
Do you have a new garage, and you want to avoid any common garage door problems?
Garages are a common feature of households, with about three in four homes owning one. Although garages are convenient, it’s easy to come across a problem relating to the garage door.
It’s better to know the common garage door issues, so you know what to do when you meet them. Read on to learn some garage door problems and how to fix them.
Garage Door Won’t Open
Among the most common garage door problems are that they have difficulty in opening, or won’t open at all. The problem lies in the photo-eye, remote, or the door itself. If the remote is the problem, you can replace the batteries or ask for a replacement.
Make sure to check if the power cable isn’t loose as it’s plugged into any socket. Electrical surges can also affect the garage door, so be sure to check if the breaker is on. Another thing you should check is if the garage lock isn’t locked from the inside.
Torsion Springs Breaks
The springs of your garage door are necessary for lowering and raising the doors. They play a huge role in the functionality of your garage doors. You have two choices: replace the springs or upgrade the entire spring set.
Without the spring, the garage door opener will have difficulty lifting the weight of the door. A good way to know if a door spring breaks down is the loud bank you may hear while the garage door is in a down position.
Transmitter Battery Is Dead
The transmitter is what signals your garage door to open or close. If the transmitter battery dies, then it can’t send a signal, and your garage doors are stuck at their position. You should check whether the transmitter inside your garage still opens the door.
If it still works, then all you may need is a battery replacement. All you need to do is open the back of the transmitter, then remove the battery. To ensure that the transmitter works, be sure that you replace other transmitters’ batteries (if you have more than one).
Popped or Snapped Cables
Your garage door cables are as necessary as the springs when it comes to functionality. The garage door cables are thick metal wires that wrap into braids. The cables make use of the tension to help the springs raise and lower the garage doors.
Once they snap, the garage door closes faster than usual and makes a loud bang. Avoid forcing the garage doors to open or close when the cables break. If you’re looking for ways on “how to fix my garage door cables,” the best solution is to call professionals.
Door Makes A Lot of Noise
If your garage doors are making a lot of noise, it’s best to investigate the type of sound coming from them. Three main sounds can come from your garage doors: grinding, popping, or rattling.
A squeaking or grinding noise means that the rollers of the garage doors lack lubrication. Popping noises comes from the torsion springs that need lubrication or adjustment. Rattling noises mean that a few screws, nuts, or bolts are a bit loose.
Garage Door Manually Locks
If the opener motor suddenly shuts off, the door may become manually locked. If the door springs appear fine, you should check if you accidentally engaged the door. Plenty of garage doors have manual locks added for better security to your home.
Check whether a handle or knob is in the middle of your door. It should have two bars horizontally running at each side. All you have to do to unlock the garage door manually is to turn the handle until you catch a clicking sound.
Photo Eye Is Out of Alignment
The photo-eye is the part of your garage doors that uses a light transmitter to detect if something is in the way. It prevents the door from closing if someone or something is in the path of the garage door. It’s a preventive measure that reduces the risk of injury or damages.
If the door opens normally but doesn’t attempt to close, there may be a problem with the photo-eye. The eyes can become dirty over time, and the dirt can block the light from the beam. Make sure that you clean the photo-eye and avoid scratching or damaging the glass.
Use a soft cloth and a streak-free, mild cleaner. Gently remove any residue or dirt that got onto the eye. Avoid cleaning the eye with a very wet cloth since it can oversaturate and cause more dirt to stick onto the eye.
If the door still refuses to close, you should check if the eyes’ alignment is correct. The eyes should be pointing in the same direction and angle. If one eye is off, then nothing will register, and the garage door will remain open.
Weatherstripping Is In Poor Conditions
The cold season approaches, and it’s time to use the weatherstripping on your garage doors to work. Weatherstripping is the process of sealing all the openings, from windows to doors. It’s one of the best ways to save 20% on heating bills.
It also prevents the cold or rainwater from entering your garage. If the weatherstripping fails, all the pests to dirt can enter your garage with no problems. Make sure to remove the old seal and replace it with new weatherstripping.
When replacing the weatherstripping, ensure that the sloped edge is pointing outside the garage door. The flat part of the seal should always stay at the bottom for a smooth opening and closing.
These Are the Most Common Garage Door Problems
Now you know some of the most common garage door problems. Be sure to avoid problems like misaligned photo-eyes and snapping cables or springs. If you’re pinned at a difficult issue, consider calling a professional to help access and fix the problem.
Do you want to learn about more garage door problems? Some problems are rare but can be a pain in the neck if you don’t know how to tackle them. Check out our guides to learn more about these problems today!