A garage door in good condition and working properly adds to your home’s appearance, security, and convenience. But, over time, issues can develop, and the door may not work as well as it did originally.
Any problems can not only be annoying, but they can also be costly if you do not sort them out. Luckily, there are a number of warning signs that will alert you to problems so you can take effective action.
Unusual Noises or Grinding Sounds
When in good condition, your garage door should open and close smoothly and quietly. Any grinding, scraping or squeaking noises can indicate that the rollers are worn out, that the tracks are misaligned, or that there are problems with the springs. Clicking or banging sounds may be due to problems with cables or springs, or with the opener. Fixing these problems early will avoid further wear and expensive repairs in future.
Door Opens or Closes Unevenly
Under normal circumstances, the garage door should open and close smoothly and evenly. However, if it leans to one side, it may have a broken cable or spring. Sagging or warping will indicate structural damage to the door or its frame, while the door resting unevenly on the ground will usually mean the springs are unbalanced or the door has come off its track.
These are signs of significant safety issues that need to be fixed as a matter of urgency. They can cause a spring to snap, which can result in permanent damage to the door, requiring costly repair or replacement.
Remote or Wall Switch Isn’t Responding
A failure of the door to operate when pressing a button on the remote controller may simply mean the batteries need replacing, while a non-responsive wall switch can be due to a blown fuse or faulty wiring. A slow response, however, may be caused by a problem with the sensors or the door’s springs; the latter can often be corrected simply by applying lubrication, but if this doesn’t solve the problem, further investigation is needed.
More worrying is if the garage door opens and closes at random, with no use of the remote controller or wall switch. This can be caused by issues with the controller, interference from other devices or a faulty circuit board. It can be a serious safety and security issue, so it needs to be dealt with quickly.
Slow or Jerky Movement
The garage door should normally respond reasonably promptly to commands from a remote controller or wall switch. If it takes more than a few seconds, however, this indicates a problem with the system. Jerky or uneven movements, or the door becoming stuck partway, can be signs of problems with the tracks, springs or cables that need to be resolved. Excessive or constant and intense shaking can indicate that the rollers are off the tracks or the hinges are loose.
Door Doesn’t Fully Open or Close
If the door does not move at all when a button or switch is pressed, this may be due to a problem with the operating device itself, which may require repair or replacement, or with the power supply, the door’s motor, tracks, springs or cable. Moving only part of the way may be caused by an obstruction on the track, a broken spring or some other mechanical problem.
Partial closure can also mean sensors are misaligned or that the settings are wrong. This can affect the security of your property and lead to weather damage, so it needs to be resolved. Disengaging the door from the controller should mean the door can be moved manually. If this is difficult or impossible, a problem with the cable or springs may be the cause.
Resolving Problems with Professional Help
Although you may be able to resolve simple issues yourself — such as by replacing batteries and lubricating springs — you should not attempt anything more serious. Garage doors are heavy and can be complex in their operation, so amateur attempts at repairs can be dangerous, resulting in injury, and can cause greater problems in the future.
Although attempting to fix a problem yourself may seem to be the cheaper option, it will not be if the garage door fails to work effectively and you then have to pay to rectify your handiwork as well as the original problem. Don’t take the risk.
As professional installers and repairers of garage doors, we can accurately diagnose the cause of your problem and take the necessary steps to rectify any issues. By taking action promptly, we will prevent problems from becoming more serious, thereby ensuring your garage door remains fully operational, that security is maintained, and you save money in the long term due to a cost-effective repair being provided.
If you have any garage door issues, contact us immediately, and we will sort them out efficiently.