Reasons Why A Garage Door Will Not Close And What You Can Do About It
If you have a garage door opener, then the device may require maintenance at times. This is understandable, but it can be extremely frustrating when your garage door does not close when it is supposed to. If you are currently experiencing this issue, then there are a few reasons why you may have a problem. Keep reading to learn what these things are.
Sensors Misaligned
Garage doors are extremely heavy and are held under tight pressure with the assistance of tension springs. Due to the pressure and the weight, garage doors are quite dangerous and they can easily harm a person or object that is trapped underneath them. For this reason, there are a wide variety of safety features that keep people and belongings safe. These features include the sensors that sit on the bottom of the garage door track, and these sensors use an infrared light between two eyes to check for obstructions. If one or both of the eyes are moved in any way, then the garage door may sense an obstruction. The door will either fail to close or it will open back up once it hits the sensor area.
This can often be fixed pretty easily by adjusting the sensors so they face one another. Also, make sure to use an alcohol wipe or a clean cloth to gently buff the sensor eyes, since dirt and debris can cause an obstruction issue.
Keep in mind that electrical issues in the way of disconnected or broken wiring can create similar issues with the sensor eyes, so take a look to see if the wires are connected properly. If not, contact a professional to make the electrical repair.
Track Problems
The vast majority of garage door tracks are attached to the sides of the garage door opening as well as to the garage ceiling. These metal tracks are secured using screws or bolts and they are usually quite tightly attached. While this is true, if you accidentally hit the track with your car or something else, you can knock it loose. A loose track will not allow the door to maneuver correctly, and it will not close or open.
If you suspect that an accident has occurred either with or without your knowledge, then pull gently on the rails to see if they are loose. If they are, investigate for screws or bolts that can be tightened and look for signs that the tracks are bent. If bent tracks are noted, speak with a garage door repair specialist who can repair or replace them. You do risk damaging the door if you continue using it while the tracks are in a state of disrepair.
