63 percent of all occupied homes across the United States have a garage. Given the importance of this part of your home, it must remain functional all year round.
Arguably the most important component of your garage is its door, especially when it comes to the security of your valuables. The garage door is one of your garage’s busiest parts, opening and closing about 1500 times a year on average.
But what happens when you discover that your garage door stuck last night without warning? It’s one of the most frustrating experiences you can have.
Thankfully, there are a few easy things you can do to resolve a “my garage door is stuck” or “my garage door won’t close” situation. Check out this comprehensive guide on how to fix a stuck garage door.
Check the Remote Batteries
You’ll be surprised at how often people forget to replace garage door remote batteries on time. If you’re getting no response when you press the remote, check the batteries before you panic.
If the batteries are dead, the solution is simple. Replace them to restore your garage door’s functioning.
Investigate the Garage Door Springs
Springs are among the most important parts of a garage door. Springs enable your garage door to be lowered and lifted smoothly, despite its considerable weight. If these springs malfunction, then your garage door may become stuck.
The typical garage door has both extension springs and torsion springs. Extension springs are located on either side of the door, while torsion springs are near the top of the garage door. Check for a gap between the torsion springs or extension springs hanging loose from the doors’ sides to determine whether there’s a problem.
Broken garage door springs will need replacement. You can buy new springs from reputable online vendors such as https://diy-garage-door-parts.com/. Once you purchase these springs, it’s best to have a specialist install them for you, particularly if you have no experience doing so yourself.
Inspect the Opener Engine
A malfunctioning opener is one of the top stuck garage door causes. In many cases, you’ll hear grinding noises coming from the garage door opener. Such sounds point to a faulty engine.
The solution here may be to replace the main drive gear, which is often the first component in a garage door opener to fail. Removing and replacing this plastic gear requires some expertise, and it may be a good idea to let a pro handle the task.
Check Your Garage Door Sensors
All garage door manufacturers are mandated by the government to install safety features in garage doors. One of these features is a garage door sensor installed on either side of the door. The two sensors maintain visual contact with each other.
When visual contact between the two sensors is broken, the garage door will stop in its tracks. Any obstruction coming between the visual contact causes the garage door to stop. The idea is to prevent the door from continuing to close when there’s a vehicle or a person on its path.
Once the sensors start to malfunction, your garage door gets stuck. You may notice sensor lights blinking to indicate a problem.
If there’s no obstruction blocking the way, chances are the sensors are misaligned. Realigning them can solve the issue.
Inspect the Lock Switch
Most garage door openers have a wall control unit that contains a lock button. This button is often called the vacation button as it’s rarely ever used unless the family is going on vacation. When you press this button, all other garage door opener remotes are locked out.
The primary purpose of the lock button is to prevent intruders from accessing your remotes and using them while nobody is home. If your lock switch is active, you’ll need to deactivate it to get your door unstuck. All you need to do is press the switch again.
Lubricate the Tracks, Rollers, and Chain
Sometimes, the reason the garage door is stuck is that parts are dried out and require lubrication. Thankfully, this is an easy fix that you can do yourself. You only need the right tools and garage door lubricant.
Spray the lubricant along the tracks, rollers, and chain. You can find a top-quality lubricant at a local hardware store. Be sure to apply the lubricant along every roller and the entire track to rule this issue out in case the garage door remains stuck.
Clean the Garage Door
Inspect the garage door’s components for signs of dust, dirt, and other debris. Give the door a thorough cleaning, paying particular attention to the tracks and rollers. Wipe off any grime and dirt to clear the path of the garage door.
Adjust Sensitivity Levels
Setting your garage door opener’s sensitivity levels can also cause problems. The opener will often act like there’s something in the path of your garage door and cause it to stop on its way down.
The simple solution is to adjust the sensitivity levels and see whether your garage door starts to move smoothly once again.
Fix Poor Installation Issues
If your garage door was installed recently and is starting to get stuck, it could be a sign that the installers did a poor job. Such a garage door is a safety hazard for you and your loved ones.
An experienced garage door installation expert can help resolve these issues, so your garage door starts to operate smoothly. Make sure the installer you hire is both factory-trained and certified.
Garage Door Stuck: Now You Know How to Fix It
Few things are more annoying than a garage door that won’t budge when you try to open or close it. By knowing what might have made your garage door stuck, you can address it effectively and get back to your normal life.
