Garage doors are the largest moving object in your home. Their function is to protect your home and your valuables. So when your garage door gets jammed, it presents a double safety risk!
If your garage door jams when you tried to open or close it, these tips will you troubleshoot and determine when to call in the pros.
Vacation & Lock Mode Activated
Most modern garage door openers have a vacation or security mode on the remote and wall unit. This allows you to lock your garage door and prevent it from being opened while you’re away from home. When the security mode is switched on, your garage door won’t respond to your remote and will appear to be stuck closed. Turn off the security mode by switching it off on the wall unit.
Check the garage door handle, too. If you have a handle on your garage door that opens the door manually, it may simply be positioned in the lock position.
Finally, your door may seem to be locked or stuck if your opener is malfunctioning. This can happen if the power running to it shorts out or trips the circuit breaker. If, after you’ve checked your circuit breaker, the opener still doesn’t open, it may be time for professional maintenance or replacement.
Damaged Tracks & Rollers
Garage doors are equipped with rollers that are pulled along a set of tracks. If your tracks are broken or warped, your garage door may not open all the way or may become jammed. Damaged tracks may also cause your rollers to dislodge. If this happens, your door may not open or may only lift on one side.
If your tracks don’t appear damaged, you may want to check your rollers next. Old, rusty rollers get stiff and may not work as effectively as they used to. Plus, extreme temperatures like hot can cold can cause rollers to become stiff and unmoving. A silicone-based lubricant will usually remedy a stiff roller and prevent a jam! If your rollers or tracks are damaged, however, it’s time to call in the pros to repair them.
Broken Cable Pulleys & Tension Springs
Cables and tension springs are vital parts of the pulley system that open your garage door. You’ll notice that your cables are broken if the door closes rapidly or one side of the door lifts but not the other.
To avoid any potential injury, rather than replacing these on your own, it is recommended to call a professional.
Garage doors can weigh between 200 to 700lbs. The cables and springs carry the tension and weight of the door. While garage doors can last up to 20 years, the rollers, cables and springs need to be replaced every 8 to 15 years. Improperly installed cables can cause a door to crash unexpectedly and also cause more damage to the mechanics of the opening system. A professional will replace your cables but will also be able to check the condition of the rest of your opening system.
Broken tension springs can also prevent your garage door from opening properly. If your springs break, you may hear a loud “POP!” or the door may close too quickly and even fall. You may also not be able to open the door at all. Call a professional to replace your tension springs safely and effectively.
When Is It Safe to Perform Garage Door Service on Your Own?
If the problem with your garage door is simple, you can likely perform the task on your own. For example, adding lube or cleaning a blocked sensor are safe methods of troubleshooting a garage door that you can try yourself. If your garage door is seriously jammed when you tried to open it, it’s best to call in your local Denver garage door repair pros to ensure that your garage door is repaired securely. Our American Garage Door team is available for 24/7, emergency calls to fix any garage door issue. Call us today to get your door operating smoothly in no time.
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