The garage door is used multiple times a day at most homes. This daily exertion will eventually create some wear and tear and could cause the structure to develop problems opening and closing. If you find yourself in this situation, here are some of the more common causes of this type of malfunction. 

Why Is Your Garage Door Stuck?

1. Blocked Photo Eye

The majority of modern doors are designed with a photo eye—a device that shoots an infrared light across the structure’s closing path to determine if a person or object is in the way. If the pea-sized safety mechanism detects something, it will prevent the door from lowering completely. When the photo eye becomes blocked, either by damage or dirt and dust, the laser will think the path is obstructed and cause the door to remain open. 

2. Misaligned Track

For your garage door to open and close correctly, the track it runs on needs to be properly aligned. Gaps between the rollers or bends in the rails can prevent this and also make your structure dangerous to operate. 

3. Broken Springs

The most common reason for a garage door repair is broken springs. Both the torsion springs along the top of the door and the extensions springs found on either side of it are necessary to lift the weight of the structure. When any of them break, you can expect a closed-tight door. 

4. Weak Remote Batteries

It’s fairly common for garage door transmitters to either stop working completely or only work intermittently when their batteries become weak. If your door isn’t opening when you press the remote button, it’s usually a good idea to change the batteries before looking for more serious issues. 

To avoid hazardous situations, it’s always important to have a professional take a look at your garage door when it becomes stuck in an open or closed position. Since 1991, Southside Garage Door has provided repair and maintenance services, including cable and spring replacement, to residences in Rosemount, MN. Schedule an appointment with them today by calling (651) 423-7444. You can also visit their website to see a gallery of their work.