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If you’ve ever come home to find your garage door wide open despite having it closed earlier, you know the frustration of a garage door that won’t stay closed. Not only is it an inconvenience, but it can also be a security risk if your garage contains valuable items or if it connects to the interior of your home.
In this article, we will explore the potential causes of a garage door that won’t stay closed and offer some solutions on how to rectify the issue.
Why Won’t The Garage Door Stay Closed?
If your garage door won’t stay closed, it’s likely due to an issue with the spring tension or misaligned. However, there are other reasons why your garage door won’t stay closed such as a broken sensor or a blocked photo-eye.
Here are possible ways why your garage door won’t stay closed;
1. Sensors Misaligned
Misaligned sensors could be the reason why your garage door won’t stay closed. Sensors are usually located near the bottom of the door on both sides. When working properly, the sensors should be aligned with each other and pointing directly at each other.
If the sensors are not properly aligned, the door may not be able to detect if there is something in the way, which could cause the door to not stay closed.
To check if the sensors are properly aligned, simply check to make sure that they are pointing directly at each other. If they are not, realign them and see if that fixes the issue. If the problem persists, you may need to contact a professional garage door technician to inspect.
2. Faulty Garage Door Opener
A faulty garage door is a common cause of why your garage door won’t stay closed. The problem could be the opener or its remote control, the chain or belt drive, or the limit switch settings.
In order to diagnose the issue, it’s important to check all of the parts and components. If any of them are damaged or worn, it could be preventing the door from closing properly.
3. Damaged Garage Door Spring
A damaged garage door spring can make it difficult to properly close or open a garage door. It is important to check the tension on the springs as they are typically the cause of a garage door not staying closed.
The springs are responsible for controlling the weight of the door, and if they are not tensioned, the door will not close properly. Additionally, a broken spring can cause the door to completely close, but then suddenly open again.
4. Damaged Garage Door Rollers
Damaged garage door rollers can also be the cause of a garage door not staying closed. Garage door rollers can be worn out from long-term use or become damaged from unexpected events, such as an object running into the door.
Signs of damaged rollers include difficulty closing or opening the door, a door that struggles to stay closed, or a door that is noisy when opening or closing.
When you notice any of these symptoms, then it’s time to replace the garage door rollers.
5. Damaged Garage Door Sensors
Damaged garage door sensors can also cause a garage door not to stay closed. The sensors are designed to detect an obstruction in the path of the garage door and stop to prevent damage or injury to whatever’s on the garage door’s path.
The sensors may be damaged in a variety of ways such as being bumped, blocked by debris, or even facing direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Additionally, the area surrounding the sensors should be regularly inspected to ensure that there is nothing blocking the sensors.
What Can I Do To Fix A Garage Door That Won’t Close?
There are a few things you can do to fix your garage door that won’t close. First, inspect the door and its tracks to ensure that nothing is blocking it or preventing its normal operation. If an obstruction is present, clear it away and then try to close the door again. If the door still won’t close, check to ensure that the opener is working properly.
Also, make sure that the power source is active and that the remote is working correctly. If necessary, test the opener’s safety sensors and make sure that the door is properly balanced.
Here are other methods you can use to fix your garage door that won’t close
- Check the batteries in the garage door opener. If the batteries are dead, the opener may not be able to send the correct signals to the garage door to make it stay closed.
- Check the garage door tracks for any obstructions or debris. If there is anything blocking the tracks, remove it and see if this fixes the problem.
- Check the garage door springs for any signs of damage or wear. If the springs are damaged, they may need to be replaced.
- Check the garage rollers for signs of wear or damage. If the rollers are worn out, they may need to be replaced.
- Check the garage door sensors to make sure they are aligned correctly and functioning properly. If the sensors are not working correctly, they may need to be adjusted or replaced.
However, if any of these fixes are unable to rectify the problem, it’s a good idea to have a professional garage door technician diagnose the problem and recommend the appropriate repair or replacement.
Tips For Maintaining A Garage Door To Prevent It From Not Staying Closed
There are several ways to prevent your garage door from not staying closed. Most of it boils down to regular maintenance. However, here are some tips for maintaining your garage door;
- Regularly inspect the garage door and its components for signs of wear and damage. This includes the springs, rollers, tracks, and opener.
- Lubricate the moving parts of the garage door, such as the springs, rollers, and hinges, to help them function smoothly.
- Keep the garage door tracks clean and free of debris. This will help the door to move smoothly along the tracks.
- Test the garage door balance by manually lifting the door halfway up and letting go. If the door stays in place, it is properly balanced. If it moves up or down, the springs may need to be adjusted.
- Test the garage door opener and sensors regularly to ensure that they are working properly.
- If you notice any problems with your garage door, have a professional take a look at it as soon as possible. This can help prevent small issues from becoming bigger problems that are more difficult and expensive to fix.
- Consider having a professional service your garage door annually or every six months to ensure that all components are functioning properly. This will also help you in detecting small issues before they become major problems.
Safety Guidelines When Fixing A Garage Door That Won’t Close
It’s always important to be safety conscious when working with a garage door, especially if you’re not a professional. Being safety conscious prevents injury, death, or damage to property.
Here are some safety considerations to keep in mind when working with a garage door that won’t stay closed:
- Never try to repair or adjust the springs or cables on a garage door. These components are under a lot of tension and can cause serious injury if they break or snap. Leave any repairs or adjustments involving springs or cables on a garage door to a trained professional.
- Be careful when working with a garage door opener and sensors. Disconnect the power to the opener before attempting any repairs, and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when working with the sensors.
- Keep children and pets away from the garage door and opener while you’re working on it.
- Wear protective eyewear and gloves when working on the garage door to prevent yourself from injury.
- If you’re unsure about how to safely repair or maintain your garage door, it’s best to call a professional.
- If the garage door is in the open position and you are unable to close it, do not try to force it closed. This can cause damage to the door or worse lead to injury.
How Long Do A Garage Door Last?
Generally speaking, a garage door can last anywhere from 10 – 30 years depending on a variety of factors such as the type of materials used, environmental conditions, and levels of maintenance.
While a garage door may last up to 30 years with proper care, it should be noted that in order to ensure optimal performance, routine maintenance, and inspection should be conducted in order to keep the door in good working order and to spot and fix any potential issues before they become major problems.
Conclusion
If your garage door won’t stay closed, there are a few potential causes. The first thing you should check is the springs. If the springs are damaged or worn, they may need to be replaced.
Another potential cause is the tracks. If the tracks are bent or damaged, they may need to be repaired or replaced. Finally, if the opener is not working properly, it may need to be repaired or replaced.
Following the instructions left in this article, you should be able to rectify why your garage door won’t stay closed.
