Reasons Why Your Garage Door is Malfunctioning

Another winter storm has passed and all of us are enjoying our well-insulated garages. Garage owners are happy when that garage door goes down and seals in our car to keep it nice and warm, so we have no issues with the engine or being cold ourselves in the morning. Garage doors last for a long time (roughly 15-30 years), but there is always the chance that you get home for work; or even worse, try to leave for work in the morning and that garage door won’t budge. This can be a terrible end or start to a day but don’t worry, we are here to help! Here are the most common reasons your garage door is malfunctioning and what you can do.

Laser eye is obstructed – This is one of the easiest fixes. All modern garage doors have a small LED laser that goes from one side of the garage to the other to make sure nothing is in the way of the garage door closing. This is a safety measure for your family and your garage door. If this laser is obstructed in any way, the garage door will not close. Move any items out of the way and if it still is not working it is a good idea to clean the eye.

The track is misaligned – If your garage door seems crooked to you, it is a good sign that the track is misaligned. Garage doors function by being pulled up or down along a track and if there are loose bolts or screws, the garage door can go off track. This will usually come with some loud grinding noises so it’s important to be mindful of that. You can try and realign the door yourself while it is closed, but it is best to call a professional.

Broken spring – Broken springs are one of the most common issues. Springs are used to help offset the weight of the garage door so you can open and close your garage door smoothly. Springs have a set rating that decides in general how many garage door openings they last before they break. How often you need to replace a spring will depend on how many times a
year you open and close your garage door. Garage doors can weigh upwards of 200 pounds, so if you notice a broken spring, it is a good idea to get it checked by a professional.

The best way to prevent any of these issues from happening is to get your an inspection every year if your garage door is malfunctioning. Give Modern Overhead Door a try today and let us help you keep your garage door running smoothly for years to come!

Modern Overhead Door is a professional garage door company that has extensive experience in garage door repair and maintenance. Contact us at (920) 354-6887 if any and all garage door emergencies or maintenance. For years, we have been serving the Fox Valley area with garage door replacements, garage door installation, garage door openers, and all of your overhead door needs.