What to Do When your Garage Door is Stuck

Whether you’re trying to leave your garage or park your car inside, having your automatic garage door suddenly stop working can put you in a real bind. But don't panic; in many cases there are simple solutions to getting your garage door unstuck. Here are some steps you can take when your garage door stops working:

Check the Obvious Causes First

If your garage door stays put when you press the remote button, then you should check the batteries of your remote. Most automatic garage doors have a bypass switch you can use to raise and lower the door without the remote. If it works, chances are, the batteries are the culprit.

Your garage opener also needs power to operate. Make sure there hasn't been a power outage or a circuit hasn't been blown. You should also check to make sure the power cord is plugged in. These are easy checks and could save you a lot of trouble by starting with them first.

Take a Look at the Tracks

Sometimes the tracks that serve as the rails for the garage door rollers can get blocked or thrown out of alignment. Keep in mind that it is possible for debris to build up or get caught in the tracks so be sure to examine the tracks carefully and clear out any debris or objects.
Tracks can also become warped or dented. People sometimes bump them with their car, or extreme changes in temperature can cause them to become distorted. Use your hand to feel along the track to detect any unevenness.

If the problem is minor, you could try gently hammering it back into shape, using a wooden block as a guide. Exercise caution when manipulating the tracks; you don't want to make the problem worse. It is often a good idea to call a professional for track fixes.

Check the Sensors

Every automatic garage door system includes a pair of sensors that act as a safety mechanism. The sensors send out a beam of light across the bottom of the garage door. If something blocks the light path, the door will stop moving.
Sometimes the sensors can accidentally become blocked or come out of alignment. Dirt or debris can collect on the eyes of the sensor, causing them to mistakenly detect a blockage. Or, an object could have accidentally been placed into the sensor's path, and simply needs to be moved.
If the infrared beams of the sensors are not properly aligned, they will not allow the door to open or close. Fixing the alignment can be difficult to do on your own. This problem is usually best fixed by a professional.

You May Have a Broken Spring

Look at the top and sides of your garage door for the springs. If one is sagging or there is a gap, it is likely broken. The spring is key to opening and closing your garage door.
If you have a broken spring, you will definitely need to call a garage door specialist to fix it. 

Use the Manual Release

It is still possible to raise or lower an automatic garage door by using the manual release. Look for the red cord hanging from the door's track. Pull it towards the back of the garage, and it will release from the opener.

You can then manually pull the door open or closed. However, if you encounter any major resistance, it's a good idea to stop and call a professional. 

Your automatic garage door should be regularly maintained and serviced. Contact us at Roadrunner Garage Doors if you have questions or are encountering any problems.

4 Warning Signs of an Unbalanced Garage Door

Your garage door is a system of moving parts so it’s very important that the door is properly balanced. An unbalanced garage door can become dangerous if the problem is not addressed right away. It can also put unneeded strain on the door's components, leading to expensive repairs.

On a properly-balanced garage door, the weight is evenly distributed by the tension in the springs. On a door that is unbalanced, the springs do not properly counterbalance the door's weight. If not repaired, the opener can fail, or a spring or cable can snap. Here are some of the warning signs that your garage door is not correctly balanced:

Your garage door appears uneven. The bottom of the garage door should look straight. If it is slanted, it's a good indication that the door is unbalanced. Misalignment can be caused by frayed cables or broken springs on one side of the garage door. It requires garage door repair as soon as possible.  


The door starts to close on its own. When you open the door manually, it should stay open without any problems. A door that's unbalanced will begin to close after you open it. You might also notice that the door does not open all the way.  

The garage door is more difficult to operate. Your garage door should open and close easily. When your door is unbalanced, it will operate more slowly. The door might not stay open, or it may not open at all. This indicates that the motor can no longer lift the door's weight.
 
You hear loud noises when you open or close the door. Your garage door should operate fairly quietly. Loud noises indicate that your door needs attention. It might have worn components that need to be replaced.

If you notice any of these issues with your garage door, do not try to fix the problem yourself. Garage door repair should only be done by an experienced professional. We encourage you to contact us today to schedule service and repair.

The Dangers of DIY Garage Door Installation

If it is time for you to get a new garage door, whether you want it for aesthetic reasons or your old garage door has broken down beyond repair, you might think that you can lower costs a little by doing the labor yourself. Unfortunately, garage door installation usually goes beyond the skills of even the handiest DIY homeowner. In fact, installing your own garage door can be downright dangerous.

The Many Moving Parts of a Garage Door
It doesn't happen often, but many garage door companies that offer installation fully expect to receive at least a few calls per year asking them to come fix a DIY garage door installation job. One of the primary issues is that while a garage door looks fairly straightforward, it actually has a number of moving parts that need to work together in order to work efficiently and safely. While automatic openers are usually somewhat straightforward to install, the issue is picking the right track for the door and actually installing that track.

Lack of Proper Tools
When installing a garage door, typically you want to leave it to the professionals because they have the right tools and knowledge for the job. It goes beyond simple drills for fastening, but rather you need tools like a counterbalance spring system to install it correctly and do so in a way that the installation is actually safe.

Garage Doors are Heavy
These days, most people have automatic garage openers that do the heavy lifting for them. This means that tend to forget the large door that is moving up and down weights a couple hundred pounds. This means if you are dead set on doing the installation yourself, you can't. You will need at least one or two other people to help you physically lift the door and put it into position. Trying to lift a garage door yourself is asking for injury.

The Danger of the Springs
If you ask any garage door professional what the most dangerous part of an installation is, they will say without a doubt that it is doing the springs. Many homeowners have been seriously injured because they tried to adjust the springs, let along install them. The issue is that a spring stores energy to actually lift the door and if it unwinds during the installation, that energy is rapidly released. You won't be able to move out of the way in time and the springs can cause a serious injury.

Make the safe choice and call Roadrunner Garage Doors today.