An average homeowner’s garage door opens and closes more than 1,500 times a year. Given this heavy use, it is not unexpected that you may occasionally have door issues that need to be addressed. Understanding common opening and closing problems can help you know what to do when something goes wrong. Additionally, by fixing issues quickly, you can deal with minor problems before they turn into expensive repair bills.
1. Loud Noises
Garage doors make quite a bit of noise when they open and close. You’ll hear the rollers on the track and chains producing a clicking sound. Alternatively, the motor tends to make a humming or buzzing sound, and torsion and extension springs might creak. None of these sounds are any cause for concern. However, grinding, rattling, squealing, and popping noises are a sign there is a problem.
A garage door will make a grinding sound if the chain or belt becomes worn or loose. Rattling noises tend to indicate an unbalanced door or a loose support bracket. Uneven tracks and dry weatherstripping can both produce squeaking, squealing, and banging sounds. You’ll hear a popping noise when a torsion spring is approaching the end of its useful lifespan. Additioanlly, rails that are twisted can make rubbing sounds. If a rattling sound is the result of a loose bracket, you can try tightening the bolts that secure them to the wall and track. If this does not work, or you are dealing with other noises, you will need the assistance of a trained garage door technician.
2. Frozen Door
A common problem with homes that experience freezing temperatures, such as those in Boise, ID, is the possibility of frozen garage doors. When this happens, the door’s metal components contract, which can result in springs and hinges seizing up. Lubricants and grease can harden as well, making the door inoperable. A silicone-based lubricant applied to the metal components of the door during cold weather is an effective way to keep them from freezing. It also helps to keep the garage warm during cold weather.
3. Slow-Closing Door
A number of things can cause a garage door to open and close slowly. The most common causes are a lack of lubrication, aged parts, incorrect speed settings, damaged tracks, or cables that need adjustment. If your garage door is sluggish when opening, try greasing the tracks and hinges. Next, open and close the door to see if it moves faster. If it doesn’t, it’s best to call for garage door repair.
4. Garage Door Opener Won’t Work
Sometimes, a garage door won’t open or close because something is wrong with the opener. Most homeowners have a remote-controlled opener and one that is hardwired into the house’s electrical system. If the hardwired opener is not working, check your electrical panel and reset the breaker if necessary. On the other hand, the problem with the opener in your vehicle is usually dead batteries. If replacing the batteries in the remote or resetting the breaker doesn’t fix the problem, your garage door’s motor may not receive opening and closing signals properly. You will need to contact a professional to fix your motor’s antenna.
5. Jammed Door
Faulty pulleys, misaligned tracks, and broken springs can all lead to a jammed garage door. Alternatively, a blocked photo-eye, a safety feature that keeps the door from moving if it detects a safety hazard, can cause a jam. Rocks and other debris can also lodge in the tracks, impeding the door’s movement. Removing debris from the tracks or cleaning the photo-eye with a soft cloth can often solve the issue. However, it is best to leave problems related to springs and misaligned tracks to the professionals. Attempting these repairs on your own can further damage the door’s opening and closing system.
6. Ghost Opening and Closing
Your garage door’s motor has a circuit board in it. If the board needs to be reprogrammed or wires have come loose, the door can open and close on its own. Faulty openers can also cause ghost opening and closing. Finding and fixing the problem is crucial to keeping your home safe from intruders. You don’t want the door opening and closing when you’re sleeping or away from home. In this scenario, you should disconnect the door from the lifting motor using the energy release and operate the door manually until a professional can address the issue.
Here at Legacy Garage Doors, we help Boise homeowners with repairs and replacements for all types of garage doors. We also offer commercial garage door services. Contact us today to schedule a garage door repair for your home.
