6 signs your garage door needs a repair (and when to stop using it)
Garage doors usually give you a warning before they fail. Knowing what to look for can save you a bigger bill, or a door stuck open overnight.
- The door is suddenly heavy or lopsided. If it's hard to lift by hand or hangs crooked, the springs or cables may be worn or broken.
- It won't stay open. A door that creeps down by itself or won't stay put halfway usually needs a spring adjustment.
- Frayed or loose cables. Visible fraying on the lift cables is a serious warning sign.
- The opener runs but the door doesn't move. This can point to a stripped gear or a disconnected door, not a dead motor.
- It reverses for no reason. Check that nothing is blocking the safety beams and that the lenses are clean. If it keeps happening, the beams may be out of alignment.
- Gaps, damage or daylight. Dented panels, a split bottom seal or gaps around the edges let in water, dust and pests.
When to stop using it straight away
A loud bang from the garage (often a broken spring), a snapped or hanging cable, or a door that comes off its tracks. Leave the door where it is, keep people and cars clear, and call for a repair.
Don't try to fix springs or cables yourself. They're under enough tension to cause serious injury.
Not sure if it's a quick fix or something bigger? Call the team and describe what's happening, and we'll let you know the next step.