Has your garage door started acting up lately? Whether it won’t open all the way or gets stuck halfway, a malfunctioning garage door can be frustrating. Before calling garage door repair contractor in Yorktown or anywhere else, try some easy DIY repair solutions yourself. With a few simple adjustments and replacements, you may be able to get your garage door opening and closing smoothly again.
Check the Sensors
One common cause of a garage door that won’t close is dirty or misaligned optical sensors. These safety devices run a beam across the garage door opening and will stop or reverse the door’s movement if the beam is broken, such as by a person or object walking through. Wipe any dirt or debris from the sensors with a dry cloth. Also make sure they are positioned correctly and the beam is unobstructed. Out of alignment sensors can cause closing issues.
Tighten or Replace Loose Hardware
Over time, bolts, screws, and hinges on the garage door may become loose. This leads to imbalance and friction that prevents smooth operation. Inspect all hardware for looseness and tighten as needed with the proper tools. If hardware is stripped or rusted through, replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to install yourself. A few new screws or bolts could solve intermittent problems.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Squeaks and grinding noises are signs the door needs lubrication. Wipe away any existing grease and apply new lubricant to rollers, hinges, and tracks. Look for a garage door lubricant at your local home improvement store. Taking a few minutes to lubricate will help reduce friction for easier opening and closing.
FAQs
What should I do if my garage door opener is not working?
Check that the power cord is securely plugged in and the circuit breaker is on. Then try pressing the wall-mounted button or using the remote to see if it’s the opener or just the remote that’s malfunctioning.
How can I reinforce an older garage door that’s starting to sag?
Add horizontal braces or diagonal truss rods inside the garage to take stress off the door panels. Reinforcements can help extend the life of an aging door.
