When your garage door breaks down, the security of your home and the convenience of your garage are at risk. Sometimes it's obvious you need a repair professional to get your door working correctly again, but at other times you may not realize your door or motor is ready to break down until it's too late. Here are some signs to watch for so you'll know when to schedule repairs.

When to Repair Your Garage Doors

1. The Door Is Stuck

This might seem like an obvious sign that your doors are need repairs, but many homeowners will ignore a stuck door as long as they’re still able to open it. If your door gets jammed halfway, stays shut when you press the button to open it, or is stuck in any other way, consult an expert. To further diagnose the problem, check whether you can hear the garage door motor working when you try to open it.

2. There Are Gaps or Crooked Spots

When you close the garage door, it should stay level and end up flush with the ground. If it's off-kilter or leaves a gap, it's possible there's a problem with the door itself or the track it runs on.

3. The Door Is Noisy

You're familiar with the sound of your garage door, so you know how the motor should sound. If it suddenly gets louder, seems to rattle or shudder, or if there are any unusual noises like screeching or clanging, this means your garage door parts aren't working together correctly.

4. You Can't Lift the Door

When you disconnect the garage door from the motor and try to lift it, it should open with moderate effort, because the spring helps counteract the weight of the door. If the door suddenly feels heavier, that can mean the spring is broken or has worn out.

5. The Door Responds Slowly

A delay between when you push the button to open the garage door and when it opens may seem like a small issue. However, it can indicate problems with either the electronic controls or the garage door motor, both of which worsen over time.

If you're overdue for garage door service, call The Genuine, the Original Overhead Door Company: Overhead Door Co. of Lycoming County, a division of Schrader Architectural Products. Based in Williamsport, PA, they have over 50 years of combined experience and offer same-day repairs to make sure your garage is accessible again. They offer a variety of garage door types, including steel, aluminum, vinyl, and insulated. Contact them at (570) 326-4749 or learn more about their services online.