Emergency Garage Door Repairs

Your garage door won’t work.  You are locked in or locked out.  It is an emergency.  Before you make the call to a repair company, there are a few things to check.

Photo cell – Most doors have a device located about 5 inches from the floor with a lens or “eye” that detects if the pathway is clear for the door to open or shut.  Using a laser across to a receiver on the other side of the garage, it can tell if there is an object blocking the door.  If the area is clear, use a tissue to gently clear the eye of any dust or dirt.  If that doesn’t work, check the cord to be sure it is intact and not damaged.

Power source – Make sure the garage door opener is plugged into a working outlet.  Check to see if the circuit breaker has tripped.  If you are using a remote, be sure the batteries are good.  Garage doors come equipped with a disconnect switch, cord or another item that will allow you to operate the door manually.  Check to see if that has not accidentally been used and the motor is disconnected.  Also look at the antenna to be sure it is still attached and directed correctly.

Tracks – Visually inspect the tracks for bits of debris or small stones.  If you can safely reach those items, wipe the track with a clean, soft cloth.  Never over-reach or put yourself in a position of falling.

It could also be a matter of reprogramming the remote or changing its battery.

These are all items that can be safely handled without an emergency call.  However, if you are uncomfortable with any of them, contact a garage door company for repairs.

There are a number of things for which you should most certainly call in an expert.  These include:

Torsion springs – If you hear a large snap or bang, it is likely to be the springs.  Leave them alone.  Do not try to open or close the garage door.  Call an emergency door replacement professional to deal with this issue.  They have the knowledge base and the right tools and replacement parts to take care of it.

Cables – If the torsion springs have snapped, it is likely that the cables have also broken.  This can cause damage to the vehicle or the garage walls or ceiling.  This is never a DIY.

Sensitivity – If the sensitivity is set too high or low, the door will not work.  The owner’s manual will help but if you feel you need it, contact a company to talk you through it, especially if your garage door is older.

Limit settings – This is the part that tells the door how far to move to close properly.  If there is something blocking it or it needs re-programming, it affects how the door works.  Read the owner’s manual or call for help.

Off the tracks – If the wheels attached to the door are not running smoothly along its track, it will not work.  If you have noticed any odd sounds or squeaking or it seems to stick, a section of the track is probably out of alignment.  Call a professional garage door repair company to make sure that all the tracks are lined up correctly, there are no bends, dings, or gaps.  At the same time, the repair person can lubricate all the moving parts.

It is never worth risking personal safety.  If you don’t know what you are doing, call a professional.