How Do I Prevent My Garage Door From Getting Stuck in Lakewood?

Preventing your garage door from getting stuck in Lakewood involves a combination of regular maintenance, proper lubrication, and addressing common issues such as dirt buildup, worn-out parts, and misaligned tracks.

Local weather conditions, such as fluctuations in temperature and humidity, can affect how your garage door operates. Seasonal adjustments and periodic checks help maintain smooth operation throughout the year. At Select Garage Doors, we provide expert services to keep your garage door in top shape, no matter the season.

Contact us today to schedule a maintenance check and keep your garage door running smoothly year-round!

Key Takeaways

1. Routine maintenance is necessary to prevent your garage door from getting stuck, including lubrication and regular inspections.
2. Track issues, worn-out parts, weather conditions, and opener malfunctions are common causes of stuck doors.
3. Seasonal adjustments and weatherproofing are important to protect your garage door from Lakewood’s fluctuating temperatures.
4. Regular checks and minor repairs help extend the lifespan of your garage door and prevent major issues.
5. Select Garage Doors offers expert maintenance and repair services to keep your garage door running smoothly, no matter the season.

Why Garage Doors Stick in Lakewood

Several factors can cause your garage door to stick. Identifying these issues early allows you to address them before they become bigger problems.

Let’s explore the most common causes of garage door issues:

Track Issues

The tracks are a critical part of your garage door system. Misalignment, warping, or bending of the tracks can cause the door to get stuck. Obstructions, such as dirt, leaves, or grease, can also accumulate in the tracks, preventing the door from moving smoothly.

Cleaning and clearing the tracks regularly helps to avoid these issues. Loose bolts and screws can cause instability. Tightening them ensures that the tracks remain secure. For metal tracks, rust can also be a concern, especially in damp environments.

Regularly cleaning the tracks and treating them with rust-resistant spray can prevent rust buildup that could affect door movement.

Worn-Out Parts

As your garage door ages, parts like rollers, hinges, and cables wear out, leading to improper movement. If your door isn’t opening or closing smoothly, check the rollers and hinges for visible cracks or damage.

Replacing worn rollers and hinges is an effective way to restore smooth operation. Frayed cables and old springs should also be replaced promptly. Frayed cables are a serious safety hazard and can break under pressure. Springs that are stretched, cracked, or worn out should be replaced by a professional to maintain proper balance and functioning of the door.

Weather Impact

Lakewood’s weather can significantly impact how your garage door functions. Extreme temperature fluctuations can cause wood doors to swell or shrink, while moisture can cause metal parts to rust.

Freezing temperatures can also cause ice to build up on tracks and moving parts, which can cause the door to get stuck. Insulating your door is a good way to protect it from temperature extremes, and it can also help with energy efficiency.

Regular adjustments might be needed to account for the expansion and contraction of materials, especially during seasonal changes.

Opener Problems

A faulty opener is another common reason for a garage door getting stuck. If your garage door opener isn’t working properly, it could be due to a malfunction in the opener system itself. The first step is to check the opener’s motor, remote control, and sensors for any issues. Replace the remote’s battery if needed.

Make sure the opener settings are properly adjusted, especially the force setting, which controls how much effort the opener uses to move the door. If you notice unusual sounds from the opener or erratic door behavior, it’s best to have it inspected or repaired.

How to Avoid Stuck Garage Doors in Lakewood

To keep your garage door running smoothly, performing routine maintenance is key. A few simple steps can help you avoid common sticking issues and prolong the lifespan of your door.

1. Consistent Lubrication

Lubricating your garage door components every three to six months using a silicone-based lubricant is essential for reducing friction and preventing residue buildup. Apply it to the rollers, hinges, tracks, and springs.

Regular lubrication helps your door operate smoothly and reduces wear on parts, extending the lifespan of your system.

2. Routine Inspection

Performing a regular inspection of your garage door is crucial. Look for worn-out parts, frayed cables, and visible signs of rust, especially on older doors. Test the door’s balance by lifting it halfway; it should stay in place.

Tighten any loose bolts and replace any parts that show signs of damage. This proactive approach helps prevent small issues from escalating.

3. Door Balance

A garage door that does not stay in place when lifted halfway indicates an imbalance. This issue is often caused by unbalanced springs or misaligned tracks. Adjust the spring tension to correct the balance.

Minor adjustments can be done by yourself, but for more complex issues, it’s best to call a professional to ensure the job is done safely.

4. Weather Seal Maintenance

The weather-stripping along the bottom of your garage door helps keep out drafts, water, and dirt. Over time, seals can wear out, so it’s important to inspect them regularly and replace them as needed.

Use durable rubber materials for seals, as they provide better protection against the elements, improving energy efficiency and keeping your garage protected from the outside environment.

5. Sensor Alignment

Your garage door sensors prevent the door from closing if an obstruction is detected. Make sure the sensors are properly aligned and facing each other with no obstructions in between.

Clean the sensor lenses regularly, and test the safety reversal mechanism to ensure it is functioning properly. Misaligned or dirty sensors can cause the door to malfunction.

Weatherproofing Your Lakewood Garage Door

Given Lakewood’s unpredictable weather, weatherproofing your garage door is important for both smooth operation and protecting it from seasonal wear.

Here’s how to prepare your door for the different weather conditions:

Summer Heat

In hot summer months, metal doors can overheat and warp. Use reflective coatings on metal doors to reduce heat absorption and ensure proper ventilation to prevent overheating. Wooden doors are also susceptible to warping in extreme heat, so check for any signs of damage regularly.

Winter Cold

Freezing temperatures can cause parts of your garage door to freeze, including tracks and moving parts. Before winter, lubricate all moving parts to prevent freezing. Replace any weatherstripping to block drafts, and clear ice buildup from the tracks.

For extremely cold conditions, insulating the door or installing a space heater can help maintain proper function.

Moisture Control

Excess moisture can cause metal components to rust. To protect your door from moisture damage, use rust-resistant coatings and dehumidifiers to keep the garage dry. Additionally, inspect the door for any leaks and seal any gaps that might let water in.

The Garage Door Opener: Key for Smooth Operation

The garage door opener plays an important role in the overall functionality of your garage door. Regular maintenance and adjustments can prevent many issues from arising.

Force Settings

Adjusting the force settings on your opener is essential for accommodating the weight of your garage door. Single-spring doors often require more force to operate properly. Regularly checking and adjusting these settings helps ensure smooth operation and prevents the door from slamming or getting stuck.

Chain Tension

The chain tension should not be too tight or too loose. Too much tension can strain the opener, while too little can cause improper operation. Keep the chain lubricated to reduce noise and wear. Inspect it regularly for signs of damage, and replace it as needed to avoid further issues.

Safety Reversal

Test the safety reversal feature by placing an object under the door and trying to close it. The door should reverse immediately when it encounters an obstruction. If it doesn’t, the sensors need adjustment, or there may be a malfunction in the mechanism that requires repair.

Making Your Garage Door More Useful

Regular maintenance, including cleaning the tracks, lubricating the parts, and inspecting seals, helps prevent many common garage door problems. In Lakewood, where the weather can vary widely, weatherproofing and maintaining your garage door’s opener is vital for smooth operation.

At Select Garage Doors, we offer comprehensive maintenance services to keep your garage door in optimal condition, no matter the weather. Taking care of small issues before they become larger problems saves you money on expensive repairs.

For help with garage door maintenance or repairs in Lakewood, call us today! Our team is always ready to assist you in keeping your garage door in great condition year-round.