How To Fix Garage Doors That Are Stuck In The Open Position
If your garage door is stuck in the open position, it can be a major inconvenience. You might need to replace your door or opener parts to get it working again. Here's how to troubleshoot and repair common problems that keep your garage door from closing properly:
Check your spring tension
The spring tension is important to the operation of your garage door. If it's too loose, the door will sag; if it's too tight, it will bind and not go up or down properly. To check your spring tension:
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Take off one side panel on each side of your garage door (if there are two), and look at how far up from its bottom edge each roller sits in relation to its bracket when fully extended. If they're not sitting as far out as possible, then you need more tension on that side of the system — and vice versa for less tension.
To fix an imbalance between the left and right sides of your garage door system:
- Loosen both cables equally until they're equal in length, then tighten just enough so that there isn't any sag in either direction when fully extended; finally, add weight or sandbags as needed depending on whether or not this solved all issues with sagging/binding doors.
Lubricate the tracks
If the tracks are getting stuck and your door won't close, you likely need to lubricate them. Using a garage door lubricant designed specifically for this purpose is important.
Petroleum-based lubricants will cause damage over time and may even be toxic if ingested by pets or children. You can find these products at any major hardware store or online at Amazon or other retailers.
Inspect the hinges and rollers
Now that you've determined that your garage door is stuck in the open position, it's time to inspect the hinges and rollers. The first thing you want to do is make sure nothing is blocking them from closing properly.
Check for debris on both sides of each hinge and remove any obstructions that are found. Next, look at each roller for signs of damage or wear; if any parts look bent or broken, replace them immediately!
Inspect tracks for damage, such as dents or cracks, and cables for fraying edges (this can be done by gently pulling on them).
Replace the rollers or hinges
To replace the rollers, remove them from the track. If they are not damaged, and you plan to use them, please make sure you clean them thoroughly before installing new ones.
To replace hinges, use a screwdriver to remove the old hinge pins and install new ones.
Try a new garage door opener remote or battery.
If the garage door opener remote is out of range and you can't get it to work, try moving it closer to the garage door. If this doesn't help, check the battery on your garage door opener remote and replace it if necessary. If that doesn't help either, try reprogramming your garage door opener using these steps:
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Open up your car's glove compartment or center console
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Locate where your car manual says "Programming Code" is located (it'll be written in code)
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Enter that code into your remote control unit
If your garage door is stuck open, acting quickly is important. A garage door that stays open for too long can damage your vehicle or cause other problems in your home.
Fortunately, there are several simple fixes that you can try before calling a professional out for help with your garage doors. For more information on garage door repair, contact a professional near you.
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