If you have discovered a problem with your garage door it could be dangerous to use the door until a repair is made. A garage door can become run-down due to its age, extreme weather events, or even physical elements. If your garage door becomes stuck or shows resistance when opening or closing, then try to find the problem before attempting to use it again. When broken, a garage door is a huge safety risk to both people and property, repairing a garage door is also risky and is best carried out by professionals.
Here are the most common causes of garage door damage:
1. Broken Springs
When garage doors are frequently used, it can wear down the springs. Garage door springs are what allows the door to be light enough to move up and down, therefore they maintain a great amount of pressure. Old springs are especially vulnerable to breakage.
If you hear a loud noise and your door no-longer opens, it was likely it was the springs snapping and falling off. If you weren’t around at the time, then you can check to see if the springs broke by inspecting the surrounding area to see if they are on the ground, or by inspecting the door to see if they are no longer there.
2. Broken Cables
Wire cables also play a large part in lifting and lowering a garage door. Over time they can become brittle which can result in them snapping.
When garage door cables snap, it may still possible for the door to be opened and closed however it would become extremely heavy and dangerous. Check your cables for signs of fraying or damage if you think there is an issue.
3. Misaligned/Bent Track
Garage doors slide along metal tracks when they open and close. Frequent usage can cause your garage door to shift so that is no longer aligns with the tracks. This can result in door malfunction and can even bend the tracks if the problem goes unresolved.
If you can see a noticeable gap between the rollers and the track, or if you notice track damage/bending, then this may be your issue.
4. Worn Rollers
Rollers are what allows a garage door to move smoothly up and down its track. Over time, rollers can become run-down which can result in a garage door moving in a bumpy, rough motion.
If you notice that your garage door is not moving easily, then check to see what condition the rollers are in.
5. Worn Hardware
Garage door parts such as hinges and bolts can wear down over time or become corroded. More often than not, issues with hardware can easily be fixed by lubricating and tightening parts, however if they are in bad condition then they may need to be replaced.
6. Electric issues
For electric garage doors, it is common to see electrical issues. A dead battery in your remote is often the cause of a garage door not opening or closing. Check the batteries in your transmitter and in the units attached to the garage to ensure they are all correctly functioning.
The photo eye sensors can also become misaligned or blocked by objects, which would mean the garage door could not close. If the photo eye itself stops working, the door will no longer be prevented from closing if there is an obstruction. This can be very dangerous so ensure it is fixed immediately.
Other electrical issues such as a fuse blowing, damaged or frayed wires or water damage may be causing your electric door opener to fail.
If your garage door does not open smoothly and easily, then now is the time to get in touch with John Glen Garage Doors. We provide repairs throughout South Wales (we even offer an emergency service). Our engineers will quickly and efficiently fix any problem with your garage door with as little upheaval to your home or business as possible. For more information visit www.johnglen.com/garage-door-repairs-swansea/
