Your garage keeps your cars protected from outside elements. Over time, your garage door can begin to wear down due to repeated use. Here are some common issues to look out for and how to fix them.
1. Your Door Won’t Open or Close
Having your door open or close easily is essential. This is especially helpful when you’re in a rush to get somewhere. Failing to use your door for a while or keeping up with proper maintenance could be causing the problem, which is why upkeep is vital.
Here are some regular maintenance tips to consider:
Apply lubrication
Tighten the hardware
Clean out any dust
Check for cracks or broken rollers
Replace the lock
Even with proper maintenance, your door can tighten over time. Here are some other common reasons you’re having trouble opening and closing it:
Your remote is dead
The door opener motor burned out
The close-limit switch is improperly adjusted
The weather has been colder
You can fix most of the problems with a simple battery replacement. However, you may need to contact a professional when dealing with your door’s open motor.
2. Broken Garage Door Springs
This is one of the more common garage door issues. There are multiple types of springs, such as torsion, extension and Holmes one-piece options, and any one of them can fail at any time. If you’re at home, you are likely to hear the break. If you notice your garage door isn’t functioning properly, check to make sure all the springs are there.
Here are some other signs to look out for:
There are balance issues
You hear excessive squeaking
The top half of the door is misaligned
The door only opens a few inches
The cables attached to the spring are dangling
Once you notice your springs are broken, call a professional for help. This is especially true if you have metal torsion springs. To keep yourself safe and your garage door intact, leave it to the experts.
3. The Photo Eye Sensor Isn’t Working Properly
A photo-eye sensor is a safety feature. It lets you know if something is blocking the door from fully closing. It’s usually a couple of inches off the ground and the size of a pea, and the sensors direct beams toward each other. The circuit breaks if there is any disruption, which prevents the door from closing.
If your garage door isn’t properly functioning, then your photo-sensor could be blocked. You may also want to check to see if the cord broke.
Here are some steps to adjust your device:
Make sure the sensors have a lit LED light
Check them to see if they are dirty
Adjust the pivot bracket by loosening the bolts and screws
Move it slightly in and out and up and down until the light comes on
See if the wires are mounted at the same height
4. The Door Isn’t Responding to a Keypad or Remote
Having a remote or keypad makes operating your garage door more convenient. If you’re remote isn’t responding, you may be out of range of the antenna. To fix this issue, make sure the antenna isn’t broken and try reprogramming the keypad.
This is something you can do yourself. If you have any questions, contact your manufacturer for more information.
Here are the steps to take to reprogram your garage door opener:
Access your door motor
Reset the motor
Enter a new code
Reprogram the remote
Make sure your remote batteries are charged before making any adjustments. If they’re not, you’ll want to replace them first.
5. The Motor Won’t Stop
When you close your garage door, the motor should stop once it reaches the top. If it continues, there may be an issue. Most motor-related problems require an up-limit switch adjustment, which you can either fix yourself or hire a professional to do. You will need to access the limit switch and turn the adjustment screws clockwise for a DIY repair.
Common Garage Door Issues
Your garage door experiences wear and tear over time. Look out for these common problems and solutions to keep things running smoothly for years to come.
Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.
