Author: Jeffrey Sanford

If you’ve ever had trouble with your garage door, you know how frustrating it can be to try and figure out what is wrong. With so many different moving parts, You may not even know where to start when it comes to finding the problem that has caused your garage door not to work. Luckily, the professionals at Garage Door Doctor know how to find and repair or replace any garage door problem. If you need help determining what’s wrong with your garage door, call us today to learn more about the garage door services we offer in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. We’re also going to cover some of the most common reasons as to why your garage door may not be working in our post today, so keep reading!

Two Main Reasons Your Garage Door Isn’t Working

The Garage Door’s Photo Eye Is Not In Alignment

You may have been able to run and duck under your garage door as it was closing as a kid, but in 1993, garage doors began being installed with a photo eye on either side of the garage door which transmits a beam that is invisible between each other and works to detect anything in the path of the garage door as it’s closing. While this is an excellent safety feature to prevent a garage door from closing on something or someone, it can make it so your garage door won’t close if the photo eyes are not in alignment. To check the alignment, measure how far each eye is off the ground and ensure they’re at the same height, also check to make sure that they are pointing in exactly the same direction. You can also check to make sure the lenses aren’t too dirty, which can also cause the photo eyes to malfunction.

The Garage Door Track Is Not In Alignment

Your garage door is a heavy piece of machinery, which can cause certain parts to wear down or break over time. Your garage door runs on a metal track, and it is important that this track stay in alignment, otherwise, it can become unsafe for your garage door to operate. When you hear a rubbing noise as the garage door passes certain spots, you’ll know that the door is misaligned. The door may even slow down as it passes certain points. In addition to these problems, when you see gaps between the garage door rollers and the rails, or if the rails are bent, you are likely going to be dealing with a problem. For a misaligned garage door track, it’s best to call a professional who will know how to safely repair the track.

With so many different problems that can cause your garage door not to work, if you can’t spot an obvious problem with your garage door, don’t hesitate to call a professional who will know what to inspect and how to fix the problem. When you need a garage door professional, call Garage Door Doctor. We offer garage door services in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas.

Let’s be honest, most of us use our garages for much more than just our cars. If we’re really honest, most of us probably don’t even use our garages for our cars at all. Because garages are extensions of our home, it can be easy to want to extend the living or storage space of your home into your garage. It’s possible that a problem with your garage door or garage door opener also led to the inability to get your car into your garage, so you changed your garage’s purpose. Here at Garage Door Doctor, we want your garage door and garage door opener to be working perfectly, regardless of what you want to use your garage for. To learn some of the top ways that people use their garages, that have nothing to do with storing a car, keep reading!

What Are People Using Their Garages For?

Storage

It’s true, people rarely use their garages to store their cars. In fact, one in four Americans have reported that their garage is too cluttered to even begin to think about getting a car inside. This brings us to one of the top uses for garages: Storage. Everything from old appliances to old furniture and all things inbetween often end up making their way to the garage in an attempt to get the items out of sight until something else can be done with them. However, we all know it can be years before the items actually make their way out of the garage and either to the dump or a donation center.

Workshop

If you love to do woodworking, DIY projects, or even arts and crafts, you may find that your garage has been turned into some kind of workshop. With limited space inside of the home for a room to be creative in, the garage is often the next best option for creating a space for a workshop.

Gym

Again, it can be hard to designate a room in your home for extra activities, this is why a lot of people choose to use their garage as space for other activities such as an at-home gym. It really does make perfect sense, wouldn’t you want to skip the gym membership fees in order to workout in (or at least sort of in) your very own home?

Office Space

If you are able to insulate your garage, you may be surprised to find that it can actually make a great office. A lot of people who work from home or are starting their own business often choose to utilize their garages for extra office space.

If you’re perfectly happy leaving your car outside in order to use your garage for a use that works better for you, we’re glad you have the space to do so. However, if you’re not able to use your garage for the purpose you’d like due to a broken garage door or garage door opener, please, don’t hesitate to call us here at Garage Door Doctor for the garage door services you need for your Indianapolis home.

