Most Common Garage Door Issues

A working garage door makes your home more secure and efficient. With the right garage door, good maintenance and regular services from a trusted provider, you can keep your garage door functioning optimally. 

However, every homeowner should be aware of the most common garage door issues. Being able to spot these issues means that you can troubleshoot them more easily and know when to call for service or repair before the problem worsens. 

The Most Common Garage Door Issues  in Arizona

Most garage door issues occur from normal wear and tear, though some also happen due to human error. These are some of the most common garage door problems:

1. Problems With Opening or Closing 

One of the most common issues homeowners face with garages is the doors not opening or closing properly. The door may refuse to open, won’t close all the way or may be opening and shutting extremely slowly. Several factors could prevent the door from opening or closing properly. The garage door openers could be malfunctioning, or there may be an issue with the external controls like the keypad or remote. 

Many of the other factors that affect the door opening or closing properly are also common garage door issues, such as blocked or broken safety sensors and misalignment.

2. Blocked or Broken Garage Door Sensors

A blocked or broken garage door sensor is an urgent matter. Garage door sensors are safety features that prevent the door from closing on people or objects — which, of course, can cause severe injuries or damage. 

Any obstruction in the sensor’s path will interfere with its proper functioning. Obstructions like dust and debris can cause the sensors to malfunction, as can environmental issues like extreme weather conditions, electrical interference and wiring issues. 

3. Broken Springs 

Broken garage door springs can make your garage door inoperable. The springs counteract the door’s weight and are a crucial component of the door’s counterbalance system, which ensures that the door doesn’t crash down while operating. This makes broken garage doors a real safety hazard, too, as the door could fall unexpectedly and cause injury or damage to vehicles. 

Garage door springs, especially torsion springs, are designed to be durable and withstand extreme pressure, but common garage door spring issues can result from several factors, including: 

• Rust and corrosion
• Weakness due to age
• Improper installation
• Poor quality springs
• Vehicle collision or other damage

4. Issues With the Rollers 

Rollers help your garage door operate more efficiently and quietly. The rollers are vital for reducing friction as the door moves along the tracks. If the rollers break or stop working as efficiently, the door may become stuck, misaligned or make unusual and loud sounds while operating. Sometimes, some stuck dirt and debris around the rollers or on the tracks cause the issue, but normal wear and tear can also lead to problems with the roller. 

5. Worrisome Garage Door Noises

It can be particularly worrying when your garage door starts making loud and unusual noises. Odd sounds may range from squeaking to loud clunking while the door is operating. Loud noises could indicate small issues — like needing to lubricate the parts during maintenance — or may be a sign of something more serious, such as loose components or a misaligned track. 

6. Misaligned Garage Door Track 

A misaligned garage door can make it difficult for the door to open and close and may even cause the door to operate unpredictably. Several factors may lead to tracks becoming misaligned, including physical damage to the tracks from impact with a vehicle or forceful slams, installation errors, movement from a damaged foundation or even expansions and contractions due to extreme temperature fluctuations.

Garage Door Troubleshooting for the Most Common Problems

You can follow these simple steps to troubleshoot garage door issues: 

• Check sensors: Oftentimes, troubleshooting garage door sensors involves a quick and easy fix. You can start by wiping them down with a soft microfiber cloth to remove any dirt or debris — this often does the trick. You can also check the sensors’ alignment and check that there is nothing accidentally blocking the sensors’ path. 
• Repair springs professionally: If you have broken springs, the only correct way to troubleshoot is to call a garage door expert. Working with springs is a dangerous task, as they support the enormous weight and pressure of the entire garage door system. 
• Clean rollers: Dirt and debris along the tracks and in the rollers can cause friction. Give the rollers and the tracks a good dusting and clean them with a damp microfiber cloth and gentle cleaning scrub for any debris that may be caught in the rollers. 
• Lubricate parts: Garage doors have a lot of metal or metal alloy components that need to be lubricated to work smoothly — and to last. Choose an appropriate lubricator and grease the hinges and rollers. Do not lubricate the track, though, as this can easily cause a build up of grime that affects how the door operates. 
• Check the manual: If you are having trouble with electronic parts like the transmitter, your remotes or sensors, you can refer to the manual for specific troubleshooting steps. 
• Call in for professional repairs: There are times when the best call is trusting a garage door expert over DIY troubleshooting. A professional will be able to help with big or dangerous tasks — such as repairing or replacing springs — and can restore your garage door more quickly and efficiently than working on your own. 

The Importance of Maintenance and Repairs 

Maintaining your garage door is vital for ensuring it functions properly and lasts for many years. However, even with the best maintenance, you would still need to repair or replace parts when there is wear and tear and damage from impact. Choosing a professional repair is vital and provides the following benefits:

• Functionality: Repairing worn or damaged parts ensures your garage door is functional — closing and opening properly and with working safety features.
• Safety: Statistics show that in one year alone, there were more than 15,000 garage door-related injuries in the United States. Maintenance and professional repairs are essential for ensuring your garage door’s safety features work. Functioning springs and sensors ensure that the door won’t unexpectedly open or close and cause injury or damage. 
• Efficiency: A functioning and well-insulated garage door helps regulate your home’s temperature. This puts less strain on your HVAC system, making your house more efficient and lowering your energy bills.
• Cost-savings: Calling in a professional garage repair service can be far more cost-effective than having the system break down to the point where costly replacements are needed.

Schedule a Garage Door Service or Repair With Integrity West Overhead Door

Understanding the most common garage door issues and how to troubleshoot them helps keep your garage door operating at its best. A garage door that opens and shuts properly is also vital for privacy, safety and a more efficient home. 

If your garage door is experiencing issues, the professional team at Integrity West Overhead Door is ready to assist with common garage door repairs, services that focus on client satisfaction and high-quality garage doors, garage door openers and other components. 

We provide expert solutions for common garage door issues in Phoenix and surrounds. Contact us today to book your appointment or to learn how our garage door tune-up services help your doors operate flawlessly.