Your garage door is a critical entry point to your home, protecting your property and possessions. However, like any other machine, it can develop problems that threaten your security and safety. Dealing with garage door problems can be frustrating and time-consuming if you don't know what to do. Fortunately, some issues are easy to resolve, and you can perform DIY maintenance or call a garage door technician. Here's a guide on how to troubleshoot common garage door problems.

The Door Doesn't Open or Close

If your garage door won't open or close, the issue could be with the photo-eye sensors. The sensors are the small electronic devices on either side of the door that detect any obstructions preventing the door from closing or opening fully. The sensors may get misaligned over time and cause the door to fail. To troubleshoot the problem, check that the sensors are clean and correctly positioned.

Unusual Noise

If your garage door generates unusual noises, such as squeaking, grinding, or rattling, it might result from worn rollers, rusty hinges, or loose hardware. The noise can also result from the lack of lubrication. Lubricating the rollers and hinges can fix the noise problem. However, if the noise doesn't go away after lubricating, you should call a garage door technician for a thorough inspection.

Door Imbalance

If your door appears unbalanced, perhaps one of the springs has broken or become damaged. A damaged spring can cause the opener to struggle, causing the door to move inconsistently. To check if the springs are the problem, disconnect the opener and try lifting the door manually. If you feel any resistance, the springs need replacement. This is not a DIY repair, so it's vital to call a professional technician for safety.

Door Reverses Before Closing

If you find that your door closes halfway and then reverses, the issue is likely with the opener's close force feature. The close force feature ensures that the door presses with sufficient force, creating a secure seal. If the sensors don't detect sufficient force, the door will stop closing and reverse. Adjusting the close force setting can solve the problem.

The Door Is Off Track

A door that has gone off track can threaten your safety, causing significant damage to property and people. If you notice that your door is crooked or wobbly, check for any obstructing items or debris. You may need to call a garage door technician to address the problem if there's none.

Contact a garage door repair technician to learn more.