While a garage door may have a simple purpose, this trusted part of your house works due to a complex yet delicate system of spring and cable mechanisms. When it fails to open and close as it should, any of these mechanisms could be to blame. Larger problems always require professional attention—any misstep with its high-tension cables can cause serious injury. Before you call in a specialist, though, try troubleshooting with these steps for general maintenance to fix your broken garage door.

5 Quick Fixes for Broken Garage Doors

1. Switch the Remote Batteries

Try replacing the batteries in your remote, as the garage door may not be the issue. If that does not work—and you’re sure the problem is remote-related—use your manufacturer instructions to reprogram the device.

2. Clean the Tracks

Check the tracks of your broken garage door for debris like grease, leaves and dirt, which can prevent it from rolling back and forth smoothly. Once clean, check the tracks for any damage or signs that they need to be adjusted by a professional.

3. Check for Loose Hardware

With regular use of a garage door, the movement and vibration will eventually loosen hardware. Look for roller brackets and bolts that need tightening, and use a socket wrench to make the fix. 

4. Adjust the Photo Eye

Inspect your broken garage door’s photo-eye for items that may block it. The safety feature prevents the door from closing when it senses an obstruction such as a pet, and comes in the form of two sensors with LED lights on either side of the door. These lights blink when the sensors are blocked. Clean them of any dirt and debris to see if that resolves the issue—if not, the sensor cords may need replacing due to an issue like water damage.

5. Replace the Weatherstripping

Sometimes, your garage door doesn’t feel closed even when it’s completely shut. To assure that your possessions inside remain protected from the elements, consider changing the worn weatherstripping on the bottom of your door. If the rubber seal is one u-shaped insert, you can change it out with a replacement sold by-the-foot at your local hardware store. If the damage seems more severe than the just the seal itself, contact your garage door specialist to get it fixed.

Keep in mind that other reasons for broken garage doors, such as improper garage door balance and damage to high-tension cables, are not DIY fixes. Count on the experienced team at Great Garage Door Co. to fix those problems with the same dedication to quality and safety that has kept the company in business for over three decades. Visit either of the convenient showrooms in Maplewood or Blaine to view the latest garage door models, or call to schedule service today. You can reach the Blaine location at (763) 767-3000 and the Maplewood showroom at (651) 486-0000. You can also view the latest specials online.