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Keeping Your Garage Door Working

After I moved into a new home, I realized that there were some real problems with our garage door. It didn't always open easily, and when it did, it seemed to have issues closing all the way. I knew that we had to do something, so I started looking around for a place that offered garage door service. I was able to find an incredible business that offered garage door sales and service, and they helped us to find replacement parts that could resolve the issues. This blog is all about keeping your garage door working well and avoiding repair costs in the long run.

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Keeping Your Garage Door Working

What Should You Do When Your Garage Door Isn't Opening Smoothly?

by Perry Wilson

You don't think much about your garage door until you notice it isn't operating quite right. There are several reasons why your home's garage door may not be opening and closing smoothly. Here's a rundown of the most common issues.

1. The track is bent.

The track that your door travels up and down -- sometimes several times a day -- can become warped over time or if it's hit by something. Maybe you accidentally banged a tool or ladder into the track as you were bringing it back into the garage. Damaged tracks result in the door moving unevenly up and down. In most cases, you'll need a new track installed by a garage door professional.

2. The track is dirty.

Sometimes there's no damage, but debris or dirt in the garage door track can be making the door hesitate when opening or closing. You may also hear some grinding or screeching sounds if this is the case, because the dirt will have covered or replaced the lubricant required for smooth operation.

You can clean the tracks yourself, but be sure not to use a harsh cleaner that can scratch the tracks. After you've cleaned, don't forget to apply a generous coating of lubricant specifically for garage doors.

3. The torsion spring is failing.

Your garage door operates with the help of one large spring, called a torsion springs, that sits right above the door. There's a lot of tension on this spring, and if you're opening your garage door a lot, it may be starting to fail. You may notice your door hesitating to open or close, or moving in increments rather than smoothly.

When the torsion spring starts to fail, it either needs to be rebalanced or replaced. This isn't a job for most homeowners; the spring can cause serious injury if it's not handled correctly. 

4. A roller is damaged.

The rollers that move in the tracks to open and close your garage door are unlikely to be easily damaged, but they can crack or break over time. Check your rollers for signs of visible damage. An uneven or out-of-round roller can prevent your door from opening properly.

Your garage door should be inspected every year or two by a qualified residential garage door repair specialist. If it's been some time since your door was checked, call a garage door professional to look for these issues or anything else that may be a safety hazard or causing your door to operate incorrectly.

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