Most people only open and close their garage doors between three and five times per day. However, most people take these doors for granted until something goes wrong. Garage doors can be heavy and bulky at 100 to 180 lbs. They also have many mechanical parts that will eventually fail.
We have seen almost everything that could go wrong with garage doors. Some jobs should be left to professionals but there are many garage door repairs Oklahoma City OK that anyone can do without the need for a professional.
This guide will address common issues with garage doors and how to fix them. You can also download and print this handy infographic poster to hang in your garage.
How does a garage door work?
Understanding the workings of a garage door and all its components is a good place to start. Garage doors are essentially a counterbalance system. It consists of either one or two types of spring.
Torsion springs are the most popular of both counterbalance systems. Horizontal attachments of torsion springs to a rotating shaft are found above the garage door opening. The springs generate stored energy when the garage door closes. When the door is opened, the springs loosen and allow the stored energy to lift it. Extension springs can be more expensive than torsion springs. They are however more durable, safer, and last longer so are the best option.
Extension springs are attached at the bottom of the garage door with a lift cable that runs a pulley mechanism. The springs retract when the garage door is opened. Extension springs are weaker and more likely to break, making them more dangerous.
The garage door opener is another important part of your garage door system. The springs do the hard work. However, the opener lets you open and close your garage door with a push of a button. There are five choices: direct drive, chain drive, belt drive, and jackshaft. There are many options available, including the cheapest, most complex, and quietest. The chain drive is the least expensive but the loudest.
Tracks on the sides of the door keep it aligned when opening and closing, rollers assist the garage door in moving along the track, cables lift the door, and cables are attached to the springs.
Why Does My Garage Door Open on Its Own?
Ghostbusters may be called if your garage doors start opening on their own. Ghostly things or more rational considerations: You need to quickly find out the cause of your garage door opening by itself. You could be open for theft or damage from potential intruders.
A mistake by you, or your last family member using the garage, is one of the most common causes. This is especially true if they are in a rush. You can’t make it close if you push the remote while driving away. It’s the first thing you should check.
Next, make sure to inspect the safety sensors. These sensors are intended to prevent the door from closing in reverse if it is blocked by anything. Verify that there is no debris, ice, or snow on the door. Sometimes, one or more sensors can become misaligned. In this case, the sensors will need to be replaced.
Another common problem is that the buttons on your remote or wall opener are stuck. Make sure to clean them and check the wiring.
You can also check the control wiring. This wire runs from your opener’s motor unit in the middle of the ceiling tracks to the control button mounted on a wall. The garage door may not open due to a short circuit, or a bare spot.
Why Won’t My Garage Doors Close?
A garage door that doesn’t close can threaten your garage’s security and expose it to the elements.
We have already covered the safety sensors and how they work to open the garage door if there is an object in its path. The garage door could not close if one of the photo sensors was dirty or if it wasn’t in line. In addition, for comprehensive maintenance, you should also consider checking that the wires are connected properly during your garage door repair. Use a tissue to clean the sensors and align them. Finally, check the wiring.
Broken torsion springs allow your garage doors to open and close. The sound of a spring breaking is likely to be the reason your garage door won’t close. Torsion springs will always break when the door is closed. Snapped cables are another example; these will be obvious; they often snap when spring breaks. These jobs can be done by someone who has the right tools and knowledge.
Garage doors can’t close if the tracks become blocked or damaged. It is best to remove the blockage as soon as possible. You will need to replace the track if it is bent or warped.
Limit settings default when a garage door opener has been installed. These settings may change over time, especially if you need to address issues like garage door repair. Garage doors will stop when they reach the ground. If it hits an object, the garage door will go in reverse. The garage door opener manual will have the details. You can adjust the settings according to the instructions, including any necessary garage door repair steps.
