Common Causes of Garage Door Emergencies and How to Prevent Them
Common Causes of Garage Door Emergencies and How to Prevent Them
Looking to know the common causes of garage door emergencies and how to prevent them? You’ve found the right post. The garage door will seem sturdy and dependable enough after it’s installed. It’s the kind of simple mechanical device that seems built to last for years. And it will indeed last for a long time with the right care. But issues with the internal mechanics will inevitably pop up over time. The garage door will see constant use over several years. This means emergencies will often appear unexpectedly. It’s worth knowing which problems will happen, and what to do when they arise.
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The Garage Door Stops Moving
The most common of all the problems occurs when the garage door simply stops moving. Pressing the open and close button won’t do anything for it.
Multiple issues will lead to this problem. The springs that help the door open smoothly when the switch is pressed might have worn out. The main gear can also stop working after time has passed. The trolley carriage that helps the door move along could also be broken. The spring being broken is the most dangerous issue of these. It’s best not to even open the door using a manual override whenever this happens. This could lead to the door crashing down with a thud, which could cause damage and potential injuries.
It’s difficult for a homeowner to know which precise issue needs fixing from looking at it. This will be a case where a professional will need to look into it. The homeowner tinkering with the issue themselves could lead to them doing worse damage.
The Opener Doesn’t Work
Another common garage door emergency is the opener simply not working. This one seems simpler on the surface. But it’s another issue where the problem is difficult to pinpoint through the homeowner looking at it. The hopeful scenario will involve the lock switch being accidentally left on. The opener switch malfunctioning is another simpler issue. The same applies to the motor simply being unplugged.
The issue is hopefully not more complicated than that. A photo-eye sensor could also be covered or clouded, a slightly more complex issue. But the worst-case scenario involves the fuse being blown out, which will require a replacement. A trained technician will be needed to fix this.
The Garage Door Won’t Close All the Way
It’s possible for the garage door to remain stuck in a position where it won’t close midway through. This will be a significant emergency issue. A pathway into a portion of the house will remain open for people, insects, and animals. A malfunctioning safety sensor is one reason why this can occur. But it can also be the result of faulty gears, a misaligned door, or other mechanical issues. Either way, this issue will need a quick fix.
The Wall Unit or Remote Won’t Work
It’s possible for the wall unit or remote used to open the garage door to stop working. The simple issue and solution here will involve the battery. It will simply need a replacement in this case. The remote might also need reprogramming, after a switched battery or another issue. It’s also possible for the safety sensor to be misaligned.
If neither of those are the issue, a larger mechanical or electrical issue is the problem. This will require a technician’s assistance to fix.
Grinding Noise
The garage door could start grinding as it opens and closes. This issue will become an emergency because of the noise factor. It will become a larger one and create further issues if left untreated. The easier fix for this involves applying lubricant to the rails. Other issues might be at play, however. The rollers, springs, or hinges might be malfunctioning. This could mean the garage door is off its alignment, or will be off kilter soon. Any malfunctioning parts will need a replacement.
The Garage Door Is Coming Off the Track
Another emergency involves the garage door being off kilter during the opening and closing stages. The horizontal track will no longer be aligned with the vertical track. This can happen if it’s hit by something heavy, typically the car itself. But other issues can manifest. The rollers could have simply worn out over time. The same can happen with the lift cables used to lift the door. A professional technician can assist with realigning the track. They’ll also help with replacing damaged or worn-out parts if necessary.
Power Outage
The garage door won’t open when the power is out. This emergency will typically happen through no fault of the homeowner. But it will be a significant problem if the car cannot be put into the garage, or vice versa. There are emergency overrides to manually open and close the garage door. But these are only made for temporary purposes.
When opening the door manually, the homeowner should make sure to open and close it all the way. They should also make sure it remains in a stationary position. Depending on the situation, you might find it too difficult to open and close the door yourself. Calling a professional affiliated with garage door repair is a good idea here.
The power will hopefully be back on in time. A generator will hopefully not be required.
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Common Causes of Garage Door Emergencies and How to Prevent Them
The garage door will hopefully remain in normal working order for as long as possible. But issues are bound to rise over a prolonged amount of time. The garage door can stop moving for multiple reasons. Perhaps the opener will malfunction, or the door won’t close all the way. The wall unit or remote can stop working. The door itself might also start making a grinding noise while opening and closing. It could also come off the track. It will also stop working in the instance of a power outage that will hopefully be resolved quickly. These are the common causes of garage door emergencies, and how to prevent them.
