Many garage doors are constructed for durable performance, ensuring minimal breakdown in their lifetime. However, due to the constant opening and closing movements, these doors can experience significant wear and tear in their various moving parts, compromising their overall structural integrity. More often, homeowners only realize there’s a problem with their garage doors when it’s too late to fix and too dangerous to postpone fixing.
You don’t have to wait until it’s too late to start seeking help for your garage door. Timely inspections and maintenance can help you prevent several garage door problems and restore your home’s safety. Below, we’ll look at the four most common garage door problems that need immediate professional attention once you spot them.
Strange Noises or Squeaks When Operating the Door
When you hear grinding, squealing, scraping, rattling, or banging sounds when operating your garage door, it’s a sign that your door needs immediate attention. Your garage door is designed to operate quietly, with only a few subtle mechanical sounds. Unusual sounds and loud noises are a significant indicator of a major problem that needs immediate attention.
These noises could indicate different challenges that require different solutions. For instance, a grinding sound may indicate a misaligned track or worn-out rollers, while squealing sounds could indicate that your rollers need lubrication or that the door has dry hinges. If you hear banging sounds, it could be worn-out springs or track problems. Chain slapping, on the other hand, may indicate a loose automatic opener or a loose chain drive.
It’s essential to call in garage door experts to inspect your door and give it a thorough inspection. This will give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing the problem has been handled, rather than assuming it’s fine and hoping the sounds will disappear on their own.
The Door Has a Crooked or Unbalanced Appearance
You can identify this problem by checking if the door hangs lower on one side than the other or if it leans when closed. This problem shouldn’t be ignored, as it’s a major indication that the springs or cables have serious issues that will only worsen if not rectified early. If you suspect your garage door is experiencing this issue, you can verify it by performing a balance test.
You can perform the balance test by closing the door and removing the opener, then manually lifting the door halfway and releasing it. If your door is balanced, it should stay in place; however, if it shoots up or falls, there’s something wrong with the spring tension that needs to be addressed immediately. Keeping your door balanced offers several advantages, such as:
- Minimized motor strain: unbalanced garage doors overwork the automatic openers, straining the motor and reducing its lifespan. Maintaining a good balance minimizes this problem.
- Minimized safety risks: A garage door could easily fall if its springs fail to function properly. Prompt care can help avert this potentially traumatic safety risk.
- Minimal wear: Effective door balance relieves your garage door of uneven stress on all components, minimizing wear and tear.
Door Not Closing or Opening Properly
A garage door that doesn’t open or close properly can be frustrating to operate and compromise your home’s safety and energy efficiency. If you notice this problem, it’s important to have it rectified immediately to restore normal functioning. Most commonly, the closing or opening problem is caused by misaligned tracks, sensor malfunctions, or broken springs.
You can check for any of these causes yourself as your first step to finding the right solution, but remember to maintain a safe approach. Garage doors can cause fatal accidents with the slightest triggers, especially if the problem is with the hinges, springs, or tracks. If you feel uneasy about inspecting and fixing the door yourself, or if you’ve tried to fix it without success, you should consider calling a professional for assistance.
Professional garage door service providers boast years of experience that enable them to identify even the most hidden challenges and solve them more efficiently. They also have safety gear to help keep everyone safe during the repairs.
Broken Springs or Cables
Garage doors that are supported by springs or cables rely on these cables for safe lifting and lowering during operation. The cables work in conjunction with the springs to ensure a seamless process, without placing excessive strain on the springs.
If you notice broken springs or cables, never attempt to repair the problem yourself. These springs or cables can give way at any time, causing the heavy gate to land hard on the floor. This poses a significant risk to human life and property safety, so it’s best to call the professionals right after you’ve spotted the broken or weak cables or springs. The best you can do is to keep people away from the gate and clear the area as much as possible.
If you notice any of these top four garage door problems, it’s best to seek professional help for the safety of your household members and your property. By solving these problems as soon as they are spotted, you can save yourself from the higher costs of replacing an entire door or treating injuries.
Tommy Hardy, an alumnus of the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, has been a go-to figure in residential upkeep and innovation for over 18 years. His career commenced in a leading home appliance manufacturing company, where he mastered the intricacies of household systems. Joining our platform in 2020, Tommy quickly became a reader favorite for his practical and easy-to-follow guides. He took the helm of our DIY section in 2019, consistently delivering content that empowers homeowners. Beyond his professional pursuits, Tommy is a passionate gardener and enjoys woodworking, skills enhancing his hands-on approach to home care.
