A stuck garage door can be the result of a simple obstruction or a broken part. Even with regular maintenance, garage doors can sometimes stick, refusing to open or close. A door that is stuck halfway open is a security risk, allowing access to the garage and the home, if it's attached. A stuck garage door needs prompt assessment so you can decide whether you can fix it or need professional help. Diagnosing the Problem To evaluate whether the problem lies with the door or the automatic opener, make sure the door is in the fully closed position, then disengage the opener trolly from the door by pulling the emergency release cord. Try to lift the garage door by hand. If the door opens smoothly by hand, the problem is with the opener. If the garage door still only opens halfway, the problem is with the door. Weather Effects If your stuck garage door coincides with weather changes, you may need to adjust the pressure on the opener. Some openers have a force-adjustment mechanism that controls the force that's applied to operate the door.
It's best to leave this adjustment to a garage door pro, as too much force may result in the door failing to stop when it should, posing a danger to people and objects in the door's path. Springs and Pulleys Garage door springs support most of the weight of the door when it's opening and closing. A broken spring typically will make the door very hard to lift, rather than causing the door to stick halfway. But some spring problems can contribute to a stuck door. The springs help turn metal wheels, called pulleys, that help lift the door via vertical cables at each side of the door. A pulley can become jammed by an obstruction or possibly a misaligned or hung-up cable. Any problems with springs or pulley should be examined by a garage door professional. Springs (and pulleys) are highly tensioned and can be very dangerous to work with. Obstructions Examine the garge door rollers, hinges, tracks, and other hardware for signs of damage that might cause the door to hang up. Lubricate the tracks and hardware with silicone spray or oil.
Raise the door slowly, watching it as it lifts. See if it catches on a warped panel or support beam or if an obstruction in the path of the photo eye causes it to stop or reverse. Any part that protrudes into the path of the garage door can cause it to stop. References DDM Garage Doors: Garage Door TroubleshootingGarage Door Care: Maintenance ChecklistPopular Mechanics: How to Fix Stuck or Broken Garage Doors Photo Credits Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionAutomatic garage doors are a true convenience when they work properly, but when they don’t, they become a frustrating hassle. Like all mechanical devices, garage doors and their openers are prone to faults that can prevent them from opening and closing like they’re supposed to. Here are some of the reasons why this might happen. Your garage door’s track and the opener’s chain both require sufficient lubrication in order to do their jobs. If either one is under-lubed, the door can become stuck when opening or closing.
To fix this problem, you will need to add more lubrication to both parts. You can use a standard machine oil either in a spray can or a bottle. However, the spray option will be much simpler to use, especially at odd angles. Most garage doors sit in a track made from aluminum, which is highly susceptible to warping and bending. Impacts from tools, ladders, cars or other objects can bend the track in such a way that the door is unable to open or close fully. Similarly, the freezing and thawing process of winter weather can cause the frame to become distorted and make the door jam. Depending on the location and severity of the damage, you may be able to repair the track without professional assistance or a new installation. Try using a hammer to pop out any dents. All modern electric garage door openers are required by law to come equipped with sensors for safety purposes. These are typically located on either side of the garage door near the ground. If something gets in the way, like a child or a pet, the sensors will prevent the door from opening or closing.
While this feature is indisputably beneficial, it is unable discriminate between living things and inanimate objects. If your door is becoming stuck, make sure that there are no leaves or other debris piled in front of the sensors and keep the items stored in your garage clear of them. In order to work as intended, the sensors on either side of your garage door must be properly aligned. If the infrared beams fail to make contact with one another, the door will refuse to budge. However, it can be very tricky to tell whether or not they are aligned correctly. If you suspect that this is your problem, it is strongly recommended that you have a professional garage door technician determine if it is the case and make adjustments as necessary. Garage Door Repair, TipsProper lubrication often unsticks stubborn garage doors. A sticky garage door can really slow down your day. Fortunately, simple troubleshooting procedures help ease sluggish, sticking doors. Sticky tracks, wheels and chains often serve as culprits for garage door problems – you can lubricate these parts once you encounter sticking or prevent the hassle by regularly maintenancing your door.
Pull the cord – which usually features a red handle – hanging from your automatic garage door's guide track. Pulling this manual override cord allows you to open and close your garage door by hand. If the door opens and closes manually without sticking, the problem lies in your electric motor. Follow the troubleshooting procedures listed in your owner's manual or contact a garage door opener repair professional for motor repairs. Adjust the sensitivity settings on your garage door opener if you have an automatic garage door. Try opening the door using various settings. If the sensitivity is set too high, the garage door may stick. Position a ladder under the garage door so you can easily access its tracks when the door is open. Lubricate the wheels and tracks of your garage door when it is open using garage door lubricant, available at most hardware stores. From the ladder, spray each wheel with a coating of lubricant and then spray a quick stream of lubricant down the tracks. Step down from the ladder and spray a stream of lubricant on all portions of the track.
Stand next to the chain of an automatic garage door. Use the garage door opener to open the door; target the chain with the spray lubricant as it feeds through the motor to coat the entire chain with lubricant. Check your garage door's metal track for dents or bumps. Hold a wood block over any damaged track and hit the block with a hammer to straighten the track. Do not hit the track directly with a hammer, as this may cause further damage -- the block ensures an even, flat outcome. Use a level to check the alignment of your garage door's tracks. If the tracks are not straight, loosen their bolts or screws with an adjustable wrench or screwdriver. Tap the tracks back into alignment with a hammer and re-tighten the bolts or screws. : Garage Door Maintenance and RepairsServiceMagic: Garage Door RepairThe Daily Courier: Readers Offer Sticking Garage Door SolutionsD & D Doors: Frequently Asked QuestionsCertified Garage Door, Inc.: My Garage Door is “Sticking” When I Open or Close My Garage Door.