Garage doors are one of those household appliances that we take for granted until they stop working. Then we realize how important they are! A garage door that doesn’t open or close can be a real inconvenience, not to mention a security issue. So it’s important to know how to diagnose and fix common problems.
In this article, we’ll go over the top 11 most common things that break in a garage door, and how to fix them.
How to Diagnose a Garage Door Problem Overview
There are a variety of problems that may arise and make your garage door stop operating, and figuring out what the problem is might be difficult. That’s why we’ve put up a list of some of the most typical things to check and how to go about doing so.
1. Check the garage door opener
The first thing you should do whenever your garage door isn’t working is to check the opener. Make sure that it’s plugged in and that the batteries (if it uses batteries) in the remote and/or keypad are fresh. You should also check to see if anything is obstructing the photo eye sensors. These are usually located on either side of the door and they’re what tell the opener when to stop and start. If anything is blocking them, the door won’t be able to open or close.
2. Check the springs
If the door is stuck in the close position, it’s likely because one of the springs has broken and the opener itself doesn’t have the strength needed to lift the full weight of the door. There are usually two springs on a garage door, one on each side at the top. If one or both have broken, the door could get stuck in the closed position. You’ll need to call a professional to replace the springs or take the time to understand how to safely fix them as they’re under a lot of tension.
3. Check the tracks
The tracks are what the door slides along when it opens and closes. If they’re bent or damaged, the door won’t be able to move properly. You can try to straighten them yourself, but if they’re severely damaged, you’ll need to replace them.
4. Check the rollers
The rollers are what the door rides on when it moves along the tracks. If they’re worn out or damaged, the door will be tough to move. You can try to lubricate them with WD-40 or a similar product, but if they’re damaged, you’ll need to replace them.
5. Check the cables
The cables connect the door to the springs that in turn do most of the work to open the door. If they’re frayed or broken, the door won’t be able to open easily and they’ll need to be replaced.
6. Check the weatherstripping
The weatherstripping is what seals the door from the elements when it’s closed. If it’s worn out or damaged, it won’t be able to seal properly and air will be able to pass through. You can replace the weatherstripping yourself or call a professional to do it for you.
7. Check the door itself
If the door is damaged, it won’t be able to open or close properly. If the damage is minor, you can try to repair it yourself. If it’s more severe, you’ll need to replace the door.
9. Check the opener force setting
If the opener force setting is too high, the door will close too forcefully and could damage something. If it’s too low, the door won’t close all the way. You can read your opener’s manual and adjust the opener force setting yourself or call a professional to do it for you.
10. Check for animals
Sometimes animals will nest in the garage and chew on the wires or other parts of the door. This can cause the door to malfunction. You’ll need to search for and remove the animals and repair any damage they’ve caused. The most common animals that cause this problem are squirrels, mice, and birds. Look for signs of animal activity such as droppings, nests, and chewed wires.
11. Check for debris
Sometimes debris will build up on the tracks or other parts of the door and cause it to malfunction. You’ll need to remove the debris and clean the tracks.
Next, we’ll look at 11 of the most frequent garage door problems and how to repair them.
Top 11 Most Common Things that Break in A Garage Door and How to Fix Them
Of the many things that go wrong with garage doors from time to time, here are the top 11 most common problems and how to fix them.
1. The remote and/or keypad batteries die
If the batteries in your remote and/or keypad die, you’ll need to replace them. You can find the batteries at your local hardware store.
2. The door opener breaks down.
If the door opener itself dies, you’ll need to replace it. First, test it by plugging it into a different outlet to make sure the problem isn’t with the outlet. If that doesn’t work, try resetting it by unplugging it for 30 seconds and then plugging it back in. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to buy a new door opener.
3. The springs break
If the springs that help lift the door break, you’ll need to replace them. This is a job best left to a professional as they’re under a lot of tension and can be dangerous to work with.
4. The tracks get bent or damaged
If the tracks that the door slides along get bent or damaged, you can try to straighten them yourself or call a professional to do it for you.
5. The rollers get worn out or damaged
If the rollers that the door rides on getting worn out or damaged, you can try to lubricate them with WD-40 or a similar product, but if they’re damaged or the ball bearings have worn out, you’ll need to replace them.
6. The cables snap
If the cables that connect the door to the springs snap, you’ll need to replace them. This is a job best left to a professional as they’re under a lot of tension and can be dangerous to work with.
7. The weatherstripping wears out or gets damaged
If the weatherstripping that seals the door from the elements wears out or gets damaged, you can try to replace it yourself or call a professional to do it for you.
8. The door itself gets damaged
If the door itself gets damaged this can usually be repaired, but if the damage is severe, you may need to replace the door.
9. Animals damage the door
Sometimes animals will nest in the garage and chew on the wires or other parts of the door. This can cause the door to malfunction. You’ll need to search for and remove the animals and repair any damage.
Conclusion
Many things can go wrong with a garage door, but fortunately, most of them are relatively easy to fix. With a little time and effort, you can usually get your door working again in no time. However, if the problem is with the springs or cables, it’s best to leave those jobs to a professional as they can be dangerous to work with.
