Regular upkeep and maintenance will keep your garage door running strong. Properly lubricating the moving parts, cleaning the tracks, replacing remote batteries and ensuring the door is free from obstructions are all things you can do yourself to keep things running smoothly. But even the most fastidious of us can run into problems beyond our scope from time to time. How do you know if you’ve got a real issue or if it’s something that you can take care of yourself? That’s simple–if you’re not sure, ASK! While they may seem benign, garage doors do have parts that can be seriously dangerous and have the potential to cause serious personal injury. So, when in doubt, please seek professional advice.
Here are a few tell-tale signs that your door needs to see a doctor.
Automatic Reverse Not Working Properly
Federal safety standards require your door to have this feature, so needless to say it is pretty important that it’s working. Your garage door can cause serious harm to children or animals if it’s not reversing properly, not to mention damage the door itself.
Door Scrapes Side Walls, Floor or Ceiling
This is usually caused by problems with the cables or reinforcements. The cables are usually very high tension and are one of those parts you should never attempt to repair on your own.
Problems Closing Completely
If your garage door doesn’t go all the way to the floor before attempting to reopen, and you can’t find any obstructions that could be the cause, you could be have problems with your sensor. A repairman should be able to tell you if you need a replacement part or if there is another issue.
Slow Moving Door
If you’re noticing a reduction in the speed your door opens, you are most likely having a problem with a spring. For a quick test you can perform yourself, pull your emergency release cord and attempt to open the door manually, if the door is unusually heavy, you’ve got yourself a broken spring. Fortunately, this is an easy part to replace, but should only be dealt with by a professional.
You Hear a Loud BANG
Speaking of springs, garage door torsion springs are very tightly wound steele, that when broken release a great deal of energy that you are guaranteed to hear! So it bears repeating, please leave all spring related diagnostics and repair to a professional.
Shaking or Unusual Sounds
Assuming your garage door is properly lubricated, this most likely indicates a broken part. Discontinue use of your door so as not to cause further damage and call a repairman.
These are just a few of the more common garage door problems that our certified technicians at Precision Door Orange County are trained to deal with. We are always here to answer any questions you may have. Your safety is our priority.
