A garage door that will not close is a security problem, especially when you need to leave for work. In Cape Town, the cause is often linked to the weather: wind-blown dust, strong summer sun and salty air all affect doors and motors here. This guide covers the most common faults we find on callouts, and which ones you can safely check yourself.
First, is it the door or the motor?
Pull the manual release (usually a cord or key on the motor) and try to close the door by hand. If it moves smoothly by hand, the problem is most likely the motor, remote or sensors. However, if it is heavy, stiff or crooked by hand, the problem is in the door itself. In that case, do not keep forcing it with the motor.
1. Dusty or blinded safety sensors
Most motorised doors have two small sensors near the floor. If the beam between them is blocked, the door reverses. In Cape Town, the south-easter coats the lenses with dust, and low morning or evening sun can shine straight into a sensor and confuse it. Wipe both lenses and check that their lights are steady.
2. Sensors knocked out of line
A bump from a bin, bicycle or car can move a sensor slightly. Line them up again until both indicator lights show the beam is connected.
3. The close limit has drifted
If the door touches the ground and goes back up, the motor may think it hit an obstacle. The close limit needs resetting, which is usually a short job for a technician.
4. Remote or wall button problems
Try the wall button and a second remote. If only one remote fails, replace its battery first.
5. No power or a tripped unit
Check the plug, the circuit breaker and, if you have one, the battery backup. After load shedding or a power dip, some motors need resetting.
6. A broken spring
A loud bang from the garage, followed by a door that feels very heavy, usually means a spring has broken. Do not try to fix springs yourself, because they hold a lot of tension.
7. Frayed cable or one that has come off the drum
If the door hangs crooked, a cable may have slipped or snapped. Stop using the door and call a technician.
8. Sand, grit or rust in the tracks
Coastal suburbs and windy areas such as Killarney Gardens and Blackheath see a lot of grit in the tracks. Clean the tracks with a dry cloth, then use a light silicone spray. Avoid heavy grease, because sand sticks to it.
9. A dried-out or torn bottom seal
Hot summer sun hardens rubber seals, so they can catch on the floor or stop the door sealing properly. A new seal is a simple and cheap part.
What you can safely do yourself
- Clean the sensors and tracks.
- Replace remote batteries.
- Check the power and reset the motor.
- Use the manual release to close the door for the night.
What to leave to a technician
- Springs, cables and drums.
- Bent tracks or a door that hangs crooked.
- Motor wiring and limit settings.
When to call us
Call straight away if the door is heavy, crooked, or you heard a bang, because running an unbalanced door damages other parts. We offer emergency repairs and garage door repairs across Cape Town, from Durbanville and Brackenfell to the Atlantic Seaboard. Contact us to book.