Garage Doors: The Common Problems You are Likely to Encounter

Garage doors are great additions to residential and commercial properties. Aside from adding to the beauty of the property, it also contributes to the value of the property thus making it more marketable. Garage doors generally lead simple lives, opening and closing on-demand, until they don’t.

Like every other installation, garage doors are not immune to faults and damages which may be caused by a number of reasons including lack of proper maintenance, age of the garage door and others. While garage doors can exhibit a number of different problems, there are some that are most common.

Below are Some of the Common Problems You may Encounter With your Garage Door:

-Noisy Garage Door

A new garage door performs the job of opening and closing with ease and with almost no noise. However, over time, and due to the frequency of use, you may begin to notice some strange noise when the garage door is in operation. Noisy garage doors can be caused by a number of problems. In most cases, this may be due to friction, a problem with hinges, wearing out of the rollers on the metal track and others. It is recommended that you call on a professional garage door repair service expert like Veteran Garage Door Repair to take a look at the problem as soon as it’s been noticed.

-Frozen Garage Doors

This is a common problem that arises during cold winter days. In some cases, you may find it hard opening your garage door on some of the coldest winter days and this may be due to the temperature and snow buildup. On such days as this, it is recommended that you should resist the urge to keep banging on the garage door opener as this may further complicate matters, causing extended damage to the garage door. Instead, it is recommended that you seek out other ways to break the frozen connection between the garage door and the floor.

-Broken Glass

From time to time, garage doors may experience accidental impacts which may lead to broken glass. Accidental impacts may be due to playful activities, especially because the garage serves as a recreational area for most people. Whatever may have been the cause of the broken glass, the first line of action should be to ensure that the shard of glass can’t hurt anyone. Broken glass is both a security and a safety issue. Therefore, you should take prompt steps to call on experienced garage door repair Lake County,IL specialists to handle the repairs.

-Safety Issues

There are a few safety issues that you should watch out for, especially for people who have a overhead door installed in their garage. The garage door weighs hundreds of pounds and in some cases, the integrity of the rollers may become questionable, especially when the garage door hasn’t been serviced in a while. It is recommended that you pay attention to the speed at which the garage door comes down upon closing as a garage door that seems to run a little faster due to gravity poses a great safety issue for you, your family and properties.

When you notice your garage door seems to be running a little faster than normal when closing, it is recommended that you reach out to experts like Veteran Garage Door Repair to take a look.

-Faulty Garage Door Opener

Another common problem you may encounter over time using a garage door is a faulty garage door opener. While most people rely on automatic openers, in some cases, your garage door may disappoint you as the opener may decide to take a break. Whenever this happens, it’s sure to be to your detriment and requires prompt action of experts to diagnose the problem and fix it as appropriate.  You also don’t want to forget researching quality garage doors like those from Steel-line.com.au as an example.

-Worn out Springs

The garage door operates on a counterbalance mechanism between the extension or torsion springs connected to the cables and pulleys. The mechanism allows the springs to provide a counterforce that regulates the weight of the door so that it closes and opens at a certain speed. However, when there is a problem with this counterbalance due to wearing out of the springs, the garage door becomes more of a safety risk.

This problem can, however, be solved by replacing the garage door spring, a fix that requires the expertise of trained garage door repairmen.

-Worn-Out Rollers

The rollers attached to the little axles on each side of the door may be seen if you watch the above track when the door opens and shuts. The door is smoothly raised and lowered by the rollers as they travel along the rails. 

The rollers ultimately exhibit wear symptoms that swiftly intensify after being neglected. The rollers deteriorate with time from regular use. As the door rolls up, the rollers or tracks soon start creating the distinctive sound of metal on metal.

The pressure exerted by the opener when the rollers are in motion causes the garage door to stall or even fly off the tracks when they are worn to the point where they become stuck. You may need to halt the door at this stage and call a repairman since the door might not fully open or jerk wildly. 

As there is a significant danger of harm from the torsion spring stress, never change the rollers by yourself.

-Broken Torsion Springs

You may observe big springs if you look at your garage door tracks. Your garage door could weigh several hundred pounds. This helps you understand how strong the springs must be in order to sustain them.

Because your door’s springs’ primary function is to sustain its weight and move it smoothly down the rails when it opens and closes on command, they are always under stress. The springs ultimately lose their power and begin to wear down, or worse, they can split in half. The springs need to be repaired or replaced, which calls for specific tools and expertise.

-Broken Cables

The cables used in garage door openers are designed to deliver consistent pressure to the garage door during a motion for smooth operation. The garage door may appear uneven when it is moving if the wires are worn out, stretched, or broken. A faulty cable frequently results in the door being partially closed, which can lead to the garage door crashing, endangering animals or anybody walking below it.

-Broken Sensor

A garage door may suddenly open or close or stop responding to remote control orders, among other unanticipated behaviors. It might be annoying, but frequently all that is needed is to clean the sensor lens.

On either side of your garage door, the rails support the optical sensors. The emitter is one, while the receiver is the other. Before turning on the automatic reversal feature, you must calibrate the sensors, which entails aligning them with one another and adjusting the amount of resistance needed.

If the laser beam is damaged, the sensors’ job is to stop the garage door from shutting. The opener believes something or someone is obstructing the door if anything triggers the sensor. The door will then instantly turn around and return to its open position. 

-Rattling Noises

Check all the system’s nuts and bolts if your garage door starts producing unusual noises. No matter how old or how fresh the garage door is, loose bolts will generate an odd noise that might indicate the door is going to fall.

