Dirt and dust can sometimes clog the sensor, and can cause the door to malfunction. If your garage door is not working correctly, it may be an indication that the photo eye needs readjustment.
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My Garage Door Won’t Open All The Way: What Do I Do?
When your garage door won’t open all the way, it can seem like the end of the world. A broken door can block the entry to your home, keep your car stuck in the garage, or pose a potential safety hazard to you and your family.
Your garage door has two simple jobs: to go up and come back down again. When one of those is thrown off, it leaves you with an unnecessary headache and the question, “What do I do now?”
Not all garage doors are created equal, but over time, they can all become susceptible to a variety of different issues. If you’re the victim of an unopening garage door, this is just the guide for you.
1. Check to See if the Photo Eye is Blocked
The photo eye is the safety sensor on your garage door. It detects if a person or object is blocking the door from lowering all the way.
2. Make Sure Your Opener is Plugged In
You’re probably thinking to yourself, “Of course, my garage door opener is plugged in!”
It may sound ridiculous, but it never hurts to check. Sometimes your garage door opener will fail to operate if its power source is disrupted.
Problems like tripping a circuit breaker or blowing a fuse will prevent your outlet from working. Check these sources, as well as the ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), to make sure your outlet works.
3. Watch Out For Broken Springs
Broken springs are the #1 source of customer calls for garage door repair companies.
Garage torsion springs store mechanical energy and are what make it easy to lift your garage door up and down. Over time, the steel springs can start to weaken as the door gradually becomes too heavy for them.
A garage door with broken torsion springs can fall rapidly without warning, and can be very dangerous. If you suspect your door has broken springs, NEVER try to open it or repair it yourself. This is best left to professionals with the right skills and equipment.
4. Your Cables Have Snapped or Popped Off
Garage door lift cables hold the spring tension, and counterbalance the weight of the door. Just like the torsion springs, they make it easier to lift a large, heavy garage door. Some people are unaware of these cables until something goes wrong.
Corrosion, rust, fraying, or excessive wear can cause lift cables to snap or misalign your garage door. This can render your door unopenable.
Since garage doors operate by a series of counterweights, springs, and pulleys, they’re extremely difficult and dangerous to repair by yourself. Avoid using the door and call a service technician as soon as possible.
5. Adjust Your Sensitivity
No, we don’t mean you personally!
Sometimes, in a newly installed or older garage door, the sensitivity can either be set too low or too high causing the door to malfunction. Take a look at the manufacturer’s directions to reset the sensitivity.
Once you adjust the close force and limit switch to the proper setting, you should be good to go!
6. Make Sure Your Remote Is Working Properly
If your garage door won’t open with the remote, you may need to troubleshoot. There are a few things that can cause this problem:
- You may be out of range
- The signal could be blocked or the antenna damaged. Make sure the antenna is visible and hanging down from the motor.
- You may need to replace the remote battery. This is especially true if your garage door opens with a wall switch.
- As a last effort, try reprogramming the remote.
7. Adjust the Limit Setting
The limit settings on your garage door determine just how far to move the door to close it properly. Just like any aspect of your door, the limit setting on your garage door may need a tune-up over time.
Adjust the knobs as necessary until you’ve received the desired performance.
8. Your Door May Be Off Its Track
Does your garage door appear to be hanging crookedly, jerking, or making a grinding noise when you move it? If you’re eventually unable to open it, your door may have come off its track. In this case, stop using it immediately.
If the door appears to be jammed, avoid forcefully pulling it up or down. This could bend the vertical tracks and pop the rollers out, The door is susceptible to serious damage and could be potentially hazardous if you continue to use it.
This fix is definitely best left to the professionals.
9. There’s an Unseen Obstacle
Checking for obstructions to your garage door’s operation seems like it would be the first thing you’d check for. If the door opens or closes halfway, or reverses for no apparent reason, there may be something preventing its operation.
Examine the tracks for stuff like dirt, rocks, or other debris. If possible, give the tracks a wipe-down to make sure that nothing is stopping the door from opening or closing.
10. Make Sure You Haven’t Disconnected or Locked the Motor
Garage doors come with a disconnect switch or cord, so you can operate your door manually in the event of a power outage. Check to make sure that it hasn’t been unintentionally disconnected.
If the motor is running, but the door won’t budge, your garage door may be locked. Locate the knob or handle on the motor and use that to disengage the lock.
G&S Garage Doors is Here to Help
No one knows garage door repair like we do.
G&S Garage Doors provides high-quality garage door services in northern Virginia. We repair a wide range of garage doors, springs, and openers.
Let our team of garage repair specialists take a look at your problem. We will provide a lasting solution that will keep your garage door going up and coming down for years to come.
Contact us today!
A dependable garage door opener is a linchpin of home security and convenience, and LiftMaster's cutting-edge solutions have positioned it as the go-to brand for 2024, offering state-of-the-art technology and reliability. (LEARN MORE HERE: www.liftmaster.com ) 1. The Evolution of Garage Door Openers Garage door openers have come a long way, evolving from simple, manually-operated mechanisms to today's high-tech options that blend seamlessly with smart home ecosystems. The 2024 standards highlight advanced security, user-friendly design, and energy efficiency. 2. What Sets LiftMaster Garage Door Openers Apart? LiftMaster has built a stellar reputation for its diverse range of reliable openers, each boasting innovative features that cater to the modern homeowner's needs, including superior connectivity and unparalleled security features. 3. Smart Homes Meet Smart Garage Door Openers Today's Wi-Fi openers, especially those equipped with myQ technology, offer more than convenience. They integrate with your smart home network, providing real-time alerts, remote access, and the ability to set schedules for your garage door, enhancing both security and functionality. 4. Explore LiftMaster’s Real-World Applications LiftMaster's myQ technology not only offers enhanced convenience and security through its smart features but also demonstrates high compatibility with other smart home devices, enriching user experiences, as shared in numerous testimonials. 5. Installation and Maintenance Advice Achieving the best performance from your garage door opener requires professional installation, which ensures safety and functionality. Regular maintenance, including simple steps like checking alignment and lubricating moving parts, will extend the life of the unit. LiftMaster stands out as the top choice for 2024, delivering significant improvements to daily life through advanced security features, ease of use, and smart home integration. Discover the benefits of upgrading to a LiftMaster garage door opener. Visit us online to explore our products or schedule a professional installation and start enjoying a smarter, more secure home today.
