Top 5 Most Common Garage Door Problems

If your garage door has mysteriously gotten louder, is squeaking, or is operating rougher than usual, it might be trying to tell you something. When it stops going up and down smoothly, it usually indicates something is wrong. Sometimes it can be as simple as lubricating, and other times it could require an entire garage door replacement.

Understanding the most common garage door problems can help you identify and address them promptly, ensuring the continued functionality of your garage door. From malfunctioning openers to broken springs and misaligned tracks, this article will explore the top five most common garage door problems and provide insights on how to troubleshoot and resolve them. By familiarizing yourself with these issues, you'll be better equipped to maintain a reliable and hassle-free garage door system.

Several issues can cause a garage door to come off the track. One common problem is that, over time, the heaviness of a garage door can cause the tracks to bend, which can cause the door to make funny sounds or lose its smoothness as it goes up and down. 

The tracks of your garage door can also become misaligned. One of the most common causes of this happens when the bolts that hold up the tracks come loose, making the brackets wobbly. Once the track gets misaligned enough, the garage door will get off track. 

Wear and tear on your rollers can also cause your garage door to get off track. When rollers finally give out and break, it strains the other rollers, which then causes more of them to break. Broken rollers put increased weight and pressure on tracks, which causes them to bend and throw your door off the track. 

All of these problems usually require a garage door repair service technician to repair the damage and get your garage door back into working order. If you are experiencing any of these, call Door Gators right away to schedule a visit from a technician. 

If you hit your garage door opener remote and nothing happens, the problems causing it not to work can be simple or complex. One of the most common causes is dead batteries in the remote. If you change the batteries and it still doesn’t work, it might be an electrical issue that is cutting off the power to the motor. Is the opener motor plugged in? Is there damage to the power cable? Check those first. 

If it is not a power cable issue, your garage door opener could be experiencing a mechanical failure. If it sounds like it is running, but the door is not moving, it is most likely the gear drive that is the problem, and you may need a repair or a whole new opener motor. 

Another one of the most common and potentially hazardous problems with garage doors involves damaged or broken springs. Garage door springs are responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the door, making it easier to open and close. There are two types of springs commonly used: extension springs, which are located on either side of the door, and torsion springs, which are mounted above the door.

Over time, springs can wear out or break due to the significant amount of tension they endure during regular use. Extreme temperature fluctuations, lack of maintenance, or simply reaching the end of their lifespan can contribute to spring damage or failure.

When a spring is damaged or broken, you may notice visible signs, such as a gap or separation in the coil, a spring that appears stretched or elongated, or even a complete breakage. A garage door with damaged or broken springs will likely become difficult to open manually, feel much heavier than usual, or fail to stay in the open position.

Repairing damaged or broken springs is a task best left to trained professionals, as replacing springs can be dangerous due to the high tension involved. During a professional assessment, the technician will determine the appropriate type and size of springs for your specific door, remove the damaged or broken springs, and install new ones. They will also ensure that the springs are properly adjusted and balanced to restore the smooth and safe operation of the garage door. Regular maintenance of the springs, such as lubrication and periodic inspection, can help extend their lifespan and minimize the risk of sudden failure.

One of the most common garage door problems involves damaged or snapped lifting cables. These cables, typically made of sturdy steel, work in conjunction with the springs to lift and lower the door smoothly. Over time, the cables can wear out, fray, or even break due to constant use and tension. When lifting cables become damaged or snap, it can lead to significant issues, such as a door that becomes unbalanced, uneven movement, or complete failure to open or close.

Damaged or snapped lifting cables can occur due to a variety of factors, including normal wear and tear, age, lack of maintenance, or sudden excessive tension. Constant usage and the weight of the garage door put significant strain on the cables over time, causing them to weaken or fray.

Signs of damaged or snapped lifting cables are often evident during the operation of the garage door. You may notice loose or hanging cables, a door that appears crooked or uneven, or a door that is stuck in one position and refuses to move. Additionally, you might hear unusual noises like scraping or grinding sounds as the damaged cables rub against the tracks.

To resolve this issue, it is recommended to seek the assistance of a professional garage door repair technician. Regular maintenance and inspection of the lifting cables can help prevent this problem. Lubricating the cables and keeping them clean from debris can prolong their lifespan. 

Rust formation can cause all kinds of problems to your garage door opener and the door itself. The amount of rust accumulating on your setup depends on your climatic conditions and the materials used in the garage door components. For instance, zinc galvanized springs have more rust resistance but are less durable compared to oil-tempered springs. Rust will weaken parts of the opener, especially the springs, leading to some of the other problems we discussed above. That’s why timely lubrication and applying a primer can prevent rust and make the parts last longer. Your garage door system should receive a lubrication job once or twice a year to keep it working correctly.

Because your garage door is a heavy and complex part of your home, you must always be on the lookout for common garage door problems. Minor issues can become expensive fixes if you wait too long to address them, and they can even become an injury or damage risk. 

The professionals at Door Gators in South Florida offer swift and economical solutions to all the problems we just discussed. We pride ourselves in honesty and will always only fix what needs fixing without overcharging our customers. Repairing a garage door without the help of experts can be very dangerous. It can cause further damage to the door or endanger your life. Call Door Gators now if you think your garage door needs any type of repair or maintenance.