Did you know that your garage door gives off telling signs that indicate when it’s time for you to call a professional? You’d be surprised to know that garage doors are plagued by all kinds of problems even if it seems otherwise. Just because the product is installed and working, that doesn’t mean it has to be maintained by you. That’s why it’s important to understand garage doors and how to tell if they need repairs or replacement.
If you know specific signs that may tell you that your garage door is close to malfunctioning, then it will give you some time to prepare. Here are 6 warning signs to look out for, so let’s get started!
The Garage Door is Noisy
If your garage door shakes and rattles when it opens or closes, then there may be a problem with the springs or rollers. Here are a few things to take note of if your springs or rollers are damaged:
1. Consider upgrading to a quieter model
If you have an older door with a single spring, this can cause noise but doesn’t necessarily mean it’s broken. However, If you have a newer door with two springs that are making noise, one of them may be broken.
If you hear thumping noises when the door opens or closes, check and see if there’s anything caught on the track. Check if there are any obstructions in front of it, as well. It may be a piece of debris on the end of the track that causes the problem. In general, things that are blocking its path aren’t good.
2. Look for any loose screws on the hinges and tracks
If it makes a loud screeching noise when opening or closing, then it will feel flimsy and unstable. This is a result of worn-out hinges.
If your garage door is making any kind of noise, it can be a sign that something is wrong with it. You must discover whatever type of noise your garage door creates. This is to decide what kind of repair is required. Keep in mind that the sound can range from rattling to squeaking, as well. This one way to know more about garage doors and how to tell if they need repair.
Misaligned Tracks and Rollers
Tracks are what help guide and support the door as it moves up and down. Rollers are what help move the door back and forth laterally (side-to-side). If these two parts are misaligned, it causes your garage door to not open and close properly.
If the rollers are misaligned, they are not able to move smoothly along the tracks which makes it difficult for them to do their job.
Keep in mind that when the garage door is old or had been previously damaged, it’s likely that one or more of the tracks and rollers are loose.
Check to see if this is the case by manually lifting the garage door and looking at the tracks and rollers. If any are loose, you’ll see them moving as you lift the door up.
If this is what’s happening, you should have a professional tighten those components so that it functions properly once more!
Bent Track
An impact or prolonged use, such as when the door opens and closes too quickly, might bend a track. A missing screw or another piece of hardware holding the track in place can possibly be the source of the issue.
It is a problem that is simple to identify. Your garage door should have tracks on both sides if you look at the bottom of it. If they are bent out of shape, they can lead to a variety of issues. This is why it’s imperative to know what to look out for in garage doors and also know how to tell if they need repair. The most common issue you can encounter due to a bent track is:
1. The door can stick when opening and shutting, or it just doesn’t close properly
It could therefore become trapped either halfway open or closed. Anyone who frequently utilizes the garage and requires fast entry during an emergency can face major safety risks as a result.
That being said, in the scenario where you notice your garage door has a bent track, have it fixed as soon as possible. Why? Because it will cause your garage door to open and close unevenly. It can also stop halfway through its travel. If left untreated, this can lead to further damage, including broken springs and cables.
Twisted Springs
When you open your garage door, do the springs twist and shift?
If the springs are twisted or moving around while you open the door, then it’s not safe to use the garage to park your car as it could cause damage to your vehicle and injure you.
Alternately, there’s a significant likelihood that twisted garage door springs are to blame if your garage door won’t open or close properly.
Check out these signs to see if your springs need repair:
1. The springs are making a lot of noise when you try to open or close the door
You hear a loud clanging sound when you try to open or close your garage door. Why is that? It’s likely that the springs have become twisted and they need to be straightened immediately. This is key in learning about garage doors and how to tell if they need repair or replacement.
2. The springs have broken or snapped in half
If any of your garage doors’ springs have broken or snapped in half, then it’s time for an immediate repair! Broken springs can lead to serious injury if not replaced immediately. Don’t wait around!
3. Your garage door is having difficulty opening or closing all of a sudden
If your garage door has always been easy to open and close, but then suddenly feels harder to operate than usual, it could mean that one or more of its springs is getting ready to break. Don’t leave this unchecked. Call a professional!
Nevertheless, twisted springs are a common problem with garage doors. They can cause your door to sag, open unevenly, and maybe even hang up on one side. The good news is that it’s pretty easy to fix a twisted spring. You just have to have the right tools. But if you’re not sure what those tools are, or how to use them, don’t hesitate to get a professional out there to do it for you.
Freezing Garage Doors in Winter
Freezing garage doors in winter can be a serious problem– It can damage your door and make it hard to open and close, for one. If your garage door freezes, there’s a good chance it will crack or even warp! However, you can prevent this from happening by simply adding insulation to your garage door.
To understand how it affects the door, cold weather can cause a problem with the way it seals. This can happen when ice forms on your garage door then expand when temperatures drop, causing the door to lift off of its track.
If this happens to you, it’s important to get your garage door fixed immediately. If the issue isn’t addressed quickly enough, it may cause serious damage and cost a lot of money to fix.
Fret not! Here are some ways that you can keep your garage doors insulated during winter to prevent damage:
1. Clean your garage door
The first step to keeping your garage door insulated during the winter is to clean it. When snow and ice accumulate on your garage door, it can cause it to freeze and break. Regularly clean off the snow so you can prevent this from happening.
2. Use a garage door sealant
If you live in an area that experiences harsh winters, then you may want to invest in a sealant for your garage door as this will help keep moisture out of the bottom of your door and prevent snow from accumulating in between the panels.
3. Invest in a quality garage door opener
If you’ve been thinking about getting a new opener for your garage door, now is a perfect time! Current models feature sensors that can detect when there’s too much snow on top of them. This helps to stay on top of your garage door and ensure it doesn’t malfunction during cold weather seasons like outdated ones often do!
Deformed Sections and Panels on Garage Doors
Garage doors are generally made from metal. This means that they can easily get dented when you hit them with your car or slam them shut too hard. While it may not be too noticeable, over time, these dents can really start to add up and cause problems. Oftentimes, this may seem like a non-critical issue, but it’s important to keep in mind when inspecting garage doors as it helps to know how to tell when it needs repair or replacement.
If you notice that there are dents in the metal panels of your garage door or gate, then it’s probably time to call a professional. Why, what’s the big deal? The thing is, these dents could be causing damage to other parts of the garage door’s mechanism. If they’re not addressed soon, they could lead to more serious issues down the line.
Takeaway
In addition to the aforementioned signs, you should also consider fully inspecting your garage door as part of your regular maintenance activity. It could be that one of the moving parts needs to be lubricated or replaced from time to time; it may cost only a few dollars right now, but it may also make a big difference if done sooner rather than later.
Keeping your eyes peeled for these signs can help you realize if it is time to have a professional take a look at your garage door, as they will not only diagnose the problem but also offer you the best potential solution.
If you notice any of the above, contact us right away at ALL Garage Doors and Gates of North Hollywood by dialing (747)261-0570 so that we can help you out!
