If you own an electric garage door, there’s a lengthy list of potential problems that can arise as it ages. Though routine maintenance and cleaning can help reduce the instance of such issues, sometimes, a problem crops up with no apparent cause. At Door Power, our garage door repair specialists see a number of issues on a daily basis, most of which have fairly simple fixes. Below, our team is discussing the top three garage door challenges we see, and how you can troubleshoot your unit at home.
Non-Functional Garage Door Opener
Non-operational garage door openers consistently rank as the number one garage door issue, and fortunately, they’re quite simple to fix. If your garage door has a chain or drive screw, re-lubricating these parts can help reduce excess friction, which may be preventing the door from opening. If you’re using a remote opener, the issue may be as simple as a dead battery, so try replacing the battery and attempt to open the door again.
If you own a cable-operated garage door, take a look at the garage door light — is it on? If not, the unit is not receiving power, so check your breaker box to see if the switch has flipped. If you cannot locate the source of the power disruption, contact a garage door opener repair specialist for an inspection.
Unusual Noises During Operation
If your garage door has been making more noise than usual, you’re likely dealing with worn or loose parts or lubrication issues, all of which are completely normal. Though cleaning and re-lubricating the tracks, joints, and hardware can help alleviate the issue, you should also contact a garage door repair specialist for an inspection.
Your garage door has multiple moving parts, all of which are necessary for safe operation, which means having a professional inspection can give you additional peace of mind. If your repair specialist locates worn or damaged parts, he can typically replace them on-site. If possible, you should avoid performing any type of do-it-yourself garage door repair as doing so presents a significant safety risk.
Garage Door Opens Partially or Fully, Then Reverses
Does your garage door open, either partially or fully, and then immediately begin closing? If so, a couple of different issues may be causing the problem:
● Partial Open. If your garage door opens partially, only to immediately reverse shut, that’s usually an issue with the spring located at the top of the door. In most cases, a simple spring replacement will remedy the problem, but it’s not a job you should undertake yourself. Garage door springs are under an incredible amount of tension, and if you’re unfamiliar with garage door repair techniques, you could sustain serious, potentially life-threatening injuries. Contact a garage door repair specialist to examine the spring and perform the replacement.
● Full Open. If your garage door opens all the way before reversing on its own, you likely have an issue with the photo-eye sensors, which are located at the bottom of the door’s vertical track. To determine if each photo-eye is receiving power, look for a blinking green light on each unit. If the units are on, check around each photo-eye for debris that may be obstructing the beam.
If nothing appears to be blocking the beam, measure the distance between the ground and the center of each photo-eye. If there is a difference in measurements between each unit, you’ll need to realign each photo-eye so the beam transmits properly. If realignment doesn’t solve the problem, contact a garage door repair specialist who can inspect each device.
Door Power: Your Twin Cities Source for Comprehensive Garage Door Repair
At Door Power, we’ve been serving Twin Cities homeowners since 1967, which means we know what it means to deliver outstanding customer service and superior product selection. Whether you’re in the market for garage door repair or new garage door installation, we’re the team to call for great service you know you can trust. To learn more about our services or to schedule your appointment, give us a call at 952-467-3199. You can also get in touch with us via our contact form, and a member of our team will reach out to you promptly!