A garage door malfunction is no fun, but not all garage-related repairs have to be a major undertaking. Here’s how to identify and address five different repairs in your garage and on your garage door. You’ll be surprised just how stress-free they are!

1. A Garage Door without Power

Whether it’s from a storm or a downed power line, your garage door opener no longer has power. Even in a non-emergent situation, you may still need to open the door. Here’s what you can expect and how to get out of your garage safely.

Symptoms

You can tell pretty quickly if your garage door system doesn’t have power. Simply try opening it with both your wall unit and your remote control. If neither of those works, it’s likely that your power is out (especially if you’ve been experiencing extreme weather that may lead to power line damage).

How to Repair

Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to switch your garage into manual mode. Go into your garage. You should see a cord—usually red, or at least with a red handle—hanging from your garage door opener. Firmly pull on the cord to disengage your door from the opener. Once you have done so, you’ll be able to operate your door by lifting it manually.

If, however, your garage door is stuck open during a power outage, call your local garage door repair company for emergency professional assistance. A door in the open position can come crashing dangerously down when the release cord is pulled.

2. Excessive Water in the Garage

Pooling water in your garage is inconvenient and can even be a safety hazard. While some water may be expected from car runoff, excessive water in your garage is a problem that can easily be addressed.

Symptoms

Extra water in your garage will usually be found near the door of your garage. It will be most prevalent after heavy rain or snow. Excessive water on your garage floor suggests it may be time to replace your weather stripping.

How to Repair

First, remove all of the old weather stripping from around your garage door. Next, measure and cut strips of weather stripping to fit along each side of your garage door. Finally, properly secure the weather stripping as described on the weather stripping package.

3. Misaligned Photo Eyes

If you’ve ever had your door randomly start reversing or not closing at all, you may have an issue with the photo eye sensors. Photo eyes are used to detect any object that may prevent the garage door from closing. A garage door system has two photo eyes, one at the floor level on either side of the opening.

Symptoms

You may have an issue with your garage’s photo eyes if your door begins to cycle and immediately reverses, your garage door won’t close at all, or if your garage door nearly closes, but then reverses when it is just above the ground. This is usually caused by accidental interference with one of the photo eyes and is fairly easy to fix.

How to Repair

Realigning your garage door system’s photo eyes is easiest when working with a partner. First, try addressing the photo eyes themselves. Wipe away dust and debris that may be hindering one eye from communicating with the other. With your partner positioned at the other photo eye, try to point the eyes towards each other so that they are projecting on the same level. You may need to do this several times in order to get the eyes properly aligned.

4. Frozen Garage Door

Cold weather can stiffen your garage door opener and cause it to temporarily lose pressure and power. A garage door manufactured in recent years can be adjusted to accommodate this seasonal change.

Symptoms

If your garage door system begins creaking, operating stiffly, or maybe not opening or closing at all (and you’re experiencing extremely cold weather), then your garage door may be frozen.

How to Repair

Grab an extension cord and a hairdryer. If there are large pieces of ice or snow along the bottom, you can gently chip this away first, but be careful not to damage the door or doorframe as you do so. Next, use the hair dryer to melt the ice at the joints of your door. Remember to wipe up any excess water to prevent it from re-freezing. Try opening your door again. If it doesn’t work, you can switch your door to manual mode and open it that way.

5. Oil Stain on the Garage Floor

Though oil stains are primarily a visual nuisance, they can also cause your garage floor to become slippery and hazardous. Here’s how you can detect an oil spill and get it cleaned up.

Symptoms

Oil stains will leave a wet-looking spot on your garage floor. These spots usually have a brownish color and may be odorous.

How to Repair

Sprinkle cat litter or crushed drywall over the entire affected area. Allow the powder to sit, and then sweep up the pile and dispose of it. The powder should absorb the moisture and leave your garage floor oil free. For particularly heavy stains, you may need to repeat the process several times.

If your garage door system is in need of major repair, contact WD Door in Iowa. The team at WD Door can handle all of your garage door repairs. They’ll examine the problem, make the repair, and leave your system running smoothly. Request your quote today!