Why Won’t My Garage Door Close?

If you have a garage door that will not close or is not closing all the way, many factors could be causing the issue. Sometimes, these factors are simple problems that you can swiftly and smoothly fix. Other times they are more complex issues that require intensive labor, repair parts and expert knowledge about garage door repair.

Misaligned Tracks

One of the most common reasons a garage door is not closing is because of misaligned tracks. The tracks are two rails that run parallel to each other and to the garage door. The garage door itself runs vertically up and down these tracks when opening and closing.If the tracks are not exactly parallel with each other, then your garage door will have issues properly closing.

The only way to fix this issue is to identify where the tracks are not parallel. Once it is determined why and where the tracks are no longer parallel, it will require restoring the tracks to the appropriate position. The tracks may be beyond restoration and could need replacing entirely.

Damaged Tracks

Similar to misaligned tracks, damaged tracks can also keep your garage door from closing. Track damage is typical with heavy-duty garage doors. Over time, the wear and tear from opening and closing heavy garage doors takes its toll on the tracks resulting in debilitating bends, blockages and warping of the rail.

Long-term use may result in physical obstructions whose removal allows the garage door to shut completely. Like with misaligned tracks, the only way to fix track damage is to identify where the track is faulty. Repairs may be possible, but depending on the extent of the damage, replacing the track may be the only option. Not addressing track damage will only worsen the situation and potentially become a danger to you and your loved ones.

Smudged Sensor

Garage door sensors are one of the most vital components of your garage door system. These sensors are small beam emitters, typically mounted close to the ground on either side of your garage door. These sensors shoot an invisible beam of light across the opening of your garage door. A dirty sensor may be keeping your garage door from closing. When something disrupts the light beam from these sensors, they send a signal to the receiver that prevents the garage door from closing.

Take a rag or cloth and wipe off any dust or particulate buildup on the lens of your sensors. Once both lenses are completely clear of debris, your garage door should close. If it is not closing, the safety in the sensor may be faulty, or it could be an issue with another component of your garage door system, in which case our team can help find an appropriate solution.

Malfunctioning Safety Sensor

After clearing your sensor lenses of dirt and your garage door is still not closing, the issue may be that your sensors have stopped receiving power. Usually, there is a green light on both sensors that indicate they are receiving power. If the light is off on both sensors, then they are not fully powered. Loss of electricity may happen if a power cable gets unplugged, a fuse blows, or a power outage occurs.

If the sensors are fully powered, then they may be misaligned. The misaligned sensors will not display a green light, similar to a power loss. If the light is not green, readjust the sensors until they are perfectly aligned and the light turns green.

Depleted Remote Control Battery

If your garage door is not closing, the issue may be with your garage door remote control. If your garage door is not responding to your remote control, try your wall switch or control panel. If your garage door closes when you use the wall switch, the issue is most likely a dead battery in your garage door remote. Replace the dead battery with a fresh one and try your remote again. If the problem persists, but you can still close your garage door with your wall switch, then your garage door opener may need to be reprogrammed or replaced entirely.

Faulty Garage Door Remotes

Garage door openers have a relatively small effective range. After replacing your remote battery with a fresh one and syncing it with your system, make sure you are using it within a distance that should work. If you are in the appropriate range of the system and it is still not closing, the issue may be the antenna on the receiver. The antenna is on the opener itself. Make sure your opener is clear of debris and anything else that may impede the signal. If you find that the signal range of your remote is lacking, use an extension kit to boost the effective range of your remote.

If you are on the same frequency as the opener of a neighbor, then their receiver may be interrupting your signal. Alleviate this by altering the transmission frequency of your remote if you are having issues with your remote.

Adjusting Limit Switches

Invalid limit settings may be the reason your garage door is not closing. The limit switches determine how far your garage door needs to move to close or open entirely. Incorrect limit settings are the common cause of garage doors closing all the way but reopening or not closing completely.