Faced with signs of wear or malfunction, homeowners are often caught in a quandary: to repair garage door blemishes and breakdowns or to invest in a brand-new door. It's a decision that intertwines considerations of cost, convenience, and curb appeal. The latest Cost vs. Value report brings a new perspective to this debate, highlighting garage door replacement as the top home improvement project for return on investment. Understanding this dynamic can illuminate the most cost-effective path forward, whether it leads to a fresh installation or a simple fix. (View Report: VIEW COST VS. VALUE REPORT ) 1. Garage Door Repair Cost Factors When it comes to repair costs, homeowners can expect a range based on labor and parts, with variations depending on the repair's complexity—from simple spring replacements to more extensive structural repairs. A full replacement entails higher costs, influenced by the choice of door material, design, and installation labor. Don't overlook hidden expenses such as removal and disposal of the old door or potential structural alterations needed for the new installation. 2. There’s More Beyond the Price Tag The aesthetic impact of a garage door extends beyond its price tag. A new door can significantly enhance your home's curb appeal and property value, offering a fresh look with color options that seamlessly blend with your exterior. Energy efficiency also comes into play, with modern insulated doors promising long-term savings on energy bills, contributing to the overall value of your investment. 3. The Value of Investing in Your Garage Door Per the Cost vs. Value report, garage door replacement ranks as a top home improvement for return on investment, often recouping a significant portion of the expense at resale. Beyond improving curb appeal, a new garage door offers enhanced security, reduced maintenance costs, and the integration of smart technology—advantages that solidify its long-term worth. 4. Repair or Replace My Garage Door? Consider repairs for minor damage or if budget is tight, but if you're facing extensive damage or your model is outdated, replacement might be the prudent choice. Evaluating the extent of damage and the functionality of your current setup is key to deciding whether a quick fix or a new door is necessary. 5. The Art of Balancing Cost-Effectiveness Industry professionals often suggest that investing in a new garage door can dramatically improve home appeal and functionality. Before-and-after cases consistently show increased homeowner satisfaction and property value post-replacement. In summary, balancing cost-effectiveness with these benefits is crucial in your decision-making process. If you're weighing repair versus replacement, reach out for a professional assessment to make an informed decision that suits your needs and budget.
You put consideration into insulating you home, because you want to be comfortable no matter what the season. But did you know that you should also insulate your garage? Here are some tips on how to insulate your garage.
Nothing is worse than coming home and finding that your garage door won’t close. Having a garage is a nice convenience, but it can be a nuisance when things go wrong with your garage door. Knowing what the issue is can help you determine if it’s a problem you can tackle yourself or if it’s time to call for assistance. Just like any door, your garage door is meant to open and close. A garage that’s left open can lead to theft, weather damage, and other problems. Don’t leave your valuables exposed or your home unprotected if you find that your garage door won’t close. To help you troubleshoot your garage door issues, here is a list of simples fixes you can try.
Your garage may be the largest space in your home, yet have the least insulation. That’s why you ought to consider the benefits of insulated garage doors vs. non-insulated.
Normally when you think of a garage, you don’t think of heat and air conditioning.
There’s nothing worse than dashing out into the frigid winter air to get into your icy-cold car . And your car is in the garage! One option to increase comfort and provide safety for items housed in your garage is to heat your garage. However, before you plug in the space heater, it’s important to ask, “How can I safely heat my garage?” It may be convenient, or a quick solution to grab a space heater with open coils, but don’t . This type of heating device is not optimal for a garage. There are a lot of chemicals and solvents located in a garage, and oily rags that could quickly ignite. In addition, a space heater can be easily forgotten and left on with nobody around to monitor it.
Entry through your garage door is one of the ways criminals can access your home and steal items stored in your garage—if you’re not careful. Even though you lock your doors and windows, the garage entryway is one area that is often overlooked.
Technology is amazing, and it is mind-boggling—even to us as garage door specialists—how many ways even something as simple as a garage door can be influenced by technology. For example, here are the 3 latest advancements in garage door technology.
Unfortunately, many people are injured each year by their garage doors, so as garage door experts, we’d like to talk about garage door accidents–the statistics and how to prevent accidents in your home or workplace. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) has reported statistics on garage door accidents showing that more than 2,000 people per year are crushed by garage doors, and more than 7,500 people are pinched during garage door operation. Only about 100 of these are caused by personal negligence, like a child or pet trying to dash under a closing door. Children can sometimes play games with the garage door, daring themselves to try to make it to the other side as the door closes, often playing with the remote control. If they don’t make it across, the door can pin them to the ground or crush them. Several deaths each year are reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission from this behavior, even from garage doors that do contain an automatic reverse feature. Glass breakage is another cause of garage door accidents. Many of the older doors do not contain shatterproof or shatter-resistant glass windows. There are upwards of 800 people each year who visit the emergency room with cuts caused by garage door glass. The remainders of those accidents are caused by mechanical failures within the garage door equipment itself or from the lack of safety features that can aid in preventing potentially-dangerous safety problems.