So, your garage door is broken. Whether it’s stubbornly refusing to open, making an alarming creaking noise, or simply not closing properly, a broken garage door can often be more problematic (and costly) than being a simple inconvenience.
A damaged garage door could potentially compromise your home’s security, or even pose a safety risk. It’s therefore crucial to ensure your garage door is well maintained, and quickly repaired if broken.
The good news? Not all garage door damage signals a major disaster. While some issues, particularly those involving high-tension components like springs or cables, demand immediate professional attention, many common garage door issues can be diagnosed and resolved with a bit of knowledge and careful troubleshooting.
This guides explores common garage door issues, provides practical troubleshooting tips and advises you on when you need to call in the experts. Importantly, we also explore whether replacing your garage door might be a better option for you.
Armed with Garolla’s expert garage door knowledge, you'll be better equipped to handle common garage door faults and know precisely when to seek professional help.
Understanding Your Garage Door: Key Components
Familiarising yourself with the basic components of your garage door system can make diagnosing a broken garage door much easier.
Of course, there are many different types of garage door - from the traditional (up-and-over/sectional) to modern electric roller garage doors, but here are some of the more common parts:
Springs
For traditional garage doors, torsion or extension springs counterbalance the door’s weight, enabling easy operation. They are under extreme tension and a common source of major garage door problems when they fail.
Cables
Working in conjunction with springs, cables lift and lower the door smoothly. A snapped or frayed garage door cable is a serious (and dangerous) issue.
Rollers and Tracks
Rollers guide the door within metal tracks. Garage door roller problems (wear, off track) cause noise or sticking.
Motor Unit
For electric garage doors, the motor unit powers automatic operation. If your electric garage door won't open, the problem often lies with the motor unit or the electrical connection to it.
Safety Sensors
Safety sensors on an automatic garage door prevent the door from closing on obstructions. A damaged garage door sensor not working is a very common reason a door won't close.
Remote Control / Wall Switch
Your primary controls on an electric garage door. If your remote control is not working, more often than not this is a simple fix.
Weather Seals
Strips sealing the door, keeping out drafts, weather, and pests.
The components of electric roller garage doors are often more enclosed, and therefore less vulnerable to damage. For example, Garolla electric roller garage doors feature interlocking slats rolling into a compact 'top box', guided by side rails, without exposed springs or cables like traditional doors. We’d always advise consulting a professional before opening up the top box to make a repair.
Understanding the different parts in a garage door is the first step in effective troubleshooting. Remember, you should always refer to your garage door manufacturer’s manual if you have it (if you don’t, try searching on Google for your specific make and model to find suitable resources).
Common Garage Door Problems: Diagnosis & Troubleshooting
When your garage door acts up, a systematic approach can help you to understand the best path forward. While some issues require a professional, many can be traced to simpler causes. Below, we break down some of the more common garage door issues with combined diagnosis and troubleshooting.
Garage Door Won't Open or Close Fully
This common garage door problem means the door stops midway or refuses to move. For electric garage doors, you may find that the door starts to move but then reverses back on itself.
Diagnosis & Troubleshooting
Tracks and Door Path
Whether you have a traditional up and over garage or modern electric roller garage door, the first step when troubleshooting the opening / closing of your garage door should be to check the tracks and door path. Debris in the tracks or the door's path can block movement and cause damage - particularly if the door is forced open or closed. Clear any visible obstructions, and wipe down the tracks, adding a specialist garage door lubricant to rollers if necessary. Never lubricate the tracks themselves, as this can attract more dirt and grime.
It’s worth remembering that any physical damage to the tracks can impede or prevent movement altogether, so look out for this too. Always consult a professional if you spot damage in your garage door tracks.
Safety Sensors
For electric garage doors, faulty safety sensors are often the culprit if your door won't close fully. Have a visual check for obstructions (dirt, spiderwebs, objects) blocking the beam between the sensors. Then clean the lenses and ensure the sensors are perfectly lined up.
Emergency Release
If your electric garage door won't open but the motor still runs, check if the emergency release handle / cord has been engaged, disconnecting the door from automatic operation. If that’s the case, refer to your manufacturer’s instructions for how to reconnect the garage door.
Power Supply
For electric garage doors, confirm the opener is connected to power. If it is, check your property’s circuit breaker.
Limit Switch Settings
Limit switches tell your electric garage door’s motor how far to travel. Incorrect settings can cause premature stopping or reversal. Refer to your garage door manufacturer’s manual to make adjustments as necessary.
Garage Door Not Responding to Remote/Keypad
Using a remote control or on wall keypad to operate an electric garage door provides great convenience. However, they are often the cause for operational problems. The good news? More often than not there’s a simple fix to such issues.
Diagnosis & Troubleshooting
Batteries
Remote garage door controls often don’t have a battery indicator, so you may not get a heads up that your device is about to fail. Nine times out of ten, replacing the battery for your garage door remote or keypad will solve operational problems.
Signal & Interference
Try using your remote device closer to the garage door. It’s also worth checking the garage door opener’s antenna (for older electric garage doors) for damage, and considering whether or not there are any other RF devices close by which could cause interference. Remember, weak or failing signal could also be a sign that your battery is starting to fail.