Limit settings that are too high trigger a faulty reading and cause the door to reopen because the receiver believes the door has hit an obstacle. Adjusting these settings to the correct level could get your door to close all the way, but the adjustment process is tricky. Extreme adjustments may cause your garage door to crash down, causing damage. It’s highly recommended for your safety that this be performed by a trusted, experienced garage door technician.

Active Disconnect Switch

An activated disconnect switch may be keeping your garage door from closing. If your opener motor runs without the door closing, then your disconnect switch is probably enabled. The disconnect switch connects to the typically bright red emergency cord. The disconnect could have been pulled accidentally or not disabled after the last time in use.

Disabling your disconnect switch is a relatively simple process, but it must be done correctly; otherwise, it could be dangerous. Our technicians can safely manually lower your garage door to the down position to do this. Your garage door must be in the down position. If you leave your garage door open when deactivating the safety switch, your garage door may slam down. If your garage door is stuck open, contact us for assistance. Do not attempt to brute force the door down. Forcing the door shut could cause majorly expensive damage.

Once your garage door is in the down position, we can pull the emergency cord towards the door until the spring lever extends and slide the door manually until it attaches to the trolley. We can also use your garage door remote to automatically reattach your garage door to the trolley. When the door reattaches, you should hear an audible click, and your garage door will be moving along the tracks as usual.

Your Local Garage Door Experts

Garage Door Doctor is the most accomplished garage door installation and repair specialist in the Indianapolis and Bloomington metro areas. We have the experience, knowledge and skills to get your garage door back on track. Give us a call today or contact us online for all of your garage door service needs!

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This post first appeared on https://www.garagedoordoctorllc.com

Garage door installations need regular lubrication, and there’s a right and wrong way to go about it. Learn the ins and outs from a local garage door company.

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com

You’ll need garage door repair, of course, but what kind? And how do you spot storm damage in the first place if it isn’t exactly obvious?

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com

As a garage door repair and garage door installation company, we strive for your peace of mind. Is your garage door keeping your family safe?

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If you’re like most Americans, your garage door is used quite often – every time you head out to work and when you return. Not to mention the kids coming in and out, trips to the mailbox, and more. With all of its use, garage doors and garage door openers need to be replaced every so often. The standard life of a garage door is between 15 and 20 years, so depending on the age of your door and any damage that may have occurred, it may be time to install a new garage door. 

Is There Critical Damage? 

One of the biggest reasons to replace your garage door is because of the significant damage that happened. The damage could be from a variety of factors including weather, a teenage driver, or something else. If your garage door was recently damaged, it is a good idea to assess the situation and see if it is minimal damage like needing new paint or if it is something more severe like the garage not being able to open or close properly. Some of the damage you may encounter is just cosmetic and could easily be repaired but if the structure of the door is in question, it may be time for a new garage door installation. 

Is it Getting the Job Done? 

Garage doors have a purpose, mainly protecting your home from intruders, keeping severe weather out, safeguarding belongings, and more. If your current garage door isn’t functioning properly and mitigating these risks, it may be time to look into a new garage door. A damaged or aging garage door can affect the temperature of your garage which can also disturb the climate inside your home leading to higher energy bills. If you’re thinking it is time for a new garage door, check to see if it is still efficiently mitigating these risks and if it’s not, it may be the right time for a new garage door installation. 

Are You Updating the Look of Your Home? 

Another reason to update the look of your garage door with a new installation is that you’ve drastically changed the look of your home and your garage door no longer fits the look. Garage doors play a big role in your curb appeal and the overall look of your home and it’s possible that a new garage door will help increase the value of your home and the curb appeal. In many states, a new garage door sees a 100% return on investment. A win-win for curb appeal and the overall value of your home. 

Upgrading your home with a new garage door doesn’t have to be an expensive and daunting task. Reach out to our qualified garage door experts to find out how much it will cost and the options available to you.

