Garage door repair tips

Are you struggling with garage doors? Unfortunately, many owners experience serious and small issues with doors. Some problems seem difficult to repair, so you can call the garage door repair company like STIGarageDoor. Some things could be quickly solved by simple diagnostics and revision. For example, the garage door won’t open if a stone or other small objects are obstructing the sensor of a door.

Simple tips can save your day. Just take five minutes to read a quick guide rather than spending hours checking the whole system as the mechanical and electrical systems inside are much more complex. If your garage door didn’t work after you check everything, it is better to call a repairman. So let’s go inside and take a look at DIY repair.

Main problems and pro tips on how to fix your garage door

The main thing to take care of is to look at general stuff first. Next, you can move to complex problems. The electrical circuits issues or track damage might be stressful if you do not have a professional background. Here is a comprehensive list of easily solvable problems along with solutions. Check out tips on how to repair a broken garage door:

Problem 1: the door doesn’t go down

Usually, if your door is stuck in the way when it is coming down or there is no response to your signal, the problem lies with the sensors or track itself. As discussed before, a sensor problem is common.

Also, there could be general wear and tear. A door usually opens or closes around 1000-2000 times per year. It is also possible that the sides might have accumulated dirt.

Solutions to the sensor issue

Check the sensors on the bottom sides of the door:

• Find sensors, they are usually placed a few centimeters above the floor.
• Check the LED, clean the lenses and check for objects nearby.
• Test sensors after, they are supposed to start working when they detect the nearby environment.

Solution to wear-and-tear

Wear-and-tear of the sides of the garage door are uncommon. The door and the tracks come with a 10-year warranty. However, poor installation and bad maintenance lead to critical issues.

The best solution would be to manually adjust the door or apply a lubricant. However, it can be a signal for calling professional help. It is a good idea to get experts at least once per year to provide basic maintenance.

Problem 2: the garage door won’t open

Apart from the above-mentioned issues, the remote/keypad may contain empty batteries. Often, one forgets these simple problems as the brain starts focusing on the bigger ones. If batteries are not the problem, sensors, wear and tear and different substances or dust could be other possible issues.

Solution for the battery problem

Change the batteries in the remote. Especially, when you have used the batteries for over 3 months. Check if the door works with the new batteries. It is critical to know that the new batteries work. Try them with a different device.

Solution for dusty surfaces

Too much dirt can clog the tracks. As a result, it can increase friction and have more damage as the door goes down or up, therefore:

• clean the garage door at least 2 times per week;
• check the door tracks and sensor area if it’s clean and doesn’t contain small dust to allow smooth functioning;
• use special liquids for cleaning or mix lemon juice with vinegar or baking soda for cleaning paste and apply it with water for eliminating stubborn stains.

Problem 3: the motor continues to work or run

The issue comes when a door has gone down, but a motor sound is still going on. The problem lies with the limit switch. This switch could be situated on the tracks or behind the door. When this switch is too close to the motor unit, the motor doesn’t stop. However, this problem is not a common one. One possible cause is a naked gear in the unit.

Solution for the limit switch

You could adjust the position of an up-limit switch. The problem seldom recurs, so you can forget about it once you modify it. We recommend using safety gloves while working with a limit switch to avoid any possible electrical accidents.

Problem 4: the typical nuts and bolts problem

Many times, there could be wear and tear on the nuts and bolts. The resulting friction can cause stuck doors or slow doors. Loose bolts can also lead to such problems. The lack of stability makes it difficult for the door to stay stable and might not work.

Regular checks for nuts and bolts can be very useful. Also, as a precautionary method, you can use a lubricant spray for the bolts as well as the door tracks.

Solution for high friction

Electronic devices don’t work very well with increased friction. The best way to deal with this problem is lubrication. Even the nuts and bolts can mechanical wear and tear. Lubrication and stability are key pillars in this aspect.

Problem 5: difficulty shutting down or opening

If you feel that the doors are not running smoothly, the problem might be the old springs. You can be clear about this problem when you shut down the automation of garage doors, and there is no smoothness in the garage door movement, the springs have worn out.

Solution to worn out springs

The only solution to this problem is a replacement. You cannot repair the springs. Once they have been used too much, you can call a garage door service company. They will professionally assess the situation and provide a quote for repairs.

After your agreement for providing maintenance, the garage door professionals will come and replace the springs. The cost would depend on the quality and number of the springs. You would have all the information beforehand.

Final thoughts

In short, the automatically functioning garage door is a blessing. They help you remotely regulate the door. It is recommended to keep the repair tips handy to save time, money and avoid stress.

Be aware of environmental factors like increased moisture or rain. Other avoidable issues are dirt, obstructing objects and too much friction. The key to the smooth functioning of garage doors is regular cleaning and lubrication, testing track and sensors.