No Edmonton homeowner welcomes that unexpected sound or sight, whether a loud bang from their garage, an immobile door that refuses to budge or one hanging precariously askew. More than mere inconvenience, a garage door breakdown indicates disruption within an intricate mechanical system, which must be understood fully for safe handling. As trusted Edmonton experts with more than three decades of experience, we want to explain what exactly is involved during a garage door breakdown and demonstrate why DIY repairs often result in more severe problems or, worse, injury. This is why you should seek professional garage door service over attempting DIY repairs.

A Deeper Look at Your Garage Door System

Before delving into breakdowns, it’s essential to appreciate the complex combination of components that allow your garage door to operate seamlessly. Your garage door isn’t simply one large panel but instead comprises multiple mechanical parts working together. From door panels and tracks, they travel on, through rollers that aid movement, the counterbalance system (composed of either torsion or extension springs), and lifting cables to an automatic opener. Each part contributes to a smooth opening and closing.

Springs are the heart of any system for garage doors. From torsion springs mounted above the door or extension springs running alongside horizontal tracks, their role cannot be overemphasized. With carefully measured tension adjusted accordingly to offset your garage door weight perfectly. So that you can lift your garage door manually with relative ease or use an opener without excessive strain. The lifting cables are attached to the bottom brackets of the door and wind around drums (in a torsion spring system) or connect to pulleys (in an extension spring system), working with the springs to ensure a smooth and even lift.

Rollers made of nylon or steel travel along vertical and horizontal tracks to allow door sections to move up and down smoothly. Tracks must be aligned and free of obstructions for smooth operation. The automatic garage door opener initiates the movement, depending on the balance of your door itself. Any failure of one of its key components could disrupt this system, leading to potential breakdowns.

Common Culprits in Garage Door Breakdowns

Garage door malfunctions may take many forms, from doors that refuse to move to those operating erratically or making loud noises. Understanding when and why these occur will enable homeowners to identify when professional garage door service should be sought.

Spring failure is one of the most common and potentially hazardous problems we encounter, as torsion springs carry tremendous tension equivalent to an entire door’s weight. Time after time, typically after 10,000 to 15,000 cycles (one cycle being one opening and closing of a torsion spring), metal fatigue sets in and can break. Torsion springs produce loud bangs when breaking. The garage door will become extremely heavy, making it hard for most people to lift it manually and straining the opener excessively. Sometimes, the door is so heavy it won’t lift at all. Extension springs under tension can be even more hazardous when they break if not equipped with safety cables, since their parts could travel at great speed once freed of their housing. Replacing broken springs is especially risky without proper tools and knowledge.

Cable catastrophes are another recurrent problem. Lift cables may fray, weaken over time or snap due to excessive strain, usually brought about by failing springs or misalignment in tracks. A snapped cable usually results in one side of the door sagging or dropping, leading to jammed conditions on one side. Occasionally, one could slip off its drum or pulley instead, creating similar symptoms and rendering the door inoperable and potentially unstable.

Roller and track problems can stop your garage door from operating, with rollers becoming worn, cracked, or seized over time, forcing it to move unevenly or become jammed in its track. Tracks may become bent due to impact or improper installation. An off-track door poses serious safety concerns as it could become stuck or fall. Forcing such doors further could cause additional damage to the panels and components.

Even durable automatic openers may face obstructions or internal failure. Issues include stripped gears in the motor unit, malfunctioning circuit boards, misaligned photo-eye safety sensors (which prevent doors from closing on obstructions), and misprogrammed remote controls or wall buttons. While minor opener issues, such as reprogramming, may be manageable, internal mechanical/electrical failures require professional expertise. Remember that the opener aims to guide doors without lifting their entire weight. Any hidden mechanical issues, like broken springs, can easily bring them down quickly!

Panel problems such as denting from vehicle impact, cracks caused by age or stress, and warping can compromise a door’s structural integrity and operation, placing undue stress on hinges and rollers, which leads to further complications down the line.

How Minor Issues Escalate

Garage door malfunction isn’t usually something you experience without prior warning. Signs often emerge gradually over time, such as squeaks, hesitation, jerky movement, or grinding noise, may signal impending trouble for homeowners. 

Why Garage Door Repairs Are Not a Weekend Project

Due to abundant online tutorials, DIY garage door repair may seem appealing due to cost savings. Unfortunately, dealing with springs or cable issues on garage doors without knowledge is very dangerous.

Spring tension presents the most significant hazard. Torsion springs, in particular, are subject to tremendous strain. Any attempts at adjustment or replacement without appropriate winding bars, safety precautions and knowledge of forces involved could end disastrously with catastrophic failure resulting in lacerations, broken bones or worse. Extension springs should never be handled incorrectly or without safety cables being present. Doing so exposes you and yourself to danger. This area should never be experimented upon due to the forces involved.

Beyond immediate safety risks, there is a high chance that you will misdiagnose the problem or make it even worse. Without the expertise of a technician, misdiagnosis may lead to further damage. Replacing frayed cables without first understanding why (such as misaligning drums or excess tension due to failing springs) may only lead to premature failure.

Our team at Iceberg Overhead Doors possess specialized tools and in-depth knowledge acquired over the years. This allows us to use spring winding bars, tension gauges, tools for aligning tracks and setting limits on openers. Equipment not usually found in homeowner toolboxes. 

DIY repairs may void manufacturer warranties on your door and opener, leaving you responsible for costs that would have otherwise been covered by warranty coverage. Your home insurance policy might also contain clauses covering damage from nonprofessional repairs.

Choose the Iceberg Overhead Door Solution

Iceberg Overhead Doors provides quick, reliable, and expert garage door service throughout the Greater Edmonton area. Our garage door services range from minor adjustments and preventive maintenance to major overhauls and door replacement. Our technicians are on call 24/7 for emergency service, so when unforeseen breakdowns happen, we have you covered.