If there was a volcano that erupted in the middle of your street, aside from being pretty gosh-darn annoying, it wouldn’t happen for no reason. There would be a plethora of small components that all led up to lava spewing out of the ground and into your driveway.
The same anecdote and logic can be applied to your garage. Though most likely far less newsworthy, some would argue that your garage breaking can be just as annoying. And just like the street-eruption, there is a collection of smaller issues that can all lead up to catastrophe.
However, if you’re aware of what the smaller issues are and you stay on top of them, you can avoid catastrophe. In this article we will discuss the most common garage problems you may face, and what you can do to fix them.
Problem 1: My Garage Door Won’t Close All The Way
You’re trying to close your garage door but for whatever reason it just won’t close the entire way? You press the button but it stops about a foot from the ground and is letting in all of the elements that come knocking on your door. How annoying! It could be any of these issues that you can fix with some keen roller door maintenance:
- Limit adjustment
Your garage door has in-built limit settings that communicate how far your door will move down and up along the tracks as it opens and closes. If the limiter has been accidentally knocked or changed this can cause your garage door to not close all the way. Simply adjust the limit screw which can be located usually on the back of the motor, remembering that turning clockwise will adjust opening and counterclockwise is closing. Keep in mind that each full screw turn equates to approximately a 3-inch change. - Realign safety sensors
Located on either side of your garage door are safety sensors which instruct your garage door to close or open when the coast is clear. If you find that your garage door won’t close, it is most likely that something could be blocking the sensors. Check that both lights on the sensors are on. If they are blinking or are off then something could be blocking the line of sight or they may need readjustment.
Clear off any loose debris, leaves or dirt and if the problem persists have a look at your garage door opener manual or contact a professional. - Replace rollers
In rare cases, if your rollers are damaged or rusted then ultimately you will need to replace them. Attempt to lubricate them first, if this does not fix the issue then it’s best to contact the professionals at Gryphon Garage Doors.
Problem 2: My Garage Door Reverses Before Touching The Floor
Does your garage seem to be on a yoyo string and it rebounds before it even reaches the ground? You probably don’t need me to tell you that shouldn’t happen. If it does, it could be because of the following things:
- Re-adjust closing force settings
Your garage door should have an adjustment screw that allows you to change the force required to close your door. If your door is reversing before it touches the floor, this means that too much force is being used as the door thinks it has already touched the floor. Reduce the amount of force required to close the door and this should fix it, if in doubt contact the professionals. - Lubricate or replace rollers
Damaged or rusted rollers can cause extra friction resulting in the garage opener to stop early. Inspect your rollers to see if there is any damage and replace if needed. Apply lubrication if necessary. Make sure to exercise caution if you are attempting to replace rollers but it is always a good idea to contact a professional.
Problem 3: My Garage Door Reverses After Touching The Floor
If your garage is yoyo-ing after it touches the floor, this is another common problem. It could be fixed by:
- Re-adjust closing limit
If your garage door is reversing immediately after touching the floor, it’s most likely going to be an issue with the closing force settings. Adjust the limiting screw which can be located on the back of the garage motor, remembering that adjusting clockwise will result in opening limits and counterclockwise is closing limits.
Problem 4: My Garage Door Doesn’t Open All The Way
Sometimes your garage might not open all the way. This will be especially troublesome if you have a 4WD or tall vehicle where headroom is already problematic enough. If this is the case, you can:
- Re-adjust up-limit
Differing from the opening and closing limiter is the up-limit lever that controls how far up the door will open. Having the lever too far away from the motor will cause the door to stop before it fully opens.
The lever can usually be located at the end of the tracks near the garage motor, simply move the lever towards the motor and this should fix it. - Replace or lubricate rollers
You know the drill. Replace or lubricate any rollers that are damaged or rusty as this can cause the door to stop short.
Problem 5: Your Garage Sounds Like Snarling Dragon
Do your kids stick their fingers in their ears every time you have to open or close your garage? If they do, turn the volume down? You can make your garage whisper quiet again by doing this:
- Lubricate your rollers
If you’re hearing grinding and squeaking it probably means your rollers are bone-dry. Apply a lithium or silicone grease so they can run smoothly again.
- Your rollers are worn out
If the garage is grinding and squeaking and it is lubricated, it could be because the rollers are worn out. If this is the case, you need to call a professional. Garage door servicing in Perth, so don’t hesitate!
- Tighten your nuts and bolts
If you’re hearing rattling in your garage it could be as simple as tightening the nuts and bolts that you can see. You should be regularly checking them anyway.
- Tighten your torsion spring
If you can hear popping coming from your garage it will probably be because the torsion spring is loose, lubricated, or adjusted. This is a complicated process so you should get your garage door supplier to do it.
Problem 6: Your Garage Doesn’t Move Evenly
If your garage doesn’t move evenly and the door seems to shimmy along as it opens or closes, it could be because of the following reasons:
- Obstacles in the tracks
If there are obstacles in the tracks the door won’t be able to freely move along them. You should wipe down the tacks and make sure they are completely free.
- Uneven tension in the springs
Another reason could be that the tension in your springs is uneven, so one of them moves slower than the other. If this is the case you will need a technician to fix the problem. You can find some good garage door repairs in Perth here.
Where To Get Your Garage Door Serviced?
Gryphon Garage Doors is one of the best garage door companies for sectional and roller door repair in Perth, and have been helping Australians protect their homes and commercial spaces in stylish ways for over 25 years. Why is this important? Well it means we’ve come across countless different jobs, and have had to overcome each one. So no matter your situation, you gotta get a Gryphon. We have:
- Finger proof safety
- Quietest motors on the market
- Trained professionals
- Customised products
- Warranty up to 7 years!
- After sales service
Your garage broke down and you need it to open ASAP? Not a problem! Give us a call and we will try our best to get to you today and open your space! We look forward to hearing from you!
