Modern garage doors consist of tracks, springs, transmitters, cables, and other components that can sustain damage from years of use. If you are experiencing issues, learn about some of the most common problems that will help better identify the underlying cause and schedule garage door repair or replacement services.

What Issues Can You Expect With Garage Doors?

1. The Door Won’t Open

Torsion springs offset the weight of your garage door. If a spring breaks, the door’s weight becomes apparent. It will not respond to the remote and feel heavy if you try to open it manually. Broken springs can also cause the door to open slightly, then close.

Springs generally last 10,000 open and close cycles before failing due to metal fatigue. If you think there’s a spring issue, schedule professional garage door repairs immediately to avoid closing unexpectedly.

2. Opening & Closing Issues

Most garage doors instantly retract if there’s something in their way, such as a box or other object. If nothing is blocking the door’s path but it immediately opens when it touches the ground, there’s likely a photo-eye alignment issue. Photo-eyes are small safety features located on either side of the door that note when an object is in the door’s path. They can become misaligned or blocked with debris over time.

Measure each photo-eye from the ground to their centers to make alignment adjustments, and clear away any debris or other obstructions in the door’s path. The plastic devices blink red or green when they’re misaligned, depending on the brand.

3. Opener Malfunctions

Garage door opener issues can be as simple as dead batteries. If replacing the batteries doesn’t solve the problem, you may not be using the device within the range of the door. Should the problem persist, review your owner’s manual for reprogramming instructions. An unresponsive opener can also indicate a photo-eye issue, so check the devices for blockages and misalignments. 

4. Crooked Doors

When a cable on one side of the garage door breaks, the door will look crooked and fail to operate correctly. Since the springs must be released to fix the cable, you’ll need to schedule professional garage door repairs. If both wires are broken, there’s probably a broken spring that also needs to be repaired by a technician. 

Keep in mind that most overhead door issues require garage door repair services. Maintain your investment with help from Mid-State Door & Opener Co., the overhead door company providing installation, repair, and replacement services to clients throughout Tomah, WA, for over 25 years. Choose from top brands such as Wayne Dalton®, Richard Wilcox®, North Central®, Chamberlain, and LiftMaster®. Call (608) 372-9681 today to schedule an appointment or learn more about garage door repair services online. Get maintenance tips by following their Facebook page.