Garage doors are one of the most-used moving parts of your home — opening and closing multiple times a day, in all weather conditions. Over time, wear and tear leads to common problems that can leave you frustrated or stuck.
At Garage Door Hamilton, we’ve repaired hundreds of garage doors across the Waikato region. Here are the five most common issues we see, what causes them, and how to fix them.
1. Broken Garage Door Springs
The Problem:
Your garage door won’t open, feels extremely heavy, or only opens a few inches before stopping. You might hear a loud bang when the spring breaks.
What Causes It:
Garage door springs handle the door’s weight and are under constant tension. Most springs last 7-10 years or around 10,000 cycles. They eventually wear out and snap, usually without warning.
The Fix:
Broken springs need immediate replacement by a professional. Springs are under high tension and dangerous to handle without proper tools and training. We carry replacement springs for all door types and can install them on the same visit.
Prevention:
Annual maintenance helps identify worn springs before they fail. If your door feels heavier than usual or you notice gaps in the spring coils, call us for an inspection.
2. Noisy or Grinding Garage Doors
The Problem:
Your garage door makes loud squeaking, grinding, or rattling noises when opening or closing. It’s especially noticeable if your garage is attached to your home.
What Causes It:
Lack of lubrication on moving parts, worn rollers, loose hardware, or misaligned tracks all create noise. Hamilton’s humid climate can accelerate rust and friction in metal components.
The Fix:
Most noisy doors can be fixed with proper lubrication and minor adjustments. We clean tracks, apply professional-grade lubricant to hinges and rollers, and tighten loose bolts. If rollers are worn or damaged, we replace them.
Prevention:
Lubricate your garage door’s moving parts every 6 months. Use a silicone-based spray on rollers, hinges, and springs. Avoid WD-40, which attracts dirt.
3. Garage Door Opener or Remote Issues
The Problem:
Your remote doesn’t work, the opener motor runs but the door doesn’t move, or the door opens and closes randomly.
What Causes It:
Dead remote batteries, signal interference, worn gears inside the opener, or sensor misalignment are common causes. Older openers may also have outdated technology that’s less reliable.
The Fix:
Start by replacing remote batteries. If that doesn’t help, we can reprogram remotes, replace worn opener components, or install a new motor system if the unit has failed. For doors that reverse unexpectedly, we check and realign safety sensors.
Prevention:
Test your garage door opener monthly by pressing the remote from different distances. If response becomes sluggish, it’s time for service or battery replacement.
4. Garage Door Off Track or Misaligned
The Problem:
Your door moves unevenly, looks crooked when closing, or has visibly come off the track on one side. In severe cases, the door may be completely stuck.
What Causes It:
Track misalignment happens from bumping the door with a vehicle, loose hardware, worn rollers, or uneven spring tension. It’s dangerous to operate a door that’s off track.
The Fix:
Never try to force a door back onto the track yourself. We safely realign tracks, replace damaged rollers, adjust spring tension, and test the door for smooth operation. If the track is bent or damaged, we replace it.
Prevention:
Avoid hitting your garage door with vehicles or equipment. Regular maintenance keeps tracks aligned and hardware tight.
5. Garage Door Won’t Close Properly
The Problem:
Your door won’t close all the way, reverses before reaching the ground, or closes then immediately reopens.
What Causes It:
Misaligned safety sensors are the most common cause. Modern automatic doors have infrared sensors on each side of the opening that detect obstructions. If they’re knocked out of alignment or blocked by dirt, the door thinks something is in the way and reverses.
Other causes include incorrect force settings on the opener or track obstructions.
The Fix:
We clean and realign safety sensors, remove any track obstructions, and adjust opener force settings to ensure proper closure. If sensors are damaged, we replace them.
Prevention:
Keep sensor lenses clean and ensure nothing is blocking the sensor beam at ground level. Test sensors monthly by placing an object in the door’s path while closing.
When to Call a Professional
Some garage door problems can be handled with basic DIY maintenance, but many require professional tools and expertise. Call Garage Door Hamilton if you experience:
- Broken springs or cables
- Doors off the track
- Opener motor failure
- Significant panel damage
- Any safety concerns
Attempting complex repairs yourself can lead to injury or further damage to your door system.
Get Expert Help in Hamilton
If you’re dealing with any of these common garage door problems, Garage Door Hamilton is here to help. We provide fast, reliable repairs across Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, and Morrinsville.
Most repairs can be completed the same day, getting your garage door back to safe, reliable operation quickly.
For more information about our repair services, visit our Garage Door Repairs Hamilton page.
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