An average garage door should last 10-15 years depending on the construction quality, maintenance, and local climatic conditions.
There are bounds to be issues arising from the constant use of the garage doors. The issues can be from a small error that can easily be fixed by you to a big problem that needs professional repair. Get here for professional garage door service.
Below are 10 common garage door problems.
1. The Garage Door is Making Unusual Noise
If you notice your garage door making an unusual noise that it otherwise doesn’t make before, it means some parts are pressed against each other. When your garage doors start creaking, grinding, or squeaking, you should understand that some of the moving parts need lubrication.
Also, there are other reasons for a garage door to make an unusual sound such as worn rollers or spoilt cables that need prompt removal so as not to destroy the door. Lastly, if you hear a loud noise or bang while the door is in operation, this could mean the spring is broken and require changing immediately.
2. Garage Door Not Closing All The Way
Different problems can cause your garage door not to close all the way. For an automatic door, it can be due to the limit switch, obstruction, or photo eye sensor which can cause the door to almost reach the ground and then reverse up again.
While for a manual door, it can be due to broken cables, worn parts, or bent tracks. To fix any of the above problems, you need a professional service.
3. Sticking or Stuck Garage Door
A garage door should easily move along its track to open and close when needed but suddenly you notice it started sticking while in operation or get completely stuck. This could be due to a bent track or a broken part. Also, it can be due to obstruction in the track or lack of lubrication of the moving parts.
All parts of your garage door should be in good working condition to ensure that the garage door will work effectively.
4. The Garage Door Operates So Slowly
The purpose of garage doors is security and efficiency. If you notice your garage door closes or opens so slowly, it is probably due to a broken spring. To fix this, hire the service of a professional to have a check and replace the spring.
5. The Garage Door Closes Too Fast
A garage door needs to be safe and secure, hence why it is made to work slowly to reacts to anything that blocks its path. When there are certain parts broken or damaged and the door can not effectively react to things on its path, then such door is dangerous and a disaster yet to occur. This issue is usually caused by a snapped cable or spring which needs to be removed immediately.
6. Cracks or Gaps in the Garage Door or Sealant
Constant usage of garage door which is quite alright per se may eventually lead to a crack in the door or split forming in the sealants. This will pose a lot of problems from water leaking into your property as the door will no longer be watertight. Also, it would reduce its appeal and may therefore pose a security threat.
7. Garage Door Wouldn’t Stay Open
When the garage door does not stay open, it means there is a problem with its spring system. This requires the service of a professional as fixing it yourself may be too dangerous to undergo.
8. Spoilt Door Opener
One of the commonest problems that crop up with garage doors is usually caused by the door opener. The inability of the remote to control to properly control the door is a great issue. You might need to check if the batteries are in good condition. But if the issues persist, require the service of a professional.
9. Track Not Aligned
If your garage door track is not properly aligned, it is a great serious issue. The metal track the door runs on needs to be in proper alignment for the door to move. If you notice gaps between the rollers and rail or bends in the rail itself, the door already has a problem. The weight of the door can complicate the issue if not promptly taken care of as the door may become dangerous to operate.
10. Frozen Garage Door
During the cold season, you may notice that your door moves slowly or sometimes refuses to open at all. This may be due to the garage door been frozen by the snow to the floor. All you have to do is just hit the opener button in such a way that it wouldn’t have harmful effects on the opener itself. If this doesn’t work, try other methods that will break the icy connection between the door and the floor such as using a heat gun or a hairdryer to melt and break the ice.