The What's, When's, and Where's of Garage Door Repair

Posted: Sep 05, 2012
Author: Doors by Nalley of Lake Norman, Inc.

A lot can go wrong within the garage door system, and it's important to be able to both identify the problems and deal with them correctly. Never ignore a problem! The garage door isn't going to repair itself. Problems usually arise out of the tracks, the springs and cables, the opener, or remote opener.

One of the most common problems with garage doors originates from the tracks over which the door rolls. Look out for things obstructing the pathway of the track, or the track deviating from position. Also, check for any obvious damage to the tracks or rollers.

If your garage door isn't level while opening or closing, there is a chance that the cables that pull the door up and down are worn or broken. An uneven door could also be caused by a broken or worn-out spring system, which is a bigger problem. Consult a garage door repair professional.

If the door does not respond at all to commands to open or close, it could be any number of problems. First make sure the circuit has not been tripped. You can also disconnect the door from the opener and (carefully) try opening it manually; if it opens and closes just fine, there is either a problem with the opener or with the communication from your control (wall-mounted or hand-held, try both) to the opener.

The opener is a fairly simple device with a longer lifespan. However, if it stops working, you will either need to repair or replace it. Consult your owner's manual or a professional to address problems with the opener.

Problems with the transmitters are simpler than problems with the opener, and rarely require any actual garage door repair. Check to see if the device has power. Make sure you are in range. If all else fails, you may need to reprogram the remote. Look in your owner's manual for further instructions.