5 Most Common Problems You Could Experience with Your Garage Door
Posted on: 25 January 2017
Like most homeowners, you probably don't pay much attention to your garage door until there's a problem. Although most garage doors are designed with reliability in mind, there's always the chance you could run into an unexpected issue that either requires a quick fix or a professional's touch. The following talks about five common issues you could experience with your garage door.
Issue #1: Your Garage Door Goes Off Its Track
A damaged section of track can easily cause your garage door to slip off its track while opening or closing. If this happens, you may be able to carefully reposition the rollers back within their track and hammer the track back into position with a rubber mallet and a block of wood. If you're not able to fix the problem on your own, you should have your garage door specialist perform the repair or replace the entire track.
Issue #2: Your Garage Door Closes Fast & Hard
If your garage door opens or closes with a hard thud, then you could be dealing with a broken torsion or extension spring or a broken lifting cable. Perform a visual inspection to see if the springs or cables are damaged or broken. If so, you should have a garage door specialist make repairs as soon as possible.
If the springs and cables are not broken, then your garage door may simply be out of balance. In addition to supporting the weight of the door itself, the garage door springs also help regulate the speed at which the door opens and closes. You can balance the door yourself or have a professional do it for you.
Issue #3: The Garage Door Sticks Open or Closed
Garage doors can stick due to a number of issues, including an obstruction in the garage door track, misalignment caused by improperly hung cables or a garage door opener that has failed in the middle of opening or closing your door. A lack of lubrication can also cause your garage door to stick open or shut.
Issue #4: You Hear Loud Noises When Opening or Closing the Door
Screeching, scraping, grinding or clattering noises are definitely not the norm when it comes to your garage door's operation. In fact, these loud noises can be caused by the following:
- Loose garage door hardware—Over time, the various bolts and screws holding your garage door hardware together can back out due to excessive vibration. Make sure every boat and screw is properly tightened. In some cases, you may need to use rubber washers to isolate your bolts and screws from the vibration caused by your garage door.
- Lack of lubrication—Hinges, springs and other moving parts can grind, screech or squeal when they're not lubricated. Make sure the surfaces are clean and use the proper lubricant called for by your garage door manufacturer to quell these noises and extend the life of your door's moving parts.
- Worn garage door springs—Worn-out garage door springs can chatter and grind as they experience metal fatigue or rust. You should have a professional assess the state of your garage door springs and make a replacement if deemed necessary.
Issue #5: The Garage Door Shimmies from Side to Side
If you notice your garage door shaking back and forth along its tracks, then there may be dirt, debris or some obstruction preventing the rollers from traveling smoothly. It's a good idea to check and clean the tracks to see if the problem clears up. If not, you may need to take a second look at your garage door springs. Weak or unbalanced springs can also cause your garage door to shimmy from side to side as its being open or closed.
Garage door problems can happen when you least expect them. To get the repairs taken care of, visit resources like http://aladdindoorsraleigh.com/.
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