Many of us don’t pay too much attention to our garage or to our garage doors. After all, aside from parking your vehicle and storage, most of us don’t really spend too much time in our garage. It’s only to be expected that an overwhelmingly large amount of people don’t notice or simply ignore any problems that arise with their garage door, oftentimes dismissing them as irrelevant.

However, a malfunctioning and improperly maintained garage door can pose a safety risk as well as actually cost you money in terms of energy efficiency. In addition, common problems with your garage door that aren’t taken care of on time can create a much larger problem down the line which will take significantly more time and money to resolve than if you had simply maintained the garage door in proper working condition in the first place.

 These are some of the garage door problems that are the most common and the ways you can solve or even prevent them from occurring.

1.     Your Garage Door Has Stopped Working

A door has one main purpose: to open and to close. If your garage door has stopped performing its main function it’s not an exaggeration to say that it’s become useless.

A surprisingly common reason that leads to a useless garage door is that the person’s garage door opener has stopped working. If they didn’t use their garage much in the first place, they simple neglect this problem and it leads to a neglected and decaying garage door. However, this problem is so easy and simple to fix, that there is simply no excuse for not getting a replacement garage door opener.

Your garage door can stop working if it’s especially old or if it has been left without proper maintenance for too long. If your garage door is a quite a way past its prime it may be time to look for a replacement. Luckily, if the problem is due to negligence in most cases the door can be repaired and put back into use.

If none of these apply to you, you may want to consider whether you have installed the proper garage door for your climate. If you live in a rainy and wet area, a wooden garage door is not the best choice. It can rot due to the cold and wet, or simply warp in places that will render it unusable especially if it has not been sealed properly.

Wood seals need to be redone at least once a year, so if you can’t remember the last time you updated yours, this could very well be the cause of your problem. To avoid this, consider getting a replacement that is made from a more durable material. If you have your heart set on a wooden garage door, make the time to care for it properly, or hire a professional.

2.     Your Garage Door Keeps Sticking

This is probably the most annoying and most often encountered garage door problem. I doubt there is a single person who hasn’t experienced a sticking garage door. When your garage door keeps sticking it can become an inconvenient chore getting it to open and close which can lead some people to start avoiding using their garage door altogether.

Fortunately, this problem has a very simple solution in most cases. If you’ve started noticing that your garage door is beginning to stick, the first thing you should consider as the source of the problem are the tracks. Dirty tracks that are filled with various debris are the most common cause for a sticking garage door. This problem can be taken care of within the hour, by simply clearing out the tracks.

If your garage door keeps sticking even after you’ve cleaned the tracks, take a look at the rollers and hinges. If they’re properly aligned, then all you need to do is add some lubricant to get things moving smoothly again. Should the problem persist, it might be time to look into getting your rollers replaced.

3.     A Drafty Garage Door

This problem can very often go unnoticed as most people don’t spend enough time in the garage to notice a draft. However, a drafty garage door can be a huge power drain if you have a heating system in place. In addition, the garage is most commonly used for storage. Some of the things that are stored there are quite expensive, not even considering your actual vehicle. Tools, lawn care equipment and various odds and ends are all at risk of exposure to the elements.

The first thing to consider when faced with a drafty garage door is the weatherstripping and seals. If they’re worn down and are letting in outside air you should replace them as soon as possible.

4.     A Slamming Garage Door

This is one of the most dangerous problem that can occur with your garage door. If your garage door slams to the ground quickly when closing it poses a serious threat. If anyone gets caught underneath it they would be at risk for serious injury that may even be life-threatening.

If this is a recent problem you should take a look at the springs. If they need to be replaced do so as quickly as possible and avoid using the garage door until the new ones have been installed. However, if this is a persistent problem you should consider getting the entire garage door replaced. This is a more expensive option; however, you can’t put a price on safety for yourself and your family.