Our trusty garage doors will break over time. This is just how things go, and if you’re looking to do your own garage door repair, here’s a first-aid guide for you to follow. The common problems of a garage door are…
- Noisy garage doors.
- Remote controls and wall switches do not work.
- Door does not open and close all the way.
- Sensors are faulty.
- Door seals are loose and broken.
But before we do anything with the mechanical parts of our garage doors, it is important to clean the door and its surroundings first.
- Clean and remove obstructions such as twigs, dirt, dust, etc…
- Inspect the wiring and check if it is fraying, or if there are any unsoldered wires.
- Visually observe if the door is level and is even on both sides.
- Check the panels.
After assessing your garage door, you should now have a clear idea on what needs fixing. Here are the problems and how to fix them.
1. Noisy Garage Doors
First, tighten all screws on all exposed parts of your garage door. This’ll ensure that every part is in place and secure.
Get a white lithium-base grease/lubricant. (it’s available in your local hardware store) It is important to know that a normal lubricant like WD40 attracts dust and is not good for your garage door.
Remember that some parts of your garage door aren’t supposed to be lubricated so make sure to do some research first. Better yet, call a professional for help.
2. Remote controls and wall switches do not work
You’ll need to check the batteries of your remote first. It may have been discharged and/or grounded, and should be replaced accordingly.
If your garage door uses a wall switch, check if the wirings are still intact and if there are de-soldered wires.
If all else fails in fixing the switch, it is best to call a professional for advise.
3. Door does not open and close all the way
There are various reasons why this would happen and it could be that;
- The photo eye is dirty.
- You have a broken spring.
- The tracks are misaligned.
- The limit setting is misadjusted.
- Or even as simple as having a tiny object at the bottom of the door.
If after numerous troubleshooting attempts and the door still won’t open or close properly, call a technician.
4. Sensors are faulty
There are various reasons why this would happen and it could be that;
- The photo eye is dirty.
- You have a broken spring.
- The tracks are misaligned.
- The limit setting is misadjusted.
- Or even as simple as having a tiny object at the bottom of the door.
If after numerous troubleshooting attempts and the door still won’t open or close properly, call a technician.
5. Door seals are loose and broken
A broken door seal will let in dust, moisture, insects, and rodents that may damage your car and other things inside your garage.
Simply replace the door seals, and you’re good to go.
Those are the common garage door problems and how to troubleshoot them. You are welcome to try and fix some of these garage door problems but it is always best to consult a professional and leave the dirty work to them.
Your safety is the #1 concern and accidents could happen if you’re not careful. Some garage door components pack a lot of tension and could snap or break.
You might also want to read: Garage Opener Light Blinking: A Troubleshooting Guide
