Many households rely on their garage doors daily for convenience and security. Malfunctions are not only a hassle but can also end up costing you a lot of money. Let’s explore the most common repair issues so that you can spot them early and deal with them before they worsen.
Damaged Springs
You may not pay them much mind until there’s a problem, but springs are among the most important garage door components. There are torsion springs, which are vertical, and extension springs, which are horizontal.
Springs (along with all other moving components) require lubrication at least twice a year to maintain proper function and avoid corrosion. They need professional adjustment around once a year and replacement every five to 10 years, depending on how often you use your door. Springs give garage doors strength. They absorb energy when the doors open and release it when they close. If the springs are loose or broken, they’ll no longer provide that stability or opening power.
Worn Garage Door Cables
Cables are integral to your garage doors. The cables work in conjunction with the springs to balance weight, provide the doors with support, and assist with opening and closing. A technician will need to tighten or loosen them at the drum. The typical cable will last between 10,000 and 15,000 cycles — that could be around five years or as many as 10.
Watch for cable fraying, as it’s a precursor to snapping, which can be dangerous. Immediately replace any cables that have frayed or snapped!
Worn Rollers
Garage door rollers play a crucial role in the smooth operation of your garage door. Over time, rollers can wear down, crack, or even chip, leading to noisy or jerky door movements. Worn rollers can also cause the door to come off track, creating safety concerns and potential damage to the entire garage door system.
Routine maintenance is essential to keep rollers in good condition. This includes lubricating them to reduce friction and prevent wear. Regular inspection also helps identify any cracks or chips that could worsen over time. If you notice unusual noises or your garage door struggles to open or close smoothly, it may be time to replace the rollers.
Remotes Not Working
Many homeowners have remote controls to operate their garage doors. Some have handheld units they keep on a keychain, while others have the remote in their vehicles. If your remote won’t work, make sure the door (if you have a lock) or motor isn’t in the lock mode, and then try the wall-mounted switch to rule out a power issue.
Otherwise, put in a fresh battery and see if that does the trick. You can reset the remote to refresh its programming. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need a technician. You could have interference, a dead remote, or a garage door wiring problem.
Sensor-Related Issues
Automatic garage door systems have two or more sensors. These safety devices are typically located on the garage door frame. They prevent the doors from closing if there’s a child or an object, such as a bicycle, in the way.
If the doors don’t close, make sure there’s nothing in the way. The sensors on each side must have a clear line of sight between them. Dirt and even spider webs can interfere with their function. Try cleaning them with a damp cloth. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need a technician. The sensors may need alignment, calibration, or rewiring. They can also fail over time due to sunlight, moisture, and vehicle exhaust.
Power-Related Problems
Your remote won’t open the door, and the wall switch doesn’t work either. What’s next? The first step is to check the electrical panel and see if the circuit breaker has tripped, or a GFCI outlet needs to be reset. If it has, you can try resetting it. If it trips again, don’t keep resetting it. Call a garage door repair technician.
Ensure that the garage door opener is plugged in and powered on. If the opener connects to a resettable outlet, make sure it hasn’t tripped. Try another device to rule out an outlet issue. Some garage door openers have a fuse that can blow and need replacement. Otherwise, you’ll need a technician to perform a multipoint inspection of the opener.
Trouble Opening and Closing the Doors
If you’re having trouble opening or closing your garage door, it’s essential to determine whether the issue is with the automatic opener or the door itself. Start by checking the opener’s power source and remote batteries to rule out any electrical problems. Also, listen for unusual noises from the opener, which could indicate the need for relubrication or issues with the belt or chain.
If the opener appears to be working but the door still struggles to move, the problem is likely related to the door structure. Broken springs or frayed cables can make the door feel heavy, causing it to open or close unevenly or not fully. You may also notice that the door is off-kilter when moving or when it comes to rest. These are signs that the springs, cables, or tracks may be damaged or misaligned.
It’s crucial to avoid manually operating the door if you suspect a broken spring, as this can be dangerous and cause the door to come crashing down. Instead, contact a professional technician to inspect and repair the issue. Our team can safely diagnose the problem and restore your garage door’s smooth operation.
Excessive Vibration and Loud Noises
Some noise and vibration when your doors open and close is normal. Excessive noise and vibration are not. These are often indications that a problem is developing with the opener or with your springs, cables, tracks, and other components.
Garage Door Installation and Service in Colleyville and Fort Worth
Door Works Garage Doors is a family-owned and -operated garage door company that’s been in business since 1991. We have locations in Colleyville and Fort Worth, TX, and service throughout the surrounding areas.
Our team sells and installs garage doors and openers. Come visit our showroom at 1803 Tarrant Lane, Suite 200 in Colleyville to see the many options of garage door/gate openers, and motors that are available. Our company also offers repairs, routine inspections and maintenance to help you avoid those inconveniences.
Call Door Works Garage Doors today to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
