You probably open and close your garage door at least twice a day. Most homeowners operate their garage door more frequently even than that. While garage doors and all their parts are made for heavy use, they can start to wear out. Below are some signs you should schedule a garage door repair.
Door Fails to Open
A frustrating occurrence is when you arrive home after a long day, and your garage door refuses to open. Unfortunately, several issues can be responsible. You can test a couple of very easy ones yourself. Your first step should be to replace the remote control’s batteries. Next, check to see if the garage door opener is plugged in and that nothing has tripped the fuse.
If none of those minor issues is the cause, then you could have a problem with the track. It could be bent, which let the roller slip out so the opener can’t lift the door. You may even have a broken torsion spring, which is the powerful spring that keeps your door balanced. The opener’s circuit board might also need inspection.
Door Jerks When Closing
Perhaps your door opens and closes, but it jerks on its way down. This jerking door is another issue that might have different causes. For one, dirt and debris could be lodged in the tracks — you can check and clean that yourself. A jerking door is another sign of a bent track, too. Beware of trying to fix a bent track yourself because the metal is thin and easily damaged.
A door that jerks when closing can also have more serious causes. For instance, it’s another sign of a broken or worn out torsion spring. Conversely, your rollers could be worn out, which is why they don’t move easily in the tracks. You can check for worn rollers yourself, but you may struggle to match new rollers to old tracks.
Door Sags or Closes Unevenly
Garage doors must be properly balanced within the tracks and with the automatic opener. If the door becomes out of balance, the door can look like it’s sagging on one side. This sagging is typically a sign that one of the springs is tighter than the other. If left alone, the situation can result in unevenly worn springs.
A garage door should stop anywhere you want it to. If it fails to maintain its position in the tracks, you might need spring replacement. Uneven closing is another sign of a torsion spring issue, too. You probably need a spring adjustment to make the door function evenly again.
Door Is Noisy in Operation
Certain styles of garage door openers, especially chain-drive models, are naturally noisy. However, if your garage door suddenly starts making new noises, you have a developing issue on your hands. Indeed, a newly noisy garage door is another sign that your rollers are going bad. Your door’s hardware could also have loosened up, which you can remedy yourself
Unfortunately, your door’s hardware could be suffering from more than a new laxity. Old hinges will make a screeching or grinding noise. In that case, they’ve likely developed cracks. Have them replaced immediately for safety reasons. Noisy operation can also come from a door opener that’s on its last legs, so you may need a replacement.
Door Shows Signs of Failure
Quality garage doors last a very long time if properly maintained. However, they do develop issues that necessitate repair work. The obvious issues are the issues that arise from trauma, such as a car or other object hitting the door forcefully. You want the affected panels repaired or replaced to maintain the security of your garage.
Parts of the garage door can also just start to wear out. As noted, the hinges can develop cracks. However, even the panels can start to show signs of wear. You might see cracks, buckling, or splintering, depending on the material. With metal, you might even see rust. You can replace the entire door, but replacement panels can work here, too.
Don’t let any of the above problems get worse. Contact Raynor Door Company for door repair.