WHEN YOU FACE GARAGE DOOR OPENER ISSUES, HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO!

If you’re ever having any trouble with your garage door opener, there are a number of reasons it could be on the blink. Some causes are basic, and some are problematic. Here are some possibilities and solutions. 

DIY 
Does the garage door not open with the remote? This is usually easily dealt with.
1. You might be too far out of range from the garage door.
2. You may need to charge or replace the batteries.
3. The garage door motor antenna is blocked from the signal or damaged.
4. Perhaps your remote has to be reprogrammed. 

Does your garage door go down all the way, but open right back up again? It’s likely your garage door opener’s open-and-close limit settings are failing. These settings tell the garage door opener how far your garage door has to move before it’s fully shut. If it’s set too high, the door will hit the ground before the opener thinks it should, because it assumes the door is touching something in its path; then, it automatically reverses, to keep from crushing it. Check your operator’s manual for how to reset the open-and-close limits. 

Does your garage door not shut? Your garage door has a small photo eye sensor on either side of it. Between them is an invisible laser beam, which, when it’s broken, prevents the garage door from closing. Investigate to see whether they’re misaligned or grimy. 

Does your garage door open and close at random? If your garage door is opening or shutting all by itself, examine the transmitter. It could be wedged under an object that inadvertently pressed the control mechanism. For instance, the transmitter might be under items that you left inside your vehicle, or somewhere else nearby. Also, test the frequency of your transmitter; it’s possible that your neighbor has exactly the same frequency as yours. 

Check the power source. Maybe the transmitter batteries need replacement. Or, look at the electrical outlet; it could be faulty. 

Does the garage door opener run a few seconds, then turn off? If your garage door still doesn’t move, this can happen if the door is shut, and the garage door motor tries lifting the door, yet it still won’t budge. First, see if the springs are the problem. If not, look at the track for any small obstacles, dirt, or grime. If none of these is the issue, then your garage door may have a built-in lock that’s engaging by accident; this often occurs with older garage doors. 

Does the garage door opener run, yet the garage door isn’t moving? If a power outage arises, your garage door opener has a disconnect switch, which allows you to open or shut your garage door manually. This switch is commonly attached to a rope or knob, which can unintentionally get unhooked. Open or close the door all the way, and then securely reattach the hook. Then, try opening or closing the door again with the transmitter, and it should work. 

More Complicated Issues That Require Professional Attention 

Does your garage door slam with a loud bang? You probably have a broken spring, which should be countering the garage door’s weight. Or, the cables are broken. Either way, this is a serious issue. It’s time to hire a garage door repair technician. 

Your garage door track might be out of alignment. If the metal track of your garage door isn’t aligned, it definitely won’t move. Are there any bends in the rails? Do you see any gaps between the rail and rollers? The significant weight of your garage door will compound these issues as time goes by, so don’t procrastinate getting it serviced. Your garage door can become dangerous soon, so call a professional. 

Does the garage door shut only part of the way, but then open again? A garage door is designed with a reversing mechanism to keep it from smashing anything in its path. The reversing instruction can be activated by objects on the ground blocking the door’s path, such as a box, bicycle, or trash can. Another possibility is a buildup of debris on the tracks ~ dirt, or a tiny object ~ which will stop the rollers from moving. This is a major problem, requiring a professional. 

Does the garage door simply not open at all? Probably the springs are broken, requiring repair or replacement. If so, a garage door repair technician’s expertise is needed. 

DON’T TRY to adjust your garage door, unless you’re an engineer! If you don’t have your garage door serviced properly, the garage door springs can actually cause serious injury, and even be deadly. The garage door cables, drums, and bottom brackets may also need adjustment. Do not take any dangerous risks! If you live in Arvada, Colorado, consider a mobile garage door repair specialist on staff at a reliable garage door repair company you know you can count on, such as Arvada Garage Door Repair. 