Here at Garage Door Doctor, we care about your garage, and we want to help you protect and prepare your garage for the many different situations you may face as a homeowner. Should you encounter any problems that require garage door services, we would love to come to your home in or around the Indianapolis area to get you the help that is needed. Today, we’d like to go over some of the ways in which you can prevent flooding in your garage. To learn more, keep reading!

Prevent Floods From Ruining Your Garage

Even if you live in an area that rarely floods or you don’t think flooding is something you need to particularly worry about, you never know when Mother Nature is going to do something unexpected or a pipe is going to burst, and you may be left with quite the mess in your garage if it’s not properly prepared for flooding. That’s why we’ve decided to cover some of the most important steps you can take as a homeowner to prepare your garage in case of an unexpected flood.

Maintain The Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping around your garage is vital in order to keep water from getting in. You can use self-adhesive tape and vinyl or rubber stripping in order to protect the bottom part of your garage door. This should be able to keep water from getting in if a minor flood were to occur. Weatherstripping does wear off after a few years, so be sure to replace your weatherstripping as needed. If your weatherstripping has any signs of wear such as cracks, it’s not a bad idea to replace the stripping at the time.

Check For Cracks Or Damage In The Foundation

If there are any cracks or damage in the foundation in or around your garage, these create the perfect opportunity for water to make its way into your garage. Any noticeable cracks should be sealed with either a waterproof paint or some kind of vinyl concrete adhesive. If your foundation has cracks that could lead to structural problems for your home, it’s best to call for the help of a professional contractor.

Improve The Drainage Around Your Home

It is important to check that your property has the ability to properly drain excess water. If your property does not have drains in the grass or along the sides of your home, you can help improve drainage on your property by installing French drains. French drains can be completed by digging a trench near your driveway, adding rock or gravel, as well as a perforated pipe that will help to redirect water away from your home.

Be Prepared To Take Extra Measures

While you may not have to take this extra precaution at all times, it’s a good idea to have sandbags on hand that you can place around your garage in case of flooding. The sandbags will act as dams to keep water from entering your garage. It’s also not a bad idea to install metal shelving in your garage that you can move stored items to the top shelves when flooding may occur.

You never know when unexpected flooding could affect your garage. The precautions above are to help protect the inside of your garage, however, should your garage door be damaged during a flood, call Garage Door Doctor for the garage door services you’ll need for your Indianapolis home. If your garage door has previously been damaged either due to flooding, normal wear and tear, or another cause, we are happy to help with all of your garage door needs, so please don’t hesitate to call us today.

Most garage doors will have one problem or another over the course of their lifespans. Common garage door problems generally require a quick fix by the homeowner or a professional garage door technician. In a previous blog, we began to discuss common problems you may experience with your garage door, and how you can address the issues. To continue learning about how to handle common garage door problems, keep reading! And If you’re in need of any garage door services in Indianapolis, be sure to call our experts at Garage Door Doctor.

Common Problems With Garage Doors Continued

#6. Your garage door is completely stuck in one spot.

If your garage door has been experiencing problems over time and they haven’t been addressed, you may go to use your garage door one day and experience the door getting completely stuck in one spot. This problem is generally caused by a bent track that has gotten to the point where the garage door wheels can no longer get past the bend. The other factor that could contribute to this problem is your door’s cable or extension spring pulley has completely broken. When you start to notice that your garage door is not opening and closing smoothly, it’s important to have your door inspected for problems before you’re left with a non-functioning garage door.

#7. Your garage door makes loud noises when it is opening and closing.

If your garage door is making loud noises, such as squealing, screeching, or grinding, when it’s opening and closing, it’s likely due to dirt and debris in the door’s track. Another factor that may cause your garage door to make unwanted noises is a lack of lubrication on the door’s track. You should regularly check your garage door’s track to ensure that it’s clean and properly lubricated.

#8. Your garage door will not open with the use of the remote control or the wall switch.

