Dealing with a garage door that is stuck, or jolts with difficulty moving? This can be a common occurrence for garage doors that are reaching the end of their life or haven’t been maintained to a high standard. These issues can be fixed with DIY solutions and professional help, depending on the severity of the problem.
Common Reasons for a Stuck Garage Door
When you’re in a hurry, a stuck garage door is the last thing you need. But there are a variety of reasons that this may have happened and happens more often than you think for homeowners across the country. Luckily, our professional troubleshooting tips are here to help. All garage doors have springs to help them open and close with ease. If you experience that the door has become heavy when lifting or that it becomes tricky to manoeuvre, then it could be a broken spring or one that has weakened. As explained in The Family Handyman's guide on garage door spring replacement, signs of a broken spring include gaps in the spring or the door being difficult to lift.
Another potential cause is that there is an obstruction on the tracks which mean they keep getting jammed. This is due to debris, leaves and dirt which has built up over time that stops it from running smoothly. Also, keep an eye out for any boxes and items that may have got in the way. Finally, if you have an electric gate, then a recent power outage may have affected the electric components of your garage door.
DIY Steps to Fix a Stuck Garage Door
For homeowners comfortable with carrying out DIY on their garage doors, there are a number of tips that can help when it gets stuck. If you’ve spotted any unusual sounds or that the door isn’t moving but the motor is still running, then this could indicate a problem with the gears or mechanics. Take a look at the opener by removing all items in the way so that you have a clear space to work in, and inspect if there is any debris or blockage within the opener. When carrying out this step keep the electricity on so that the conditions are the same as normal, but also check the circuit breaker, wires and outlets for any further electrical issues.
Also examine the tracks to see if there are any bends, misalignments or dents that may be hindering the door from opening. Minor track issues can sometimes be fixed with gentle hammering and alignment, as detailed in HowStuffWorks' guide on repairing garage doors. Sometimes a good blast of cleaning will wash away any cobwebs and build-up of dirt. When testing the garage door manually by disconnecting the opener from the door, this will be a good indication if it is the opener causing the hold-up.
If your garage door opener is the root of the issue, take a look at our guide on how to repair an unresponsive electric garage door opener. This could be the solution to get your garage door moving again.
When to Call for Emergency Garage Door Repairs
There are key signs for when emergency garage door repair is needed and it’s essential that you call on a professional such as Abacus Doors who will be able to assist straight away. The first is when you’re completely unable to move the garage door if it’s stuck in the open or closed position and can’t be forced shut. This is a security issue as intruders are able to easily access your garage and potentially your home to steal valuable possessions.
By calling an expert engineer who will be able to assist within short notice and deliver a sustainable high-quality solution to your home will keep your mind at ease as your property will be secured properly. Also, with their esteemed knowledge and skillset dealing with multiple brands and models of garage doors that have experienced the same malfunction, they’ll not only minimise the risk of further damage but keep you from future injury too.
The Importance of Professional Garage Door Maintenance
When investing in a new garage door, you want to ensure that you’re buying one from a reputable brand that includes a warranty so that it’s guaranteed to have support if anything went wrong. However, it’s also important that regular maintenance is carried out to ensure long-term functionality and to prevent the doors from getting stuck. Our meticulous maintenance takes a look at general wear and tear and informs you of the consequences if not addressed and become major problems which can be costly for garage door repair.
Early detection from our skilled engineers can assist with this, plus a well-maintained garage door can help to reduce energy costs as it’ll be operating at it’s best. As time goes on we can also recommend new technologies and smart systems to make your garage even more efficient for a seamless operation which will be a great selling point if you’re looking to put your home on the market in the future. Alternatively, if you need specific parts, our garage door spares can provide exactly what you need to keep your garage door functioning smoothly.
Get Fast, Reliable, Garage Door Repairs with Abacus Garage Doors
Searching for garage doors near me? Abacus Garage Doors are leaders in the supply, installation, maintenance and repair of garage doors. With 40 years of experience in the industry, we’ve tackled every challenge for our customers across the South West for a reliable, reputable and rapid response for your garage door needs.