Garage doors play a very important role in our homes. In addition to being a key piece of a home’s visual appearance, garage doors protect your vehicles and other property, and in some cases, block an entrance into your home. Without a working garage door, your car and other belongings can either be trapped or vulnerable to theft, damage, or other consequences. Also, having a garage door that doesn’t shut all the way can cause a substantial increase in your heating or cooling bill.
When you do encounter issues with your garage door opener, how do you determine whether or not you need a professional’s help? Let’s take a look at what you should inspect to diagnose your garage door problem, and if you need professional and reliable help from RTS All American Garage Doors!
What To Check
If you’re experiencing issues with your garage door opener, whether it won’t close, open, or seems to be having other difficulties, it could just be a minor problem that can be easily fixed. Being by troubleshooting the problem with your garage door by checking the following:
Garage Opener Batteries
To start, if your garage door is electric, and the remote to open and close it doesn’t seem to be working, quickly check to see if they batteries are in good working condition. The batteries may need to be replaced or repositioned. Believe it or not, this is the most common reason that people’s garage doors stop operating.
Garage Photo Eyes
If replacing the batteries still does not solve your problem, the next thing to check on the list is the garage’s photo eyes. All electronic garage doors have two photo eyes that face towards each other. The main function of the photo eyes is to ensure that there is not anything blocking the path of the door when it is closing. The photo eyes create an infrared beam that connect to each other. If there is any object blocking or interfering with the beam, the garage door will not close, but instead reverse, opening back up instead of closing. The best way to prevent this from happening is to make sure that the photo eyes are clear of dust and debris and are properly aligned, in addition to removing an object that is interfering with the infrared beam between them.
Garage Door Track
If the first two troubleshooting options don’t offer a solution, there are still more options you can further investigate. However, as professionals, we recommend only pursuing a solution if you have the proper experience with repairs and garage doors. Garage doors can be tricky, as well as dangerous, things, so it is important to take proper precautions. The next step to take would be to examine the garage door’s track. Small items, like pieces of wood, metal or tools, can fall onto the track, preventing it from opening or closing. Often times, dirt and debris may be preventing the door from properly sliding along the track. The best way to attempt to solve the problem is by clearing the garage door tracks of any loose items or debris and try adding lubricant. Doing so should free up the door, allowing it to operate normally. Another possibility is that the garage door may have fallen off the tracks. This tends to happen to older garage doors or doors that have taken damage over the years. If it is off the tracks, there is not much you can do from home to solve this problem, and your best bet is to call a professional!
Call RTS All American Garage Doors
If you’ve tried the solutions listed above and your garage door still seems to be having problems, it might be a good time to call a professional garage door company. There may be an issue with the garage door springs, cable, or pulley system, or a lot of different possibilities.
When you’re in need of a reliable garage door repair service, look no further than RTS All American Garage Doors. If your garage door ever stops working, our experienced technicians can get to the bottom of your problem, whether it’s a broken part or frequency interference. We offer same-day garage repair, and service calls are only $19.95! Don’t wait, get your garage door opener fixed today!