If you have an automatic garage door, then it is likely that you use it every single day but, even so, are fairly unappreciative of its existence. This remains the case until the day comes when it refuses to open. Garage doors are incredibly tough and should rarely encounter problems, especially if you use our professional garage door repair and installation services. Despite this, malfunctions can happen, and like any other mechanical device, the day may come when it needs servicing.
To help you understand what has gone wrong to lead to a stuck garage door, we have explained the most common reasons below.
Common Reasons Why Your Garage Door Won’t Open
Garage doors may be incredibly tough devices, but they are not always problem-free, and you can see a lot more malfunctions if they are not properly maintained. Even with proper maintenance, there are various parts and reasons why your garage door may refuse to open. Below you can find the most common causes of stuck garage doors, giving you the knowledge to know whether you need professional Arvada garage door repair services.
The Garage Opener Has No Power
In many homes, the garage door opener is plugged into an outlet that is easily accessible. Due to this, it is very common to find in busy homes that someone has come along and unplugged the opener. Or in other cases where the outlet is positioned near the ground, you may find that someone has simply snagged the cord and accidentally yanked it out. Whatever the reason for the garage opener being unplugged, this should be the first thing you check.
In other cases, it is worth checking that the outlet fuse hasn’t blown, as this would also lead to there being no power being received by the garage door opener.
The Emergency Release Cord Has Been Pulled
All automatic garage doors come with their own emergency release cord, as in the event that the automated system fails, you will need a manual option to open and close the door. These emergency release cords can be found hanging down from the center of the door and are often colored red. When pulled, the garage door will disconnect from the opener and will no longer open when using your door remote. Although these cords are placed quite high on the door mechanism, they can be accidentally pulled quite easily, so it is worth checking.
Dead Batteries in Door Remote
One of the most common reasons for an automatic garage door not opening, and one that will leave you feeling a little dim once figured out, is having dead batteries in the door remote. All door remotes require battery power to work; once they run out, they will simply need replacing. It can be a stressful process trying to figure out why your garage door won't open. So, save yourself time and hair loss, and check the remote batteries.
The Deadbolt Locks Are Locked
It is common to find garage doors with additional safety features like deadbolt locks. While these extra locks are a good idea, it is very easy for one member of the family to engage the deadbolt lock without mentioning it to the rest. If the deadbolt locks are engaged, the motor will run as usual, but nothing will happen. Due to this, it is important not to carry on attempting to open the door as you will burn out the motor.
Broken Garage Door Springs
All of the previously mentioned reasons are easily fixed, with none referring to any fault with the garage door itself. However, broken garage door springs are a cause for your door failing to open and will need professional service to fix. Garage door springs do not break often, but general wear and tear over time can cause them to snap or if they have been poorly maintained.
Most modern garage doors will operate using two torsion springs and can function if one breaks - although this is not recommended. However, traditional garage doors operate using just a single spring, so once it breaks, the door will be immovable. Torsion springs for a garage door can be easily attained and replaced by professionals.
Broken Cables
Your garage door cables are responsible for transferring the power from the torsion springs and the opener in order to open and close the door. If this cable snaps, the door will most likely not be able to open or close. The best way to think of this process is by imagining the door cable is the same as the chain on your bike, and with no chain on the bike, you cannot turn the wheels.
For Arvada Garage Door Repairs, Call Our Team
As you can see, there are various reasons why your garage door might not open, and fortunately, the majority of these can be easily resolved without any repair costs. So, before calling your local garage repair services, be sure to check all of the aforementioned reasons and save yourself a few bucks.
However, in the event that you have broken garage door springs or cables, then do not hesitate to contact us. At A Well Hung Garage Door, we have experienced technicians that can solve all your garage door-related issues. Whether it's broken springs, misaligned tracks, or a simple service - no job is too big or too small for us.
If you are in need of garage door repair in Arvada today, call us at (303) 422-0232.