If your garage door is acting up, there are a good number of reasons you could be having difficulties. Some are straightforward, and some are problematic, but you don’t need to despair. Here are some likely possibilities and solutions.
Easy Issues
Your transmitter batteries may be low. Maybe you just need to replace them, and that will get your door open.
Garage door won’t close? The photo eyes may be out of alignment. Your garage door has a photo eye on either side, and between them is an invisible beam, which stops the door from closing when broken. Look to see if they have become misaligned or grimy.
Does your garage door opener run, but the garage door still doesn’t move? In case of power failure, your garage door opener comes with a disconnect switch, allowing you to open or close your garage door manually. This switch, normally attached to a knob or rope, can inadvertently come unhooked. What you can do:
1 Close or open the door all the way.
2 Securely reattach the hook.
3 Using the transmitter, you can try opening or closing the garage door again. It should work fine this time.
Does your garage door opener run a few seconds, then turn off? If your garage door still doesn’t move, this can happen when the door’s closed and the motor tries to lift the door, yet it won’t move.
2 Check the track for possible obstacles.
3 See if your garage door has a built-in lock engaging by mistake. This often happens with older garage doors.
Is your garage door opening and closing at random? If your garage door opens or closes by itself, even when you’re away, it’s more than a nuisance. But don’t fret.
1 Check the transmitters. Make sure they’re not stuck under an object that is inadvertently pushing down on the control mechanism. For instance, the transmitters could be under some items you’ve forgotten in your car, or somewhere else close by.
2 Test the transmitters’ frequency. It’s possible that a neighbor of yours may have your same frequency.
What if your door goes down all the way, then opens again? Probably the open-and-close limit settings of your garage door opener are out of order. The settings tell the garage door opener how far the door should move before it’s fully closed. If set too high, the door will hit the ground before the opener estimates it should, assuming the door is touching something in its path. If so, it will reverse to keep from crushing it. Check your operator’s manual to find out how to set the open-and-close limits.
More Complicated Issues
Does your garage door close just part way, then open again? A garage door has a reversing mechanism to keep it from crushing an object in its path. The reversing instruction can be triggered by any objects on the ground blocking the garage door’s path ~ such as a bicycle, trash can, or box. There could also be a buildup of debris on the garage door tracks ~ any small object, gum, grime, and so forth ~ preventing the rollers from going forward. This can be a real problem, requiring professional attention.
Your garage door track may be out of alignment. The metal track of your garage door must stay properly aligned, or it won’t move. This is serious. Look for any bends in the rails, or gaps between the rollers and the rail. As time passes, the garage door’s weight can compound these issues, so don’t put it off. The door can become dangerous to operate. It’s time to hire an expert.
Does your garage door not go up at all? It’s very likely your garage door spring requires attention. Your garage door may have one or two torsion springs, and one or both might be broken. The door will malfunction, or simply not even open. Professional attention is required.
Does your garage door close quickly with a bang? You may have a broken tension spring, which normally counters the door’s weight. Another possibility is that the cables connected to the tension spring may be broken. Either problem can be dangerous, and calls for a garage door professional.
Tips to Prevent Future Issues
NEVER TRY to adjust your garage door, unless you’re an engineer! Avoid serious injury! If operated incorrectly, a garage door spring can actually cause severe injury, and even death. The cables, drums, and bottom brackets may also require adjustment. It’s time to hire a trustworthy professional garage door repair company. If you live in Marietta, Georgia, you may want to choose a dependable local company such as Marietta Garage Door Repair.
Follow a routine garage door maintenance schedule to prolong the life of your garage door. Particularly if you use your garage as a game room or workshop, you’ll want to keep it in topnotch shape. Keep your garage door rollers, springs, and hinges lubricated ~ at least once a year, before winter. Some experts say it’s best to lubricate them every 3 months. Use a respectable brand, so it won’t dry out. Without lubrication, the springs will rust, and the coils will eventually bind against each other. A light coating is all that’s needed.
Schedule an annual inspection with your local garage door repair service. Springs, cables, pulleys, and wires require attention from a professional.
Once a month, inspect your garage door system’s components.
1 Replace any worn parts.
2 Tighten down any loose bolts.
3 If you ever notice any strange noises as your garage door opens and closes, be sure to investigate.
At least every other year, clean your garage door to give it longer life.
1 Wash both sides with a sponge and mild dish soap and water. Rinse well with clean water.
2 Wash the garage door opener sensor eyes with a dry, clean cloth.
3 Keep the area around the sensors free of grime and cobwebs.
4 If you have a steel garage door, apply car wax if you want cold-weather protection.
5 For a wooden garage door, if you see any signs of peeling and chipping, put on a fresh coat of paint.
Garage door maintenance is relatively effortless. The little time required to keep your garage door in excellent shape is worth it. You shouldn’t have to replace it for many years.
Article source here: ARE YOU HAVING GARAGE DOOR TROUBLES? HERE’S WHAT TO DO!