Garage Door Failure? Possible DIY Repairs To Try Before Calling The Repair Technician

An automatic garage door is designed to open and close effortlessly at the touch of a button or keypad. The process is so easy that most people pay little attention to their garage door and opener system — until the day they push the button or punch in a code and something goes wrong. 

Perhaps the motor does not seem to be running, or the garage door simply fails to open or close on command. If you are struggling with one of these problems with your garage door, here are some possible DIY solutions you can try before resorting to professional repairs. 

Power issues

If your garage door has become totally non-operational, an absence of power may be the most likely cause of the problem. Loss of power can be due to a variety of causes, including:

• A general power outage in your area
• A tripped breaker in your home's electrical panel
• A power cord that has come unplugged or failed

If the garage door opener system is plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet, the problem may lie with the outlet's fuse. When the fuse fails, power is prevented from flowing to the garage door opener system, causing it to be inoperable. 

Homeowners who feel comfortable doing so can check each of these potential reasons for loss of power. If a problem is found, correcting it may be all that is necessary to restore full functionality. 

Sensor problems 

Safety sensors are an important feature to help protect people and pets from being struck or pinned by a garage door. But like any other surface in your garage, sensors are subjected to contact with exhaust fumes, dirt, dust, and grime. In addition, they can sometimes become misaligned, especially if they have been bumped or impacted in some manner, or an object is obstructing the sensor's line of vision. 

Sensors that become soiled or obstructed may cease to function correctly and cause the garage door to seem stuck in the open or closed position. If your garage door is refusing to open or close correctly, cleaning the sensors and making sure they are unobstructed and correctly aligned may be enough to restore your garage door to working order. 

While simple DIY repairs, like these, can often be handled by an adult with basic skills, more serious problems, such as those that involve belts, chains, motors, and tracks, can be much more difficult or even dangerous to attempt. To ensure that your garage door is repaired quickly and professionally, contact a reputable garage door repair service contractor in your area. 

To learn more about garage door repair, contact a company in your area like Shoff Door Co.