4 Reasons Your Garage Door Could Be Stuck
It seems like a simple enough daily task: you open your garage door and drive your vehicle in. But when the door doesn’t budge, it starts to close on its own, or worse yet, falls off of its hinges; you have a big problem. If you are wondering why your garage door is stuck, here are four common causes for a malfunctioning garage door.
The Weather Stripping Around Your Garage Door Is Worn Out
Worn-out weather stripping around your garage door can cause the rolling mechanism to stick. If you use your garage door frequently, this is something that will need to be replaced at some point. If your garage door sticks, but you can’t pinpoint any of the above issues, you should check the condition of the weather stripping around the door.
Welborn Garage Doors notes that you should use a stiff piece of plastic to check the weather stripping. If you can easily slide it between the door and the frame, your weatherstripping is likely worn out. That means it often doesn’t properly seal off your garage door from debris and dirt. So, it’s time to replace it.
Your Track Is Broken, Bent, or Misaligned
Your garage door could also get stuck because its track has been bent, broken, or misaligned. If your tracks are not lining up properly, this can cause friction between them and your wheels, preventing you from opening or closing the door properly. Misalignment also increases the likelihood that debris will get stuck in your tracks.
One way to check if there is a problem with the track on the bottom of your door is by performing an easy test: try and roll something up or down its path. If you find that it’s difficult, then this could be what’s causing your garage door not to function correctly. Check for any debris that may be stuck within them and clean it out.
Your Springs Are Old and Weak
If you notice that your garage door is taking longer than normal to open or close, it may be due to weak springs. Garage doors are designed with steel torsion-style springs under the weight of their roofs, so when they wear down and weaken, there’s no way around having a lot less power in opening and closing the door.
To check if your torsion spring needs replacing, look under the door and see how many turns of wire there are in each spring. Each turn represents a half-inch of compression. If you see fewer than three turns, the wire has likely worn down past its elastic limit and needs to be replaced. If your springs are already broken or completely gone, it’s time for a replacement.
There’s an Obstruction
If you’re having garage door problems, it could be because there is an obstruction somewhere along the path that opens and closes the door. This could be anywhere from before or after where your opener makes contact with the chain/belt system of your garage. You should check to see that nothing is obstructing the door at any point.
Some common obstructions include a stick on one side of the track, which prevents proper movement of the door, a car parked too close to the door, making it difficult for movement or even toys left on the ground. Keep your garage door area free of any obstructions at all times.
Get Your Garage Door Inspected and Repaired
There are more reasons your garage door could get stuck such as a broken cable, jammed pulley, bad weather, and issues with the garage door sensor. If you hear unusual sounds coming from your garage door when it opens and closes, the chances are that something is amiss with the mechanics of your garage door and needs to be checked by a professional.
Given these many reasons why a garage door may fail, it’s best to have your garage door inspected and repaired regularly. Call an expert to help you with this task every six months to ensure a smooth and efficient garage door operation.
