Top 3 Signs Your Garage Door Needs Repair

/in , /by

Responsible homeowners understand that regular maintenance and timely repairs are key to protecting their investment. One of the most overlooked parts of home maintenance is the garage door. Despite being a significant part of your home’s exterior aesthetic and security system, it can often go unnoticed until a problem arises. To avoid the inconvenience of an inoperative garage door and potentially costly repairs, look out for these signs that indicate your garage door needs repair.

  1. Unusual Noises

All garage doors make some noise during operation, but it’s the unusual noises that should be cause for concern. When your garage door starts to make excessive noise, it’s an early indication that something might be wrong. 

Sounds to listen out for and possible causes include:

  • Squeaking or Screeching: These sounds are typically a sign that your garage door needs lubrication. Regular lubrication with a silicone or lithium spray can keep your door operating smoothly and quietly.
  • Grinding sounds: When your garage door makes grinding noises, it could be due to debris in the tracks or lack of lubrication. However, if the door continues making a grinding noise even after cleaning and lubrication, it might be a sign of a bigger problem with the rollers, tracks, or even the door opener itself.
  • Popping sounds: This noise usually indicates a problem with your garage door’s torsion springs. These springs are under immense tension and can be dangerous. If you hear this sound, it’s time to call a professional.
  • Straining noise from the garage door opener: This might signal an issue with your door’s balance. If the door and opener aren’t properly aligned, the opener could be working harder than it should be, exposing it to premature wear and tear.

Any unusual noise your garage door makes should be investigated promptly to avoid potential damage that could result in more costly repairs. 

  1. Delayed Response Time

Garage doors should respond quickly to commands. Typically, the action of opening or closing begins within a second or two after you’ve hit the opener. Any delay beyond this can signify a problem with either the door itself or the opener system. 

Here’s how to spot potential issues:

  • Sluggish Opening or Closing: If your garage door opens or closes slower than it used to, it might be a sign that your opening mechanism is struggling due to wear and tear or even motor failure.
  • Incomplete Response: Sometimes your garage door might start the opening or closing process but stop midway. This issue could be due to simple factors such as a misaligned sensor or more complex reasons, like a fault within the opening mechanism.
  • Non-responsive Opener: If pressing the button on your remote doesn’t prompt any action from your garage door, you could be dealing with a dead battery, a problem with the remote itself, or even an issue within the garage door opener’s wiring system.
  • Door Doesn’t Close Completely: If your garage door doesn’t close fully or pops back open slightly after closing, it could be a sign of an obstruction within the track or an issue with the limit settings on your garage door opener.

Remember, a delayed response is not only annoying; it can pose a safety risk, especially if the door fails to open or close completely at a crucial moment.

  1. Visible Wear and Tear

Regular visual inspections can help identify problems early and prevent further damage. Pay attention to these visible signs:

  • Rust Formation: Over time, exposure to the elements can lead to rust formation on your garage door panels, particularly if your door is made of metal. Besides being an eyesore, rust can corrode your door, affecting its structural integrity and operation.
  • Sagging or Warped sections: If your garage door is wooden and exposed to considerable humidity over time, it can lead to sagging or warping. On the other hand, panels of both metal and wooden doors can also get damaged with impact or due to general wear and tear.
  • Cracks or Gaps: These can appear over time due to weather-related expansion and contraction. Small cracks can be filled, but larger ones might require panel replacement.
  • Loose or Broken Hardware: Garage doors contain many operative parts, including springs, hinges, screws, and tracking. If you notice any loose or broken parts, they need immediate attention.
  • Peeling Paint or Fading: While this is generally more of an aesthetic issue than a structural one, peeling paint can expose the material underneath to the elements, potentially causing corrosion or other damage.
  • Old or Outdated Appearance: While this isn’t directly linked to the functionality of your garage door, an old or outdated garage door might be a sign that its component parts are also nearing the end of their useful life or are obsolete.

While minor visible wear and tear can be addressed with regular maintenance, severe physical symptoms might need a professional’s attention to rectify. A qualified expert, like those at Elite Garage Doors, can give you an accurate evaluation of the problem and the best solution. 

Why Choose Elite Garage Doors

At Elite Garage Doors, we specialize in garage door repair and service. Our experienced technicians can handle any project, big or small. We pride ourselves on providing the best service to our community, resulting in a long line of satisfied customers.

When something goes wrong with your garage door, you want it fixed quickly and efficiently, which is where we shine. Based on a thorough evaluation of your repair needs, we offer a full range of repair services tailored to meet your specific needs and budget.Your safety and satisfaction are our top priority. Don’t wait for a small garage door issue to become a significant problem. Contact us today at Elite Garage Doors for a FREE onsite estimate, and let us handle the rest. We promise to make your garage door worries a thing of the past!