You pull into your driveway after a very long day to discover your garage door refuses to open—again. Because you know repeated breakdowns probably aren’t a good sign, after several failed attempts, you accept the fact that your door has finally breathed its last. Or has it? Before saying goodbye forever, use our checklist to see if it’s really gone for good.
Check the springs.
When is the last time you replaced the springs? If it’s more than five years ago, this is a good place to start. Signs of a broken garage door spring include hearing a loud snap when attempting to operate the door, it only opening partially or operating more slowly than normal, dents near the top of the door, or one side resting higher than the other (which often happens because only one spring is broken). Inspect both springs to see if they are still intact.
Look for obstructions.
It’s possible that something is blocking the door from opening all the way. Look for rocks or damage anywhere in the system, including the hinges, rollers, and the track itself. Also ensure the pulley cables haven’t fallen off.
Ensure the door is still on the track.
While you’re looking at the track, check to make sure the door is still aligned properly every step of the way. If your door has fallen off its track, don’t touch anything! Trying to move the door at all in this situation can damage the system even more.
Clean the photo eye sensors.
Wait, my garage door has eyes? Yes, and dirty lenses or misaligned beams could be the source of your malfunctioning door. Photo eyes are your system’s safety mechanism; they are what stop people, pets, or your car from getting hit while underneath a closing garage door, so it is very important that they function correctly. Gently clean the sensors with a dry towel, and make sure the eyes are aligned. If one is even slightly out of place, the infrared beams can’t communicate with one another.
Replace the batteries in your remote.
The solution you’re looking for could be as easy as changing the batteries in your garage door remote and making sure the opener is still receiving electricity. Try pulling the emergency release cord and manually lifting the door. If it opens with no trouble, the opener could be the problem.
While homeowners can perform simple tasks like changing batteries and aligning photo eyes on their own, it’s important to call in an expert for most repairs. Garage doors typically weigh hundreds of pounds, and springs are under immense pressure. Even if you think you know what the issue is, don’t try to fix your garage door yourself! Click here to get a free quote, or contact the experts at Doors by George to schedule your appointment. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