Reprogramming
The remote control might need to be resynced with the opener. Consult your manual for reprogramming instructions.
Wall Switch
If in doubt, test your electric garage door’s hardwired wall switch. If it works, you can safely assume the issue lies with the remote or its signal.
Loud Noises During Operation (Squeaking, Grinding, Popping)
Strange noises when operating your garage door often indicate an underlying issue like worn or loose components, or lack of lubrication. It’s important to quickly take action - particularly when the noise is very loud, sudden or persistent. Remember to troubleshoot and attend to any garage door maintenance with caution. If in doubt, always seek professional advice.
Diagnosis & Troubleshooting
Listen carefully to the type of noise and where exactly it is coming from. Below you’ll find some typical examples of the different causes of garage door noise and potential solutions. If you have an electric garage door, always ensure it is turned off at the wall prior to attempting your own maintenance.
Operational Friction
Apply specialist garage door lubricant to rollers (bearings), hinges, and springs (for traditional doors). NEVER lubricate roller garage door guide runners - this can attract dirt and grime as well as potentially putting the operation of your garage door out of sync - this can be dangerous.
Loose Hardware
Check nuts, bolts, and screws on hinges, track brackets, and (if electric) the garage door opener. Tighten where necessary. If there is any damage to nuts or bolts, find a like-for-like replacement or request advice / replacements directly from the manufacturer.
Dirt in the Tracks & Worn Rollers
Clear any dirt or debris from the tracks. For older garage doors, noise is often caused by worn rollers.
Broken Spring
A sudden loud 'pop' when operating your garage door almost always indicates your garage door spring has broken – stop operation immediately, and seek help from a professional. See below for further details.
Garage Door Spring Broken
A broken garage door spring is one of the most serious and common garage door problems. This issue often announces itself with a loud ‘pop’ or ‘bang’, so chances are you’ll hear it before you notice a problem. The spring is one of the most critical components of your garage door; it acts to counterbalance the door’s weight, making it incredibly heavy and dangerous if broken.
Diagnosis & Troubleshooting
If you didn’t hear a loud ‘pop’ or ‘bang’, you’ll find your garage door feels extremely heavy or is impossible to lift when the spring breaks. If you have an electric-operated garage door the opener may struggle to operate on its own.
IMPORTANT
If you suspect that your garage door spring has failed, you must NEVER attempt to repair or replace it yourself. Garage door springs are under extreme tension, and DIY repairs can easily lead to extreme or life-threatening injury.
Instead, stop using the garage door with immediate effect and call a professional.
Garage Door Cable Snapped/Frayed
A broken or visibly worn garage door cable also presents a serious safety concern. Cables work in tandem with springs to lift and lower the door. If one or both of the cables snap or fray, the door's balance is compromised, leading to one of the cables holding more weight than it is designed to lift.
Diagnosis & Troubleshooting
Aside from a visual inspection of the cable itself, a damaged cable can lead to the door hanging unevenly or being stuck.
IMPORTANT
Again, you need to leave repairing a damaged garage door cable to the professionals. They are under significant tension and can recoil violently.
Stop using your garage door immediately and call a professional.
Garage Door is Off Its Tracks
Diagnosis & Troubleshooting
If your garage door looks crooked, is permanently stuck halfway, or its rollers are visibly dislodged, it may have come off its tracks, preventing operation.
Do Not Force the Door
Forcing the garage door open or closed can lead to further damage, and even injury. If you have an electric opener, disconnect it before taking further steps.
Clear Tracks
First, check the tracks for any debris, which may have caused the garage door to be derailed. Ensure the tracks are clear from any obstructions. However, please remember not to use any lubrication on the rail itself; only apply special garage door lubrication to rollers if necessary.
Check for Bends and Cracks
Check the tracks for bends and cracks. If the tracks appear to be undamaged and in good working order, it may well be that one of your rollers has simply slipped out of line. In that case, you might be able to gently guide the roller back in. However, it’s important to note that an underlying cause such as a broken garage door cable may be the culprit.
Any damage to tracks should be remedied by a professional, or new tracks installed.
Other Common Garage Door Problems
We’ve covered some of the more pressing and urgent issues which affect the operation of garage doors. Below you’ll find some more minor issues, and what to do about them.
Impact Damage
One of the most common causes for garage door problems is impact damage - Whether you’ve closed the garage door on an unforgiving object, or your vehicle has bumped or scraped it. Impact damage isn’t always purely cosmetic; it can affect other aspects of your garage door’s performance, such as security, weatherproofing and longevity. Minor dents may be repairable, but any repair should maintain the future performance of your garage door, so bear this in mind when choosing repair materials, and whether or not a DIY repair is appropriate. More extensive impact damage usually necessitates replacement - particularly when weighing up the cost of garage door repair vs replacement.
Seal Damage
On older garage doors, you may find the seal starts to disintegrate over time. This is usually simply a result of wear and tear as well as UV light. A damaged seal can lead to weather permeation, pests and security issues. Replacing your garage door seal is typically a simple DIY fix - even better if you can get the original part from the manufacturer.
