3 Garage Door Warning Signs

By paying attention to unusual sounds and changes in how your garage door operates, you can address problems early and potentially avoid expensive repairs. Here are three warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored:

1. Squeaking or creaking
If your garage door sounds like a haunted house sound effect when it opens, the hinges and rollers may need to be lubricated. Yearly maintenance can help the door operate smoothly and reduce unnecessary wear on its moving components.

2. Popping noises
Popping may indicate that part of the door is misaligned or the steel is beginning to fatigue. This is especially common with non-insulated doors and doors that have been struck by a vehicle. As the damaged metal repeatedly bends during operation, it can eventually crack or sag until the door can’t close properly.

3. A door that only opens about a foot
This is a common sign of a broken torsion spring, not necessarily a faulty opener. Springs counterbalance the weight of a garage door, which can weigh up to 250 pounds. If a spring breaks, don’t attempt to repair it yourself or lift the door. Have a professional replace the springs as a set, inspect the door’s hardware and properly reset the opener.