Common Garage Door Issues Homeowners Face
Posted on: 27 March 2019
Your garage is most likely an important part of your home. While some people use the space for parking their vehicles, the garage may be solely used for storage by other homeowners. No matter what its main purpose is, your garage needs doors that function in the most effective manner possible. Unfortunately, homeowners face many issues with the operation of their garage door and automatic opener system.
These issues not only damage their vehicles and belongings but can also cause dangerous injuries. As a matter of fact, studies have shown 21 states have reported fatal injuries involving children and garage doors within the last 7 years. Because of the potential risks, ensuring your door is working properly is imperative. This guide will help homeowners understand and repair a few common garage door issues.
Door Does Not Open/Close
As a homeowner, you will most likely experience an issue with the door's ability to open and close fully at one point in time. You may think this is not a problem, but it should be addressed immediately to ensure the door works properly, reducing the risk of damage to your belongings and injuries to your family members and pets.
You should first check the batteries in your garage door remote openers if you are only experiencing issues when attempting to open/close the door with the remote. Replace the batteries, if necessary.
If the door will not open or close when using the opener's wall control, check to make sure power is running to the opener system. Then, inspect the areas in front of the door opener sensors. If an object or debris is blocking the sensors, the doors will not completely open and close.
Door Comes Off Track
Your garage may seem to be functioning properly, opening and closing as it should, but falling off its track on one or more sides during operation. Since they are heavy, a door falling off its track can do enormous harm to your vehicle, belongings, or family members. Knowing the signs that the door MAY eventually fall off its track is smart for preventing damage and injuries.
If you notice the door is wobbly as it is opening or closing, make sure to have it inspected by a garage door technician. Also, if your door is squealing a great deal or sticking while it is in motion, it may eventually fall off the track.
If your garage door has already come off the track and fallen, it may be because you hit the door, frame, or side of the track with your vehicle. This is actually more common than you may think and you may not even realize you bumped the door. While surprising to learn, even a slight bump could bend the door and frame, causing it to fall off the track. Replacing the frame and track system in addition to the door if it has sustained damage will be necessary.
If the door is heavier than the track system, it may not have sufficient support, causing it to come off the track and fall. The door may have become heavier over time if it has been exposed to excessive moisture. Or if you replaced a lighter door with a heavier door, such as a steel or wood door, the old track system may not be strong enough to provide the door with support.
Also, worn, loose, or broken rollers may not be able to move through the track system properly. This can cause the rollers to damage and warp the track, eventually stopping the door from opening and closing properly. In addition, if the rollers are broken, the door will not be able to remain on the tracks, resulting in the door falling off.
Help is available if your garage door is showing signs of distress. This guide will help you diagnose a few common garage door issues many homeowners face. For more information, speak with a technician who offers residential garage door repair services.
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