Garage Door Opener Won't Work
If your electric garage door opener doesn’t work, but you can hear the motor humming, this often indicates a slipped gear or disengaged trolley. More often than not this happens when the emergency release is engaged; resetting this usually results in the problem being solved. Refer to your instruction manual for step-by-step instructions.
Your Broken Garage Door: Time to Repair or Replace?
So, it is time to repair or replace your garage door? The answer lies in weighing up immediate garage door repair costs against its long-term value, safety, and aesthetics.
When to Consider Repairing Your Garage Door
Minor, Isolated Issues
Small, simple fixes like misaligned sensors, a worn roller, or minor dents.
Relatively New Door
If your garage door is relatively new (under 10 years old) and in good condition overall, it often makes sense to repair or replace a specific component.
Budgetary Constraints
It may be that a cheaper short term fix is necessary due to budgetary constraints, but this should only be reserved for minor issues.
When to Consider Replacing Your Garage Door
Old Age
If your garage door is 10-15+ years old, it might not make economical sense to repair it. Plus, you may find other parts are wearing and replacements are obsolete.
Frequent or Recurring Operational Problems
If garage door problems are repeating or becoming more frequent, cumulative repair costs can quickly stack up, and it may make more sense to get a new, reliable electric roller garage door.
Extensive Damage
A garage door with multiple damaged panels, severe rust/rot, or a compromised frame often requires replacing as repair is costly and may not restore safety / security.
Outdated Features
Older garage doors lack the most up to date features and safety mechanisms. Upgrading ensures compliance with current standards.
Energy Efficiency
Older (and cheaper) garage doors cause heat loss. A new, insulated garage door can significantly improve energy efficiency.
Desire for Upgrade
Your garage door is a reflection on your home, and a new garage door can enhance kerb appeal and property value. Similarly, it’s important that your garage door provides you with the features and convenience you desire. Modern convenience, enhanced security, or better space utilisation (like with Garolla's electric roller garage doors) are key drivers for considering an upgrade.
Cost-Effectiveness Rule
As a rule of thumb, if you have an old garage door with any significant damage, it’s probably time to invest in a new one.
Similarly, if repair costs approach or exceed 50% of a new, comparable door, replacement is often the smarter long-term investment.
What to Consider When Buying Your New Garage Door
There are a number of things to think about when purchasing a new garage door.
Security, aesthetics, energy efficiency and convenience should all be considered, but you may also wish to consider use of space; how much space does your garage door use when opening / closing. You’ll also want to think about the material used in manufacture, and whether or not a warranty is included. Finally, installation. Is this handled by the manufacturer or do you need to arrange it yourself?
Garolla electric roller garage doors offer all the benefits you would expect from a quality modern garage doors, with a free five year warranty and all doors installed by local expert engineers.
When to Call a Professional
As we have already explored in this blog, a DIY repair is appropriate for dealing with more minor garage door problems. However, it's crucial to recognise when a professional is required. Attempting certain repairs yourself can be extremely dangerous.
To reiterate, never DIY your garage door repair if you encounter a damaged / broken garage door spring or cable. You should always seek professional advice.
Similarly, if there are multifaceted problems with your garage door (particularly when it comes to electrical / mechanical issues), it’s safer to call a professional.
Preventative Maintenance: Keeping Your Garage Door Healthy
Prevention is usually better than the cure, and that’s the same for your garage door too. Regular, simple maintenance can extend your garage door’s lifespan, reduces breakdowns, and keeps your door operating smoothly for longer. Similarly, taking swift action when spotting any damage can prevent small issues from escalating in size as well as cost.
Here’s a few key tips to keep your garage door in tip top condition:
Cleaning
Keeping your garage door clean is one of the easiest ways to keep it in good working order (and keep it looking great too). A regular round with a bucket and soapy water and a rinse will do the trick. If you have an automatic garage door, be sure to clean the sensor too.
Visual Inspection
Check garage door components for damage and wear and tear, including your weather seal. Similarly, listen for any unusual noises when operating your garage door.
Lubrication
For traditional garage doors, use specialist garage door lubricant on rollers (bearings), hinges, and springs every few months. Never lubricate roller garage door guide rails.
Professional Servicing
You may wish to call on a professional to service your garage door every year or so to maximise its longevity.
Regular garage door maintenance is a simple and straightforward way to keep your garage door working smoothly, whilst improving its longevity, and reducing the need for costly future repairs.
Conclusion
It’s important to have a fully functioning garage door that’s weatherproof, secure, safe and fits in with your home’s aesthetics. When your garage door breaks, you always need to prioritise your own safety and that of others above all else. Then consider the cost of repair vs replacement. Understanding of the most common garage door problems is the first step in understanding the best route forward, but if in doubt, it’s always best to speak to a professional.
Whether the damage to your garage door is minor or more significant, it’s always best to prioritise getting the problem solved as quickly as possible. This avoids compromising on your home’s security.
And remember, a replacement garage door may not be as expensive as you may think. Our local expert engineers are Garolla are here to help. Contact us today for a free survey and quote, and ensure your garage door operates flawlessly for years to come.