A garage is a great addition to any home. You can store your car supplies, gardening tools, patio furniture, and outdoor toys such as bicycles and trampolines without having to worry about vandalism or theft.  

Having said that, garages are susceptible to damage, which is why many homeowners experience garage door problems at some point in their lives. While many homeowners do not take defective garage doors seriously, they pose a huge safety and security risk, which is why defective garage doors should be fixed right away.

How to Identify Faulty Garage Door Openers

1.  Garage Door Opener Makes Odd Noises

If your garage door opener is making odd noises as it opens or closes the door, it probably needs to be repaired or replaced.

2.  Sagging Garage Door

A sagging or uneven garage door might indicate several problems, including dulled racks, dulled rollers, or worn tension springs. If your garage door does not close properly, you may need to call a garage door technician.

3.  Shaky Garage Door

A garage door should move steadily and smoothly. If your garage door is shaky, it might indicate a problem with the rollers, belt, tracking, or lubrication.

4.  The Garage Door Won’t Open or Close

The door may not open or close because of a broken opener or cable. If this problem persists, you need to call a professional to inspect your system.

5.  Garage Door Closes and Opens Immediately

If your garage door starts to close and then opens instantly, there is probably a problem with the sensor.

If you notice any of the above problems, you need to hire a garage door repair technician from Powell Garage Doors.  Do not ignore these warning signs as they can evolve into potential hazards. Contact us and we will have your garage door repaired in no time.

What Should I Do If I Have a Defective Garage Door Opener?

Do you have a defective garage door? Here are garage door troubleshooting tips for common garage door malfunctions.

·        If the door won’t open or close, or closes and opens instantly, you should:

1.     Replace the remote control or keypad batteries.
2.     Check whether someone else has manually locked the door.
3.     Ensure that the opener is plugged in and the circuit breaker is correctly placed.
4.     Ensure that you are within the recommended position and range when using your garage door remote.
5.     If one side of the door is lower than the other, it indicated an issue with the spring system. The door may be under spring tension; therefore, you should get it fixed immediately since continued use can worsen the problem.
6.     Pull the emergency release cord — the red rope hanging from the garage door trolley. This will disconnect the trolley, allowing you to open the door manually. If you pull the safety cord when the garage door is in the open position, it can plummet. Call a technician instead.

·        Check the Garage Door Opener Mechanism

If you have a chain drive garage door opener, ensure that the chain has the correct tension because too little tension can cause the chain to fall out of place. If the trolley carriage moves but the garage door does not, you may need to replace some components of the carriage. If these measures do not bring about any changes, you should probably replace the door’s circuit board or get a professional to check whether the GFCI outlet has burned out.

·        Check the Garage Door Safety Sensors

If the garage door won’t close completely, the safety sensors may be compromised. Ensure that the safety sensors are well aligned and are pointing at each other.

·        Check the External Controls

If the openers are plugged in but the door does not open or close, the external controls such as the remote control, keypad, or wall switch may have a problem. You should:

1.     Test the remote control, keypad, and wall switch to determine which ones are faulty.
2.     If your garage door has an antenna, ensure that it is not damaged and in the correct position. 
3.     Reset or reprogram the remote control or keypad by referring to the relevant owner’s manual.
4.     Ensure that the sensors are not being obstructed by any object. The sensors should have a small light that shines when they are not obstructed. Also, ensure that direct sunlight does not come into contact with the sensors as this can interfere with the sensors’ performance.

·        Check Garage Door Springs And Cables

Your garage door’s cables and torsion springs must be in optimal condition for the door to lift. The cables and springs eventually wear out or break; as such, you need to hire a door technician to replace them for you because doing so yourself can be dangerous.

·        Check Garage Door Rails and Tracks

If the controls and motor work perfectly but the door won’t open, there may be a problem with the metal tracks and rails. If the metal track becomes misaligned, you can use a rubber mallet to gently tap it into the proper position. If the nylon or steel rollers within the tracks are damaged or rusted, you can replace them since rust can prevent the smooth movement of rollers. Too much friction can hinder the smooth opening of the door; as such, use a silicon spray or lithium grease to lubricate the rail.

·        Check whether the Lock/Vacation Mode is Activated

If your lock/vacation mode is activated, deactivate it by pressing the lock button for a few seconds until the lights from your wall unit turn solid.

·        Regulate Garage Door Limit Features

As a safety feature, garage door motors have switches that specify when the motor should stop when closing and opening. If the switches are not set properly, you can use the lever or screw feature to adjust them until the door opens and closes in desired places.

Garage door repairs can be complicated. At Powell Garage Doors, we offer premier garage door installations and repairs. Whether you are looking for a new garage door or a door repair, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today for a free quote.

Preventative Maintenance for Your Garage Doors

You can maintain your garage door by:

Conduct Basic Inspections: Several components go into the proper function of a garage door. Check for broken or misplaced parts that may prevent the proper functioning of the garage door opener system. Inspect the tension and extension springs, emergency pull cord, and chains and tracks.

Replace Remote Batteries Regularly: If the LED lights on your remote begin to grow dim, replace the batteries. Depending on your garage door opener model, you may have to reprogram your remote after changing the batteries.

Reprogram the Keypad: Reprogram the code you use to open the door. You can refer to your manual for specific details on how to reprogram the code on your particular opener.

Check whether the Safety Sensor Wires are Intact: Wiring issues are among the most common causes of misalignment. Follow the wires from the sensors to the garage door opener unit. If you discover that the wires are loose, tighten them with a screwdriver.

Inspect the Photo-Eyes: Your garage door should have photo-eye sensors. Two sensors are located at the bottom of the garage door opening on both sides. Check to see whether anything is interrupting the beam projected by the sensors as this can prevent the door from closing. Also, check whether the sensors are properly aligned to face each other.  

Inspect the springs: Examine the torsion spring, which is located above the door, and check for tears or breaks in the spring. Also, examine the extension spring, which is found next to the horizontal tracks, and check for breaks of tears. If you notice any anomalies, consult an experienced technician.

Adjust the Limits: You can adjust the limits on most openers by turning a screw in the monitor. Refer to your manual for how to conduct this process.

We do not advise fixing complicated issues such as issues with the logic board yourself. Contact us and let our professionals work on your door to ensure that your door opens and closes as it should. 

Residential and Commercial Garage Door Experts in Saratoga Springs

At times, fixing a defective garage is simple because the problem may involve an accidental tug on the power cord or some resistance on the rollers, which may hinder the door’s movement. Other times, garage door issues are more complex, such as a damaged door track or broken springs, and require the specialties of a skilled technician.

Whether you are experiencing a minor or major issue with your door, Powel Garage Doors can help. We provide commercial and residential garage door installation and repairs and can meet your garage door needs whether you need a new garage door opener or an entirely new door. Our technicians have the skill and experience needed to restore your garage to its original good shape.

If your garage door stops working, please consult one of our technicians who will help you determine whether the issue needs professional services or a quick fix. Contact us at (801) 822-2474 or visit our physical location at 1533 W 1220 N St, Lehi, UT 84043.

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