The post Blog first appeared on A Plus Garage Doors. This post first appeared on https://utahgaragedoors.net

Smart & Secure Garage Doors

Bring the Light into Your Garage

Curb Appeal that Stands Out

Are you ready for a new garage door? Not only will a new garage door and a smart garage door opener make you happy as you come home from work, but it is also great for the value of your house! Garage door replacements have a high return on investment for home improvement projects so you can rest assured that the money spent will be money kept in the value of your home. If you’re ready to buy a new garage door, visit Utah Garage Doors.

The post Blog first appeared on A Plus Garage Doors. This post first appeared on https://utahgaragedoors.net

A warm garage can offer an ideal environment for you to work on some projects during winter. However, a warm garage during summer may not be ideal. Without adequate air conditioning and ventilation, the interior of your garage could get up to 20 degrees hotter than the outside. In other words, your garage can become virtually uninhabitable as the weather gets hotter. However, this does not mean that you cannot work or relax in your garage during summer. Below is a rundown of some tips you can count on to keep your garage cool and comfortable even as the weather outside gets hotter.

Remove Incandescent Lights

A lot of homeowners don’t invest wisely when it comes to garage lighting. They just hang cheap incandescent lights and assume that the lighting is okay as long as they can see what they need to see. Unfortunately, incandescent lights can increase temperatures in the garage because most of their energy is released as heat instead of light. In addition to increasing the temperatures of your garage, incandescent lights can put your garage at the risk of catching fire. Besides, incandescent lights are more inefficient, meaning that they can significantly increase your energy bills. Therefore, to keep your garage cool, safe, and comfortable, replacing any incandescent light bulbs with LEDs can be a huge improvement.

Get the Garage Walls Insulated

Most homeowners avoid investing in garage insulation. This makes garages some of the least insulated or the most poorly insulated rooms in many homes. Unfortunately, this makes them vulnerable to temperature fluctuations. During winter, they can get extremely cold, and when summer comes, these rooms can get unbearably hot. If you typically spend a considerable amount of time in your garage, you need to ensure its walls are adequately insulated. Wall insulation will go a long way in keeping the temperatures of your garage comfortable throughout the years without spending too much on heating and air conditioning.

Get an Air Conditioner

This seems like the most obvious technique to keep your garage cool. However, air conditioners can be quite expensive, and therefore, you should consider investing in an air conditioner for your garage only if you are going to be spending a lot of time there. Some suitable air conditioners for a garage include ductless wall-mounted mini-splits and window air conditioners. If your garage does not have windows, you can go for a through-the-wall air conditioner. If you are afraid that having an air conditioner in your garage will significantly increase your energy bills, you can invest in smart AC controllers. A smart AC controller will help you manage the operation of your garage air conditioner from your smartphone, which will go a long way in helping you keep your garage cool at the minimum cost possible.

Try a Dehumidifier

If the air in your garage is too humid, it can make the temperature of your house feel hotter than it actually is. As such, you could experience a soggy and uncomfortable feeling, making you sweat profusely. If you have sensitive furniture, goods, or electrical equipment, the high levels of humidity can make them susceptible to getting damaged by rust, fungus, or even mildew. If you live in a highly humid area, it may make sense for you to invest in a dehumidifier. In addition to keeping your garage cool, a dehumidifier will go a long way in protecting your belongings against damages associated with excessively moist air.

Try a Swamp Cooler

If you live in a dry area where humidity is extremely low, an air conditioner or a dehumidifier may not be an ideal way of keeping your garage cool. This is because although these systems can be effective in cooling your garage, they also remove humidity from the air. But when humidity is too low, you do not want to reduce it further. This is why investing in a swamp cooler makes more sense for people living in relatively dry areas. A swamp cooler will rely on water to not only chill but also moisten the air in your garage. Compared to air conditioners, swamp coolers are inexpensive to buy and install, and they cost less to operate and maintain.

Try Fans

In some cases, keeping your garage cool can be made possible by simply investing in a fan. A fan will push the temperatures in your garage down in several ways. For instance, it will improve the circulation of air, making your garage ventilation system more efficient. A fan will also cause a strong airflow on your body, which will increase the rate of evaporation from your skin, and consequently, make you feel cool and comfortable. However, you need to remember that fans are only effective in moderately warm areas. Therefore, if your garage tends to get too hot during summer, it is imperative for you to know that a fan might not effectively manage to keep it cool.

