Common Garage Door Problems and What Causes Them
Your garage door is among the biggest moving parts of a typical house, and most people open and close it more than any other entrance. Because of that constant use, breakdowns are bound to happen.Fortunately that most failures come from a handful of parts. Knowing what to look for can save you time, money, and stress.Failing Garage Door SpringsThe torsion springs do most of the heavy lifting whenever the door moves. They are wound under enormous tension, which is exactly why they fail over time.If a spring snaps, you will usually notice: you may hear a loud bang from the garage. Do not attempt a DIY spring repair — the stored tension can send you to the hospital. Always call a trained technician, and swap them as a pair so the second one doesn't fail soon after.Opener and Motor FailuresOpeners break down for all sorts of reasons, and not all of them are serious. Check the easy stuff first: the remote's battery often solves the problem.If the wall button works but the remote doesn't, it points to the remote. When you hear the motor but nothing happens, the cause might be worn internal parts that requires a technician.Track and Roller IssuesA garage door that hangs at an angle has often jumped its track. The cause is often when a roller wears out. Whatever the cause, do not force the door — running it can bend the track further.When Cables FailCables and drums work together with the springs to move the door evenly. When a cable frays or snaps, the door may hang crooked or get stuck. Like springs, these parts hold tension and are best left to a professional.Driveway and Automatic Gate RepairsAutomatic gates are a great feature, but they have maintenance needs. The gate opener sometimes fail during an outage, and the photo eyes often just need cleaning.A gate that stops halfway can indicate a worn part. Since gates combine mechanical and electrical systems, a qualified technician should handle the work.Why Regular Maintenance MattersThe easiest way to prevent unexpected failures is regular maintenance. Lubricating the moving parts once or twice a year goes a long way to the life of your system.When something does break, calling a licensed local professional is always the safest route. A trained expert can diagnose the problem quickly and get your door or gate working again. see more