We’ve all been there – you go to leave for work in the morning and your garage door won’t budge. It’s incredibly frustrating when simple issues prevent you from getting on with your day. But many garage door problems can actually be fixed without calling in a professional. In this post, we’ll cover 5 common garage door issues and how to troubleshoot or repair them yourself.
Content
Problem #1: Broken Garage Door Opener
One of the most typical culprits is a garage door opener that has gone kaput. If your opener isn’t responding to the remote or wall button, start by checking the power supply. Make sure it’s plugged in securely and the outlet is live. Next, inspect the electric eye safety sensors – they may be misaligned or dirty. With a little cleaning and adjustment, these sensors often just need to be recalibrated. If the opener motor is making strange noises or not attempting to open, it’s possible the motor needs servicing or replacement. A new motor can usually be self-installed if you’re handy. As a last resort, you may need to call in the professionals for a full opener diagnosis and repair. But often a few easy checks are all that’s required to get things running smoothly again.
Problem #2: Bent Or Damaged Tracks
Over time, the steel tracks that guide your garage door up and down can become dented, bent, or misaligned. This is fairly common, especially if you’ve backed into the tracks with your vehicle by mistake! Straightening out mild bends yourself with a hammer is possible. Just be very careful not to tweak the tracks too severely or you may compromise their ability to roll smoothly. You can also check that the tracks are still level by hanging a string from the top and ensuring it lines up perfectly with the bottom roller. Replacements tracks aren’t too costly if needed and are quite easy to install yourself with basic tools and hardware.
Problem #3: Sticking Or Binding Rollers
Dirty, corroded, or improperly adjusted rollers will cause your garage door to stick or bind as it opens and closes. With some silicone garage door lubricant sprayed directly onto the rollers, you can often free them up again with just basic cleaning and wiping. Check that the rollers are also sitting snugly in their tracks and haven’t come loose. If a roller is damaged or warped, swapping it out only takes a few minutes. Fresh, lubricated rollers will roll smoothly and prevent unnecessary strain on the opener mechanism.
Problem #4: Loose, Bent Or Broken Garage Door Springs
The heavy-duty torsion springs that power a garage door’s upward motion are under serious tension. If one or both springs are damaged, the door may not function properly and could pose a safety risk. It’s best to leave spring repairs to professionals like Garage Door Repair in Short Pump. Springs require special tools to work on safely. However, if you notice a spring slightly loose or bowed out of shape, scheduling a repair ASAP is prudent before things get worse.
Problem #5: Worn Or Damaged Garage Door Weatherstripping
Over time and with constant opening/closing, the foam or vinyl weatherstripping around the sides and top of your garage door will compress and break down. This allows light and air to infiltrate your garage space. Replacing weatherstripping takes no time at all and is very affordable. Be sure to clean out old debris stuck in tracks first. New strips will get a good seal and add another layer against elements getting in your garage.
With a little know-how and basic tools, most minor garage door problems can be tackled independently. But for issues involving springs, structural damage, or electrical/mechanical components, it’s always best to consult a professional. Their expertise prevents potential accidents and ensures your door functions safely for many more seasons of use. With regular care and maintenance like lubrication and weatherstripping changes, you can prevent bigger repairs down the road too.
I’m Allan Cousins! I blog about tech, how to use it, and what you should know. I love spending time with my family and sharing stories of the day with them.
