Common Garage Door Faults and How to Fix Them

• Garage Door Won’t Open Fully: This could be due to an obstruction or dirt. Check and remove any items blocking the door’s path and clean the door and tracks. If the issue persists, consult a specialist.
• Stiff or Heavy Garage Door: Likely caused by obstructions in the tracks or deteriorated rollers. Clear any blockages, clean and lubricate the rollers. If the problem remains, contact a technician.
• Garage Door Won’t Stay Open: Likely due to loose or worn springs. Adjusting or replacing the torsion and extension springs may be necessary. This should be done by a qualified technician.
• Automatic Garage Door Not Opening: Check the remote control’s battery and charging. If the issue persists, there may be a mechanical fault with the door that requires professional attention.

Most garage door faults are not serious and can be easily resolved. However, it’s important you address any faults when you spot them — leaving it too long could make the problem worse, leading to costly and sometimes irreversible damage.

This article will teach you how to fix the most common garage door faults.

My garage door won’t open fully

What is the problem?

• Your garage door won’t open entirely. It might open just enough for you to get in and out, or it might barely even budge. 

What is the cause?

• There is most likely an obstruction in the door. This could be an item you’ve placed inside your garage, or it could be stones, twigs or other natural elements that have found their way into your garage door.

What is the solution?

• Check inside your garage to see if any personal items are blocking the path of the door. We recommend tidying your garage periodically to prevent this from happening. 
• If you can’t find an obstruction, try cleaning the door. It could be that stubborn grime or dirt is the culprit.

What if the problem remains?

• If you’ve attempted to remove all obstructions from the door but the problem persists, get in touch with a specialist. Associated Garage Doors have a team of technicians who will assess and repair the door as needed.

My garage door is stiff or heavy to open

What is the problem?

• It takes a lot of effort to open the garage door. It doesn’t just open in one smooth, easy motion.

What is the cause?

• It is likely to be a problem with the rollers. There may be an obstruction in the tracks, or the mechanism may have deteriorated over time.

What is the solution?

• Check for any obstructions in the tracks. 
• Next, clean the rollers to remove any grime or dirt that may be impairing the movement of the door.
• A simple bit of lubrication will often help the rollers glide smoothly across the track. Apply a splash of WD-40 to the mechanism.

What if the problem remains?

• If you’ve attempted all the above solutions but the door remains stiff or heavy, get in touch with a specialist. Associated Garage Doors have a team of technicians who can assess and fix a stiff or heavy garage door.

My garage door won’t stay open

What is the problem?

• The garage door droops, slips or completely falls after opening.

What is the cause?

• It is likely that the springs located at the top and sides of the frame have lost their tension.

What is the solution?

• This problem can usually be fixed simply by adjusting the torsion and extension springs. In some cases, the springs might need to be replaced. We recommend hiring a qualified technician to assess the situation and remedy the problem.

My automatic garage door isn’t opening

What is the problem?

• Pressing your remote control to operate your garage door does nothing. 

What is the issue?

• There will either be an electrical issue with the remote or a mechanical issue with the door. A fault with the remote is far easier to fix and, luckily, it’s far more common.

What is the solution?

• First, check to see if it’s a problem with the remote control by replacing the battery and making sure it is charging correctly.
• If the problem persists, there will be a mechanical fault with the door and will require a trained technician to fix it. 

If you require help from a professional, look no further than the team at Associated Garage Doors. We offer a comprehensive repair and maintenance service that covers all garage door faults and failures.

Our trained technicians are highly experienced and can remedy all faults quickly and safely. If your garage door is failing due to age and you’re looking for an upgrade, we offer a wide selection of modern garage doors at affordable prices. We also offer a stunning range of front doors and composite doors. 

Get in touch with the Associated Garage Doors team today to find out how we can help you.

We serve customers in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Cranbrook, Crowborough and surrounding Kent areas.