Identifying Garage Door Opener Problems

Who would believe that something as mundane as a simple garage door opener could become such an integral part of our lives? It is such a small, barely noticeable thing and, yet, it brings so much convenience (especially when it’s raining outside!).

Unfortunately, like any other electronic device, garage door openers aren’t invincible. They can break down over time due to age, wear and tear, or electrical issues. While you can diagnose these problems DIY-style, remedying them should be left in the capable hands of experts for garage door repair in Encinitas, CA. Let’s take it a step at a time.

How do you diagnose a garage door opener problem?

If you suspect that your garage door opener isn’t working properly, here’s some good news: you don’t have to be a tech savant or garage door repair specialist to figure out what went wrong. All you have to do is follow the steps below.

Step 1: Check the power source

This is one of those things that the vast majority of people simply forget about. Still, the outlet that the opener is plugged in can be switched off by accident or tripped by a circuit breaker.

Therefore, first, you should make sure that the power source for your garage door opener is up and running. If the outlet is working and isn’t damaged, check if the cord is plugged in properly. If that doesn’t do the trick, check the length of the cord for damage such as fraying. 

Step 2: Inspect the remote

If the power source is not the source of the problem, the next best thing is to check the remote control. First, look for signs of physical damage, especially if your remote met the curb forcefully aided by gravity in recent days. If there are no cracks, that might mean that the batteries died. Replace them and, if the problem persists, move on to step 3.

Step 3: Check the tracks

If you notice that your garage doors are struggling to move (e.g. creaking or moving incredibly slowly), the tracks might be the cause. Sometimes, dirt and debris get stuck inside the tracks, causing them to malfunction.

Be sure to inspect the tracks on both sides of the door to see if there’s anything blocking them. If there’s some debris in there, carefully clean it out, and try the door again to see if it’s moving smoothly.

Step 4: Check the door’s balance

The garage doors are really heavy and require a lot of force to move, which puts a lot of strain on the opener mechanism. For this reason, their weight should be evenly balanced, at all times. To inspect balance, disconnect the door from the opener, and open the door manually. If it stays open, it means balance is not the issue here. However, if it closes (fully or partially), then that means they are out of balance and causing strain on the opener, which leads to malfunction.

Step 5: Inspect the opener

Once you’ve eliminated all the previous criteria as the cause of the problem, then the probable culprit of your garage door issues is the opener itself. So, it’s time to give it a check. Look for any visible signs of wear and tear, loose nuts and bolts, frayed wires, or broken parts. 

Sometimes, fixing the problem is as easy as tightening a loose screw. However, in other instances, it may entail repairing or replacing electrical or sensitive door parts which, if done incorrectly, can cause more harm than good. 

Additionally, wear and tear can cause the opener to fall out of safety standards, which means that fiddling with it can be incredibly risky for your health. For these reasons, it is highly advisable to leave this task to trained professionals.

Who are the leading specialists for garage door repair in Encinitas, CA?

Radford Garage Doors & Gates are the foremost specialists for garage door installation, replacement, and repair in Encinitas, CA and the entire area east of Swami’s SMCA. Whether it’s a broken spring that needs replacing, a faulty sensor, or a burnt-out motor, our trained technicians have the skills and tools to get it working again in no time. Give us a call today and ensure a faulty opener stops ruining your day!