A garage door is something that is usually safe, works automatically, and beautifies the exterior – but it is a moving 16-foot wall. Garage doors that are not appropriately maintained, like any other piece of machinery, can malfunction, causing mishaps. Sometimes, accidents happen. While some are dangerous and costly, most are not. It is always a good idea to have a professional install, repair and teach you how to use it safely.
Following are the five most frequent garage door mishaps, according to our experts:
Mishap #1 – Garage Door Closes on Car
You’re backing out of the garage on the way to work when suddenly, without warning, the garage door closes on your car. Luckily, the door takes the brunt of it, leaving your vehicle okay. At least you think so. It’s hard to tell with the garage door sitting on the roof. You would like to move it and continue to work, but you realize you must be careful, as it can be quite dangerous. Since the tension springs are wound tight, and the door might be off its track. Better call the Garage Door Doctor’s number for emergency repair: (281) 855-9300.
Mishap #2 – Backing Into the Door
Many people leave home early in the day half asleep and back into a closed door. It is a common mishap that does not usually cause a lot of damage. This mishap ordinarily happens due to poor maintenance or dead remote batteries. Maybe the owner pushed the remote and expected the door to open and just wasn’t paying attention. Also, the close-limit switch could be out of adjustment. No worries, the Garage Door Doctor can fix it quickly.
Mishap #3 – The Garage Door Comes Off Its Tracks
Although this can be annoying, it is not dangerous if the door is closed. Anything left in the tracks can cause this problem. It could also be caused by worn rollers or a bent track from a car bumping it. Tools left leaning against it could prevent the door from coming down properly and cause the door to shift. Anyone who is not a skilled professional could cause more harm to the door if he tries to fix it himself. Be smart – call the Doctor for a house call.
Mishap #4 – The Garage Door Will Not Close Completely
This is a frequent mishap commonly caused by something covering the eye or sensors in the door. Check the sensors to ensure nothing is covering either sensor. If this doesn’t clear the problem, it could be a faulty close-limit switch that needs adjustment. This switch is a safety precaution that controls the up and down motion of the door so it does not close on cars, children, or pets. This is not a do-it-yourself repair.
Another possible cause could be the safety sensors, or eyes, are out of alignment. The brackets holding the sensors in place can move due to vibration of a garage door that has not been correctly maintained and lubricated.
Damaged or rusty rollers have also been the cause of a garage door to bind. Lubricating the rollers, at least annually, will prevent this mishap. A bent track or broken roller could cause the door to stop in its tracks as well. Try lubricating the tracks and rollers with a silicone lubricant. If that does not correct the problem, you might need the services of the Garage Door Doctor.
Mishap #5 – The Garage Door Will Not Open or Does Not Open Completely
The first thing to check is the batteries in the remote. If replacing the batteries and checking the circuit breaker does not clear the problem, or the motor is running but the door doesn’t open all the way, it could be the up-limit switch. The same issues discussed when the door would not close could be causing the garage door not to open all the way or at all.
In the areas around Houston, the Garage Door Doctor makes same-day emergency repairs (unless we are fully-booked.) Our emergency hotline is (281) 855-9300.
When Your Garage Door Has a Mishap, Call the Doctor!
You can call the Garage Door Doctor at (281) 855-9300 or (281) 578-7659 for a 21-point safety and maintenance check to preclude mishaps, or when you need a new door installed. We are licensed and insured, and our technicians will provide a free estimate before we begin work.
“Honest, Quality Work – At a Fair Price.”
