Your Guide to the Most Common Garage Door Problems

1. Your Guide to the Most Common Garage Door Problems As a homeowner, you probably don’t spend much time thinking about garage door problems until you experience one. Whether you can’t get your car in the garage or, even worse, you can’t get it out, these problems can ruin your whole day and put your vehicle at risk. Here is your guide to some of the most common garage door problems as well as what you should know. The Garage Door Opener Doesn’t Work This is by far one of the most common issues with garage entry doors, and often, it’s one of the simplest to remedy. The first thing you should do is check the battery in your garage door opener and replace it with a fresh one. If the door tries to move but doesn’t, consider applying some lubricant to the full length of the opener, and remember that silicone- based lubricants are always best. If neither of these does the trick, it may be time for a professional garage door opener repair. There’s a Loud Grinding Noise when the Door Opens or Closes No garage door is 100% silent when it is opening or closing, but if yours is making a loud sound that it never made in the past, this is indicative of a problem. There are several things you can check on your own, fortunately. Look for loose hardware, squeaky areas, and even broken sections of the door. If you can lubricate the noisy area, try this first. If it does not resolve the issue, or if you find a broken component, it is best to call in a professional for some help. Your Garage Door Cracked Wooden garage doors are beautiful additions to many homes, but over time, they can crack and split – especially if they aren’t very well maintained. If your wooden garage door cracks, look for a waterproof filler or sealant that you can use to caulk the cracks. If the crack continues to worsen, it may be time for a professional repair – or even a new garage door. Wooden doors are beautiful, but they can be difficult to maintain. There are plenty of other options that look every bit as nice but do not require the same upkeep as wood. The Door Opens a Bit, then Closes If your garage door opens just a tad and then automatically closes again, this is likely an issue with the “eye”, or the device that serves as a safety feature to prevent anything from being trapped in the mechanism. Look for debris anywhere along the garage door track, and make sure that the eye is working as it should – typically, there should be a flashing light. If so, they could be misaligned or simply malfunctioning. This is a simple fix for a professional. There’s Rust on the Door There’s nothing worse than the sight of rust on your garage door, but it does happen from time to time – especially with certain materials. As your garage door rusts, it loses its ability to lock out dust, heat, and cold. You might be able to remove small amounts of rust with a solution of dishwashing detergent followed by a vinegar rinse. After this, sand the affected area down and apply a fresh coat of primer if doing so won’t ruin your warranty. Otherwise, contact a professional for repairs. These are some of the most common garage door problems that homeowners face all throughout the year. Sometimes it just takes adjusting the garage door and other times it takes a full replacement. Some, such as replacing a dead battery, require very little effort. Others, like removing rust form a door or realigning the eyes, can be a bit tricky and may be best left to the garage door professionals.