Door won't open at all
If the opener hums or clicks but the door stays put, a broken spring is the most common cause. If nothing happens at all, check the wall button, the outlet the opener plugs into, and whether someone pulled the red manual release cord. In winter, ice under the bottom seal can hold the door down too.
Usual cause: spring, opener or iceTypical cost: $176 to $371Don't force it up by hand if a spring is broken
Call (475) 219-DOORRead: why a garage door won't open
Loud bang, now the door is heavy
That bang is almost always a torsion spring snapping, and it happens more often on cold nights when worn steel is at its least forgiving. The door now weighs its full 130 to 250 pounds. Leave it closed and unplug the opener so the motor doesn't burn itself out trying.
Usual cause: broken torsion springTypical cost: $192 to $371Never wind or remove springs yourself
Call (475) 219-DOORRead: broken garage door springs
Stuck to the ground in cold weather
Meltwater ran under the door and refroze around the rubber bottom seal. Stop pressing the opener. Free the seal by gently chipping along it with a plastic scraper or warming it with a hair dryer, then clear the slab in front of the door after the next storm.
Usual cause: frozen bottom sealOften a do-it-yourself fixRepeated button presses can strip opener gears
Call (475) 219-DOORRead: winter garage door care
Closes, then goes back up
The safety sensors near the floor are blocked, dirty or knocked out of line. Garage floors that slope toward the street, which is common on Waterbury's hills, make them drift more than usual. Wipe both lenses and check that both little lights glow steadily. If that doesn't fix it, the close force or travel limit may need adjusting.
Usual cause: safety sensorsOften a do-it-yourself fix
Call (475) 219-DOORRead: door reverses or won't close
Crooked or off the track
A lift cable has likely slipped off its drum or snapped, or a roller jumped out of the track. Stop using the door, keep cars and kids out from under it, and don't try to force it back. A crooked door can drop without warning.
Usual cause: cable or rollerSee the cost guideDon't run the opener with a crooked door
Call (475) 219-DOORRead: cables, rollers and tracks
Grinding, squealing or rattling
Dry rollers and hinges are the usual suspects, especially after a winter of road salt and grit. A tune-up with the right lubricant and a balance check often quiets the door down and can catch a tired spring before it breaks.
Usual cause: rollers, hinges, wearSee the cost guide
Call (475) 219-DOORRead: tune-ups and noisy doors