Renvations Team
A malfunctioning garage door can be a huge frustration. Whether you’re trying to open or close your overhead door, there is a possibility that your garage door won’t close. This can result in an insecure home and forced to search for an alternate entrance. To limit the amount of time you’re unable to use your tilt-up lock and save you some money, here are some tips on what to do when your up and over canopy won’t close.
Diagnosing the Problem
The first step when diagnosing a malfunctioning garage door is narrowing the issue. Start by pressing the manual control button on the side of the lock and try to close the overhead door. Does it open and close properly when you operate it manually? If so, the first troubleshooting step would be reprogramming your remote. However, if lock still refuses to open or close, you may need to look closer.
Troubleshooting Common Causes
There are a variety of causes for a malfunctioning shutter. The first thing to check for is any obstructions blocking the door frame or track. This could be anything from a large toy, fallen tree branches, or your car blocking the way. Remove any possible obstructions from the garage door’s path and see if that remedies the problem.
If you have noticed any unusually loud noises coming from your shutter, your first suspicion should be the torsion spring above the door’s opening. Over time, these springs can wear down and make a loud grinding noise as they open and close. In this scenario, it’s important to exercise caution when dealing with torsion springs, as they are under incredibly high tension and can cause serious injury if handled incorrectly.
Checking the Photo Eye Sensor
Your overhead shutter must have a working photo eye sensor to be safe and secure. This small device is installed near the base of the frame and is used to sense if any objects are beneath your overhead while it is being operated. Try resetting your eye like any other electronic device to check if this is causing you an issue due to which your garage door won’t close.
Replacing Lock’s Battery
A common cause of overhead shutter malfunction can be a dead battery. Your lock requires a 9-volt battery to open and close, so check inside the housing of your opener to ensure that it’s working correctly. If the battery has gone dead or is weak, replace it with a new one, and you should find that your shutter will operate again.
Adjusting the Garage Door Tracks and Springs
It’s possible that your tracks or springs may need to be readjusted after years of use. It’s always best to take caution when adjusting these parts as they are incredibly powerful and under high tension. Use an adjustable wrench to check for any damaged or bent pieces that could be causing the misalignment of your overhead opening. Additionally, it’s important to lubricate the tracks – use a non-greasy lubricant like WD-40 – to ensure that the overhead opening runs smoothly along its tracks.
Replacing Broken or Worn Parts
If certain parts of your garage have worn out or become loose, they can cause major issues with your overhead’s ability to open and close. Firstly, you need to check all of the parts on your overhead opening and identify if there are any loose nuts, bolts, or brackets that need tightening. If there are still issues with your door not functioning properly after this routine check-up, consider replacing certain parts.
Call The Professionals
If all the above methods fail, you may need to enlist in professional overhead lock repair services. A reputable repair service can quickly identify problem areas and make necessary adjustments or replacements. They can also help with preventive maintenance tips that you can keep in mind for routine check-ups on your overhead.
