Like most homeowners, you probably use your garage door more often than your front door. In fact, one study found that 55% of homeowners consider the garage door their primary entrance. That’s why a malfunctioning garage door can feel like more than just a minor inconvenience. Before you reach for the emergency release, it’s worth understanding a few common reasons your garage door might be acting up.
Broken Springs or Cables: The Heavy Lifters Are Down
If your garage door slams shut, won’t lift more than a few inches, or you hear a loud snap, chances are one of the torsion springs or lift cables gave out. These components carry the weight of the door, so when they fail, your opener simply can’t do the job alone.
Heads up: These parts are under serious tension. This isn’t something to DIY unless you know what you’re doing. Best to call in a garage door technician in Katy, TX, who can safely handle spring replacement.
Related: learn more about why your garage door springs are struggling here.
Misaligned Tracks or Obstructions: Bent Out of Shape
If your door is sticking on one side, dragging, or making screechy metal noises, you might be dealing with warped or blocked tracks. Texas heat and shifting soil can mess with your garage’s foundation and the garage door track alignment over time, especially if your home is a bit older.
Pro tip: Look for gaps where the rollers should touch the track or check for debris like leaves, bolts, or even wasp nests (it happens more than you think around here).
Sensor or Opener Glitches: Tech Trouble
Modern garage doors have safety sensors that stop the door if something’s in the way. But if those sensors are dirty, out of alignment, or just old, the door might refuse to close or reverse halfway down. Also, if your garage door opener is acting up (blinking lights, strange noises), it could be a sign of internal wear.
Try this first: Gently clean the sensors with a dry cloth and make sure they’re lined up correctly. Still no luck? Your opener might need a reset or replacement.
Related: learn more about what to do if your garage door opener stops working here.
Call Katy Door Systems Before It Gets Worse
If you’re in Katy, TX, Fort Bend County, TX, or anywhere west of Houston, call on Katy Door Systems. No job is too big or too small for us, and we can fix faulty springs, damaged tracks, misaligned sensors, and malfunctioning openers. For more information or to make an appointment, reach out to us at (281) 599-9411.
