Common Up And Over Garage Door Problems And How Fix Them
Up and over garage doors are a popular style of garage door, which lifts up and back into the garage ceiling space when opened. They’re a great option for homes with shorter driveways, but like any mechanical system, up and over garage doors can develop issues over time. Knowing how to recognise and fix common problems will save you the cost and hassle of replacing your door. Here are three common problems to be mindful of and some solutions to consider.
Issue 1: Door Not Opening and Closing
If your garage door is not opening properly, one possible problem is the springs. The torsion or extension springs are responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the door to allow it to open more easily. The springs on an up and over door are under high tension so they can naturally weaken and break over time.
Another thing to check is if there are any obstructions blocking the door’s movement. Anything obstructing the path of the door as it opens upward and out can cause it to get stuck part way, so removing these items can often get the door opening properly again. Also inspect the metal tracks that guide the door up and down. These can get knocked out of shape or become misaligned over time.
The good news is that many of these issues are easy to resolve. If you suspect that broken springs are the problem, you’ll need to inspect them and replace any that are broken or damaged. The type and number of springs varies based on the size and weight of the door, so make sure you replace them with equivalent springs. Similarly, you should check the tracks are straight and lubricated to keep the door moving smoothly.
Issue 2: Motor Failure
If your door is fitted with an electric opener, issues with the motor or opener itself can prevent the door from opening. Lack of power to the unit or a mechanical failure can sometimes be to blame, but if you’ve had your garage door for many years, simple wear and tear can cause issues.
To troubleshoot, start by checking if the opener has power. Look for indicator lights on the unit to see if it’s getting electricity. If not, check the circuit breaker and power connections. If it is getting power, try resetting the motor by disconnecting and reconnecting the opener’s power supply. Sometimes resetting will get it working again, but if that doesn’t work, the motor itself may need repair or replacement.
Issue 3: Noisy Operation
It’s common for up and over garage doors to start becoming noisy after years of use. Friction and movement between parts over time can lead to wear and tear. There are a few usual culprits behind a loud or squeaky garage door.
The first is worn rollers. The small wheels that guide the door along the track can become worn and begin to squeak. This creates grinding and friction as they roll. Loose or damaged hinges that connect the panels can cause the panels to rub and make noise. Another cause may be that the door needs lubrication. A lack of lubrication causes metal-on-metal grinding and squeaking as the door operates.
Worn out rollers that have become noisy can be replaced to quieten things down. Inspect each roller for signs of wear like flat spots or cracked wheels, and any that are worn or broken should be replaced. New rollers will rotate smoothly and quietly along the track. Just be sure to use replacement rollers of the same size and type to match the originals.
Loose hinges can be tightened to eliminate any rattling or grinding between the door sections while opening and closing. Use a socket wrench to tighten any loose nuts and bolts on the hinges to draw the two halves snugly together again – be careful not to overtighten.
Lubricating both the hinges and the rollers is also crucial to minimise friction and noise from the moving metal parts rubbing together. Use a specialist garage door lubricant to generously coat the hinges between sections and the outer surface of each roller, which will move through the system as the door operates.
As with any element of your home, up and over garage doors can develop problems if they’re not well maintained. Issues like broken springs, bent tracks and worn parts can occur after years of use. But luckily these problems can be fixed with some DIY troubleshooting and regular servicing. If you need professional repairs or you want your garage door to be serviced to keep it in good working order, get in touch with a member of our team today.
