Although used by most homeowners on a daily basis, garage doors often become an afterthought. It’s not until something breaks that attention is finally paid. However, we understand that even with proper and continual maintenance, issues do arise. In order to avoid inconvenience, frustration, and potential harm, here are some of the most common door issues and necessary solutions.

Garage Door Doesn’t Always Open

No, your garage door isn’t trying to be funny by playing tricks on you. And yes, it’s very unlikely that your garage door has any major issue. For a garage door that sometimes chooses to let you out, and other times chooses to be lazy, there is a common culprit we encounter most often – dying battery. Whether in your remote, external opener, or actual opener itself, a dying battery can lead to an undependable garage door.

Solution

Replace your batteries. We suggest starting with your remote. This is the cheapest and easiest of the replacements, as well as the most likely culprit. If your remote wasn’t the issue, move to an external opener, then actual opener.

Off The Tracks

Whether the tracks have fallen out of alignment, brackets at the end of the track are coming loose, or the brackets’ bolts are coming loose, a garage door coming off the tracks has the potential to be very dangerous. It also has the potential to lead to unwanted and unnecessary damage.

Solution

If your garage door has fallen out of its tracks and won’t move, call us immediately. Attempting to do resolve this situation on your own could lead to injury and additional damage. If the garage door still moves but you detect misalignment in the tracks, you have a few options: If you are DIYer, slightly loosen the bolts securing the misaligned track(s) to the frame. Use a rubber mallet to bump tracks back into alignment. Secure bolts. If you feel any doubt or confusion, call a technician.

Loud Thud During Opening and/or Closing

Depending on the type of garage door you have, you either have a torsion spring system or extension spring system. These springs operate under a great deal of stress and can be extremely dangerous. Additionally, your garage door is likely fitted with lifting cables. A loud thud is commonly caused by a broken spring(s) and/or broken lifting cable(s).

Solution

Call a technician immediately. Garage door springs are not to be taken lightly and have the potential to cause severe injury to you and those in close proximity.

Safety Reversal System Isn’t Working Properly

Similar to the photoelectric backup systems, mandatory safety reversal systems cause garage doors to automatically reverse when coming into contact with an object or obstruction. The failure of these systems leave people and belonging, vulnerable to the force of a closed garage door.

Solution

More of a preventive measure than a solution, it is important to do a monthly check on your safety reversal system. Simply place a piece of wood where your garage door meets the ground and close your door. If your garage door contacts the piece of wood and retracts, your sensor is working properly. If not, call a technician immediately. For more information, Feel free to call us!