A Reddit user was getting ready to leave for work and encountered an unexpected problem: his garage door wouldn’t open, trapping the car inside.
He noted that his garage door is manually operated and that he handles it with care every day. Despite a routine inspection of the tracks, rollers, cables, and springs, everything appeared in good working order. However, the door feels as if it’s anchored to the concrete and won’t budge.
The user included some pictures of the garage door and spring, hoping to get useful advice on how to repair his broken garage door.
Potential Causes and Solutions
Based on the description of the problem and pictures provided by the user, several potential issues could be preventing the garage door from opening.
1. Loose Spring
While the pictures confirm that the spring is not broken, the tension from the spring might have gotten loose, rendering the spring useless and door cables loose. In this case, all it takes is to re-tension the spring and balance the door.
2. Obstructed Tracks
Loose bolts, debris or obstructions in the tracks can prevent the door from opening. Inspect the tracks and ensure they are clean and unobstructed.
3. Damaged Rollers or Hinges
Damaged or worn-out rollers and hinges can cause the door to stick. Check them for any signs of wear or damage. If needed, replace the rollers or hinges and test the garage door.
4. Garage Door Lock
Sometimes, a manual garage door has a lock mechanism that might have been engaged accidentally. Ensure the lock is not engaged. If it is, disengage it and try lifting the door again.
5. Binding Garage Door
Weather conditions or shifting foundations can affect the garage frame, which may impact the garage door operation. Inspect the garage frame and header to ensure that the garage door is not pressured against them. Remove any nails, screws, or drywall that may be obstructing the garage door and preventing it from opening. If the door is positioned too close to the garage frame, you can adjust the tracks by pulling them away from the jambs.
6. Recent Paint Job
Painting the garage door can cause it to stick against the garage frame, weather stripping and moldings. If the garage door has been recently painted, you may need to gently pry it loose from the vinyl moldings and leave the door open until the paint dries.
7. Bottom Seal Stuck to the Floor
The garage door rubber bottom seal can sometimes stick to the floor, especially in damp or cold weather. Inspect the seal for any signs of sticking. You may need to gently pry it loose or replace the seal if it’s excessively worn or damaged.
Although the aforementioned problems are usually the most common ones, the user stated that his garage door’s top section somehow found its way underneath the garage header, preventing him from opening the door.
“Somehow the top of the garage door bent its way underneath the header of the garage! A little elbow grease & it unstuck!”
The issue could be related to shifting foundations or weather conditions. The problem can be fixed by adjusting or replacing the top molding. If the molding is too short, a 2×4 stud can be used.
