Common Reasons Why Your Garage Door Won’t Open or Close

Is your garage door refusing to close all the way? Worse, is your garage door refusing to open or close at all? Sometimes, fixing a broken garage door is as simple as replacing the batteries in your remote. Other times, you may need to repair a part or replace the entire garage door. Take a look at the following list of common garage door problems to see if it’s something you can fix yourself or if you need to call a professional garage door company.

Misaligned Photo Eye

The photo-eye is a set of two laser beams on either side of your garage door. When a person or object obstructs the laser beams’ paths, it signals the door to stop so it doesn’t close on anyone or anything. Sometimes, dirt or other small objects can interrupt the sensor and make it behave like there’s something larger in the way. Alternatively, it could be an issue with the laser beams being out of alignment with each other or damaged wiring. If cleaning or re-aligning the photo-eye doesn’t fix your garage door, it’s time to call a professional.

The Door Has Fallen Off The Track

Your automatic garage door moves through metal tracks to help keep it in line. If you notice that your door is jerking around or not fully opening or closing, there may be a dent or bend in the track. If, however, your door has fallen off the track it usually won’t open or close at all. If you try to adjust the tracks by yourself, be gentle to avoid further bending or denting them. Inspect your garage door annually and tighten any loose nuts and bolts to help prevent this issue altogether.

Broken Tension Springs

Tension springs offset the weight of your garage door so that it moves smoothly. Unfortunately, due to the number of times we open and close our garage doors, broken tension springs are almost inevitable. Usually, tension springs break as a result of wear and tear or rust. One of the most common signs of broken tension springs is when your garage door motor is running but the door is not moving. If you have a manual garage door, it will feel heavier, and if you have an automatic garage door, you may hear it making straining noises.

Preventing Garage Door Malfunctions

At the end of the day, most garage door problems boil down to improper maintenance. However, scheduling regular inspections with your local Waikato garage door professional is the best way to prevent little issues from becoming big problems. Dominator Waikato’s garage door technicians can identify signs of wear and replace garage door parts, so you don’t end up with a door that won’t open or close. Keep your garage door in the best shape possible with stronger parts and modern garage door technology.

Call Dominator Waikato on 07 847 5527 to schedule a garage door check-up or if you need help fixing a garage door emergency.