Do you have a problem with your garage door? It might stop working, makes strange noises or just won’t open or close. Deciding between garage door repair vs replacement can be challenging if you don’t know what’s causing the issue. A faulty garage door affects your schedule and puts your residence and everything in it at risk. In this blog post, you will learn how to diagnose several typical issues with a garage door, investigate possible solutions, and determine when to call a professional to repair or replace the garage door.
What is the Average Lifespan of Garage Doors?
A garage door itself has a life expectancy of 15-30 years although this may differ concerning the material used, how often it was maintained and how often it was used. Although doors are always required to be in good condition and well-maintained ones rarely develop problems they may experience problems.
Factors Affecting Garage Door Lifespan:
- Material Quality: Steel and aluminum provide more strength as compared to wood which may require regular refinishing.
- Maintenance Routine: Garage door maintenance service done on a regular basis makes your door last longer since some damages may be avoided.
- Usage Frequency: This is because with frequent usage it compounded on the wearing of parts such as springs cables and rollers.
- Weather Conditions: Very high temperatures, water, rain or sleet affects the material by warping the metal, rusting or corroding it.
Top 5 Common Garage Door Issues and Their Solutions
Understanding the most frequent garage door problems can help you take quick action. Here are five common issues and their solutions:
1. Strange Sounds When Opening or Closing
Any strange sound like the growling, squeaking, or knocking sound generally bears testimony to mechanical problems. Such sounds can be generated through use of worn rollers, loose hardware or damaged springs. Failure to hear strange sounds can lead to costly overhauls in garage door repair Jacksonville FL or complete system breakdown.
Causes:
- Misaligned tracks.
- Rusty or dry rollers.
- Worn-out torsion springs.
Solution:
- Rub dish washing liquid on the tracks, rollers, and hinges then apply a silicone-based lubricant.
- Use a wrench to make other loose nuts and bolts to become tight again.
- If the problem still persists then it’d be advised to replace broken springs or faulty rollers here.
2. Blocked Sensors
The garage door reverses during closing or doesn’t close properly, signaling that the sensors on the garage door are either blocked or misaligned. Garage door sensors should be checked frequently, so opt for the garage door maintenance service at specific regular intervals.
Causes:
- Lens of the sensors could be dusty, dirty, full of cobwebs, etc.
- Exploitation of additional incidental knocks which cause sensor misalignment.
- Electrical problems which lead to sensor loss.
Solution:
- You should clean the sensor lenses with a soft cloth material that has been moistened in warm water.
- Make sure that the sensors are squared to each other (no barriers between the sensors).
- Lastly, look at the garage door opener’s indicator light to determine the status of the sensors.
- If cleaning and aligning the sensors do not help, then the sensors should be changed out for new ones.
3. Broken Springs
It does not open or goes down suddenly. Lost springs are among the most severe garage door issues because of the string tight springs involved. Garage door springs support the weight of the door and need repair help; otherwise, it becomes very dangerous and expensive to repair.
Causes:
- Pre-worn and tear after a thousand cycles of opening and closing.
- Spring fatigue or gradual loss of effectiveness due to rust or corrosion of the materials of which the springs are made.
Solution:
It is extremely dangerous and unadvisable to attempt to repair or reinstall springs on your own. There is really no other way but to call a professional technician immediately for the replacement of the destroyed springs.
4. Roller Issues
Sometimes garage doors vibrate, jam or seem to come off the tracks, especially because of rollers that have worn or even damaged. If roller-related issues occur frequently, you may need to evaluate garage door repair vs replacement for a long-term fix.
Causes:
- Also, dry rollers that didn’t have the appropriate lubrication.
- Damaged Chilled Rollers include those that are cracked, broken or warped.
- Dirty or clogged tracks.
Solution:
- Wipe the tracks with a moist part of a cloth to ensure that there is no accumulation of dirt on the tracks.
- Use of silicone based lubricants on the rollers and tracks.
- Utilize original equipment manufacturers’ recommended roller parts and components that do not wear out very easily.
5. Transmitter Problems
The garage door is closed, and the remote control or the wall-mounted opener is useless, and you are trapped in or out.
Causes:
- Dead transmitter batteries.
- Distorted signal because of electronic diversions.
- Mobile phone application not found or malfunctioned.
Solution:
- Change the batteries that are used in the remote transmitter.
- First, make sure that the remote is in the correct zone you checking its range of functionality as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to reprogram the remote.
- If the simple reprogramming of the machine does not work then consider consulting with a technician.
Who is the Best Professional to Repair Garage Door Issues?
As you have discovered there is always hope for your garage door problem through DIY repairs but in case this does not help contact LNU Garage Door for all your services in Garage Door Repair Jacksonville FL. Our certified technicians deliver:
- Expert Diagnosis: We address those underlying issues which one is likely to overlook.
- Precision Repairs: We also ensure that we use only the best quality replacement parts in giving lasting solutions.
- Scheduled Maintenance: Some of the perks of preventive services include preventing early deterioration of your garage door.
- Cost-Effective Solutions: The cost of our repairs as well as replacements come with reasonable prices in the market.
If you require garage door maintenance service or your garage door needs repair work done at the soonest possible time, our crew will make sure that your garage operates as is most ideal.
Final Thoughts
Understanding common garage door issues can help you decide between garage door repair vs replacement. While minor problems like sensor cleaning and remote programming are easy DIY tasks, more significant issues like broken springs or faulty rollers require professional attention. Trust LNU Garage Door for expert repairs, maintenance, and replacements that keep your door in perfect working order.