When you are trying to leave your home and realize that the garage door is stuck, it can be a frustrating experience. Although having a stuck garage door does not happen every day, it is not uncommon for homeowners to encounter it. Garage doors can be particularly difficult to open when they get stuck. If the garage door does not move at all, you should call a professional for assistance. However, if it moves very slowly or has difficulty opening and closing properly, some quick fixes might fix the problem.
At WeFixIt Garage Door & Gate, we have seen just about every garage door problem there is. We can help you diagnose and fix the issue so that your garage door operates smoothly again. We pride ourselves as the highest ranking garage door company in North Carolina. Give us a call for a free quote and estimate for all garage door services in NC.
How does a garage door get stuck?
The garage door is not functioning, and you need to get it moving again. There are a couple of reasons why this might happen:
A faulty garage door opener.
This is usually the primary suspect for a stuck garage door. Garage door openers are electromechanical devices, and they can malfunction over time, especially if they have not been properly maintained. If your opener is old or you have never replaced the batteries, this might be the reason for your stuck garage door. Try changing the batteries or using a different opener to see if it is fixed.
Broken garage door springs.
Garage door springs help lift the garage door. They are located on both sides of your garage, within the track where the wall meets the floor and ceiling, respectively. The spring is connected to a pulley that runs along an overhead track to create tension, closing and opening your garage door. If one or more of these springs break, you will likely experience issues like slow movement while opening or closing your garage door. Inspect your springs to see if they are intact. If they are not, call a professional to have them replaced.
Obstructed or jammed door tracks.
Garage door tracks get jammed when something gets caught in between the rollers. This can be a large object such as a toy, or it might just be some debris that has managed to get stuck there. Other times, it could be something as simple as a build-up of ice or rust on the tracks. Visually inspect the track to see if there are any obstructions. If there are, remove them.
The door is out of alignment.
A common issue with older garage doors is alignment issues. If the alignment is off, it can cause the garage door to become stuck. This might be due to loose screws or bolts that need to be tightened, or the track itself could be bent. Broken garage door panels could also be the cause of an out-of-alignment door. This issue is usually best inspected by professionals such as We Fix It Staff.
Broken or damaged garage door cables.
Garage door cables are essential for stability and safety. If your cables are broken or damaged, it can cause the door to be out of alignment and unable to function properly. If your cables break, you might need to replace them before moving on with any other necessary repairs.
These are just a few of the reasons why your garage door might get stuck. If you cannot determine the root of the problem, it is best to call in a professional.
How do I fix a stuck garage door?
There are a couple of things that you can try to fix a stuck garage door, including:
Lubricate The Tracks And Rollers.
One of the most common reasons for a stuck garage door is the lack of lubrication on the tracks or rollers. Over time, dirt and dust can accumulate on these surfaces and make it difficult for the door to open and close properly. Use a spray lubricant on the tracks and rollers to fix this problem. Be sure to wipe away any excess lubricant after application.
Check if anything is blocking the tracks.
Remove any obstruction from the tracks before attempting to operate the door again. If something is caught in the track, such as a piece of paper or a leaf, grab hold of it and pull it away.
Remove the obstruction at the bottom of your garage door.
Check if anything is obstructing the tracks or rollers that might be causing a problem with opening and closing. If you find an obstruction like leaves, dirt, or ice, remove them by hand.
When should you call a professional?
If your garage door will not move at all, then it needs immediate attention from an experienced technician so that the problem does not become more serious over time. We recommend never trying to lift or force open a stuck garage door yourself, as doing so could be dangerous.
If your garage door is slow to open or close, has difficulty moving up and down, or makes strange noises, it would be best to give one of our experts a call. Our technicians are experienced in every type of repair, and they will be able to get your garage door back up and running in no time. Contact us today for a free quote on all garage door services in North Carolina.