Garage Door Installation & Repair FAQs

Take a look below at frequently asked questions. We have over 6 years of experience doing garage door repairs and installation. If you have any questions, give us a call

• Why does my garage door only go down a couple of inches and reverse?

Openers manufactured after 2010 have an infrared safety eye system to reverse the garage door if anything is in the way of the door when closing. Sometimes something is blocking the “light beam” such as a broom handle or spider web. It is possible for the sensors to become misaligned and that will also cause the door to reverse immediately or in some cases when they are just slightly out of adjustment the door may travel part way before reversing. Check sensors for an obstruction or see if the lighted indicators located on both the sending and receiving eyes are both lit. If one is out or blinking then they may need re-aligned.

• Why won’t my garage door open?

Most times a garage door won’t open because a counterbalance mechanism isn’t functioning such as a broken extension or torsion spring. If an electric opener is present and no noise is noted when activated, try disconnecting the opener by pulling the emergency release and manually lifting the door. If the door moves the problem most likely is the opener. Make sure there is power to the outlet supplying the opener and if present then a service call by a trained professional is warranted. If there is a problem with the counterbalance mechanism, repair should be made by a qualified door mechanic.

• Why won’t my garage door opener transmitter work?

First check to see if you have a wall console ( push button ) that has a vacation switch or lock button. Most times your lighted push button will be blinking if that function has been activated. Push and hold the vacation or lock button for approximately five seconds and release. If that was the problem the transmitter should then work. If still not working, try a new battery. Be careful to not disturb the coding switches if present. If still malfunctioning you may check to see if coding switches on transmitter match the switches on the power unit hanging from the ceiling.

• Do I have to replace my whole garage door if just a section is damaged?

In many cases a replacement section is an option depending on whether it is still in production or the rest of the door is in good enough shape to warrant replacing the section. Sometimes the better economic solution is to replace the complete door.

• Is it safe for me to repair my own garage door spring?

Unless you have experience in changing a garage door spring, you should have them changed by a qualified door mechanic. Keep in mind that the spring / counterbalance system is engineered to lift doors weighing in excess of three hundred pounds! A tremendous amount of torque is generated by a torsion spring and should be avoided at all cost by an inexperienced person. Extension springs carry a great deal of potential energy and many people have been injured un-necessarily when making a wrong move.

• Can I remove a garage door component to bring it in for you to help me find a replacement?

Common sense rules when removing hardware from a garage door system. If any is related to the spring/counterbalance system it should not be touched! This includes the bottom bracket where the lift cable is most commonly attached. If in doubt, don’t risk injury! As a company we’ve made it our policy to help customers find what they need without incurring added expense of a service call charge. That includes a trip to your house if necessary to survey the cause of the problem. We’ll be happy to then sell you what you need to complete your own repair or advise you if you should have your door repaired by a professional.

• Will you give me advice if I get stuck on my garage door or opener installation?

Yes, we give many people free advice every day. If necessary, we can complete your installation if you are ready to give up. Unfortunately, many times the wrong material is ordered for a particular application. In that case hopefully the store where the material was purchased will be able to correct the problem. The best way to help insure you get what you need is to buy the product from a professional garage door dealer who will ask the right questions and give you the help you need