Garage Door Repairs: Common Issues and How to Fix Them

Your garage door makes strange noises every morning. The remote doesn’t work half the time. Maybe your door gets stuck halfway up, leaving you late for work. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. These garage door repair tips will help you understand what’s happening when your garage door acts up.

Garage doors work hard every day. They open and close thousands of times each year. With all that use, problems are bound to happen. The good news? Most common garage door problems have clear solutions. The even better news? Our experts at Handyman Connection in Etobicoke know exactly how to fix them.

Let’s explore the most frequent garage door issues and how our professional repair services handle them. You’ll learn what causes these problems and why fixing garage door issues requires skilled hands. From broken springs to wonky sensors, we’ll cover it all.

Broken Springs: The Heavy Lifters

Garage door springs do the real work. They lift hundreds of pounds, so you don’t have to. When springs break, you’ll know it immediately. The door becomes impossible to lift manually. Sometimes you’ll hear a loud bang when the spring snaps.

There are two types of springs in garage doors:

• Torsion springs sit above the door and twist to store energy
• Extension springs run along the sides and stretch to help lift the door
• Both types wear out over time from repeated use
• Most springs last 7-15 years, depending on quality and usage

These springs store massive amounts of tension. One wrong move can cause serious injury. Our experts use special tools to safely remove old springs and install new ones.

We always recommend replacing both springs at once, even if only one broke. Why? The other spring has the same age and wear. It will likely break soon, too. Replacing both saves you money and prevents another emergency repair call.

The repair process starts with securing the door and releasing tension from the broken spring. Our technicians then measure the door weight and choose the correct replacement springs. After installation, they test the door balance to ensure smooth operation.

Garage Door Opener Problems: When Automation Fails

Your garage door opener is like a small computer. It controls when and how your door moves. When it stops working, daily life gets complicated fast. Opener problems show up in different ways.

Common opener issues include:

• Remote controls that don’t respond
• Motors that make grinding or clicking sounds
• Doors that reverse before touching the ground
• Keypads that won’t accept your code

Our technicians start opener repairs by checking the power supply. Sometimes the issue is as simple as a tripped circuit breaker. Next, they examine the remote control batteries and test the signal strength.

If the motor makes unusual noises, it often means internal gears are wearing out. Our experts can replace worn gears, pulleys, or drive belts. For more serious problems, like burned-out motors or faulty circuit boards, they’ll recommend complete opener replacement.

Modern openers have many safety features. They use sensors to detect obstacles and automatic reverse mechanisms to prevent accidents. When these safety systems malfunction, professional repair becomes critical. We know how to properly calibrate these systems to keep your family safe.

Track and Roller Issues: Keeping Things Moving Smoothly

Your garage door travels up and down on metal tracks, guided by small wheels called rollers. When tracks get bent or rollers wear out, the door struggles to move smoothly. You might notice scraping sounds or see the door wobble as it opens.

Track problems happen for several reasons:

• Heavy impacts from backing into the door
• Normal wear from years of use
• Loose mounting brackets that allow tracks to shift
• Debris or ice is blocking the track path

Small bends can sometimes be straightened with special tools. Severely damaged tracks need complete replacement to ensure safe door operation.

Roller replacement is another common repair. Steel rollers eventually wear out and start making noise. Nylon rollers last longer and operate much quietly. Our technicians typically recommend upgrading to nylon rollers during replacement.

The repair process involves temporarily supporting the door while removing old rollers. Each roller gets inspected and replaced if needed. Finally, our experts check track alignment to prevent future problems.

Sensor and Safety System Repairs

Modern garage doors have invisible safety beams near the floor. These sensors prevent the door from closing if something blocks the path. When sensors malfunction, your door might not close at all. Or it might reverse unexpectedly while closing.

Sensor problems usually stem from:

• Dirt or spider webs are blocking the sensor lens
• Sensors that get knocked out of alignment
• Damaged wiring from weather or pests
• Sensor housings cracked from impact

Even small amounts of dirt can block the invisible beam. Next, they check sensor alignment using special tools. Both sensors must point directly at each other to work properly.

If cleaning and alignment don’t solve the problem, our experts examine the wiring. Mice sometimes chew sensor wires, and weather can cause corrosion. Damaged wires get replaced with weather-resistant versions.

Sometimes sensors themselves fail internally. Our technicians carry replacement sensors for all major garage door brands. After installing new sensors, they test the safety system multiple times to ensure proper operation.

Cable Problems: The Unsung Heroes

Garage door cables work with springs to lift your heavy door safely. These steel cables handle tremendous stress every day. When they fray or snap, the door becomes dangerous to operate. You might notice the door hanging at an odd angle or cables hanging loose from their drums.

Cable damage happens gradually through normal use. Signs include:

• Visible fraying or broken wire strands
• Cables that slip off their drums
• Uneven door movement during operation
• Rust or corrosion on cable surfaces

Broken cables can cause the door to fall suddenly, creating serious safety hazards. Our technicians secure the door before beginning any cable work.

Cable replacement requires releasing spring tension safely. Our experts use professional-grade tools designed specifically for this work. They measure cable length precisely and choose the correct wire gauge for your door weight.

After installing new cables, our technicians adjust spring tension and test door balance. Proper cable installation prevents premature wear and ensures years of reliable operation.

Panel and Weather Seal Repairs

Garage door panels take a beating from weather, impacts, and normal aging. Dented panels affect more than just appearance. They can throw off door balance and cause other components to wear faster. Cracked panels let in water, cold air, and pests.

Weather seals around your garage door keep elements outside where they belong. Over time, rubber seals crack and shrink. You’ll notice drafts, water leaks, or higher energy bills when seals fail.

Minor dents can sometimes be repaired without replacement. Severely damaged panels need replacement to maintain door integrity.

Our technicians match new panels to your existing door style and colour. After installation, they adjust the door balance to account for any weight changes. This prevents premature wear on other components.

Weather seal replacement involves removing old, hardened rubber and installing fresh sealing material. We use high-quality seals designed for Canadian weather extremes. Proper installation ensures years of protection from the elements.

Ready to Fix Your Garage Door Issues?

Professional garage door repair makes the difference between a quick fix and a lasting solution. Our experts at Handyman Connection in Etobicoke have the tools, training, and experience to handle any garage door problem safely and effectively.

Don’t let common garage door problems disrupt your daily routine. Whether you need spring replacement, opener repair, or any other garage door service, our team delivers reliable results you can count on. We understand that garage door repair tips only go so far – sometimes you need professional expertise to get things working properly again.