It can be difficult to troubleshoot your garage door if you don’t know the parts of your garage door. Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Toledo, OH has a quick guide to identifying the seven main parts of your overhead garage door. Along the way, we’ll also teach you some basic maintenance and inspection tips to help you diagnose the problem you may be having
Garage Door Opener
The garage door opener is located on the ceiling in your garage. It’s typically a black box, and will have a guide track connecting to the swing arm that. When activated, the opener will either turn a chain or belt, or crank a screwdriver to pull the swing arm along the track, lifting the door.
Possible troubleshooting:
- Door is not lifting – Make sure the opener is plugged in. Make sure the remote is working properly. Check the batteries. Check the breaker panel and see if the breaker controlling the opener is tripped.
- Door is moving erratically – Listen to the opener as it operates. If it is making unusual sounds, it may need replacing
Safety Sensors
The safety sensors are located on either side of the garage door opening. They are small boxes, usually grey or black, attached to the bottom of the tracks. Each has an eye lens facing the other. You should see an LED light on the sensor. If the light is on, the sensors are working properly. If the light is off, you may have a power supply problem such as a severed wire. If the light is blinking, the sensor laser is being interrupted.
Possible troubleshooting:
- Door stops when closing and reverses – If the LED light on the safety sensor is blinking you need to get the laser working properly. Make sure there is nothing in the path of the laser such as an object or pile of debris. Wipe the eye lens with a clean damp cloth to remove any obstruction. If the LED is still blinking, your sensors are not aligned. Try aiming them at one another until the LED stops blinking.
Panels or Sections
Your garage door is made of several panels. These are the long horizontal sections of the door itself. They are connected by hinges allowing the door to roll up, following the curve of the tracks. The panels can become damaged by storm winds or debris, collision with your car, or small dents which have added up over the years.
Possible troubleshooting:
- Door not closing properly or stopping and reversing – If the panels have sustained considerable damage, it can result in the panels not aligning properly. Check to see if the panels are properly matching up with the tracks as well as each other.
- Door not sealing – You may notice light coming through your door. It can come in openings between the panels, at the edges of the panels, or at the bottom. This presents all sorts of problems for insulation.
Tracks
The tracks are the silver strips of metal running along the door opening and up the ceiling. The door rides along the tracks as it is lifted by the opener. Over time, the tracks can become bent, warped, or clogged.
Possible troubleshooting:
- Door making squeaking or grinding sound – Check the tracks for any warping.
- Door opening slowly or unevenly – Check tracks for warping and debris. Lubricate tracks.
- Door stopping and re-opening – Check tracks for severe warping or breaks.
Torsion Springs
The torsion springs are large metal springs located at the top of the door. The ends of the metal rod that the springs are spooled onto have wheels. These wheels attach to the door via metal cables. Rather than needing to lift the entire weight of the door, the springs hold the load of the door, allowing for easy operation.
Possible troubleshooting:
- Door will not open – Check to see if the torsion springs or cables have broken.
- Door suddenly slammed shut – Check to see if the torsion springs or cables have broken.
- Door opening slowly or unevenly – Check the torsion springs for rust.
WARNING – Do NOT attempt repairs of the torsion springs yourself. Only conduct visual inspections. If you find any problems, immediately call a licensed repair company.
Bottom Seal
The bottom seal is a strip of black rubber along the full length of the garage door’s bottom edge. It creates a snug fit, closing off any gaps between the door and the floor. It also prevents damage to the bottom of the door.
Possible troubleshooting:
- Cold air seeping through bottom of door – Check bottom seal for cracks or dry rot.
- Wind blowing through bottom of door – Check that the entire bottom seal is properly attached to the door
Hinges
The hinges connect the various panel sections to one another. By segmenting the door, they allow it to roll up the tracks and bend around the curve. This allows the door to pull up to the full height of the ceiling without having to swing upward.
Possible troubleshooting:
- Door making squeaking or grinding sound – Check hinges for rust.
- Door opening slowly or unevenly – Check hinges for breaks or severe rust. Make sure all hinges are present.
- Door stopping and/or reversing – Check hinges for breaks or severe rust. Make sure all hinges are present.
If you’ve tried these quick troubleshooting tips and are still experiencing problems, it’s time for professional help. Call Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Toledo, Ohio right away and we can help diagnose your problem and get you the help you need. Our courteous phone operators are ready to answer your questions and set you up with an appointment. Don’t delay, call us today!
