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The garage performs an essential function in the home by keeping vehicles – and, in some cases, appliances and equipment – safe from theft and the elements. That is why it can be catastrophic if the garage door malfunctions without warning, as it can leave the contents of your garage either inaccessible to you or vulnerable to threats.
It can sometimes be difficult to tell if your garage door issues can be fixed on your own or whether you need to call in the professionals. So, here’s a guide with the most common signs to indicate that you should contact an emergency garage door repair service for your garage.
Door Fails to Open/Close
If your garage door fails to open, then your vehicle cannot leave the garage. However, if you cannot close your garage door, your valuables are at risk of theft or damage. Both scenarios are major inconveniences and necessitate calling 24-hour garage door repair services if you need them fixed quickly, such as to do school runs or if you are going away on a holiday.
In less of a hurry? Then you can try to troubleshoot the issue first by:
- Lubricating the door springs if they are frozen or stiff
- Inspecting the door tracks and clearing any blockages or repairing any damage
- Resetting the garage door opener.
If these steps do not work, then it is likely time to call a professional to do more extensive troubleshooting and fixing for you.
Door is Stuck or Jammed
This scenario includes situations where your garage door is opening and/or closing and gets stuck or jammed halfway. If this happens, the most likely cause is either foreign objects in the garage door tracks or damage to the garage door rollers.
You can attempt to clear the tracks to see if that will help. However, if that proves fruitless, then either track adjustment or roller repair may be necessary. It is best to get professional help for those situations as you may risk worsening the situation or injuring yourself if the door suddenly moves.
Door is Uneven
Garage doors should open and close in a straight line. If your door looks crooked or slanted, this could be due to several reasons such as:
- Damaged torsion springs
- Damaged or misaligned rollers
- Damaged, loose or clogged tracks
In most cases, you will need qualified garage door repair technicians to help you ensure that your door is properly aligned when opening and closing. It is not advisable to ignore the issue or force the door straight, because this could significantly exacerbate the issue.
Door Makes Loud Sounds When Operating
While there is a certain level of noise expected when operating a garage door, any significant change in the volume and type of noise produced is cause for concern.
For instance, persistently loud grinding or rattling may indicate that some garage door parts are incorrectly installed, while excessive vibrating or rattling suggests that some parts may have come loose.
Possible solutions for these problems could include tightening the loose hardware, lubricating affected parts, or full replacements of any worn or damaged parts. Beyond simple lubrication, you should enlist the help of a garage door repair service to safely assess and fix the problem – especially if the sounds start to get progressively intense.
Door or Motor is Damaged
Garage doors and motors can become damaged due to component wear and tear, electrical and water issues, and unforeseen events such as storm damage or accidents. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may need a garage door repair service to repair or replace components and/or your door panel as quickly as possible.
You should not attempt repairs – even minor ones – on your own, especially if you suspect that the issue is electrical or water-based. This can be very dangerous without the correct tools and expertise, so leave it to the professionals.
Malfunctioning Accessory
Sometimes, when a garage door malfunctions, the culprit is not the door, motor or frame. Instead, the fault lies with smaller accessories such as the remote, switch or sensor.
If you suspect that your garage door remote is not working, try:
- Replacing the batteries
- Testing other remotes (if you have spares)
- Reprogramming the remote
Many garage doors have safety sensors installed that will make the garage door stop closing if objects are detected underneath the door. This can sometimes cause issues if the sensors are not properly positioned, if there are accidental obstructions, or if the wires are loose.
For troubleshooting with garage door sensors, try:
- Observing the LED indicator lights to see if they are displaying correctly (some sensors may flash to indicate an issue)
- Clearing anything – even smaller items like leaves – in the path of the garage door
- Inspecting and/or cleaning the sensor lens
- Using a laser or a string between photo eye lenses to ensure they are properly aligned
If you have issues with your garage door switch, or if you have checked all of the above and your malfunctioning garage door is still not working, then you may need to call a garage door repair service for further troubleshooting.
Get Professional Help For Your Garage Door
It is important to keep your garage door in good working order as it controls access to the contents of your garage, as well as keeping your valuables and property safe. The reality is that many repairs can be minimised or – at the very least – planned ahead if proper care and maintenance is given to your door on a regular basis.
However, in the event that something unforeseen does happen to your garage door, then it is often best to leave any major troubleshooting or fixes to professional technicians. Many of them provide 24-hour garage door repair services and have the skills and tools needed to identify and rectify issues safely and swiftly, helping you restore the use of your garage door for a well-functioning home at any hour.
