The average garage door endures 750 cycles of opening and closing each year. That means each mechanism manages 1,500 movements annually, especially since families often use it as a front door alternative. [[1]]
Although garage doors are reliable, everything eventually wears out when it is used enough. If it has been more than a year since someone has come to inspect this asset, there could be a maintenance or repair issue lurking that requires a fix.
You can often tell if there is a problem because one of the following signs or symptoms is present when using the garage door.
What Are the Common Signs That a Garage Door Requires Repair?
Here are the five most common indicators of an issue with your garage door that could require repairs.
1. Slower Response Times
You’ve seen how your garage door operates for several months, if not a few years. When the mechanism isn’t working as quickly as you remember, there could be repair issues to address. Don’t use over-the-counter products to lubricate your hinges, rollers, and tracks. Only a professional-grade item should be applied. [[2]]
The garage door springs should receive a thorough inspection if you see jerking or unusual movements during the opening and closing process.
2. More Noise Than Usual
A garage door isn’t a 100% quiet asset. You know when someone is opening or closing it through sound or vibration. When the noise becomes excessive, you have a sign that a repair could be necessary. [[3]]
Faulty springs create rumbling or grating noises when operating the garage door. If you hear pops, it means some sections aren’t opening smoothly.
Squeaking sounds from a garage door could indicate issues with the torsion springs, railings, or hinges.
3. Excessive Sagging or Bulging
Garage doors can sag or bulge based on temperature, humidity, and moisture exposure, just like power lines and other metal structures. These issues are typically temporary and minor. When it becomes an excessive problem, balance problems can lead to difficulties opening or closing the door. [[4]]
When garage doors experience this issue, they can stop providing a complete seal when closed. That opens the way for pests to get inside, so repairs or a total replacement could be necessary.
4. Track Problems
Garage doors function by operating within the tracks placed alongside the product based on your preferred design. There are times when it slips off, which means it’s time for a repair right away.
A door that slips off the track can lead to a significant injury and cause your property to be left unprotected if it’s caught in the open position.
5. Doesn’t Move
If your garage door refuses to move, there could be several issues causing this issue. There could be disruptions of the connection between the panel and door, items stuck in the rail, or misalignment of the safety sensors that prevent items from being trapped underneath it while closing. [[5]]
If you’ve checked those issues and found nothing wrong, your springs could be experiencing problems if the garage door fails to move.
Schedule Your Repair or Inspection Soon!
Garage door issues require immediate attention. If you’ve encountered any of these troubling signs, it’s essential to have a professional inspection completed to identify the problem.
When you take immediate action, you can reduce injury risks and future maintenance costs. Once repaired, keep up with the regular service and inspection schedule to prevent these signs from causing problems again!
[[1]] https://www.dasma.com/the-garage-door-the-new-front-door-for-the-american-home/
[[2]] https://homeguides.sfgate.com/fix-garage-door-opens-slowly-31314.html
[[3]] https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=72286.0
[[4]] https://www.atcllc.com/blog/why-do-power-lines-sag-on-hot-days/
[[5]] https://www.ul.com/news/behind-door-evolution-convenience-and-safety-garage-door-openers