When your garage door stops working it can be a huge inconvenience, especially if it stops opening while your car is inside. Sometimes, the reasons why your garage door won’t open are simple and have easy fixes. Other times, you’ll need to call a garage door company in Rochester MN that services residential garage doors.
Common Garage Door Opening Problems
There are many reasons why your garage door many not be opening or seem stuck.
- The Safety Sensor Problems- There is a sensor on the garage door that detects when a person, animal, or other obstruction is under the garage door and stops the door from closing. The sensor can get dirty and clogged which can cause malfunctions. The photo eye of the sensor could also be out of alignment or have broken wires. When cleaning the sensor doesn’t work, call a garage door company in Rochester MN for a replacement.
- Track Problems- The garage door tracks need to be straight and in alignment in order for the garage door to function properly. If your garage door is not opening, trying to shove it or force it open could cause the damage to worsen. Be gentle with the door and make sure it is all the way closed before you try to make adjustments to the track. It is best to call a garage door company in Rochester MN if the tracks are bent.
- Tension Springs- Broken springs are a very common reason why your garage door may not be opening. Tension springs offset the weight of the garage door and are part of the opening and closing process. If they are worn or broken, rusted, or weakened, your garage door won’t open.
- Remote Control- Sometimes, the reason your garage door won’t open is as simple as a dead battery in the remote control. Automated garage doors can open with just a push of a button on a remote, but you must have working batteries! You’ll be able to tell when the battery is starting to deplete because you’ll have to start being closer and closer to the door for the remote to work. Eventually, it will stop working completely. If you replace the battery and the remote is still not working, you may have a problem with the antenna, door control wiring, or lock feature on the door panel.
There could be other reasons why your garage door is not opening that aren’t covered on this list. A professional door technician can diagnose any problem and have your garage door operating back to normal ASAP.
Don’t risk hurting yourself with a DIY attempt, call Thompson Garage Door at 507-281-1349.