Integrity Garage Door Repair
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How We Fixed a Garage Door That Wouldn't Close Properly
At Integrity Garage Door Repair, we get plenty of calls from frustrated homeowners whose garage doors just aren’t shutting like they used to. Whether it’s sticking halfway down or opening right back up, a garage door that won’t stay closed is a major inconvenience. Recently we worked on a job where the door was acting up in a few different ways. Let me walk you through the process of diagnosing the issues and getting it functioning smoothly again.
The Initial Complaint
Our customer called and said their two-car garage door was closing really slow and wouldn’t latch all the way. It was also making a lot of noise and occasionally bouncing back up a few inches after closing. Those are clear signs something was out of alignment or not working properly. We scheduled a time to come take a look.
Inspection and Troubleshooting
When we arrived, I first observed the door in action. Just as the homeowner described, it was taking forever to close and wasn’t sealing tight against the ground. I used my laser measuring tool to check the tracks for levelness. Sure enough, the front track had sloped down over time and was no longer parallel to the back track. This was causing drag and putting unusual tension on the door springs.
I then inspected the rollers, pulleys, cables and hinges for any obvious issues. The pulleys were dusty but seemed okay. However, one cable was frayed and the other was stretched out. This meant the door was unbalanced and struggling to operate smoothly. The hinges were also loose, compounding the problem.
Diagnosis: Multiple Adjustments Needed
After thoroughly examining all the components, I determined multiple adjustments were in order:
- Realign and level the garage door tracks.
- Tighten all hinges and reinforce their mounts.
- Replace the worn cables with new heavy-duty ones.
- Lubricate and clean all moving parts like rollers, pulleys, hinges.
Repair and Adjustments
With a diagnosis and game plan in hand, it was time to get to work. I began by loosening bolts and shifting the front track back into proper alignment with the rear. Some shims corrected the tilt so both tracks were level and parallel.
Next, I replaced both lift cables with high-strength galvanized versions. Threading these through was easy with the door fully open. I tightened all hinge mounts securely to reduce play and wobble. Pulleys were wiped down and re-greased.
Finishing Touches
A final adjustment of the limit switches ensured the door would open and close to the optimal heights. A test run showed immediate improvement in speed and smoothness. I wanted to be thorough, so I also lubricated the rollers and wiping seal for better operation long-term.
Before leaving, I showed the customer how to properly use the opener and manual release in case of power outage. One final check revealed the door closed with optimal speed and sealed tight – the issues were fully resolved!
FAQs
Some signs your tracks may be out of alignment include sluggish or loud operation, doors not closing fully, or doors that open back up slightly after closing. Visually inspecting the tracks and checking their levelness side to side can help determine if adjustment is needed.
Cables usually last 5-7 years with regular use before starting to show signs of wear like fraying or stretching. Rollers generally last a bit longer at around 8-10 years when well-lubricated. However, factors like weather, amount of use, and garage environment can affect lifespan. It’s a good idea to inspect these parts annually for potential replacement.
