In this blog entry, the garage door repair experts here at Mazal Garage Door & Gates will give our cherished customers a guide to some simple remedies for sticking garage doors.
Ice Build-Up
Make sure that ice build-up isn’t keeping your garage door stuck. This is the ideal situation that can cause a sticking garage door, as it’s fixed very easily. Just get a bucket or pail of hot water and pour it over the bottom part of the garage door to help melt any ice that might be holding it stuck so that it can operate again. Hopefully the water doesn’t refreeze!
Garage Door Remote Batteries Low or Empty
Many garage door issues are fixed when absentminded owners realize that their garage door remote batteries are fully drained! There’s many types of batteries that can be used in garage door opener remotes, but the vast majority of them are readily available in local hardware stores or big box locations like the Home Depot. Check to see that garage door opener remotes work before taking any drastic action.
Emergency Cord Hand Opening
Pull on your garage door release cord, and try to raise the garage door by hand. If it easily opens (the weight will be distributed so it’s easy to open and shuts slowly and lightly) the issue is likely due to electrical connections rather than mechanical issues with the door structure. Check to see that the garage door opener hasn’t become unplugged. If it’s plugged in, check to see if the electrical breaker has blown or is experiencing issues - if it is, try resetting it and see if that works.
Garage Door Track Issues
Check to see if the garage door tracks have become misaligned - which can happen when they are hit or bumped into. If this is the case, you can check to see where the issue is by running your hand along the tracks to feel a bent or misaligned area - and then, using a hammer and wooden block, simply even the tracks out - and consider spraying lubricant on it to keep things properly aligned and smoothly tracking.