5 common garage door issues & how to solve them

Although motorised garage doors are convenient and can help keep your house safe from intruders, they can often run into a few problems over time.

It’s important to understand some of the most common issues before installing a new garage door so if problems do arise, you can fix them fast and be on your way.

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Some of the most common garage door issues include:

• Tracks or rollers not performing correctly.
• Winter weather causing problems.
• Pests making their way into the garage.
• Losing or breaking your remote.
• The garage door not opening.

The best way to prevent these problems from occurring is to ensure you engage with garage door specialists who can take you step-by-step through maintaining your new garage door. Taking good care of your garage door will substantially increase its lifespan and save you the hassle caused by unexpected problems.

Tracks or rollers not performing correctly

One of the most common problems you’ll encounter with your garage door will likely be due to your tracks or rollers. As the tracks and rollers are in operation multiple times each day, they will eventually show signs of wear and tear. Here’s how to get the longest life from both components:

Tracks

If your garage door or tracks are bumped or damaged by your car or other equipment, it can cause a range of problems. Some common issues include increased noise in operation, additional strains on the motor and increased chances of the rollers slipping off the frame with the potential to cause serious damage or harm.

Always check that your tracks are clean and free from dirt or buckles. Some small bumps or buckles can be fixed with standard tools however, big dents may require you to hire a professional to fix or replace the track completely.

Rollers

Rollers come in a range of forms including plastic, steel and nylon. Each form of roller has a different lifespan, so it’s important to keep this in mind when deciding on your purchase. Make sure you clean and lubricate your rollers every year to increase their life and reduce the chance of serious problems occurring.

Maintaining your garage door during winter

Winter brings with it wet and stormy weather which has the potential to cause a range of problems for your garage door. It’s important to be prepared before the storms hit so you don’t get stuck in a situation where you can’t operate your garage door and access your car in an emergency.

Check to make sure your roller door is covered under your house insurance, as if a tree, flooding or flying debris were to hit it, there is potential to cause expensive problems. Most good insurance companies will cover your roller door, but it is important to check, so if the unexpected does happen, you won’t be left with an expensive bill.

Another issue that usually comes with bad weather is the chance you lose access to your mains electricity. Without electricity, you might find your car stuck in your garage as the motor can’t operate. A great way around this is to have a system installed that includes a backup battery pack so that in the case you do lose electricity, you’re still able to get your car out of the garage.

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Pests making their way into the garage

The main way pests enter your garage is through broken or eroded seals. They can cause a huge amount of mess and damage to your belongings. Once they make it into your garage, they’ll likely make their way deeper into your house so your best defence is to stop them at the garage door.

Look for products that are Australian made to suit local conditions. Ensure it provides your garage door with a completely sealed off barrier against pests and the elements.

Losing or breaking your remote

If your remote has stopped working or only works intermittently, be sure to check your batteries as that may be the issue. However, if it is broken or you have misplaced it, you will need to purchase a new one. The safest option is to purchase the same brand of remote as the garage door, as you’ll know the frequencies can be matched. Third party universal remotes are available, but make sure it will be able to be paired with your garage door before purchasing.

The garage door won’t open

This is a common issue that can often leave you scratching your head wondering why it won’t just open! There are quite a few different reasons your garage door has trouble opening or closing. Check out 11 of the most common reasons why your garage door won’t open for great videos and information on how to solve the potential problems.

If you’re ever confused and wondering why your garage door isn’t working, pick up the phone and call your installer. They have likely dealt with nearly every problem in the book and should be able to answer your queries quickly and efficiently.