FAQ
Garage Door Questions, Answered — Page 3
More in-depth answers from Denver’s G Brothers Garage Doors. Tap any question for the full guide, or use search to jump straight to a topic.
Repair
Repair questions
Should I repair or replace my garage door?
Should you repair or replace your garage door? It comes down to age, damage, safety, and cost. Here is the line between a smart fix and a new door.
Read answerRepairShould I replace one garage door spring or both?
Replacing one garage door spring to save money usually costs more later. On a two spring door, replacing both at once is the smarter call. Here is why.
Read answerRepairTorsion vs extension springs: what's the difference?
Torsion vs extension springs: torsion mounts on a shaft above the door and lasts longer, while extension springs run along the tracks and cost less.
Read answerRepairWhat are the signs my garage door needs repair?
The signs a garage door needs repair: new noises, a sagging door, slow or jerky movement, and a door that will not stay put halfway up.
Read answerRepairWhat causes a garage door cable to snap?
What causes a garage door cable to snap: rust, fraying, worn pulleys, or a broken spring. Learn the warning signs and why cable repair is never a DIY job.
Read answerRepairWhat does a grinding garage door noise mean?
A grinding garage door noise usually means worn rollers, dry bearings, or a stripped opener gear. Here's what each grinding sound means and how to fix it.
Read answerRepairWhen do garage door rollers need replacement?
Garage door rollers need replacement about every 7 years or 10,000 cycles. Learn the warning signs, nylon vs steel options, and why worn rollers fail.
Read answerRepairWhy did my garage door spring break?
Garage door springs break from normal cycle wear, age, rust, cold Denver mornings, and skipped maintenance. Here are the real causes and how to slow them.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door make a popping noise?
A garage door popping noise usually means dry hinges flexing or cold-weather contraction. A single loud bang means a broken spring. Here's how to tell.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door open by itself?
A garage door that opens by itself usually means a stuck button, signal interference, a neighbor's remote, or shorted wiring. Here is how to find it.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door reverse before closing?
Why your garage door reverses before closing: misaligned sensors, a dirty lens, a touchy close-force setting, or a blocked track, and how to fix it.
Read answerRepairWhy is my garage door keypad not working?
Garage door keypad not working? It's usually a dead battery, lost programming, or worn buttons. Here's how to fix a keypad that won't open the door.
Read answerRepairWhy is my garage door off track?
A garage door goes off track from a broken cable, worn rollers, an obstruction, or a car bump. Here are the causes, the risks, and repair costs.
Read answerRepairWhy is my garage door opener not working?
Garage door opener not working? Check the power, remote battery, sensors, and travel limits first. Here is what is DIY-safe and what needs a tech.
Read answerRepairWhy is my garage door so loud?
Why is my garage door so loud? Grinding, squeaking, rattling, or a loud bang each point to a different part. Here is what each sound means.
Read answerRepairWhy is there a gap under my closed garage door?
A gap under your closed garage door usually means a worn bottom seal, uneven floor, bent track, or a door out of balance. Here is how to fix it.
Read answerRepairWhy won't my garage door open?
Garage door won't open? Start with power, the remote battery, the lock, and the sensors. Here is what you can safely check and what needs a pro.
Read answerRepairWhy won't my garage door remote work?
Why your garage door remote stopped working: a dead battery, lost programming, range or antenna trouble, or LED-bulb interference, and how to fix it.
Read answerRepairWhy won't my garage door work in cold weather?
Why your garage door won't work in cold weather: stiff grease, contracted metal, a touchy opener, ice at the base, or a brittle spring. Denver fixes.
Read answerRepairAre garage door sensors universal or brand-specific?
Garage door sensors are not universal.
Read answerRepairAre pre-1993 garage door openers safe to use?
No.
Read answerRepairWhat is the best garage door opener drive type for an attached garage?
Belt drive is the best choice for most attached garages with living space above or beside.
Read answerRepairWhen is the best time of year to buy a new garage door?
Late fall and winter are usually the best times to buy a garage door, when demand is lower and installers offer slower-season deals.
Read answerRepairCan I bypass my garage door sensors and is it legal?
Permanently disabling garage door sensors is illegal under federal law (16 CFR Part 1211) for any opener made after January 1, 1993.
Read answerRepairCan garage door springs be adjusted without replacing them?
Yes.
Read answerRepairCan I use my garage door if a cable is broken?
No.
Read answerRepairCan I use my garage door if one spring is broken?
No.
Read answerRepairCan a garage door opener be repaired, or does it need to be replaced?
Most garage door openers can be repaired if a specific part has failed.
Read answerRepairHow much does it cost to fix a garage door that came off its track?
Resetting a garage door that simply jumped its track, with no damaged parts, often costs around $125 to $150.
Read answerRepairShould I repair or replace a dented garage door panel?