When your garage door opener works with the wall switch but not the remote, it’s likely due to an issue with the remote’s battery, which can be easily fixed. However, if both the remote and the wall switch are not working, the problem probably lies in a disruption of power between the garage opener and its electrical connection. Check that your garage opener is properly plugged in and that the outlet is functioning. If that has not solved the problem, you will want to check your circuit breaker to reset the connection.

#9. The garage opener’s motor does not stop running after the door has opened or closed.

If your garage door opens and closes without problem, but the opener’s motor does not stop running after the garage door has completely reached the open or closed position, it may be due to the door’s limit switch being too close to the opener’s motor. You should also check to ensure that the limit switch can handle the opener’s motor current.

#10. Your garage door lowers to the ground too quickly.

If your garage door is closing at a faster rate than normal, your garage door likely has an overly loose cable or a broken spring. This can be a dangerous problem due to the heaviness of your garage door and the possibly injuries or damage a falling garage door could cause. Replacing springs and cables can be dangerous, and the job should only be done by a professional garage door technician.

Aside from the fact that a garage door that is not working properly can be annoying, it can also be dangerous if it’s left uncared for. When you begin to experience problems with your garage door, inspect the problem to see if you can find a solution or if you need to call a professional. When you need garage door services for your Indianapolis home, call Garage Door Doctor.

When you have a garage, you typically rely on it to be able to safely store your cars, as well as to get into and out of your home. If your garage door suddenly won’t open or close properly, it could be quite the hindrance to your daily routine. Here at Garage Door Doctor, we’ve come up with a list of some of the most common problems when it comes to your garage door, and when it may be time to call in some help from professional garage door technicians. Garage Door Doctor proudly offers garage door services in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. Continue reading to learn how common problems with your garage door can be properly addressed.

Common Problems With Garage Doors

#1. One side of your garage door will not close all the way to the ground.

If you’re trying to close your garage door and you find that one side touches the ground and the other side does not, you may be dealing with a frayed cable. Another possibility is that your extension spring cable pulleys are worn. In both instances, it would be best to have a professional inspect your garage door in order to determine whether or not either the cables or pulleys need to be replaced.

#2. Your garage door seems to “stick” when you’re trying to open or close it.

• If your garage door seems to be sticking in place as you try to open or close it, the cause could be a few different things. The first thing you can check is your remote garage opener to see if the batteries need replacing. Then, move on to check the garage opener sensor and switches to ensure that they are working properly. You will also want to check the electrical connection to your garage opener to see if the problem lies there.
• Another common factor when garage doors stick is that the track is not properly lubricated. You can check your garage door track and apply lubrication as needed.
• Finally, for a sticking garage door, you will want to ensure that the door is hanging evenly. You can check that the door’s cables and springs to see if they are all at an even length. If your cables or springs need to be adjusted, it is best to call a professional.

#3. Your garage door will close and touch the ground, but then it reverses immediately.

If your garage door closes all of the way and even touches the ground, but then goes back up immediately, this is typically a problem with the close limit switch. This problem can be remedied with a simple adjustment to the close limit switch.

#4. Your garage door will only close part of the way and then it reverses.

If you’re trying to close your garage door and it does not even hit the floor before it reverses, there are many factors that could affect this. The problem will likely come down to a broken cable, misalignment, worn extension spring pulleys, or the track is bent. All of these problems can be best handled by a professional garage door technician.

#5. Your garage door seems to shimmy or move unevenly from side to side.

Garage doors that tend to shimmy or move unevenly when they’re being opened or closed are likely being affected by dirt and debris that is stuck in the door’s track. Clean the door’s track and apply some lubrication to see if that solves the problem. If you are still experiencing the same problem, it may be caused by the door’s springs. If your garage door is in need of spring replacement, this job is best left to professionals.

Here at Garage Door Doctor, we are used to dealing with a wide variety of common garage door problems. When you’re having a problem with your garage door and you’re not sure how to troubleshoot or fix the problem, our professional garage door technicians can help. We offer garage door services in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. If your garage door is in need of maintenance or repair, call Garage Door Doctor today. And be sure to stay tuned for our next blog, where we will continue our list of common problems with garage doors.