The garage door is one of the most used parts of a home. With regular use it can sustain damage that requires repairs. Attempting to fix the problem yourself can be frustrating and often only fixes symptoms rather than the actual issue.

Broken or damaged panels, especially if affecting the structural integrity of the door, may require replacement. You may also want to consider upgrading your garage door to reduce energy consumption with insulated panels. For professional help, contact Garage Door Repair Tuttle.

A garage door relies on a system of pulleys, chains and rollers to open and close. When you activate the opener, a motor moves a chain or belt connected to a series of wheels and arms that lift your garage door. When one of these parts breaks, the door can get stuck or make terrible squealing noises as it operates.

If your garage door starts making these noises, the first thing to do is check whether something is obstructing the moving parts of the system. If the problem is not an obstruction, you might need to replace a worn-out belt or chain. A garage door repair professional can help you choose the right replacement for your particular system.

Another common garage door issue is a disengaged trolley carriage. If you activate the opener and only the inner trolley carriage moves without lifting the garage door, it’s likely the trolley has become disengaged from the motor due to manual operation or a power outage. This is an easy fix for a Tasker and should only take a few minutes to complete.

A broken spring can also cause problems. Your garage door uses springs to counterbalance its weight, so a broken one can leave the door unsupported and difficult to operate. The springs can break during operation, or they may lose tension over time due to wear. If the springs are broken, a professional can replace them with new ones to ensure the safe and proper functioning of your garage door.

Other common issues include a damaged or sagging garage door panel. While you can sometimes repair small dents and cracks with filler materials, extensive damage usually means getting a replacement.

Malfunctioning Safety Sensors

Sensors are another key garage door component that ensures your safety by preventing the door from closing on a person or object. The sensors send a beam across the entrance to detect whether something is in the way and stop or reverse the door’s motion. When they start to malfunction, it can be a sign of an issue with other parts of the system or the doors themselves.

One common cause of malfunctioning sensors is dirt on the lens. The sensors can easily become dirty over time due to the conditions in your garage, and a buildup of dirt can disrupt their infrared signals. Cleaning the lenses can help restore their functionality, and All American Doors recommends regular cleaning to prevent buildup.

Another common reason for sensors not functioning properly is moisture. This can happen when the sensors are exposed to moisture, such as during a rainstorm or if they’re accidentally sprayed by a hose or sprinkler. If this is the case, the sensors might not work properly until the moisture has a chance to dry out.

You can also try to realign the sensors. If you notice the LED lights on both sensors are blinking, it could mean they’re misaligned. You can do this by loosening the wingnut on each sensor and adjusting them until the LED lights are solid.

If you can’t resolve the problem by examining for obstructions or re-aligning the sensors, there may be an electrical issue with the sensor wires. These can get pinched and drop their voltage, which can make the sensors function erratically. If this is the case, you should consult a professional to replace the sensors or repair the wires.

Misaligned Tracks

The garage door tracks are the guiding rails that facilitate the upward and downward movement of your garage door. These are crucial for safe and balanced operation, so it’s important to regularly inspect them for signs of misalignment. Unaligned tracks can cause the rollers to become stuck in the track or create gaps between the rail and the rollers. These issues are relatively easy to spot and can be fixed with simple adjustments.

The most obvious sign of misalignment is an uneven movement of the garage door. If the door moves slower at certain points during the opening or closing process, it could indicate that the tracks are not aligned correctly. Additionally, if you hear loud noises such as grinding or scraping during operation, it may be caused by the garage door hitting a misaligned section of the track.

Regularly checking your garage door for any physical damage, such as dents or bends in the track, is another way to check if your tracks are aligned properly. These issues are usually a result of normal wear and tear, but can also be the result of improper installation or environmental factors such as extreme temperature fluctuations.

To properly inspect your tracks, carefully run your hand along the length of them and pay attention to any rough spots or irregularities. A smooth track should feel consistent and even throughout its entire length. A physical gap between the roller and the rail is a clear indicator of misalignment, and should be addressed promptly. It’s also important to lubricate your garage door on a routine basis to minimize the effects of wear and tear and keep your track alignment in good condition.

Broken Cables or Springs

Whether they’re lifting or retaining, garage door cables are critical components of the system. They help distribute the weight of this heavy assembly evenly to other parts of the opener, allowing it to move smoothly and safely. However, these cables are under constant stress, and they can easily wear out with age or general use. When this happens, they’ll snap or become frayed, and the door won’t open or close properly.

The cables are essentially a length of strong, flexible metal that connects to the torsion or extension springs on each side of the garage door. They wind around the drums and get pulled or unwound with each opening and closing cycle to move the door up or down. If they break, the springs will continue to try to lift the door, putting too much pressure on them and possibly damaging the metal tracks, rollers or other components.

It’s also possible for the cables to become tangled and caught in the pulleys, or to unwind from the drums and leave them splayed across the floor. These problems can be caused by a variety of factors, including the type of garage door you have, a lack of lubrication, dirt or debris in the pulleys and other issues.

You may also notice that one side of the garage door is lower or sagging when it moves up or down, which could indicate that the cable on this side has worn out or snapped. The best way to prevent this from happening is to perform regular visual inspections to look for signs of rust, corrosion or excessive wear. If you see any of these, call for immediate repair.

Broken Bottom Seals

A broken bottom seal can cause problems with the functionality of the garage door. This is because when this seal becomes damaged or worn, it can no longer provide a good barrier between the inside of your home and the elements outside. This can lead to water seepage, cold temperatures in the garage, and drafts that can make the room feel uncomfortable.

To check for a defective seal, you can look around the area near the base of your garage door for signs of a worn or missing section. It is also a good idea to examine the surrounding areas of your garage for any gaps or cracks that may allow cold air or moisture into your home.

If you suspect that your garage door’s bottom seal is worn out, the best course of action is to replace it. This can be done in a fairly straightforward way, depending on the type of garage door you have. For example, some doors have a metal track that holds a replacement seal, while others use an aluminum retainer that slides into place.

Before you start, take a close look at the existing seal to determine its type, size, and design. This will help you determine if it needs to be replaced or if you can repair it.

If you are replacing the seal, first scrape away any dirt or debris that is stuck to the old one. Then, clean the aluminum retainer with a damp cloth and a screwdriver to remove any corrosion. Once it is clean, you can slide in the new seal. Be sure to position it properly, so that it is centered and aligned correctly with the track.