Precautionary Measures You Can Take Beforehand 

In general, garage door maintenance takes minimal time and effort. When you keep the garage door in tiptop condition, it will absolutely cost you less and last a lot longer over the long haul. 

Once a month, look at your garage door system’s components. Replace any worn-out parts. Tighten any loose bolts. If you hear any strange noises when your garage door opens and shuts, don’t ignore it. Consult a garage door professional. 

Each year, before the winter comes, lubricate your garage door rollers, springs, and hinges. Some garage door experts say you should lubricate four times per year. Choose a top-name brand, so that it will not dry out. A light coating is all that’s needed. If you do not lubricate, the garage door springs will rust sooner or later, and the coils will eventually bind up against each other.  

Schedule an annual inspection with a dependable local garage door repair service. Cables, wires, springs, and pulleys all call for extra attention from an expert. 

Should I Repair or Replace My Garage Door?

If there's something wrong with your garage door, then you're going to need to do something about it sooner rather than later. Physical damage to the garage door can hurt the curb appeal of your home, leave your door prone to further damage and result in a potential safety risk. If there's a problem with the garage door's operation, it can result in issues with function, convenience, safety and even security.

But how exactly do you decide whether your garage door needs to be replaced or if you can simply have it repaired? Typically, you'll want to choose the option of repairing your garage door over replacement for the following reasons:

It will cost less to repair your garage door

According to Home Adviser's True Cost Guide, garage door repair costs typicaly range between $148 and $321 depending on the nature of the repair. The average reported cost is $213. The most expensive garage door repair is typically spring replacement due to the fact that it can take upwards of two to three hours to replace broken or damaged springs with new hardware.

As far as replacement goes, the cost varies wildly depending on various factors - the size of the garage door, the material it's made out of, the features and more. According to Home Adviser, homeowners have reportedly spent between $742 and $1,416 on installing new garage doors - but that price can skyrocket up to as much as $4,000 for double garage doors. It's simply much more cost effective to have your garage door repaired than to replace it.  

Almost every garage door issue can be repaired

Any problem that your door may have in terms of function can be repaired. A broken set of springs doesn't mean you have to have the entire door replaced - it means that you can just replace the springs. The same goes for the other components, such as the tracks, the sensors, the garage door opener, the hinges or the rollers.

The only time you're really forced into a possible replacement is if there is massive cosmetic or functional damage. For example, someone decided to try and back out of your garage without opening the door. But even slight cosmetic damage can be replaced, such as small dings, dents and scratches. Many garage doors repairs allow you to replace individual panels as well instead of having to replace the entire door.

It will take less time to repair your garage door

Replacing your entire garage door is going to take some time to do. Professionals will most likely be needed in order to safely remove your old garage door before installing a new one. Because safety and security is a real concern, your garage door replacement professionals will need to be very careful to ensure that each component is properly installed. The door will then have to be tested out to make sure it functions properly.

You're looking at several hours worth of work - sometimes an entire afternoon of labor depending on the type of door you're installing. Repairs can often be done in a jiffy depending on what the issue is.

Garage door replacement may require HOA approval

If you belong to an HOA (Homeowner's Association), then you may need prior approval from the organization to replace your garage door since it can greatly affect the aesthetic of your home. HOAs tend to have very strict rules when it comes to making large cosmetic changes (this way, they avoid having homes with bright pink garage doors diminishing the property values of other homes in the neighborhood). In many cases, going through the approval process can take longer than you would like.

If you like your garage door, then you should keep it

If you like the way your garage door functions and looks, then there's no reason to replace it if you don't have to. The last thing you'll want is to install a brand new garage door only to realize that you liked your old one better!

As you can see, there's rarely a reason to replace your garage door instead of having it repaired unless there is severe cosmetic or functional damage - or you simply want to upgrade your garage door. If you're unsure of what you want to do, you can always make a minor repair so that the door at least functions safely while you look around to see if you can find an upgrade that is worth the time and money.

For more garage door tips and ideas, kindly visit Should I Repairor Replace My Garage Door.