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GARAGE DOOR OPENER ISSUES?

HERE’S WHAT TO DO!

If you’re facing any difficulties with your garage door opener, there are a good number of reasons it’s going on the fritz. Some are simple, and some are much more tricky. Let’s look at some possibilities and solutions.

Do It Yourself

Check the power source. Maybe the transmitter batteries need replacement. Or, look at the electrical outlet; it could be faulty.

Does the garage door go down all the way, but open back up again? Probably, your garage door opener’s open-and-shut limit settings are malfunctioning. These settings give instructions to your garage door opener, telling it how far your garage door needs to move before it’s fully closed. If it’s set too high, the door will touch the ground before the opener thinks it should, because it presumes that the door is hitting something in its path; then, it automatically reverses, to stop from smashing it. Your operator’s manual will tell you how to reset the open-and-shut limits.

Does the garage door not close? Your garage door has a small photo eye sensor on either side. Between them is an invisible laser beam, which, when it’s broken, prevents the garage door from closing. Inspect it to see whether they’re misaligned or dirty and grimy.

Does your garage door not open with the remote? This is normally easily dealt with. 1. You could be too far out of range from your garage door. 2. Maybe you need to charge or replace the batteries. 3. The garage door motor antenna is blocked from the signal or might be damaged. 4. Perhaps your remote will need to be reprogrammed.

Does your garage door open and shut randomly? If your garage door is opening or closing by itself, check the transmitter. It could be wedged under an object that accidentally pressed the control mechanism. For example, the transmitter could be located under items that you left inside your vehicle, or somewhere else nearby. Also, test the transmitter’s frequency; it’s possible that your neighbor has exactly the same frequency you have.

Does the garage door opener run, yet the garage door isn’t moving? If a power outage ever arises, your garage door opener has a disconnect switch, which makes it possible for you to open or close your garage door by hand. This switch is commonly attached to a knob or rope, which can get unhooked unintentionally. Open or shut the door all the way, and then reattach the hook securely. Try closing or opening the door again with the transmitter, and it should work now.

Does your garage door opener run for several seconds, but then turn off? If your garage door still won’t move, this can occur if the door is closed, and the garage door motor tries to lift the door, yet it still doesn’t move. First off, find out if the springs are the issue. If not, look at the track for any tiny obstacles, grime, or dirt. If none of these is the problem, then your garage door may be the kind that has a built-in lock that’s engaging inadvertently; this often happens with older garage doors.

More Complicated Issues Requiring Expert Attention

Is your garage door track out of alignment? If the metal track of your garage door isn’t aligned properly, it definitely won’t budge. Are there any bends in the rails? Do you see any gaps between the rollers and rail? The considerable weight of your garage door will compound these issues as time passes, so don’t put off getting it serviced. Before your garage door becomes dangerous, call a professional.

Does the garage door slam down with a loud bang? You likely have a broken spring, which should be countering the weight of the garage door. Or, the cables are broken. Either way, this is a serious problem. It’s time to call a garage door repair technician.

Does the garage door close only part way, but then open again? A garage door is designed with a reversing mechanism to prevent it from crushing something in its path. The reversing instruction can be set in motion by objects on the ground blocking the door’s path, such as a bicycle, trash can, or box. Another possibility is a buildup of debris on the tracks ~ dirt, grime or a small object ~ which will keep the rollers from moving. This is a major issue, calling for the expertise of a garage door professional.

Does the garage door simply not open one bit? The springs are probably broken, requiring repairing or replacing. If so, a garage door repair technician’s knowhow is needed.

Precautionary Measures

Schedule an annual inspection with a legitimate local garage door repair service. Cables, springs, pulleys, and wires all call for close attention from a professional.

Once a month, look over your garage door system’s components. Tighten any loose bolts. Replace any worn-out parts. If you hear any odd noises when your garage door closes and opens, don’t ignore it. Consult a garage door expert.

Each year, before winter arrives, lubricate your garage door springs, rollers, and hinges. Some garage door expert technicians will tell you to lubricate four times a year. Choose a top-name brand, so it won’t dry out. A light coating is all you need. If you don’t lubricate, the garage door springs will rust sooner or later, and the coils will eventually bind up against each other.

Garage door maintenance takes minimal effort and not a lot of time. When you keep your garage door in tiptop shape, it will cost you less and last much longer overall.