Garage doors require a lot of moving parts to work properly. And it doesn’t take much for one of those parts to malfunction or break.
A garage door that won’t open or close, is slow to respond, or makes loud noises may be in need of repair or replacement. While it’s usually best to leave this to the experts, there are a few ways to troubleshoot these issues.
Keep reading for more information on garage door repair, maintenance, and other helpful tips.
Common Garage Door Issues
The average garage door will open and close over 1,500 times a year. Over time, certain parts and mechanisms wear out or break. While most garage repairs aren’t all that complicated, when major issues arise, you may need a complete replacement.
Here are some of the most common causes of a broken garage door and what you can do about it.
Noisy Garage Door
One of the most common customer complaints is that their garage door is operating more loudly than usual. The culprit is usually something simple like the door’s hinges or rollers.
Garage door rollers have bearings designed to move smoothly back and forth. Lack of lubrication or wear and tear can result in noisy operation.
The hinges of a garage door connect each piece together and allow the sections to move easily around the rounded parts of the track. If these hinges are damaged, warped, or worn out, they can make quite a bit of noise as well.
Worn-Out Springs
Garage door springs are one of the most important components and are responsible for helping the door move up and down. As the garage door lowers, these springs tighten. As it raises, the tension is released and the springs help lift and support the weight of the door.
Because garage door springs are under constant pressure, they eventually wear out. If your garage door is struggling to open or it feels heavy when lifted by hand, it could be a sign that your springs need replacing.
This is one of those garage door repairs you should leave to the professionals to avoid serious injury.
Faulty Opener
The second most common cause of a broken garage door has nothing to do with the door itself. After a quick inspection, if your garage door seems in good condition, your opener might be to blame.
If you can’t get the door to open when using either the wall switch or remote, it likely means there’s a problem with the power source. Check the circuit breaker, fuse, or GFCI outlet.
If the door opens using the wall switch but won’t budge when you use the remote or keypad, the fix may be as simple as changing the batters in one of these controls.
Garage Door Repair is Inevitable
Performing routine garage door maintenance can prevent and prolong most major issues. But over time, your garage door will wear out and may need repair or replacement.
Knowing the warning signs of a broken garage door is step one. Step two is knowing how to repair a garage door. When all else fails, call the professionals.
At AG Smart Garage we offer garage door repair, installation, and maintenance plus smart solutions. Call us today at 224-306-2985 for all your garage door needs.