Garage doors are like a lot of appliances and components in your home: you may not give them much thought until they stop working. If your garage door won’t close all the way, there are many different prospective causes. These range from minor problems with simple fixes to complex ones that need professional expertise.
Garage doors are heavy, sometimes weighing more than 1,000 pounds. And the springs that open and close them can become dangerous projectiles if they become damaged. The tough part is determining the cause of the malfunction, so you can know how to proceed.
The good news is that there are a few common causes of a garage door not closing. Once you diagnose the problem, you can formulate a solution. Keep reading to find out more.
Check Electrical Components
If your garage door is reversing abruptly while closing, the auto-reverse laser could be the culprit. All automatic garage doors sold in the United States must have a component that reverses a lowering door within two seconds of it sensing something blocking them.
These mechanisms are very sensitive, so the slightest obstruction will trigger them. Check for insects, spider webs, or debris that may be obstructing the lasers.
Likewise, faulty wiring or dead batteries in the controls can be the cause of a garage door not closing all the way. Check to see if there are visible signs of damage or wear to wiring, and test multiple openers, if available.
Limit Settings
Your garage door opener has limit settings that determine where the door stops when lowering. If they are set too high, the door will hit the ground and reverse; too low, and it will stop short, leaving a gap.
The good news is that you can adjust these using a screwdriver. The system’s user’s manual will tell you exactly where to find them.
Mechanical Problems
Another reason a garage door won’t close may be because of issues with the physical components of the system. Garage systems use torsion springs and cables to close the door at a safe speed. If there are issues with your springs, the door could close too fast, which could damage the door.
Problems with the tracks are another common cause of a garage door not closing all the way. If something is blocking the rollers or if the tracks have become bent, then the door may not close.
Note that damaged garage door springs or tracks can be dangerous. They may be possible to fix, but you should call a prominent garage door repair company to do so. It’s also not a bad idea to have them replaced after several years of use.
Learn More About Why Your Garage Door Won’t Close
Now that you have an idea of what to do if your garage door won’t close, you can put together a plan of action. Remember that, if you are in doubt, leave the chore up to a trained professional. It will give you the peace of mind that the repair was done correctly and that your door is functioning as intended.
At Dynamic Garage Doors, we offer garage door repair and replacement services. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service and quality work. Reach out to us today for a free repair or installation estimate.
