Your garage door works hard every single day. According to home improvement experts, the average garage door opens and closes about 1,500 times per year. That is a lot of movement, and with all that use, things are bound to go wrong at some point. When your garage door starts acting up, it can throw off your entire morning routine and leave your car stuck inside or outside.
The good news is that many garage door issues are pretty simple to understand. Some you can even fix yourself, while others need a professional touch. If you live in Southern California, finding reliable garage door repair in San Diego is not hard, but knowing what is wrong first can save you time and money.
Let us walk through the ten most common garage door problems homeowners face and what you can do about them.
1. The Door Makes Loud Grinding or Squeaking Noises
Nobody wants to wake up the whole neighborhood at 6 AM. Noisy garage doors are often caused by worn rollers, loose hardware, or parts that need lubrication.
Here is what usually helps:
- Apply garage door lubricant to rollers, hinges, and tracks
- Tighten any loose bolts or screws
- Check if metal rollers need replacement with nylon ones
If the noise continues after these steps, the problem might be deeper and may require a garage door repair company to take a look.
2. The Garage Door Won’t Open or Close All the Way
This one is frustrating because you cannot leave or your stuff stays exposed. The most common causes include:
- Misaligned photo eye sensors
- Obstructions in the track
- Limit switch needs adjustment
The photo eye sensors are those small devices near the bottom of your door frame. Clean them with a soft cloth because dirt buildup can block the signal and stop your door from closing completely.
Also read: Why Professional Garage Door Installation in San Diego is Worth the Investment
3. Remote Control Stops Working
Before you panic, check the simple stuff first. About 70% of the time, the problem is just dead batteries. If new batteries do not help:
- Reprogram the remote following your manual instructions
- Check if other devices interfere with the signal
- Make sure you are within proper range of the opener
4. The Door Opens But Motor Keeps Running
When the motor does not know when to stop, the limit settings are probably off. This can burn out your motor over time if you ignore it. The limit switch tells the motor how far to move before stopping. Your owner’s manual will show you how to adjust these settings on most opener models.
5. Broken Torsion Springs
This is one problem where we strongly recommend calling a professional. Torsion springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury. Garage door springs typically last about 10,000 cycles, which translates to roughly 7-9 years for most households.
Signs of broken springs include:
- A loud bang from the garage
- The door feels extremely heavy when lifting manually
- Visible gap in the spring coil
For garage door repair in San Diego, spring replacement should always be handled by trained technicians with proper tools and safety equipment.
6. Weather Seal Is Damaged or Missing
That rubber strip at the bottom of your door keeps out rain, dust, and pests. Over time, it cracks and wears away. Replacing weather seals is affordable and something most homeowners can handle with basic tools.
7. Tracks Are Misaligned
When tracks shift out of position, your door will not move smoothly or may get stuck completely. Look for gaps between the rollers and rail or bends in the metal. Small adjustments can sometimes be made by loosening the screws, repositioning the track, and tightening everything back.
8. The Door Reverses Immediately After Touching the Floor
Your garage door safety sensors are doing their job here, but sometimes they are too sensitive. Check for debris in the path and clean those photo eyes we mentioned earlier.
9. Keypad Not Responding
Wireless keypads exposed to weather can develop issues over time. Try reprogramming the code or replacing the battery pack inside the unit.
10. Garage Door Moves Unevenly or Jerks
This usually points to cable problems or track issues. Cables that look frayed or worn should be replaced immediately before they snap.
A broken garage door is more than an inconvenience. It affects your home security and can even be a safety hazard for your family. While some repairs are simple weekend projects, others require professional expertise.
At Shon Garage Doors, we have been helping San Diego homeowners with honest and reliable garage door repair in San Diego for years. Our team shows up on time, explains the problem clearly, and provides fair pricing without surprise fees. Whether you have a noisy door, broken springs, or any other issue on this list, we are just a phone call away.
Do not wait until that small problem becomes a big expense. Contact a trusted garage door repair company today and get your door working right again.
