Your garage door is among the biggest moving parts of a typical house, and most people open and close it several times a day. With that much wear and tear, breakdowns are only a matter of time.
Fortunately that most failures fall into a few common categories. Knowing what to look for will save you both time and money.
Failing Garage Door Springs
The torsion springs do most of the heavy lifting whenever the door moves. They are wound under enormous tension, which is exactly why they fail over time.
If a spring snaps, you will usually notice: you may hear a loud bang from the garage. This is not a do-it-yourself job — the stored tension can send you to the hospital. Leave it to a licensed pro, and swap them as a pair so the second one won't break right behind it.
Opener and Motor Failures
Openers break down for all sorts of reasons, and not all of them are serious. Check the easy stuff first: the remote's battery is the most common culprit.
If the wall button works but the remote doesn't, it points to the remote. When you hear the motor but nothing happens, the cause might be worn internal parts that requires a technician.
Track and Roller Issues
A garage door that hangs at an angle has often slipped out of alignment. The cause is often when a roller wears out. No matter why it happens, do not force the door — continuing to use it can cause more damage.
Cable and Drum Problems
These parts support the springs to move the door evenly. When a cable frays or snaps, one side may drop. Like springs, these parts hold tension and are not a DIY fix.
Driveway and Automatic Gate Repairs
Driveway gates are convenient and secure, but they have their own set of issues. Gate motors can lose power during an outage, and the photo eyes can get blocked by dirt.
A grinding noise can indicate a motor issue. Given the mix of power and moving parts, an experienced installer is worth the call.
The Value of Routine Upkeep
A smart way to reduce costly breakdowns is routine upkeep. Keeping the tracks clean once or twice a year goes a long way to how long everything lasts.
When something does break, hiring an experienced pro is the smart move. The right technician can spot the real issue and get your door or gate working again.
garage door off track