“Why Is My Garage Door Stuck?”
If your garage door is stuck, it’s more than a major inconvenience to your day. It’s possibly a symptom of a larger issue or safety risk. Our advice is to call our team immediately—especially if the door is stuck halfway. Common reasons a garage door gets stuck include the following.
Obstructions or Blockages
Something is blocking your garage door’s path, or the safety sensors detect something.
Misaligned Safety Sensors
Safety sensors are placed on both sides of your door facing each other. Bumping these sensors, or even allowing dirt to build up, can cause sensors to stop working, affecting how your garage door opens.
Broken Springs
Springs are the muscle behind your garage door; they manage its weight, allowing for smooth, effortless operation. If the springs are broken, the door doesn’t have the support it needs to open or close.
Over time, the springs wear down until, eventually, they snap. If you hear a loud “bang” or see a visible gap in the springs above the door, that may indicate a broken spring is at play. Please do not attempt to fix this, and call our team immediately for a safe and effective garage door repair in Overland Park.
Door Goes Off Track
A garage door that’s off track can happen from accidents and incidents like hitting the door. Please do not try to repair the garage door or tracks on your own as this could cause further damage. Our team has the right tools and experience to safely and effectively get your door back on track—literally.
Door Gets Frozen to the Ground
The Midwest has some pretty brutal winters. In the KC metro, we always assume we will get at least 1 major snowstorm that keeps us from leaving our homes—unless it’s to take our kids sledding.
You may still be able to leave your home on foot, but what about on wheels? Ice and snow do more than cause dangerous road conditions. They can also prevent your garage door from doing its job.
Snow and ice may cause the bottom of your garage door to freeze to the ground, unable to open. In this situation, we recommend acting cautiously and refraining from trying to force the door open or break the ice—it just leads to a bigger problem. Instead, call our team for support and expert guidance.
Garage Door Opener Malfunction
Sometimes, the garage door opener is the issue. This can occur from dead batteries or wiring issues. Our team can determine if this is a minor issue or a major malfunction and create a plan to fix the problem quickly.
Rollers or Hinges Are Worn
Every component of your garage door, including your rollers or hinges, wears out eventually—usually within 3 to 5 years. When this happens, it creates extra friction that prevents your door from moving properly.
Damaged or Bent Tracks
The tracks along the side of your door might be damaged, dented, or bent. A member of our team can determine if they need to replace them during a garage door repair in Overland Park.
Bent Garage Door Panels
Garage door panels can also become bent, scratched, or dented. Maybe a hail storm made a few dents or your lawnmower’s chute was aimed right at the door. Maybe your teenager backed into the door and left more than a mark.
This damage affects more than your garage door’s appearance. It can also alter its overall balance, causing the other components, like the hinges, springs, and cables, to work harder.
If you notice panel damage, call our team for a garage door repair, so we can prevent this from becoming a more extensive, time-consuming, and expensive repair.
Frayed Cables
Cables are thin steel wires that bear the weight of your garage door. They’re essential for its smooth operation and safety, but can fray and start separating over time.
Garage door cable repairs require a professional garage door repair in Overland Park, as the springs are under immense tension and can cause serious injury if handled improperly.
What To Do When the Garage Door Gets Stuck
The handyman in you may want to try to manually open or close the garage door yourself. But your local expert garage door repairman is telling you to resist the temptation. This could not only cause more damage, but it’s also dangerous. Instead, save yourself time, money, and a headache by following these steps.
Step 1
The first thing you should do is call our team; we can send someone out to inspect your garage door. Not only that, but we can give you instructions and advice on how to proceed until a member of our team arrives based on what you’re noticing from your malfunctioning garage door.
Step 2
Clear your garage and driveway of cars or other personal belongings—if you are able. Ensure all children and pets are kept safely away from the garage and its surroundings.
Our team needs space to work, and clearing the area before we arrive allows for us to work faster and more efficiently during your garage door repair in Overland Park.
Step 3
Leave the door as-is and avoid trying to force it open or closed if it’s stuck. In some cases, we may instruct you to perform some troubleshooting steps, like:
- Replacing the batteries on your garage door opener.
- Making sure the safety sensors are properly aligned.
- Checking the power supply and if the garage door motor is plugged in.
Once we arrive, we can expertly assess the cause of your garage door malfunction, and provide you with an affordable solution. Most repairs can be made day-of, allowing you to get your life—and likely your garage door—back on track.