If you wait long enough, it could accomplish that. If you turn off the unit’s electricity and have the right tools, you might be able to restore peace by simply tightening the screws and bolts.

-Door is Lopsided

One side of the garage door will begin to sag if the torsion springs are not adjusted or are too old to give proper tension. That is due to the fact that the door travels more quicker on one side than the other.

-The Door Does Not Move at All

It is going to happen sooner or later when your garage door suddenly won’t budge. 

A power surge, blown fuse, or a malfunctioning outlet nearby can all result in a dead opening. Check the circuit breaker or press the reset button on the opener if none of those work to solve the problem. 

-Garage Door Opens Slowly

Old or sticky rollers make noise, but they can also make the garage door move slowly. The speed setting on the garage door opener might be another contributing factor.

-Broken Wall Switch 

The door will not open if the wall switch that came with your opener is broken. The micro switch holder within the casing occasionally separates and fails to make contact with the wall switch’s plunger. Sometimes it is a tripped breaker or a wiring issue. If everything else is in order, it is an excellent spot to begin the troubleshooting process. 

-Unintended Operation

When the garage door opens and you see the door beginning and stopping by itself, common garage door issues including accidental operation could shock you. A trapped key on your wall remote or your automobile remote is the most likely culprit. 

-Keypad Does Not Work

Not all garage doors can be opened using a keypad. But if yours does, these can also start to malfunction. Before doing anything, make sure the batteries are still OK. Try entering your keypad number again after changing the batteries to see if the issue is resolved.

Your keypad might occasionally need to be reprogrammed. For instructions on how to accomplish this on your specific keypad, consult your handbook. If you don’t have the original handbook, try looking up the model online.

If all of this does not resolve the issue, it may not be the keypad itself that is broken but rather the antenna. The signal from the keypad is picked up by the motor’s antenna. Make sure it is pointed directly downward. If you are still unable to get the keypad to function, you can contact a specialist to assist you in identifying the issue.

-Remote Control Does Not Work

Similar to the above issues, a broken remote control might be inconvenient. Similar to the keypad, batteries are frequently blamed for broken remote controllers. Check to see whether the issue is resolved right away by changing the batteries.

Similarly, it is possible that the remote is too far away. The motor receives a signal from the remote. The signal will not be strong enough to function from too far away. See if it will help if you try to get closer.

If none of these methods are successful, it is possible that the photo-eye sensors are malfunctioning. Make sure the alignment is to the front of the home, check the path for obstructions, and clean the lenses to enhance signal capture.

-Motor Runs Without Door Moving

The motor may start operating when you click the open button, but your door might not move. It is possible that the boundaries are incorrect in this situation. The door will move when this occurs, but the motor will continue to operate after the door stops moving. You should pay close attention to the motor noises because this might occur whether you are opening or closing the door. In either scenario, change the restrictions to indicate to the motor when to shut down.

The garage door may have become separated from the belt if it is completely immobile. You will need to adhere to certain instructions to reattach the belt depending on the installation system you have. When someone mistakenly pulls the emergency release cord, this frequently occurs.

-Uneven Garage Door Opening

Sometimes the door may begin to open or close but will break down in the middle. It may indicate that the limitations are off if it opens and shuts completely or not. To prevent the motor from continuing to run, limits are established to signal when the door should cease closing or opening. For instructions on how to crank a motor screw to alter the limitations, consult your handbook.

The answer can possibly be as straightforward as checking to see whether anything is obstructing the rails. The rollers and tracks are prone to corrosion and damage. Make sure there are no obstructions by cleaning the tracks. If this does not work, the spring system could not be functioning properly. In this situation, a specialist can assist you in resolving the problem or changing the springs.

-Garage Door Opening and Closing Too Slow

Your garage door may occasionally open and close properly but slowly. This often indicates unclean tracks or dried-out rollers. The garage door slides more awkwardly down or up the rails in dryer areas or during winter because garages tend to freeze or dry out more quickly. This may be avoided by routinely lubricating the rollers and cleaning the tracks.

-Obstructed Photo Eye Sensors

As a safety measure, photo eye sensors are fitted to stop your garage door from closing on items or persons that are in the way of the door. These door sensors do a lot to safeguard your family and your vehicles, but they might prevent your door from closing correctly if they break down or get clogged.

Basic Maintenance and Quick Fixes

While garage doors can exhibit varying degrees of issues, there are some maintenance practices and quick fixes that could save the day. Below are some of the things you should know.

– Inspect the Rollers and Tracks

The rollers and tracks are important parts of the garage door. If it has been a while since you last examined these parts, it is best to do so as soon as possible. Also, it is recommended that you clean and lubricate the rollers to reduce friction. The tracks should also be brushed.

– Tighten Loose Parts

Due to constant use, some hardware may come loose. Through proper inspection, you may be able to detect these loose parts early. Be sure to tighten these parts to ensure the smooth operation of the garage door.

– Check Cables and Pulleys

For spring-operated garage doors, there are cables and pulleys designed to counterbalance the weight of the garage door. Be sure to periodically inspect these areas to detect faults early.

Having a regular maintenance program will help you avoid many garage door issues. The specific remedies you choose to address the problems may contribute to their avoidance in the first place:

  • To reduce wear and tear and stop dirt buildup, the rollers and tracks should be brushed and lubricated at least once every season
  • Tighten the hardware to stop creaking and other issues from being brought on by loose components.
  • Make that the pulleys and springs are in good condition. This ought to occasionally be changed by experts