Oftentimes, the garage door is the most used and most overlooked door in the house. Because it’s used so frequently, it may eventually show some signs of wear and tear. It’s particularly common to have issues after a power outage. There are several reasons why your garage door may not be functioning properly. Signs that your garage door isn’t functioning properly include not opening or closing at all, only opening or closing part of the way, and not opening manually.
Here are five of the most common reasons why your garage door may not be functioning properly:
1. Issues with the photo safety eyes- If the photo safety eyes has become damaged, blocked, or dirty, you may have issues with your garage door not working correctly. Most garage doors installed the 1990s and after come with this safety feature that includes two pieces that align across each other on opposite sides of the door. If the safety eyes become blocked, misaligned, or damaged your door may not function properly. This safety feature is designed to keep your door from closing on people, pets, or objects so it’s important to have your garage door serviced right away if this is the cause of your door not functioning properly.
2. No power- Your garage door requires power to operate. Sometimes it’s as simple as an unplugged cord or a blown circuit breaker. In slightly more complicated cases, it could be a faulty outlet. If you believe your outlet is faulty, try plugging something else into the outlet. If that item also fails to power, the outlet is likely the problem and should be repaired by an electrician.
3. Expired batteries- Oftentimes the reason your garage door won’t function properly is simply a case of expired batteries in your remote garage door opener. You can determine if this is your problem by attempting to open or close your garage door by pushing the wall mounted button inside the garage. If everything appears to be working normally, bad batteries in your remote are the problem. Fortunately, this is a simple fix you can do yourself by changing out the batteries in your remote.
4. Broken springs- Your garage door requires two torsion springs that run horizontally across the door and two extension springs to operate properly. If you notice that the motor is running when you attempt to lift or lower your door, but the door isn’t moving you may have an issue with your springs. Having broken springs can be very dangerous and they should only be repaired or replaced by a professional. Broken springs are inevitable with any garage door. Springs are rated by a maximum number of cycles. Once a spring has reached its maximum number of cycles, it will need to be replaced. When a spring breaks it sounds like a loud pop, similar to fireworks. Once a spring has broken, it’s important that you don’t attempt to open your door remotely or manually.
5. Broken cables- Even more dangerous than broken springs is the issue of broken cables. The cables align with each spring and are responsible for bringing the door up and down. If your cables are broken, your door could potentially fall to the ground if it’s in the open position. Not only would this be incredibly loud, but your door could also sustain serious damage. If you already have broken springs, your cables may not last much longer. If you know you have broken springs, it’s imperative to get them fixed before your cables break as well. Broken cables can pose a serious safety risk to you and your family.
If you are facing any of these common issues with your garage door and need the help of a professional, call Covenant Garage Doors today!