7 Warning Signs of Garage Door Trouble
Over time, it’s normal for a garage door to experience some movement. However, when this movement becomes excessive, it could be a sign that the rollers are coming off the track or something is blocking the photo eye sensors (a safety feature that prevents your garage door from closing on objects or people).
Identifying these problems early on will help you avoid expensive repairs in the future. Learn the 7 Warning Signs of Garage Door Trouble.
1. Excessive Shaking or Vibration
If your garage door shakes or vibrates every time it moves up and down, it’s a sign that some of its hardware needs attention. The underlying problem could be as simple as loose or misaligned components in the opener mechanism that need to be tightened or replaced.
It might be something more serious, like a damaged or worn spring or cable that needs to be replaced. In that case, you’ll need professional help teamgaragedoors.com to make the repairs.
Loud rattling sounds while the door moves are often caused by debris gumming up the track. Check to see if anything is blocking the photo eye sensors, then run a damp rag over the tracks to clean them off.
2. Unusual Noises
If your garage door makes a noise that’s not normal, it should be checked out by a professional right away. Any strange sound could indicate an issue with your rollers, pulleys, opener, or hardware.
Sometimes, the ominous pitter-patter of strange sounds from your garage door is actually made by wild animals, but most of the time it’s a sign that something’s wrong with your garage door. Addressing these issues promptly prevents them from getting worse and more expensive to repair down the road. For instance, lubricating metal rollers or tightening loose bolts is much more affordable than waiting until they start grinding together and wearing down your tracks and hardware.
3. The Door Won’t Close All the Way
Your garage door has sensors to keep you, your family and your possessions safe. But over time, they can become misaligned.
Check that nothing is blocking the sensor lenses. If there is, crouch down and gently move the sensors until they are aligned. The LED lights on each sensor should be lit when they are correctly positioned.
If the sensors are clean but the door still won’t close all the way, the problem may be a limit setting. This is a complicated job best left to a professional.
4. Exposed Wires or Cords
Over time, parts of your garage door can wear out. If you notice a wire or cord is hanging out, this is a sign that the door needs some attention. Calling a same day garage door service will prevent further wear and tear from occurring to your entire system.
If your garage door is unable to open with your wall switch or remote, the first thing you should do is check that the cord is properly plugged in to the garage opener. Also make sure the receptacle is a GFCI outlet, which can help protect you against electrical hazards.
5. Broken or Frayed Cables
If your garage door springs or cables are broken or frayed, you’ll need to call in the pros. These are extremely strong and heavy components that could cause serious injury if they snap or get caught in other parts of the system.
Often, the problem is simply that something has blocked or knocked them out of alignment. Try gently wiping them clean with a dry cloth to see if that helps.
In other cases, the door may have been damaged in some way, and this can cause it to operate erratically. A garage door that’s sagging on one side can indicate an imbalanced set of springs or a motor that’s failing.
6. The Door Isn’t Opening or Closing Properly
A garage door’s opener uses sensors to make sure nothing is in the door’s path before it closes. When one of the sensors becomes dirty, or an object obstructs it, this can lead to the door not closing. Sometimes the sensor needs a simple wipe-down, and other times it requires more extensive repair work.
Track problems can also cause the door to be sluggish and jerky. If the tracks are misaligned or obstructed by debris, a professional will need to inspect and fix them. Alternatively, they may need to be replaced entirely see services.
7. The Door Isn’t Opening or Closing at All
Occasionally, the garage door opener itself will malfunction. If the remote or wall switch doesn’t operate it, first check the battery in the remote and make sure the motor unit is plugged in correctly. It’s also important that nothing is in the path of the sensors, which are designed to keep the door from closing on cars or people. The sensor’s yellow sending light should always be lit, and the green receiving light should be on.
Look for obstructions that may be blocking the signal (such as tree branches or dirt), then clean and lubricate the door and its components. If the problem persists, it’s time to call in a professional.
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