Garage doors, as is common with any huge operating structure, are bound to have performance problems every now and then. The major problems arise from malfunctioning operation mechanisms or accessories such as garage door openers and remote controllers. It is important to understand various common problems with garage doors and their signs, so that you can take action to remedy them early enough.
Here are some of the most common garage door problems:
Dead transmitter batteries
You may wake up one day and find out that your garage door just won’t open. This is a common garage door problem associated with dead transmitter batteries. If a transmitter has no power, it won’t be able to send a signal to your garage door and open it. Check if the transmitter on the wall inside your garage opens the door when pressed, and if it does, then the transmitter inside your car just needs battery replacement.
Misaligned photo eyes
Photo eyes are two signal transmitters placed on each side of the garage door that help detect whether there is an object in the garage door’s path as it closes. They are a safety measure designed to ensure that a garage door doesn’t come crashing down on someone or something, resulting in injuries and property damage. They keep a garage door in an open position if they detect an object in their beam’s path.
If your door is opening normally but isn’t closing when the remote controller is pressed, it could be because photo-eyes are not matching. It could also be that the eyes are dirty hence their beams are being blocked. You can easily correct this problem by cleaning the eyes and aligning them properly so that they face the same direction and are set at the same angle.
If the problem persists, call a professional to look at your door.
Loud noises when operating a garage door
This is a common problem with worn out garage doors that have been in operation for a long time without adequate maintenance. If you notice loud screeching, squealing or grinding noises emanating from your garage door, it could be as a result of dirt and debris accumulation within its track. It could also be a lack of adequate lubrication leading to excessive friction during operation.
Broken tension springs and cables
If your garage door is falling down fast when lowering it, it could pose a great risk to you, your family or property. In most cases, a door will fall too fast because of broken cables or loose tension springs. If the problem is with your garage door springs, do not attempt to carry out repairs by yourself but instead call a professional garage door repair technician right away. Spring and cable repairs require specialized tools and expertise that only professional technicians can offer.
Misaligned track
If your garage door track is misaligned, you may have a serious issue at hand. Your garage door runs on a metal track that must be well aligned with the door for it to move properly. If the track is out of alignment, you will notice gaps between the rail and rollers or bends in the rails themselves. You will also notice that your door produces a rubbing noise or slows down when it reaches a certain point on the track.
These are some of the most common problems with garage doors. There are many more problems associated with garage doors that aren’t always easy to identify by yourself, so seeking professional help the experts at the Overhead Door Company of Wilmington™ is advised.
