CAN’T CLOSE OR OPEN YOUR GARAGE DOOR? HERE’S WHAT TO DO!

CAN’T CLOSE OR OPEN YOUR GARAGE DOOR? HERE’S WHAT TO DO!

If your garage door is on the blink, there are various causes your garage door is acting up. Some are simple; some are more complicated. But don’t waste your valuable time panicking. There are plenty of things you can do yourself.


Problems and Solutions

Alpharetta Garage Door Track Repair

What if your garage door isn’t closing? The garage door has a photo sensor eye on both sides. Between them is an invisible beam, which, when broken, stops the garage door from closing. Examine closely to see whether they’re misaligned or grimy. Depending on which style and brand of sensors you’ve got, if the light’s blinking, there’s definitely something wrong. Or, if you’ve got sensors with green and red lights, the red one usually means it’s not functioning fully.

An additional sensor issue may be the wiring. Look at the sensors’ connections, making sure the wires aren’t loose or corroded. Another possibility is that there’s a short in the wiring, which can result from a staple used during the initial installation; vibrations over time can ultimately lead to a disconnect. Wires can also become stretched, resulting in disconnection.

What if your garage door won’t open? Then probably the springs are failing, not remaining contracted as they ought to. Try shortening the cables using a bracket to add additional tension on the springs. If your garage door has one or two torsion springs, one or both might be broken. Never attempt to adjust your garage door! If serviced incorrectly, a garage door spring can cause injury or even be deadly. The drums, cables, or bottom brackets may also require adjustment. Or, it’s likely that the springs need replacing. In either case, it’s a good idea to hire a reliable garage door expert. If you live in Alpharetta, Georgia, consider a reputable local garage door company such as Alpharetta Garage Door Repair.

What if your garage door goes down all the way, then opens again? The open-and-shut limit settings of your garage door opener are probably malfunctioning. The settings instruct the garage door opener on how far the garage door should move before it closes all the way. If it’s set too high, the door will hit the floor before the opener presumes it should, thinking that the door is hitting an object in its path. If so, it will reverse so as not to smash it. Read the operator’s manual for the steps to follow to set the open-and-shut limits.

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

1. Close or open the garage door all the way down.
2. Securely reattach the hook.
3. With the transmitter, try closing or opening the door again. It ought to work now.

Does the garage door shut and open at random? If your garage door shuts or opens on its own, that’s a nuisance and a security risk. Try this:

1. Check the transmitter. Make sure it’s not wedged beneath an object pressing down accidentally on the control mechanism. For example, your transmitter may be under an item you forgot you left in your vehicle, or someplace else close by.
2. Test the frequency of the transmitter. Your neighbor may have your exact same frequency.

Does your garage door opener run for several seconds, but then turn off? This happens when the garage door’s shut; the motor tries yet fails to lift the door.

1. Look at the track for possible obstacles.
2. Inspect the springs.
3. See whether your garage door is the type with a built-in lock, since perhaps it’s been engaging by mistake. This generally occurs with older garage doors.

Does your garage door shut part of the way, yet open again? A garage door has a reversing mechanism so it won’t crunch objects in its path. The reversing instruction is activated by any objects on the ground blocking the garage door’s path ~ a bicycle, box, or garbage can. You might find debris on the tracks ~ a tiny object or grime ~ that’s keeping the rollers from going forward. This requires professional attention.

Your garage door track could be out of alignment. The metal track of the garage door has to be properly aligned, or it just won’t budge. See if there are gaps between the rail and the rollers, or bends in the rails. As the years go by, the garage door’s weight can compound these issues, so it’s time to hire a garage door professional, because the door is going to get gradually more hazardous to operate.

Your transmitter batteries might be low. Maybe all you need to do is replace them, and your garage door will open.

Does the garage door slam with a loud bang? You may have a broken tension spring, which works to counter the garage door’s weight. It’s likely that the cables connected to the tension spring are broken. Either can be dangerous. Contact a garage door technician.


Avoid Garage Door Problems in the Future

Alpharetta Garage Door Sections

Maintaining your garage door is rather easy. The minimal effort needed to keep the garage door in tiptop condition means you won’t need to replace it for a long time.

Every month, look at your garage door system’s components.

1. Tighten loose bolts.
2. Replace worn parts.
3. If you notice any strange noises when your garage door shuts and opens, don’t procrastinate; investigate.

Every other year, clean the garage door.

1. Wash both sides with a sponge with mild dish soap and water, and rinse well.
2. Clean the sensor eyes with a dry cloth.
3. Keep the area around the sensors free from grime and cobwebs.
4. If your garage door is made of steel, apply car wax for cold-weather protection.
5. If the garage door is wooden, if you see peeling or chipping, apply a fresh coat of paint.

Schedule an inspection once per year with a local trusty garage door repair company. Cables, springs, pulleys, and wires require expert attention.

Follow a routine maintenance schedule to make your garage door last longer. If your garage doubles as a shop or office, it’s essential to lubricate the hinges, springs, and rollers ~ annually, before winter arrives. Otherwise, eventually the coils will bind and the springs will rust. Choose a reputable brand, so it won’t dry out. Only a light coating is needed.