Declutter your Garage

If you use your garage for storing a lot of tools, machines, and other things, they can take up a significant amount of space which can negatively affect the flow of air in your garage. When the flow of air is blocked, it will be harder to keep your garage cool. Reduced airflow in your garage can also encourage the buildup of hot air and eventually make your garage uninhabitable. Therefore, if your garage is housing things you no longer need, you should start thinking of how you can dispose of them. You can also invest in shelves, cabinets, and toolboxes to keep your garage more organized and minimize clutter.

Improve Ventilation

Improving your garage ventilation is another effective way of keeping your garage cool during summer. Since hot air naturally rises, installing roof vents will allow hot air to go out, leaving the temperatures of your garage relatively cooler and more comfortable. You can also improve your garage ventilation by installing garage door vents. When the temperatures outside are reasonably low, you can keep the vents open to allow cool air to get into your garage. Adequate ventilation can also ensure that the fumes from your vehicle and machines operated in your garage leave your garage quickly. If the existing vents are not effectively cooling your garage, you can go for an active ventilation system. Although they are quite pricey, active ventilation systems are more effective and efficient when it comes to keeping a room cool. This type of system can be installed on the walls or the roof of your garage.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, if you spend a significant amount of time in your garage, then you have to find a way of keeping it cool, particularly during summer. There are several things you can do to this end, as explained above. If you need a garage door expert to help you insulate your garage door or even install garage door vents, Garage Door Doctor LLC is an excellent garage door expert to consider. We are a renowned garage door company providing high-quality garage doors and garage door services in and around Indianapolis. Get in touch with us today for more information about our company and services!

The post How to Cool a Garage appeared first on Garage Door Doctor.

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The right garage door installation, combined with prompt garage door repairs and care, can make a world of a difference to your belongings’ conditions.

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com

Southern Utah offers incredible weather and sunny summers with beautiful landscapes. How do the seasons of St. George affect the features of your garage door? If you’re looking for a replacement garage door or a garage door for your new home, should consider the temperature, weather, and extraordinary circumstances that you could experience in Southern Utah. 

Mostly Sunny with a Chance of Snow

While St. George is usually sunny and warmer than other parts of Utah, Mother Nature can also throw in some snow storms that rock the city. It’s important to be thoughtful about the weather your new garage door may endure. Extreme heat in the summers and random bouts of moisture in the winter can cause your garage door harm. 

Regardless of material, your garage door is built to withstand the elements, but the garage door type you pick will require more or less upkeep over the years. A wood garage door will dry out more quickly in the St. George climate and you’ll need to maintain it more often. 

Keep the Weather Out

Your garage door plays an important role in protecting the items you store. You can improve the inside of your garage with the type of garage door you pick. One option is an insulated garage door which will help keep the temperature down in the summer and help keep the heat out. You’ll be grateful for a cooler garage when you get into your car in the middle of summer. Glass garage doors allow more natural sunlight, but can also heat up the garage more than a solid door. If the front of your garage door gets a lot of sun, it may be a good decision to skip the glass panes to help keep the temperatures down. 

Maintenance is Key

As you pick your new garage door and the features that are important to you, remember that the most important part of your new garage door is the upkeep that will follow. Regardless of the harsh weather it may face, your garage door is built to last when you take care of it. Take the time to understand what maintenance is important to perform and when. This will lengthen the lifespan of your garage door and make it more viable for the St. George weather. 

If you’re ready for a new garage door in Southern Utah, now is a great time to get one installed. Reach out to one of our professional staff to walk through the process with you. Our team is here to make sure your new garage door is installed properly the first time.

The post Blog first appeared on A Plus Garage Doors. This post first appeared on https://utahgaragedoors.net

Sure, the job is simple, but as a garage door company, we know this: While simple, cleaning your garage door does have quite a few steps that many homeowners neglect.

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com