Is your garage door not lifting all the way? Are you hearing loud screeching sounds when you use your garage door opener? Is your garage door switch/remote playing dead?
Usually, a little troubleshooting can fix minor issues with garage doors. Take a look at some common ailments and the garage door repair that is required. Remember, if you aren’t confident about making the repair yourself, call a professional. Improper repairs can make your doors unsafe for you and your family.
- Remote and switch don’t activate the garage door opener
If the garage door doesn’t make any sound when you press the buttons it is likely a fault in the power source. Change the battery in the remote and try again. If a hardwired switch doesn’t work, the motor may be unplugged. Check the motor’s plug and if it has come loose.
If this doesn’t work check your mains to see if the system has tripped. Garage lights not working will be a dead giveaway that the circuit is tripped or a fuse has been burnt out.
If none of these work it’s possible the motor has malfunctioned. You’ll need a professional to repair it.
- Garage door won’t shut all the way
If your garage doors open fine but leave a gap between the ground, the close-limit switch may need to be adjusted. The close-limit switch basically tells your motor to stop turning. It also protects people from being crushed under closing garage doors. The switch is usually located on the motor itself. Use a screwdriver to change the close-limit setting.
It’s also possible that safety sensors on the bottom are detecting an obstruction even if there is none. Tighten the safety eyes in their holders. If they are out of alignment, they will send a false obstruction signal to the motor.
Finally, if the above methods fail, check your rollers. If there is rust or debris in them, they may be preventing the door from closing fully. Clear out any blockages and lubricate the rollers with silicone lubricant.
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- The door reverses before touching the ground
This usually happens when the close-force setting needs adjusting or roller resistance is fooling the system into thinking the doors have closed.
The close-force setting detects when the pressure on the motor has eased (like when the door rests on the ground) and tells the motor to shut off. If it is too sensitive a setting, even slight resistance on the tracks can cause the motor to think the door has closed. Similarly, rust on rollers will increase rolling resistance and send a false signal to the motor.
The close-force setting is found on the motor. Again, use a screwdriver to turn the setting dial. Make the system less sensitive to close-force. Note if you reduce it too much, the motor may not stop even once the door has closed.
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- Refusing to open in winters
It is not uncommon for garage doors to refuse to open in really cold weather. This can happen to garage doors that are open too, but who leaves their garage door open all night?
If your motor is making a humming sound and you cannot detect any other reason why the door isn’t moving, it’s probably because the rollers have become stiff. Cold causes metals to contract and can jam rollers. Lubricate them properly and your garage door is repaired. Consider adjusting the close-force sensitivity too.
- Garage doors open but the motor doesn’t stop running (trolley rams into the motor)
This is a relatively rare problem and one you are likely to encounter when your doors are new. The up-limit switch tells the motor when the doors are their maximum opening setting. You’ll normally see it the first time you operate the door.
You want to make sure the door is open all the way and the trolley is four-six inches from the motor in that fully open position.
If it happens, turn the up-limit switch on the motor to change the setting. Make sure you run the garage door for a complete cycle to test if the setting has worked.
Garage door opener repair in Ottawa
Need same-day garage door repair in Ottawa? Call Capital Garage Door in Ottawa and get your garage doors replaced within a few hours. Our professionals are available 24/7.
