Your garage door tolerates plenty of wear and tear. But ignoring it when it tries to send distress signals can lead to bigger problems down the road. Keep an eye out for these 7 signs indicating your garage door needs some TLC from a professional garage door repairs service like Steel-Line.
1. Difficulty Opening or Closing
If your garage door starts sticking, becoming extra challenging to open or close, or requires concentrated effort just to operate – listen up. This likely means sagging springs, roller issues or bent tracks needing adjustment. Don’t force the door when resistance increases. Pushing a dysfunctional door daily exacerbates damage. Call a pro to get things moving smoothly again.
2. Squealing, Grinding or Clanging
Loud squeals, grinding noises or clanging when opening or closing signify worn out parts that need replacement. Metal-on-metal sounds indicate rollers, springs or tracks are seizing up.
Don’t resign yourself to a cacophony every time you come and go. Restore tranquility in your driveway by calling a repair technician to locate the source of the racket.
3. Shaking or Vibrating
If your door vibrates or shakes while in motion, the tracks have likely become misaligned. This prevents smooth travel along the track’s pathway. Out-of-whack tracks stress the door with each use. Get them realigned soon to avoid cracked panels, broken hardware or detached springs down the road.
4. Uneven Movement
Pay attention if the door moves jerkily or unevenly between the open and closed positions, especially if it favors one side. This hints at problematic balancing.The door may sag on its hinges or have broken spring coils. Repairing balance gets it lifting and lowering straight again. Don’t ignore learning.
5: Visible Damage
Serious dents, cracks, holes, or rot obviously require prompt garage door repairs. Even if still functional, the damage will only expand over time without reinforcement.Address superficial damage before it compromises structural integrity or insulation. Don’t wait for a total cave-in.
6: External Weather Changes
Notice problems arising right after major storms? The jarring effects of weather events can throw garage doors out of whack overnight.
Wind, hail, heavy rain, snow, and ice often reveal weak points. Inspect closely after extreme weather and repair accordingly.
7: Age Concerns
If your garage door is over 10-15 years old, proactive maintenance is wise. Worn parts commonly start giving out once they cross the decade threshold.Address issues early to extend the lifespan. Given the costs of full replacement, repairs are wise preventative medicine for elderly doors. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
8. Failed Automatic Opener
If your automatic garage door opener starts glitching, don’t automatically assume the issue is with the electronics. A failing motor can be a clue that the mechanical elements need repair.
Sticking doors put excess strain on opener motors. Malfunctioning sensors are sometimes just reacting to alignment problems. Look at the big picture when automation issues arise. The opener may need resetting or reprogramming, but often a deeper mechanical problem is the root cause. Diagnose both aspects just to be safe.
Issues with automatic openers shouldn’t be dismissed as just tech gremlins. They could be indicative of larger systemic troubles needing the pros. Take a holistic view of all garage door components for the best operation.
ConclusionÂ
Heed warning signs rather than ignoring them. Take action at the first indicators of trouble. Your garage door provides years of reliable service when properly maintained, giving it the occasional overhaul it deserves.
