your door won’t close properly, you could be risking the security of your garage and its contents, leaving it open to thieves and intruders, so it’s best to get it checked straight away. First have a look at the tracks; if they’ve become bent, straighten them out with a wooden mallet or replace the broken bits.
If this doesn’t work, it’s likely to be a problem with the extension spring cable pulley. This sounds like a big job, but it’s fairly straightforward for a professional, and again it’s best to get an expert to deal with the springs.
#6 Door won’t open
Again, check your tracking first. It may simply be a case of knocking it back into line, or adjusting it slightly to give your door back its function. Or, if necessary, replace any really damaged sections for a quick fix.
If the door still won’t open, it will probably be down to frayed or broken torsion spring cables or extension spring cables. As previously stated, you should not attempt this yourself unless you have the experience to deal with high tension springs, as they could easily cause an accident.
Before you call in a professional garage door company, check the batteries in your remote control! So many people waste their time and money to simply find out that they have forgotten to check the simplest thing!
