You expect your garage door to work just fine every day, opening and closing with the push of a button. But what happens when it won’t open when you arrive home or need to leave?
Opening and shutting your garage door manually can be a major inconvenience. It’s important to understand why it won’t open and shut on its own and how to repair the problem.
In this article, we’ll discuss common causes of damaged garage doors, how maintenance can keep your garage door working properly and how to open a stuck garage door manually.
Common Causes of Stuck Garage Doors
A lot of issues can plague a garage door over time. Some problems won’t cause much trouble, but over time, they can worsen and lead to a stuck garage door. Some of the most common causes of a stuck garage door include:
- Lack of lubrication: When a garage door’s tracks, springs and cables aren’t lubricated enough, they can cause the door to get stuck in one position.
- Broken springs: Damaged springs can make it impossible for the door to move from one position to another.
- Misaligned tracks: Track alignment is essential to a properly functioning garage door. Even a slight issue can lead to a stuck door.
Impact of Weather Conditions
The weather in Bakersfield can also be a major factor in the functionality of your garage door. Our area gets a lot of wind and dust storms, along with surprise downpours. The harsher the elements are on your garage door, the more damage can be caused.
Just a few ways the weather can affect garage doors anywhere in the country include:
- Cold temperatures: Freezing can contract the metal springs, tracks and other parts.
- Wind and dust: Dry regions can produce high winds that kick up dust, getting it stuck in the gears of the garage door system.
- Moisture: High humidity levels can break down the internal parts of a garage door’s system.
Importance of Regular Maintenance
Keeping up with garage door system maintenance is essential. If you can prevent problems before they occur, you can avoid inconvenience and costly repairs or replacements. Regular maintenance can also help you avoid the inconvenience of a damaged garage door.
DIY Solutions for Unsticking Garage Doors
It can be irritating to deal with a garage door that won’t open or close. Fortunately, there are many ways to resolve the issue yourself.
When you notice your garage door squeaking, use a lubricant on the tracks, chains and cables. When you don’t go anywhere for a few days, open and close the garage door at least once to keep the system moving. If you notice any cracks or misalignment of parts, call a pro for help.
Special note: Be careful when performing any DIY garage door repair. If you aren’t confident that you can do the job, contact an expert.
When to Seek Professional Help
Sometimes, a DIY repair won’t do the job. If your garage door tracks have fallen, springs have snapped, or chains are broken, it’s time for professional assistance. Don’t risk causing more harm than good when an expert can fix the problem.
Work With Us for Garage Door Repairs
Kern Door Company can help repair your garage door when a DIY fix isn’t enough. Our team has repaired countless doors and can get yours working right ASAP. When regular maintenance and basic repairs aren’t enough, we’re here to help.
Our team uses top-quality garage door materials for every type of door. We also provide repairs for all major garage door brands, from Windsor Door to Wayne Dalton and more.
For garage door repair services in Bakersfield, turn to Kern Door Company. Contact us today to get started.