A well-functioning garage door usually makes life easier. However, garage door damage catches many homeowners unaware, leaving them uncertain about the exact cause of the problem. Since a garage door has many moving parts, the cause of the problem may not be straightforward. Explore the most common causes of garage door damage to determine the problem with your door.
1. Extreme Weather
Extreme weather affects how your garage door operates. For instance, cold conditions cause the door's metal parts to contract and interfere with the function of rollers within the tracks. Springs also become brittle when the weather is cold, and they may snap or break and leave the garage door unable to open and close. Melted snow can leave your door frozen shut and damage the weatherstripping.
The rain is especially unkind to garage doors as it makes hinges, bolts, and other parts prone to rust. In addition to noise, rusted parts reduce your door's efficiency and can cost you a lot in repair.
2. Broken Springs
Springs help open and close your garage door, meaning they hold a lot of weight. If the springs break, you get stuck with a garage door that won't open. Although the springs are durable, they aren't immune from the wear and tear from daily use of the garage door. The springs handle even more pressure if you use the garage door as a front door.
An alarming loud noise, which homeowners liken to a shotgun going off, is often the first sign of a broken spring. If you aren't in your residence when the springs break, you will likely come home to a closed garage door that won't open.
A broken spring may also cause the garage door to only open to a few inches and stop or open very slowly. The door may quickly fall when going down because the opener cannot handle the weight of your unbalanced garage door.
Leave broken spring replacement to professionals since the springs are under significant tension. Working with garage door springs poses many hazards to DIYers, including falling doors and severe cuts.
3. Broken Cables
Garage door cables link the door to the pulley system and facilitate the door's movement. These cables sustain wear and tear from endless open-close cycles and get brittle with age.
Broken cables activate a safety mechanism that keeps the door closed to prevent injuries. Another sign of garage door damage is a door that moves unevenly, indicating misaligned cables. A door that moves fast also points to broken springs and cables, in which case you should contact garage door repair services.New Paragraph
4. Misaligned Tracks
Tracks run on either side of any garage door from floor to ceiling. Your door easily slides along these tracks when it opens or closes as long as the rollers perfectly align with the tracks. However, the rollers commonly misalign or bend with daily use and interrupt the door's operation.
If you wait too long to mend the rollers, the tracks continue to shift out of place as other parts of the system sustain damage. Misaligned tracks also make the door hard to move and interfere with your daily routine.
5. Various Electrical and Battery Issues
Many homeowners prefer electric garage doors to manual doors. Although electric doors are more reliable and convenient, they are prone to electrical issues like blown fuses. A blown fuse causes the door to stop working, and you need to call a professional to restore your door's function.
The problem with garage doors that stop working is often as simple as switching the transmitter batteries. A blocked photo-eye sensor is another common issue you can quickly solve with a gentle wipe. The photosensors can also misalign, but a garage door contractor easily fixes this problem.
6. Worn Rollers
Garage door rollers hold your garage door on the tracks and facilitate its smooth operation. Garage door noise is often the first sign of roller failure, which increases as the ball bearings develop pits in the metal. The sound can mimic the noise that a train makes on railroad tracks.
If you ignore the problem, the rollers wear out other parts of the garage door system like the belts and drive gears and cause more issues like running the door off track. Rollers that appear wobbly require immediate replacement to keep the door on the track.New Paragraph
7. Normal Wear and Tear
An aging garage door naturally gets less efficient as parts like the springs and cables wear out. Lubricating and tightening components may work for a while, but repairs and replacement become necessary to keep the door working correctly.
If you often call garage door contractors to repair different parts, replacing the garage door may be the best solution for your home. Investing in a modern and efficient door ensures every family member leaves and gets back to the house seamlessly.
At Edgemont Garage Doors, we have the expertise to fix any garage door issue you have.
Contact us today for prompt garage door services.