Repair a single dented panel when the door still operates normally, the panel is available, and the damage is cosmetic.
Read answerRepairDoes a discontinued garage door panel qualify for full replacement under insurance?
Yes, in most cases.
Read answerRepairDoes Denver's high altitude affect garage door springs?
Altitude itself does not change how springs are sized or tensioned.
Read answerRepairWhy is my garage door making a grinding or squealing noise near the top?
That grinding or squealing near the top of your door usually points to worn center or end bearing plates.
Read answerRepairWhat do I do if my garage door cable came off the drum?
Stop using the door right away and do not force it.
Read answerRepairWhat should I do immediately if my garage door cable snapped?
Unplug the opener, pull the red emergency release cord, and leave the door where it sits.
Read answerRepairWhy are my garage door cables loose when the door is fully open?
Some cable slack at full open is normal because tension releases as the door rises.
Read answerRepairMy garage door emergency release is stuck. How do I fix it?
Most often the release is hard to pull because the door is under tension.
Read answerRepairHow do I know when to replace a garage door end bearing plate?
Replace the end bearing plate when the bearing inside it is worn, the plate is cracked or bent, or the mounting holes are stripped and the plate rocks under load.
Read answerRepairDo extension spring garage doors need safety cables?
Yes.
Read answerRepairWhy is there a gap on one side of my garage door when it's closed?
A gap on one side of a closed garage door usually means the door is not level, the vertical track is misaligned, or the stop molding on that side has shifted or worn down.
Read answerRepairWhy is my garage door hard to lift by hand?
A garage door that is hard to lift by hand has spring tension that is insufficient to counterbalance the door's weight.
Read answerRepairDoes heat expansion cause garage door tracks to warp and the door to jam?
Yes.
Read answerRepairWhen do garage door hinges need to be replaced, and how is it done?
Replace garage door hinges when they squeak after lubrication, show cracks or rust, or have visibly bent or sloppy pivot points.
Read answerRepairMy garage door opener hums or buzzes but the door won't move. What's wrong?
A hum or buzz with no movement usually means the motor has power but can't drive the door.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door jerk or jump halfway up when opening?
A garage door that jerks at the same point every time has a bent track, damaged roller, or loose hinge at that height.
Read answerRepairWhy did my garage door make a loud bang or gunshot noise?
A loud bang or gunshot sound from a garage door almost always means a torsion spring broke.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door make noise only when closing, not when opening?
A garage door that is noisy only when closing usually has a worn roller or track problem that loads differently on the way down than the way up.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door only open a few inches and then stop?
A broken torsion spring is the most common cause.
Read answerRepairDo anti-vibration pads help with a noisy garage door opener?
Yes, if the noise travels through the framing into the living space.
Read answerRepairWhat does it mean when my garage door opener is beeping?
A beeping garage door opener usually signals one of three things: a battery backup running low, an alert that the door has been open too long, or a warning that the opener needs service.
Read answerRepairWhen does a garage door opener drive belt need to be replaced?
A garage door opener drive belt typically needs replacement when it shows visible cracking, fraying, or worn teeth, when the opener runs but the door moves inconsistently, or when the belt slips or squeals during operation.
Read answerRepairMy garage door opener clicks but won't open. What's wrong?
A single click with no movement usually means the motor has power but can't turn.
Read answerRepairWhat are the different types of garage door opener drives?
Garage door openers come in four drive types: chain, belt, screw, and wall-mounted (jackshaft).
Read answerRepairMy garage door opener motor runs but the door won't move. Is it the gear?
Usually yes.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door opener keep tripping the GFCI outlet?
GFCI trips on a garage door opener are caused by one of three things: motor startup inrush current tripping a standard GFCI, a genuine ground fault from moisture or aging wiring, or the opener being on the wrong circuit.
Read answerRepairWhy is my garage door opener grinding but the door still moves?
A grinding opener that still moves the door usually has a worn drive gear, a dry or gritty chain or belt, or debris in the rail.
Read answerRepairWhy is the light on my garage door opener not working?
The most common reason is a burned-out or wrong bulb.
Read answerRepairWhat kind of light bulb does a garage door opener take?
Most residential garage door openers use a standard A19 or A15 medium-base (E26) socket, the same size as a household lamp.
Read answerRepairWhy does my garage door opener light stay on?
A garage door opener light that will not turn off is almost always caused by the light timer being set too long, a stuck or shorted wall button, a triggered motion sensor, or a stuck relay on the logic board.
Read answerRepairMy garage door opener stopped working after a lightning strike. What's damaged?
After a lightning strike or surge, start with three checks: reset the GFCI outlet, check the circuit breaker, then unplug the opener for 60 seconds and replug.
Read answerStill have a question?
Call us and describe what your door is doing. We will tell you what is likely wrong and what it costs.