You depend on your garage door to safeguard your property from intruders and the elements. If it stops opening or closing properly, there are several reasons that could be to blame. Sometimes those issues are easily resolved, but in other cases, you might need to contact a garage door service expert for prompt attention. Here are three common reasons that the door may develop a problem.

Why Isn’t My Garage Door Opening or Closing?

1. Broken Springs

Can you hear the garage door’s motor running even when it doesn’t open or close? The issue could be related to the torsion or extension springs, which help raise and lower the door on the tracks. All springs have a select number of cycles during their lives; when they reach this natural course, they’ll wear out and require replacement. Sometimes homeowners can even hear them snap loudly as they break. Always have a garage door service expert inspect the problem, as it’s not safe to attempt to lift the door manually or fix it on your own.

2. Damaged Cables

It’s usually quite obvious when the cables are damaged. These are designed to support the door and prevent it from falling with a thud to the ground. When they break, the door slams freely and quite hard, making it dangerous to anyone nearby. The door itself can also become damaged if it falls with enough force. Bear in mind that if your springs are broken, your cables may be next in line. Don’t take a chance in this case. A garage door maintenance check can confirm the problem so that you can take the next step.

3. Compromised Photo-Eye

A far less dangerous reason could be a photo-eye that is obstructed in some way. This safety device is designed to prevent the door from closing over any objects by simply reversing itself if it detects a presence in its path. Even a small item in its line of vision can prevent your door from working properly because the photo-eye considers anything a potential danger—even something like a crumpled-up piece of paper. In some cases, the photo-eye could simply be coated in dust or wet from rain. Resolving these concerns should fix the problem.

Homeowners and business owners throughout Rochester, NY, and surrounding areas trust in the experts at Felluca Overhead Door. The leading garage door repair and maintenance specialists can detect and resolve any problem, thanks to a century of experience in the field. The family-owned company takes pride in handling every job on their own, without depending on sub-contractors. Visit the website to learn more about their residential and commercial garage door services, or call them at (585) 467-2391 to schedule an appointment.