1. Challenges with Opening or Closing
Efficiency is key when it comes to your garage door, and there’s nothing more inconvenient than a door that refuses to budge. If you’re encountering this issue, consider trying a couple of do-it-yourself garage fixes.
Troubleshoot Balance:
- Check if your door is off balance by turning off the power supply and manually lifting it halfway. If it stays in place, it’s balanced and on track; otherwise, an underlying issue may exist.
- Check for a Blown fuse. Fuse problems can also be a culprit. If your door isn’t moving despite checking batteries, a blown fuse could be the issue. If other lights in your home are working, a larger problem with the door opener may be present. If DIY attempts fail, call us today to get your door in working condition.
2. Blocked Sensors
Obstructed sensors may cause difficulty in door closure, as they serve as a safety feature to prevent the door from closing on obstacles or people. Beware: Holding down the wall button bypasses this safety feature, so ensure the path is clear to avoid injury.
Sensor Solutions:
- Check for any obstructions in the way, Children, buckets, Branches, plants, or toys that are blocking the sensor’s signal. (Direct sunlight can blind the sensors which will trigger the safety mechanism not allowing the door to close.)
- Inspect the sensor eyes for dirt buildup and, spiderwebs. Please clear if necessary.
- Check sensor power by observing the colored light (red, yellow, or green) near the sensor eye. Absence of light indicates a lack of power to the sensor.
- Ensure sensor alignment by checking if either sensor has been bumped. Realign them for proper visibility, and when the light near the sensor eye stops blinking (red, yellow, or green), it indicates successful alignment.
3. Worn Springs
Snap! When extension or torsion springs break, your garage door can plummet. Best case scenario the door just wont open.
Spring Replacement:
- Recognize that springs have a limited lifespan, and after numerous cycles, they will snap. Contact an expert like Accent Garage Doors to replace them promptly. If a spring snaps while in use, the door can slam down potentially causing harm. If you hear springs snap when not in use, avoid attempting to open the garage.
- Do NOT attempt to replace spring on your own without proper training. The Spring is the most dangerous part of the door to replace. Call us today to get your door in working condition again.
4. Roller Challenges
Rollers, whether plastic, steel, or nylon, have varying lifespans. Think about the tires on your car, after so much wear and tear they need to be replaced.
Refresh or Replace:
- You can Lubricate old or rusted rollers first, it is likely that the issue continues to persist. At that point it is time to consider replacement.
- Rollers have bearings that allow the wheels to roll. If these seize up it will cause more drag on the door (like trying to drive with your emergency brake on.) This extra drag can cause your motor to go out prematurely.
5. Aging Opener
A garage door opener, essential for efficient garage use, may outlive its lifespan after 5-10 years.
Upgrade and Renew:
- Checking batteries, ensuring proximity to the garage, and clearing the antenna’s path.
- Call the manufacturer and see if they can walk you through diagnostic action.
- Persistent issues may indicate a dying motor, especially if it’s old or overheating. Call us today to find an opener that works best for your needs.
6. Unusual Noises:
Strange sounds emanating from your garage door may signify underlying issues.
Identify Sounds:
- Slapping for loose chains
- Grinding for loose rollers
- BANG for broken springs
- Popping for flexing panels
- Humming Bad Motor head
- Twang improper balance door
- If unsure, call us today to fix the issue before it causes more problems.
7. Uneven Door
An unevenly moving or looking door may have multiple causes, and can cause the door to become unstable and dangerous.
Solutions:
- Remove obstacles blocking the door’s path and wipe off rust causing any uneven movement.
- Confirm that manual limits are appropriately set to ensure the door closes correctly.
- If the problem lies in the spring system, seek out a professional at Accent Garage Doors for assistance to avoid hazards.
8. Slow Opening
A slowly opening door can be a source of frustration with potential reasons to explore.
- Clean and Lubricate: Examine and lubricate rollers, ensuring that they aren’t dried out.
- Clean dirt off tracks if excessive.
- Regular professional maintenance recommended 1-2x a year, especially in extreme weather conditions, helps maintain smooth operation.
- It could also relate to the door not balanced correctly putting more weight on the motor then it is designed for. If that is the case, call an Expert to balance your door to ensure longevity for your opener, springs.
9. Transmitter (car remote) Issues
Effortless garage door opening with a remote may not always occur.
Battery Replacement:
- Test the transmitter inside the garage; if the door doesn’t open, an underlying problem exists.
- Fix transmitter issues by changing batteries. Battery replacement typically involves removing the remote’s back, ensuring correct battery orientation.
- If the transmitter keeps losing connection with the motor, it is possible the motor head is losing its memory and needs further repair.
10. Keypad not Synced
If your garage door doesn’t open when you input the code, the keypad may not be synced.
Refer to Instructions:
- Sync your keypad by checking and replacing batteries if necessary. Consult the user manual for syncing instructions.
- For persistent issues, contact the manufacturer or Accent for assistance.
