There isn’t a homeowner in Las Vegas who hasn’t faced the dread of hitting the garage remote button to no avail. Whether rushing to work, to the evening event, or simply needing to get the car out to go to the grocery store, a malfunctioning garage door can throw a wrench in our day. Fortunately, most garage door issues are relatively simple, with fairly easily identifiable causes. As a result, there are several garage door repair tips to keep in mind before calling in a professional.
Why Garage Doors Fail in Las Vegas
The harsher desert climate has several effects on the materials used for garage doors. Hot temperatures cause metal to expand, brittle plastics to soften, and lubricants to dry up. Couple that with the fine dust that infiltrates every crevice, and you have garage doors that require more maintenance to function properly. From the golf course communities in Summerlin to the suburban enclaves in Henderson, homeowners throughout the valley battle the effects of the weather on their garage door parts every single day.
Common Causes of Garage Door Failure
Dead Remote Batteries
The most obvious place to start is to check the batteries in the remote control. If not the remote itself, check the backup receiver on the wall for a low-battery indicator.
Electrical Service
Make sure the outlet powering the garage door opener is working, as well as the relevant circuit breaker.
Misaligned or Dirty Safety Sensors
These simple devices on either side of the access track use an invisible infra-red beam to detect movement, ensuring that the door cannot close on or over any object. Make sure these sensors are free of dust and properly aligned, as an obstruction or misalignment will cause the door to stop mid-cycle or fail to close.
Torsion Springs
These heavy-duty garage door springs can become unbalanced or completely fail, causing the door to stop responding to the opener. Because torsion spring repair is among the more technically difficult garage door repair services, it should be performed only by licensed professionals. If the door is becoming progressively harder to open by hand or refuses to budge, it is time to call in an expert. The high tension on these springs can cause serious injury if not handled properly.
Worn Rollers or Tracks
Dust, heat, and the constant back-and-forth motion grind these parts down faster than in other climates, causing the door to stick or lock up completely.
Disengaged Manual Release
This safety feature is usually activated accidentally, rendering the opener useless until it is manually reset.
Garage Door Repair: What You Can Try
Before calling a local garage door repair service, there are a few fairly simple tips that can prevent unnecessary expense. Check the obvious: dead batteries in the remote, tripped circuit breakers, and safety sensors obstructed or misaligned.
Go to your nearest door and remove and inspect all panels visually for damage. Then inspect the torsion springs. Look at the springs from a safe distance to ensure they are not bent or visibly stretched. Also confirm the lock button hasn’t accidentally fallen into the manual mode. If these do not solve the problem, the next step is to call in an expert door company.
When to Call In a Professional
As mentioned, some garage door repair services should only be provided by trained professionals. Unbalanced, broken, or improperly fitted torsion springs are extremely dangerous to deal with. The same goes for damaged opener motors and out-of-track doors. In addition to potential safety hazards, many garage door repair services require specialized tools that are not available to the average homeowner.
However, in these cases it is best to let the experts who can diagnose and resolve the issue bring the problem to an end. It is only natural, since a damaged door opener should not be treated as an emergency, as it doesn’t endanger human lives, albeit it does present some very real frustrations.
Preventative Maintenance in Las Vegas
As mentioned above, the dry, dusty climate of Las Vegas takes its toll on the moving components of garage doors. Preventive maintenance, such as lubricating the garage door bearings every few months and keeping the tracks free of dust and debris, can significantly extend the unit’s lifespan. The same goes for regular inspection of the torsion springs and cables.
Proper maintenance can prevent many garage door emergencies. Homeowners who keep up with regular maintenance of their garage door parts find they need professional repair services less often. That is a big advantage to consider, especially given the price of garage door repair in Las Vegas.
Getting Your Door Back On Track
A non-functioning garage door is not only an annoyance, but it can also pose a security threat if left hanging open. In addition to the potential hazard of the door locking up unexpectedly, an unclosing door poses a risk to the property. While the cause of a garage door emergency can range from a simple dead battery, it is often much more involved. As such, several garage door repair tips can help identify the most common garage door issues.
With the right knowledge and an understanding of the local climate, any garage door owner can have peace of mind, knowing exactly what to do in an emergency. For quick, efficient garage door repair in Las Vegas, the friendly staff at Lift Tech Garage Door Professionals has spent years helping homeowners throughout the valley diagnose and resolve their garage door emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my garage door open but not close, or close but not open?
When you’re experiencing only one direction of your garage door working, usually the issue is with the safety eyes. Often you’ll need to simply realign the photo-eye sensors. If that does not resolve your problem, then you could have an issue with the opener logic board.
Is it safe to replace my garage door springs?
The quick answer to this is “No!” Torsion springs are wound under high pressure and can be dangerous or even cause serious physical harm if tampered with. This type of garage door repair is best left to the professionals!
How often is garage door maintenance performed in Las Vegas?
A general guideline is lubrication and tightening every 3-4 months due to dust and temperature extremes here in Vegas, with at least one full service performed annually.
Why did my garage door make a big “bang”?
This typically means that one of your garage door springs has broken. For any spring that has snapped, the next course of action you should take is to cease using the door entirely and call professional garage door technicians homeowner who attempted to fix her garage door’s torsion springs herself.
Can extreme heat really affect your garage door parts?
Yes. Higher desert temperatures often result in metal components expanding more and lubricant drying out and becoming less effective over time. Plastic parts could become brittle, making them more susceptible to breaking.
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