For many homeowners, garage door problems are a surprisingly common occurrence.
In some cases, you won’t be able to solve the issue yourself. If a photo eye is out of alignment or the tension cables are broken, your best bet is to call a professional. These days, most garage door repairs are quite affordable.
That said, some basic garage door troubleshooting can go a long way. This involves identifying the problem and determining whether you can tackle it yourself. In most situations, fixing the issue will be simpler than you think!
Not sure why your garage door won’t close all the way? It may be something to do with these 4 common door problems.
1. Dead Transmitter Batteries
Let’s start with the obvious one: the batteries in your transmitter may be dead.
Try opening the garage door via the wall transmitter. If it works, you need to replace the battery in your car transmitter. If you have more than one, they will probably all need new batteries, as they were likely installed at the same time.
Changing the battery on a transmitter is a simple procedure. In most cases, you’ll locate the door on the back of the transmitter, slide it open, and replace the battery. If the door is screwed in for security, use a screwdriver.
2. Misaligned Track
Do you hear rubbing noises while you’re operating your garage door? If so, your garage door track may be misaligned.
To realign the track, loosen the screws holding the track to the frame. Then, use a rubber mallet to tap the track into the proper position. Remember to use a level to make sure the track is straight.
Once the alignment is correct, it’s time to put the screws back in. This will ensure the track won’t cause any other issues while you’re opening the garage door.
3. Broken Torsion Springs
If your garage door doesn’t go up, it may be an issue with the torsion springs.
When these springs break, you’ll probably hear a loud bang from inside the garage. Remember, most doors come with one or two torsion springs. If either one breaks, the garage door opener will struggle to lift the door.
Now, torsion springs can be quite dangerous to work with. Instead of trying to replace them yourself, get a professional to do it for you. In the meantime, don’t open your garage door at all.
4. Enabled Disconnect Switch
If the garage door won’t close and the motor is running, you may need to disable your disconnect switch.
All garage door openers come with one of these switches. If you lose power, the disconnect switch allows you to operate the garage door manually. Sometimes, the switch can come unhooked on its own, disconnecting the door from the motor.
Reattaching the disconnect switch is simple enough. First, take your car out of the garage and place a stepladder underneath the motor. Then, open the garage door all the way, climb up the stepladder, and reattach the hook.
More on Garage Door Problems
These are some of the most common garage door problems out there, but they’re not the only issues you may face. If you can’t identify the problem, it may be in your best interest to have a professional deal with it.
Not sure why your garage door won’t open or close? We may be able to help you out! Contact us here, and we’ll get back to you soon.