Garage door gaps make it impossible to close the bottom part of your door. Surely, it’s something you’ll want to address right away. Though you’re not expected to know every aspect of its operation, you should still be able to tell when something is amiss. Understanding why you have the gap will help you determine the best course of action for fixing it.
Check the Weatherstripping
As is the case when addressing any problem, people “in the know” will often tell you to look to the simplest cause first, and that is just as true when your cause for concern is a garage door that is leaving a gap at the bottom.
Even with good garage door maintenance, the weatherstripping on the door’s bottom edge will become worn. The more you operate your door, the faster its weatherstripping will erode, and though that might seem like a good opportunity for a new DIY project, it’s always better to ask your garage door contractor to replace it. If you make a mistake, you’ll have wasted money on the materials, and you’ll still need your garage door contractor to fix the issue.
Check the Sensors
A second common problem that leads to gaps at the bottom of a garage door is a faulty sensor. Thankfully, in almost every case where a sensor is the root of the problem, the solution only involves cleaning or alignment. These may be basic maintenance issues, but never try to adjust the sensor yourself, as you might scratch the lens or knock the sensor even further out of alignment.
Once your garage door technician cleans and adjusts the sensor, you should see the door’s operation return to its original operation, but if it still doesn’t fully close, the problem may have more to do with your maintenance routine.
Look for External Causes of the Gaps
It’s easy to assume that your garage door contractor insists on recurring tune-ups simply to drum up business, but there are good reasons for following through with tune-ups.
For one, the tune-ups will involve making a variety of adjustments to the door’s operating system, namely checking the opener motor’s oil and lubricating the door itself. In addition, the technician will also tighten fixtures, check the drive belt for wear and tear, and make any other necessary adjustments.
A properly maintained door will fully close since there’s less likely to be debris in the tracks, and the rollers will run more smoothly with lubrication as well. While a gap at the bottom of your door indicates poor maintenance habits, it is an issue that you can easily fix.
The Garage Door Pros Are Here to Help
D Bar Garage Doors has been providing maintenance, repairs, and installation services for years, and our skilled and highly trained technicians can diagnose and repair any problem. To request maintenance or repairs, contact us today!
