Common Causes Of Garage Door Damage You Need To Know

Discover some common day to day problems that might cause irreparable damage to your garage door in the long run.  

Your garage door is a vital part of the exterior of your house. It plays a massive role in determining how your house looks from outside. You might think your garage door works on a simple mechanism. However, if you look closely, you can notice that many small parts help this massive door function.

If any of these parts malfunction, your garage door will not work properly as a result. Moreover, ignoring these small problems may lead to a bigger problem. It can even cause irreparable damage to your door, and you may have to replace it. So these small problems should be resolved as soon as possible. This article lists some of the common issues that can damage your garage door.

Broken Springs

If you look closely, you’ll notice there are quite a few springs involved in your garage doors mechanism. These springs generally have a very short life span. As they have to deal with a lot of pressure, they usually wear off pretty easily, depending on the usage.

When they become old, they usually break. If you are in the house when it breaks, you are most likely to hear it. After it breaks, your garage door won’t work in the same way. If you were not around, look for broken pieces of the spring on the ground. It’s good to check on the springs on your garage door occasionally to be prepared for the breakage.

If the spring breaks, you’ll need to get it replaced. These springs are generally not costly. And if you are good at it, you can change it yourself anytime.

Worn Rollers  

Rollers are undoubtedly the most important part of your garage door for its mobility. Garage doors cannot go up or down without these. Generally, the rollers that come with the door are not of great quality. They are quite flimsy and last a lot less than regular rollers. So, it’s always advised to upgrade the rollers to the premium ones.

These rollers have to endure a lot of pressure. So using poor quality rollers can cause damage to your door. You can tell your rollers need an upgrade when you notice jerking, grinding noises, bumpy, rough motion, etc. Using worn-out rollers can cause severe damage to your tracks by bending them.

So, if you notice anything unusual about your rollers, replace them as soon as possible. They are a bit tricky to replace, so try to call a professional to avoid injuries.

Electrical Issues

Most people use electric garage doors nowadays. They have their own benefits. However, they require more maintenance and repairs as compared to the manual ones. Some major electrical problems are fuses blowing up, frayed wires, water damages, etc. If you have one of these problems, you’ll need to call a professional to help you with your electric garage door repairs.

Not all electrical issues require professional help. A very common problem is the door won’t open or close. This problem is generally resolved as easily as changing the batteries of your opener. If changing the batteries doesn’t work, then the problem might be in your photo-eye sensor.

The photo-eye sensor is a small plastic device that is attached to the sides of your garage door. The sensors send invisible rays and act as a safety measure. If something blocks the sensor or the rays, the door won’t close. So, make sure to check if something is obstructing your photo-eye sensor. Sometimes, it can be as simple as some dust over it. Cleaning it with a wet cloth should do the job; in this way, you can protect your garage door installation.

Worn Hardware

If you are noticing something unusual about your garage door, if it is not functioning as well as it used to do, or if it is making grinding sounds, then it might be an indication the hardware in your garage door needs to be replaced.

All mechanisms wear out with time, especially if they are used multiple times in a day like your garage door. Moreover, your garage door tolerates immense pressure. When hardware wears out, it tends to rust or create too much friction. This causes annoying sounds, jerking, and rough movement.

This problem generally gets resolved by lubricating well. Make sure to use a silicone-based lubricant to avoid the greasy feel and dust balling up. However, you may need to replace some parts, depending on their condition or how long they have been used.

Misaligned Tracks

As you may know, your garage door slides along with metal tracks when it moves up or down. To open or close smoothly, the rollers need to be perfectly aligned with the tracks. This way they slide easily, and your door opens and closes without any noise and jerking. However, with daily use, these rollers can get off the track or get misaligned.

If the door gets misaligned, it won’t function as well as it used to do. Think of your garage door as a train. Can a train ever move smoothly without its tracks? The same goes for your garage door. So, if you ever notice a gap between your door and the tracks, make sure to check if the rollers are on track.

If your door is off the track, you are most likely to know because it will be very hard to move. Try to get it fixed as soon as possible because if it stays off the track for a long time and you try to close the door forcefully, your door is most likely to bend. This is a bigger problem because a bent door is not easy to fix. So, try to get it fixed as soon as you notice the misalignment.

To Sum Up

Garage doors are not just a decorative piece on the exterior of your home. They play a massive role in the safety of your home. So there should be no ignorance when it comes to your garage door. They are just like any other piece of machinery. They need proper maintenance and care to function properly.

So make sure to use it with care, and repair them as soon as you notice something wrong.