These garage door troubleshooting tips can help you to address the most frequent problems with a garage door. The average garage door sees a lot of wear and tear. It is estimated that the average garage door goes up and down around 1500 times a year or three to five times each day (per Raynor Garage Doors). All this action can cause both minor issues and big problems.

Tips for Your Automatic Garage Door

One of the most frequent problems a garage door repair person runs into is an automatic garage door opener malfunction. These types of systems depend on sensors to function properly. If you find that your garage door is not closing all the way, it is likely a sensor issue.

Automatic garage doors are outfitted with sensors to ensure that there is a clear path for the garage door to close. The sensors usually positioned on the bottom of the track of the door communicate through an infrared light beam. If the beam is broken the door will not close all the way.

Gently wiping the lens of these sensors can remove any dust or debris that is potentially interfering with the light beam.

In some cases the sensors are out of line. Trying to adjust the sensors by moving them ever so slightly can help. If you try both of these things, and the problem remains, you should call in an expert.

Manual Door Problems

Older door systems can come off the track or can become resistant to moving. One of the garage door troubleshooting tips you can try is to investigate the track for any debris that is keeping the door from effortlessly gliding along the track.

Clear away any debris then use a high-quality lubricant to lubricate the wheels of the door and the track. If this does not solve the problem, you will need to contact a professional that can make repairs.

Prevention is the Best Solution

Avoid garage door troubleshooting by keeping up with appropriate preventative maintenance. Garage door maintenance can help to keep your garage door in optimal condition. Do not wait to address problems. The sooner you act, the less costly the problem will be. If you notice unusual noises or performance issues, call on an expert to make repairs.