A garage door emergency can happen when you least expect it, throwing a wrench into your day—literally. From doors that won’t budge to broken springs, these issues often require immediate attention to restore both convenience and safety. At Hey Bo Garage Doors, we know how stressful these situations can be, so we’ve outlined six common garage door emergencies and some practical tips to handle them.
1. Garage Door Won’t Open or Close
One of the most frustrating issues is when your garage door refuses to move. This could happen for several reasons, like a power outage, dead remote batteries, or a misaligned photo-eye sensor.
What to Do:
- Check the Remote: Replace the batteries in your remote or wall-mounted opener.
- Inspect the Sensors: Ensure the photo-eye sensors near the bottom of your door are clean and aligned. Dust or dirt might block the beam, preventing the door from operating.
- Manually Operate the Door: If there’s a power outage, you may need to manually operate the door using the emergency release cord. Before pulling the cord, ensure the door is fully closed. If the door is open, disengaging the opener can cause it to fall quickly, potentially leading to injury or damage. Once the cord is disengaged, lift the door slowly and carefully. If it feels heavy, stuck, or unstable, stop immediately and call a professional for assistance.
2. Broken Garage Door Springs
Garage door springs bear the brunt of your door’s weight, so they can snap after years of wear and tear. If you hear a loud bang in your garage or notice the door is uneven, you might be dealing with a broken spring.
What to Do:
- Stop Using the Door: A broken spring can make your door extremely dangerous to operate. Avoid opening or closing it until it’s fixed.
- Call a Professional: Replacing springs is not a DIY job. It requires specialized tools and expertise to prevent injury. Contact Hey Bo Garage Doors for fast, reliable spring repair.
Warning: Garage door springs and cables are under extreme tension. Attempting to repair or replace them yourself can lead to serious injury. Always call a professional for spring and cable repairs.
3. Garage Door Stuck Halfway
A garage door that gets stuck midway can be caused by track obstructions, broken cables, or even an overheated motor. Whatever the cause, it’s essential to act quickly to avoid further damage.
What to Do:
- Inspect the Tracks: Look for debris or damage in the door’s tracks and gently clear any obstructions.
- Let the Motor Cool: If the opener motor overheats, give it some time to cool down before trying again.
- Check the Cables: If the cables appear frayed or broken, do not attempt to fix them yourself. Garage door cables are under high tension and require professional handling.
Safety Note: If your garage door has come off its tracks, do not attempt to move or realign it. This can cause further damage or result in the door collapsing.
4. Remote or Keypad Not Working
Your garage door remote or keypad might suddenly stop responding, leaving you stranded outside—or trapped inside.
What to Do:
- Replace Batteries: Start with the simplest fix—replace the batteries in your remote or keypad.
- Reprogram the Opener: Sometimes, the remote loses its connection to the opener and needs reprogramming. Check your owner’s manual for instructions.
- Inspect for Damage: Look for physical damage to the remote or keypad. If they’re beyond repair, it may be time to replace them.
Caution: Electrical components of garage doors, like openers and keypads, should only be repaired by a trained professional to avoid electrical shocks or further damage.
5. Garage Door Off Track
A door that comes off its tracks can’t move smoothly and poses a serious safety hazard. This issue often happens when the door is hit by a car or if components like rollers or brackets fail.
What to Do:
- Stop Operating the Door: Attempting to use the door can cause more damage or even lead to an accident.
- Check for Visible Damage: Inspect the tracks and rollers for obvious signs of damage. If you see bent tracks or dislodged rollers, don’t try to repair them yourself.
- Call for Professional Help: Fixing an off-track door requires precision and the right tools. Our technicians can realign the tracks and repair any damaged components safely.
6. Emergency Release Cord Problems
The emergency release cord is there to help you manually operate your garage door, but it can sometimes get stuck or disengage unexpectedly.
What to Do:
- Reconnect the Cord: If the cord disengages from the opener, you’ll need to pull it in the opposite direction to reconnect it.
- Inspect for Wear: Look for signs of fraying or damage on the cord. If it’s worn out, it should be replaced to ensure proper function during future emergencies.
- Seek Assistance if Needed: If you’re unsure how to handle the release cord, don’t hesitate to call us for guidance or service.
Tip: As a reminder from earlier, when using the emergency release cord, ensure the door is fully closed first. If the door is open, disengaging the opener can cause it to fall quickly, potentially causing injury or damage.
When to Call the Professionals
While some garage door issues can be resolved with simple troubleshooting, others require the expertise of a professional. If you’re dealing with broken springs, frayed cables, or structural damage, attempting repairs yourself can be dangerous and may void your warranty.
Important: If you’re unsure about handling a garage door issue, don’t take risks. Call a professional to avoid injuries or further damage.
At Hey Bo Garage Doors, we’re here to handle any garage door emergency with prompt, reliable service. From minor fixes to major repairs, our trained technicians have the tools and experience to restore your door’s functionality safely.
Proactive Maintenance to Prevent Emergencies
Many garage door emergencies can be avoided with regular maintenance. Schedule a tune-up with Hey Bo Garage Doors to:
- Lubricate moving parts for smoother operation.
- Inspect and adjust springs, cables, and tracks.
- Test the door’s balance and safety features.
Garage door emergencies are stressful, but knowing how to handle them can make all the difference. Whether it’s a stuck door, a snapped spring, or a keypad that’s on the fritz, you can count on Hey Bo Garage Doors to provide fast, 24/7 emergency service. Don’t let a garage door emergency ruin your day—give us a call for expert help!
