A smoothly functioning garage is crucial if you want to keep your property safe and prevent injuries. But there are times when the garage door experiences problems.
These problems can be a big inconvenience and can make it difficult to access the things you’ve stored in the garage. The best way to find a solution to these issues is to understand their cause. Here are some of the reasons why your garage door won’t open all the way and how to fix them.
1. Blocked Photo-Eye
Most garage doors today have a photo-eye that detects objects in its path. The photo-eye is always small in size. And for most garage doors, it’s usually placed about four to six inches off the ground. The photo-eye shoots a laser across the distance between the ground and the garage door. If this laser is interrupted, it cuts off the signal that helps raise the door. The result is that the garage door opens halfway and then stops.
To prevent this, ensure the cord attached to the photo-eye isn’t damaged. If the cord is cut, then leaks or rainstorms can easily damage the photo-eye. Also, if dirt and dust are left to accumulate, they can clog the eye and prevent the laser beam from shooting across the length of the gate. To solve this problem, ensure you clean the photo-eye occasionally with a clean cloth.
2. Faulty Logic Board
A defective logic board can be another reason why your garage door opens a little and then stops. The work of the logic board is to control your garage door electronically. If the logic board is damaged, then the door opener will stop working correctly. One common sign of a faulty logic board is a failure to recognize its programmed limits. Power surges and electrical storms can also damage logic boards. If you suspect your logic board is faulty, then you should replace it. But if it’s still new, you might consider calling our experienced technicians to have it repaired instead.
3. Travel and Force Limit Settings Are Incorrectly Set
The limit setting determines how far the door moves before it stops. If your door won’t open all the way, this could be a sign that the limit settings are off. You may need to adjust these settings to make your garage door open all the way.
To adjust the settings, locate the limit switch adjustment knob. Make small adjustments to avoid overdoing it, which might end up slamming the door shut or open. It’s essential to consult the owner’s user manual to make correct adjustments.
Also, the close-force setting could be another reason your garage door only opens a foot. If your door won’t open past a foot, you need to adjust the force going up. Adjusting it higher will make the garage door open correctly.
4. Broken Springs
When a garage door opens a little and then stops, this could be a sign of broken springs. Springs are often under immense tension from the weight of the garage doors. When a spring breaks, you’ll hear a loud sound, almost like a gunshot. Another way to check for broken springs is by lifting the garage door. If the door feels heavy, the springs are definitely broken. Handling broken springs can be dangerous and should be left to professionals with the right skills and tools.
5. Garage Door Is Not Properly Balanced
Lack of balance is one of the most common reasons why a garage door won’t open all the way. You can test if your garage door isn’t appropriately balanced by first disconnecting the automatic opener. You should be able to raise it and lower it by hand. Pull it up halfway and, if it hangs in balance, then it’s stable. If the door slams shut, then it requires rebalancing. Balancing is a job that should be left to the professionals.
Let Jarusewski’s Garage Door Service Help You!
If you’re a homeowner or business owner interested in garage door repair and maintenance services in Carlisle, PA and beyond, then Jarusewski’s Garage Door Service is your partner. We have over 30 years of experience providing garage door maintenance, repair and installation services to our clients, and we take pride in providing fast, accurate and customer-friendly services. To get in touch, call us or provide us with your details via our online form to receive a free quote/estimate.