If you can’t open or shut your garage door, here’s what you can do!

Duluth Garage Door Repair

If your garage door goes on the fritz, there are numerous causes that your garage door is acting up. Some reasons are simple, and some are more complex. But don’t waste time getting upset. There’s still plenty you can do.

Problems and Solutions

What if your garage door won’t close? The garage door has a photo sensor eye on each side. Between them is an invisible beam, which, when broken, prevents the garage door from shutting. Check to see if they’re grimy or misaligned. Depending upon which brand and style of sensors you have, if the light’s blinking, there’s surely something wrong. Or, if you have sensors with red and green lights, the red one generally means it’s not fully functioning. Another sensor issue can be the wiring. Examine the sensors’ connections, making sure the wires haven’t come loose or become hindered by corrosion. Another possibility is that there’s a short in the wiring, which can sometimes result from a staple that was used during the initial installation; vibrations over the years can eventually lead to a disconnect. Also, wires can become stretched, resulting in a disconnection. If your garage door won’t open, the springs are likely failing, not staying contracted as they should. Adjustment is possible, by shortening the cables using a bracket in order to add additional tension on the springs. If your garage door has one or two torsion springs, one or both could be broken. Never try adjusting your own garage door!

If improperly serviced, a garage door spring can cause injury or even death. The cables, drums, or bottom brackets may require adjusting. Or, it’s possible that the springs require replacement. Either way, it’s wise to hire a dependable garage door professional.

Does the garage door go all the way down, but open again? It’s likely that the open-and-close limit settings of your garage door opener are malfunctioning. The settings tell the garage door opener how far your garage door should move before it shuts all the way down.

If it’s set too high, the door will hit the ground before the opener thinks it ought to, presuming the door is touching an object in its path. If that’s the case, it will reverse so as not to crush it. Read your operator’s manual for the steps to follow to set the open-and-close limits.

Does the garage door opener run a few seconds, and then turn off? This can happen when the garage door’s shut, while the motor tries but fails to lift up the door.

1. Check the track for any obstacles..
2. Examine the springs.
3. See whether your garage door is the kind that has a built-in lock, because maybe it’s been engaging inadvertently. This commonly occurs with older garage doors.

Does the garage door close part way, but open again? A garage door has a reversing mechanism so it won’t smash objects in its path. The reversing instruction is triggered by any objects on the floor blocking the garage door’s path – a trash can, bicycle, or box.

You may observe debris on the tracks – grime or a tiny object – that’s stopping the rollers from moving forward. This calls for professional attention.

The garage door track may be out of alignment. The metal track of your garage door has to be aligned correctly, or it won’t budge.

Check for any gaps between rollers and the rail, or bends in the rails. As the years pass, the garage door’s weight can compound these problems, so locate a garage door professional, because the door will become increasingly dangerous to operate.

You may have low transmitter batteries. Perhaps all you have to do is replace them, and the garage door will open.

Is your garage door closing and opening randomly? If your garage door opens or closes on its own, that’s a security risk and a nuisance. Try this:

1. Check the transmitter. Make sure it’s not wedged underneath an object that’s pressing down on the control mechanism unintentionally. For instance, the transmitter could be underneath some item you forget you left in your vehicle, or somewhere else nearby..

2. Test the transmitter’s frequency. It’s possible a neighbor has your same exact frequency.

Does the garage door opener run, yet the garage door won’t move? In a power outage, your garage door opener has a disconnect switch, so you can manually open or close your garage door. The switch, attached to a knob or rope, can accidentally come unhooked.

1. Open or shut the garage door all the way..

2. Reattach the hook securely. .

3. Using the transmitter, try opening or shutting the door again. This time it should work.

Does your garage door slam down with a loud bang? You may have a broken tension spring, which counters the weight of the garage door.

The cables connected to the tension spring are probably broken. Either case can be hazardous. Contact an expert garage door technician immediately.

Prevent Future Problems

Maintaining your garage door is fairly easy. The minimal effort required to keep your garage door in tiptop shape means you won’t have to replace it for a good long time.

Schedule an annual inspection with a local reliable garage door repair company. Springs, pulleys, cables, and wires need professional attention.

Every two years, clean your garage door.

1. Wash each side with a sponge using mild dish soap and water. Rinse well. .

2. Clean the sensor eyes using a dry, fresh cloth..

3. Keep the area around the sensors free from cobwebs and grime..

4. If you have a steel garage door, for cold-weather protection apply car wax. .

5. If you have a wooden garage door, if you notice chipping or peeling, put on a new coat of paint.

Once a month, take a look at your garage door system’s components.

1. Tighten loose bolts. .

2. Replace worn parts.

3. If you hear any odd noises when your garage door opens and closes, investigate further.

Establish a routine maintenance schedule to lengthen the life of your garage door. If your garage is also a game room, workshop, or office, it’s important to lubricate your garage door springs, rollers, and hinges – once a year, before winter comes.

Otherwise, ultimately the springs will rust, and the coils will bind. Choose a reputable brand, so it won’t dry out. You’ll need only a light coating.


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