You likely don’t think about your garage door very often – until there’s a problem, that is. If you’re trying to pull out of your garage or park your vehicle and the door isn’t working properly, it suddenly becomes a concern you’ll want to fix right away.

Here are some of the most common problems you could face with your garage door and some tips that could help you solve them.

The Door Isn't Opening or Closing Properly

This is one of the most common garage door problems and it could be caused by many different things. One issue could be that the door could be off balance. To check, turn off the power to the door and try opening it manually. If it feels balanced and on track, then you have another issue. But if it doesn’t, it could be the cause.

There could also be an issue with the door opener or a fuse could be out. Check your circuit breaker to make sure power is going to the garage and check the batteries in your opener to make sure everything is as it should be.

If none of these fixes solve your problem, you may need to get your door serviced or repaired.

The Door is Making a Lot of Noise When it Opens or Closes

Unexpected or unusual sounds are usually a sign that there’s an underlying problem. If you hear a rattling sound, something has likely come loose. Check all bolts and screws to make sure they’re properly tightened and watch the door as it opens or closes to see if see if anything looks off while it’s in operation.

If you hear squeaking or scraping, the rollers may need lubrication, or they could have worn out. Check them and apply a silicone-based lubricant as needed. If the rollers need to be replaced, you’ll want to have a professional service the door.

The Door is Stuck in the Open or Closed Position

If the door is stuck in an opened or closed position, there could be several issues. By trying various potential fixes, you can eliminate possibilities and narrow down what the problem could be.

One of the first things you can do is check to see if you can move the door manually. Disconnect the motor from electricity and unlock any locks or latches that would normally prevent you from opening or closing. If you can open or close the door manually, there’s likely an issue with the automatic opener.

There are also various sensors that might prevent the door from closing all the way. Make sure these are clean and have clear sightlines.

Test the electricity coming into the garage, the batteries in the remote, and other such conditions. You want to make sure that everything that needs power is getting power.

You should inspect the door and the opener to see if anything looks loose or damaged. Rusted or damaged rollers, for instance, can potentially cause the door to get stuck. So can bent or damaged tracks.

If you’ve tried each of these steps independently and the door still does not open or close, you may need to contact a professional.

The Automatic Opener Isn't Working Correctly

If the opener isn’t working correctly, you’ll want to check the batteries both in the keypad as well as the remote control. If the batteries are working, the keypad or the remote may require reprogramming. You’ll want to check the operating manual for your system to see how to do this. There could also be a faulty or damaged antenna on the device.

There's a Dent or Scratch on the Door

Dents or scratches on garage doors are unfortunately common. How this can be fixed will determine the extent of the damage, the material the door is made from, and much more.

The team at Maple Overhead Garage Doors Inc. in Concord, ON can help you repair or replace your garage door if necessary. For more information or to get a quote from our team, please call 905-738-9231 or contact us online.