Despite your best efforts at garage door maintenance over the years, the worst has happened. Even after you have clicked your garage door button a couple dozen times, your door refuses to open or close. In the Toledo winter, you need to know what happens when your garage door breaks.
Safety Sensors
The most frequent issue preventing a garage door from closing are blocked, misaligned, or dirty safety sensors. These sensors are located at the base of your garage door on the left and right tracks. One sensor will beam infrared radio signals to the receiver sensor. If the receiver sensor receives this beam, it will allow the door to close. However, if the beam is not received, the door will not close – often beginning to close, then quickly rolling back up.
If your garage door is displaying these symptoms, check for any items that may be blocking your sensors. Then attempt to reposition your sensors so they are towards one another and attempt to close your garage door. If the issue is not resolved, check for smudges on the sensors. A damp cloth will work well to clean off any obstructions. After taking these steps, if your garage door still refuses to close, it is time to check for other potential issues.
Electronic Openers
With electronic garage doors, failures may result in your garage door not moving at all when using a remote control. If this is the case, these quick fixes may help get your garage door back under control.
Check Remote Control’s Batteries: It may seem obvious, but if you’ve been trying to use your remote control to no avail, try using another remote connected to the garage door opener. If your door opens, your remote control may simply need new batteries. Your remote control also may have disconnected from your garage opener, in which case you will need to follow your garage door’s manual to reconnect the remote control.
Check the Opener’s Power: If all remotes suddenly fail to open/close your door, then it may be a deeper issue. Check to make sure power is being delivered to your garage door opener. A tripped circuit or disconnected wire could easily prevent your garage door opener from executing its tasks.
Reset the Garage Door Opener: A simple forced “off” and “on” to reset itself may be all your garage door needs to right itself. Each opener has its unique way of resetting itself, so look up your model’s manual and follow its instructions. Most modern manuals can easily be found online by searching the model’s name and number.
Tracks, Rollers & Springs
At this point, if your garage door is still stuck, one of three issues probably are at play – tracks, rollers, or springs.
For tracks and rollers, check for any obvious wear and tear. If your garage door has gotten to the point where it no longer opens or closes, then this damage will stand out. Looking at the tracks, they may have detached at connection points. Sometimes these can easily be fixed by replacing a bolt or screw, but other times the metal may be twisted beyond repair.
The final solution may rest with your garage spring. If you notice any warping or damage to your garage spring, stop using your garage door immediately! These springs are what lift your garage door and carry a dangerous amount of force. Attempting to replace a garage door spring without proper training can often result in serious injury. Do not risk it – call the experts with the proper tools and training!
Be Safe and Call Precision Door
Some of these solutions are easy for any homeowner to take on, while other fixes are a bit more advanced even for the savvy DIYer. When your garage door breaks, save yourself time and call in the experts at Precision Door.
