Top 6 Garage Opening Problems and Their Solutions
Things have changed since the days of manually heaving your garage door open. The invention of automatic garage door openers provides a level of convenience that’s hard to beat. The ability to open your garage at the press of a button just makes life easier!
With that being said, nothing can quite spoil your day as fast as an unresponsive garage door opener.
Common Garage Door Problems
1) The Remote Won’t Open the Door
First, rule out any obvious causes by replacing the batteries in your remote. Try a spare remote or the wall switch. If the door still won’t open, see if you can hear the garage door opener operating. No sound usually means there’s a problem with the opener itself. It could be a power problem or circuit board failure. Grinding sounds can indicate a gear problem. An opener that appears to be functioning fine means the issue may be a problem with the door itself. Look for broken springs or signs of a door off track.
2) Garage Opens Then Closes
This could be a sensor alignment problem or an obstruction. Make sure the sensors are lined up properly and there’s nothing in the way. Wipe the lens with a clean cloth.
3) Garage Door Is Heavy and Slams Shut
You may need a garage door spring repair. Springs counterbalance the weight of your garage door, making it seem as light as a kitchen appliance when it’s really several hundred pounds.
4) Door Is Slanted and Won’t Close
This could mean that you have a broken cable or pulley. The door could have also come off its track. Don’t attempt to force it down as this could be dangerous. Seek professional assistance.
5) Noisy Garage Door
Rusty garage door parts, particularly springs, can be the source of noise. Clean the parts and lubricate with silicone or white lithium grease.
6) The Door Is Jammed
A cable or pulley could be damaged. There could also be an obstruction in the track, or the track itself is bent.
When in Doubt, Seek a Professional
Remember, no garage door is worth getting injured over. If the problem is too complicated, seek out a knowledgeable technician who can help you get the door operating safely again.