5 Most Common Garage Door Problems
Having trouble with your garage door? If you are dealing with any of the following 5 most common garage door problems, then you will need the expertise of a local professional garage door repair company, to ensure your door functions as it should.
Here are the 5 most common garage door problems.
#1. Broken Garage Door Springs
When your torsion or extension springs break, which they will inevitably do, your garage door will not be operational. Don’t attempt to manually open or close a door with broken springs! The number one reason for spring failure is simple wear and tear. This is because their lifespan is limited – typically 10,000 cycles. Broken garage door springs should only be replaced by a professional garage door repair company.
#2. Worn Weather Stripping
Your door’s weather stripping keeps cold weather, rain, and debris out in addition to preventing many insects and other pests from making their garage your home. Over time, weather stripping can deteriorate due to age, friction and exposure to the elements, requiring replacement. At least once each year, inspect your garage door, checking for air leaks that indicate your weatherstripping isn’t doing its job.
#3. Broken Garage Door Cables
In a non-damaged state, garage door cables provide smooth, efficient operation. Most cables are attached from the drum located near the top of the door to the bottom section of the door. These counterbalance the door’s weight as it opens and closes. If you are dealing with broken or detached cables, your door will not be operational, and you should immediately halt all further use until they can be professionally repaired.
#4. Bent Garage Door Tracks
Your garage door’s tracks play an essential role in helping it open and close smoothly. If one of the tracks becomes misaligned or bent, the problem needs to be addressed before any further damage can occur, which can necessitate your need for replacement. Bent or misaligned tracks are often the result of a severe door malfunction, worn parts or yes, even human error (i.e. a car backing up into the door).
#5. Misaligned Safety Sensors
All garage door openers manufactured on or after January 1, 1993 should be equipped with a set of photo safety sensors, which can be found on both sides of the door opening about six inches off the floor. They are designed to automatically stop and reverse the door should a person or object interrupt its beam. If the sensors aren’t working, neither will the remote control or touchpad.
To ensure the sensor’s peak performance, you will need to make sure that the LEDs on each unit are lit up. Do this at least once each month. A problem exists if the LED is off or it’s flashing repeatedly. Gently clean the lens with a soft, dry cloth, check for any loose connections, and try realigning them by hand. If the problem persists, you should contact a local service provider for diagnosis and repair.
