We all know those folks who leave their garage door open both day and night, leaving their valuables to chance and offering a home to neighborhood critters. Have you ever wondered if that’s an intentional choice, or if they’re just the victims of a garage door that simply won’t close? Maybe you are that neighbor.
Garage door issues can be tricky to diagnose, and dangerous. First and foremost, for your safety and the safety of your family, limit entering the garage until you’ve identified the problem. Here are some ways to evaluate whether you may need a new garage door.
Sensitive Sensors for your Safety
The most obvious issue is usually something obstructing the door’s path, triggering the safety reversing mechanism sensors. Check to make sure the floor around the door is clear as even small objects can disrupt the door’s movement.
Cleaning the Reversing Mechanism
If one of the two sensors on either side of the door are blinking or burned out, it indicates the safety feature is malfunctioning. Gently remove any debris that may have settled into the sensors. If that doesn’t work, it’s possible the beams need to be realigned.
Possible Realignment Issues
Realigning the beam can often require a professional. If you feel comfortable, you can try loosening the wingnut holding the sensor until the LED glows steadily. Remember to tighten the wingnut. If that doesn’t work, it may be a wiring issue.
Checking the Door’s Traveling Operation
The metal track your door runs on needs to be straight in order for the door to move. Check for gaps between the rollers and rail, or look for bends in the rail itself. If you find a track misalignment that is beyond repair, a professional may be able to install a new track for you.
An Old, Tired Door
There are a number of moving parts related to a garage door, and even more age-related issue that can go along with them. An inoperable door can be caused by any number of issues including stripped gears, worn out tracks, broken springs, or snapped cables. More often than not, it would be best to have most of these issues handled professionally.
When to Call In a Professional
We’d be happy to help! If you’re still experiencing an issue, need help with any of these steps, or are ready for a replacement, give us a call at (503) 553-9933. We’re here to help you diagnose the problem or get you a door that works!
