Garage Door Closure Issues
One of the things that can be so aggravating when you use a garage door is when the door won’t close. Now, you can’t just go in the house and leave the door open, especially if you have an attached garage. You’re headed to work or taking your kids to school, the last thing you have time to do is stop and figure out why this is happening. You’re trying to back out of your garage and all of a sudden the door is starting to close. You probably have to hit the button again and possibly even a third time to prevent the door from closing again. Then you’re out and the next day, no problem! You’re able to get out without a problem. You may not know why this is occurring but we can tell you at Turner Sandy Springs Garage Door, LLC in Sandy Springs, GA that this is not unusual.
What Is Causing This Problem
We receive phone calls about this problem quite often, which is why the problem is usually one of two things, the sensors inside the garage have something in front of them or there is something in the path of the door. You can do a few things yourself to determine why you are experiencing the problem. This not only saves you time but it will also save you money if you can avoid contacting a garage door service.
You may not realize that there is something that is actually obstructing the path of the door. To determine if this is the case, the next time your garage door is closed, take the emergency release latch and disconnect the opener from it. Try opening the garage door again but try doing it manually. Was it able to lift without much effort or did you feel some resistance? If the garage door opens like usual then it’s clear that there could be a problem with your springs, a bent track or broken wheel. If it is any of these things then you should know that these are fairly easy and inexpensive things to fix. However, since the garage door is such a large part of equipment attached to your home it can be dangerous if not handled properly. This is why it is best to rely on the services of a garage door company. This is troubleshooting that was simple but some troubleshooting is more complicated and should be performed by a professional. If you try to make the needed adjustments or changes to your garage door then you could be putting yourself and others in harm’s way. Rather than doing this, just rely on a garage door technician.
Aligning Your Sensors
One of the most common reasons for experiencing trouble with your garage door opening or closing without your giving it the command to do so is because of your garage door sensors being misaligned. Make sure that there is always one light shining; this is the transmitter. The other light that should be on is the receiver. It should light up once the transmitter is clearly in view. If one sensor is misaligned or has been moved slightly, it can disrupt the signal. You can try to manually bend it back into place so that it aligns or you can rely on a professional to handle it for you, if your efforts do not work.
There are also occasions when the sensors align perfectly fine but there is something obstructing the lens of the sensors. Keep in mind that your garage has lots of things in it. It could be lawn care equipment, vehicles, garden tools, recreational equipment, and other things blocking the sensors. This means that all that you have to do is slightly hit something that places it in front of the sensors. It is up to you to identify what is blocking the sensors and removing it so that you can get your garage door working again.
You may even have sensors that are dirty. Again, this would prevent the door from operating as usual. Just take a soft cloth and some soap and water. Gently wipe the lenses and you should be able to go on using your garage as usual.
Bad Wiring
Another culprit could be the wiring inside your garage. The wires might be worn or accidentally pulled; this will cause problems with the way your garage door is operating. Also, your safety override might have been triggered, which will cause your door to start and stop again.
Buildup On Tracks
Over time dirt and grime build up on your garage door tracks. You will experience a build-up of small rocks, lint, gum, mud, dirt, and debris. You may not be able to clearly see this but trust us when we tell you that you may have buildup on the tracks that you weren’t aware of. While it may not be that obvious to you, trust us when we tell you that even the smallest amount of debris can create a problem with the way that your doors operate. Your door will close after you have tried to open it because the rollers are unable to move over the tracks because of the debris. The door was designed to stop if there is something on the tracks. This is something that was done intentionally so that no one is harmed. Instead of rolling over someone they retract to keep them safe. You can safely clean the tracks to see if the door starts working again.
Springs & Cable
The tension springs and your garage door cables are designed to safely and slowly lower the garage door when you are attempting to close it. If they didn’t exist and you tried to open your garage door, the door would come crashing down. This could be dangerous for you and could cause harm to your vehicle if it is in the path of the door. Have the tension springs and cables repaired when necessary to avoid this problem.