The classic steel garage door is a great addition to any home. It’s aesthetically pleasing, durable, and well insulated. But with the thousands of cycles the average garage door endures each year, repairs and replacement parts may be needed.

Fortunately, the team at Creative Door Services™ has put together a list of garage door problems and ways to troubleshoot them. To ensure the integrity of your garage door system, please contact one of our garage door experts to complete this work on your behalf.

The Garage Door is Malfunctioning

These are some of the operational issues you may encounter if you have steel garage doors:

• The door reverses after it opens all the way
  This issue generally means that the opener’s limit switches need to be reset. When they’re working correctly, the limit switches tell the opener that the door has reached the open or closed position and causes the motor to stop running. If the switches aren’t at the right setting, the motor may continue to run after the door has reached the open position. This may cause the door to come back down all the way. Refer to your user’s manual for instructions on how to adjust the limit switches.
  
  Misadjusted limit switches can also cause the door to stop before it reaches the closed position, leaving a gap under the door. Additionally, they may cause the door to reverse after it has closed all the way.

• The door closes too quickly
  This is a sign that the spring in your garage door system may be broken or malfunctioning. The garage door spring counterbalances the weight of the door. If it ceases to work, the opener will no longer be able to support the weight of the door, causing it to slam to the ground. Spring replacements should always be left to a professional, as these components are under extreme tension and can cause a serious injury if mishandled.
  
  A broken garage door spring can also cause the door to remain stuck in the closed position.

• The door won’t open or close
  When your door won’t budge, sometimes it’s simply a power issue. Make sure the garage door opener is plugged into a working outlet and the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped.
  
  The problem could also be connected to the photo-eyes. These safety devices prevent the door from hitting something or someone in its path. Make sure nothing is obstructing the photo-eyes and that the lenses are clean. Usually, there’s a blinking green light to indicate that the device is functioning. Otherwise, there may be a wiring issue with the sensor. If this is the case, a garage door technician may need to replace it.

The Garage Door Is Loud, Squeaky Or Makes Grinding noises

Does your garage door make squeaky noises when it opens and closes? If so, it may be time to lubricate your garage door system. This will help prevent premature wear and potential damage. We recommend lubricating the hinges and rollers of your garage door system with a lithium- or silicone-based lubricant twice a year to help the door run smoothly. Please remember to check your owner’s manual to ensure you’re using the manufacturere’s recommended lubricant, and leave the lubrication of the torsion spring to a professional.

Read our article about troubleshooting a squeaky garage door for more information about lubricating garage door systems.

The Garage Door Remote Isn’t Working

If your garage door doesn’t respond when you press the button on your remote, the batteries might be dead. Check the batteries and replace them if needed.

If the batteries are fine but the remote still isn’t working, it might need to be reprogramed. The owner’s manual should have instructions on how to do this. Can’t find your manual? Refer to our catalogue of brochures, manuals and warranties to see if we have the user manual for your type of garage door opener.

If reprogramming the remote doesn’t resolve the issue, the problem may be due to a loss of range or interference. Read our article about troubleshooting garage door opener remote range and interference issues to learn more.

The Garage Door Isn’t Airtight

You may need to replace or install new weatherstrip along the bottom of your garage door. This will help create a tight seal that will prevent cold drafts from entering your garage.

Additionally, if there cracks are visible , fill them with caulk. Any open spaces in the garage door will allow outside air to seep inside your home.

When Should You Leave Repairs To The Pros?

A number of garage door issues require professional attention. Here are a few you should be aware of:

• Broken garage door springs
  If you see a stretched out, cracked, or snapped spring at the top of your garage door, leave it and call a garage door specialist. A broken torsion spring can be extremely dangerous if not handled by a trained expert.

• Broken garage door cables
  The garage door cables work with the torsion springs to prevent cables from recoiling. They also act as a support that will allow a broken garage door to drop harmlessly. If a cable appears to be snapped or dangling, it needs to be replaced. A garage door specialist can release the tension of the garage door in order to replace the cable.

• Garage door track issues
  The garage door follows a track along the sides and roof of the garage. If you notice a bend in it, you’ll need to make sure the track gets realigned, which requires experience and specialized tools.

Professional Maintenance And Repair Services For Steel Garage Doors

If you notice any of the issues outlined in this article, the experts at Creative Door Services™ can help. Our garage door technicians will be happy to fix the problem for you. We also offer regular maintenance and garage door tune-ups to make sure your garage door system works properly throughout the year. Contact us to schedule a service call today.

We have locations in Vancouver, British Columbia; Kelowna, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.