Common Garage Door Problems You Can Easily Fix

Maintenance hacks anyone can do

New homeowners learn early on that maintenance is essential in keeping your home secure, energy-efficient, and simply more pleasant to live in.

When things go wrong, it can be a source of stress, and when something that has gone wrong is not fixed promptly, a simple, cheap fix can quickly become more complicated and expensive.

Of the parts of a home that need regular checks and maintenance, many people forget about their garage doors.

At least until something goes wrong.

Garage doors feature many moving parts, and it’s normal for some kind of problem to come up now and then. That’s why, when a problem does occur, it would be helpful to know what to do. Most minor issues that crop up with garage doors can be fixed yourself. There’s no need to call in for professional repair unless the problem becomes more extensive or frequent.

Troubleshooting a Garage Door Problem

While you should begin with as complete a visual inspection as you can manage, don’t forget to listen as well. Grinding, clunking, or squealing sounds can tell you not only where the problem lies but gives you a hint as to what the problem might be. Some sounds (such as a loud bang) indicate more serious issues that you may not be able to fix yourself and, more importantly, could be extremely dangerous to attempt. Garage doors are heavy, after all. You don’t want one falling on your or your car.

Garage Door Fixes

Here are some common issues that come with garage doors and how to handle them.

Remember that serious problems need serious solutions. If the problem is more significant than expected, don’t hesitate to call the experts.

Dead Batteries

First solutions are usually the easiest. Is your garage door operated remotely? Are the batteries fresh? If a remote device’s battery is dead or too weak, it won’t transmit the necessary signal to open or close your door.

Test each remote to see which one needs a battery replacement. This also includes any signal transmitters inside your home or garage. Once you’ve singled out the most likely suspect, replace the battery and test. Repeat as necessary.

Malfunctioning Disconnect Switch

Can you hear the garage door motor running, but the door is not opening or closing? The problem might be with the disconnect switch, which allows you to open and close the garage door during times of power loss.

If you can still open the door manually, get a stepladder, and attempt to reattach the hook to the motor. Feel free to consult your owner’s manual to help locate where the hook attaches.

Test the door. If the problem persists, you may have to call a professional.

Misaligned Door Track

Grinding or rubbing sounds could indicate the garage door has been knocked off its track.

If the garage door still moves up and down, but it feels and sounds rough, you can attempt realigning the track yourself. Partially unscrew the track from the frame and use a rubber mallet to coax the track carefully back into place. One back in place, retighten the screws, so the track is tight against the frame again. Do the same on the other side.

Misaligned or Blocked Electronic Eyes

Electronic eyes sit along the sides of the garage door and cast an invisible beam across your garage entrance. This is a safety feature that signals the door to cease operating if it detects a person or object in the door’s path. If it causes your garage door to stop closing even when nothing should be blocking the beam’s path, there could be some kind of problem with the electronic eye.

Clean the lenses with a soft cloth and streak-free cleaner. If the problem persists, check to see if the eyes are aligned. If they’re not pointed in the same direction at the same angle, they won’t be able to communicate. Use a level tool to ensure the eyes are the same height from the ground and are pointing at each other.

DIY Garage Door Repair Checklist

Here is a quick rundown of common problems and quick solutions the next time you have garage door issues.

• Unresponsive opening — Check batteries.
• Noisy operation — Try applying some lubrication to whatever part seems to be making the most noise.
• Cracked weather seal — This occurs with age. Check your home improvement store for a replacement weather sealant.
• Cracks in the door — Try caulking them with a waterproof filler or sealant.

Call a professional garage door repair service when:

• Door cannot open or shut all the way — The door may be off its hinges. Given the size and weight of garage doors, attempting to fix this yourself could cause serious injury.
• A loud bang — This is a sign of a broken cable or spring. This can be a complicated fix, and an inexperienced attempt could result in serious injury. Always call a professional repair service for this.

When It’s Time For Expert Help

If you’re unsure what the problem is with your garage door, and these fixes don’t do the job for you, play it safe and seek expert repair services. Doing so sooner than later can save you both time and aggravation.

A healthy garage door can provide a lot of peace of mind. Keep up with its maintenance, and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t last years and years.

This guest post is sponsored by Hostetler & Askew Door, offering full-service garage door repair and installation for homes and businesses in Indiana for over 40 years.

About John Teehan

John lives in Rhode Island with his wife, son, and dog. He specializes in tech, health, business, parenting, pop culture, and gaming. Visit wordsbyjohn.net for more info and rates. Twitter: @WordsByJohn2