Garage doors need attention just like any other door in your home. While most garage door problems are the result of general wear and tear, these issues tend to be more prevalent as they age beyond 10 years or so. As with any appliance, you should pay close attention to the sounds, movements, and overall feel of your garage door for signs it is on its way out. Here are some common warning signs to identify if it’s time to call a garage door repair service.
1. The tracks lose a lot of their lubricant
One of the first things you should check is your tracks. If they’re covered in dust and dirt, this is a sign that the lubricant has worn out over time. This is the substance that makes the door operate smoothly and reduces sound levels. If you don’t pay attention to this issue, it can lead to damage to other components and even cause a complete failure of the garage door.
2. The tracks are bent
If the steel tracks inside the guides (the “tracks” where your garage door slides) are bent, this may be a sign of massive damage, and serious repair work is required. Fortunately, you don’t need to know advanced technical expertise in order to make this determination; all you have to do is bend it back into place yourself and then call a professional if it doesn’t seem right after that.
3. You hear loud noises or clanking when opening or closing
If so, there is likely an issue with one of the rollers located at the top of the track wanting to move independently from other rollers. Alternatively, there could also be an excessive amount of debris stuck in between two pieces along the track which will often cause a loud noise as the door opens and closes.
4. Your garage door opener doesn’t seem to be working as well as it used to
Over time, doors tend to lose their ability to open on their own with just the push of a button. If your former “favorite” function is now requiring multiple pushes of the ‘open’ or ‘close’ buttons frequently, it’s time to call a professional for a tune-up.
5 . The safety sensors are not responding properly
Garage doors that have been installed for many years may begin experiencing issues with sensing objects in their path. This can lead to repeated damage over time if left unaddressed by malfunctions along the tracks.
6 . The garage door opener is not working at all
If your garage door operated for several years without any issues, yet suddenly isn’t opening or closing when you press the button on your remote, then the issue likely lies with a broken garage door opener. This can be caused by gradually worsening conditions in certain parts of the motor which are difficult to detect visually. Call a professional service to have it replaced before it breaks completely if this is an option.
7 . The garage door is bent or buckling
If your door appears to be bowed or buckled, there may be one or more rollers frozen up along the tracks. Additionally, if your track itself has damage that causes repeated bowing over time (such as damage from a vehicle), it may be necessary to replace the tracks or do a full replacement of the door.
If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait! Call Pacific Experts and we’ll make sure your garage door is fixed in no time! Our team of trained technicians will provide you with a warranty and the best parts available on the market today, so you can rest assured that all work will be done to your satisfaction!