What the door is telling you
- A loud bang from the garage, then the door is too heavy to lift. That is what a spring breaking sounds like.
- The opener hums or the chain moves but the door stays put.
- The door closes, then goes right back up. Often a blocked or misaligned safety sensor.
- One side hangs lower than the other, or the door is off its track.
- A cable is hanging loose or frayed near the bottom of the door.
Good to know
Torsion springs hold the weight of the whole door under tension. The International Door Association says a door that is hard to lift or will not stay open should be serviced by a trained technician. IDA care guide
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says to lay a 2x4 flat in the door path and close the door. If the door does not reverse when it touches the board, stop using the opener until it is fixed. CPSC guide
The photo eyes on each side of the door belong 4 to 6 inches above the floor, facing each other. A bumped or dirty sensor stops the door from closing. CPSC guide
A little garage door lubricant on the hinges, rollers and tracks every six months keeps the door quiet and cuts wear. IDA care guide
In Tacoma
If your door is wood, or it tilts up in one piece instead of rolling up in sections, say so in the details box. Those take different parts than a modern steel sectional door, and the company can bring what the job needs.
Also University Place, Fircrest, Lakewood, Fife. Somewhere else in Pierce County? Use the main form.
About this service
Who runs this site?
Pierce County Garage Door is a free referral service run by Sevyn, a small Tacoma business. We are not a garage door company. We pass your request to one independent local garage door company, and they do the work.
What does it cost me?
Nothing to send a request. The company gives you a price before any work starts, and you decide whether to go ahead.
Who gets my details?
One local garage door company, so they can call you about this request. We do not sell your details or add you to a mailing list.
How fast will someone call?
We pass your request on the same business day. If it is urgent, say so in the details box.
Questions people ask about garage door repair
What does it cost to repair a garage door?
We do not list prices, because the company that calls you sets them. What moves the price: the part (a spring, an opener, a cable, a panel), a single or double door, and whether you need someone after hours. The company gives you a price before any work starts, and you decide.
Is it worth fixing a garage door spring?
Almost always. A spring is a wear part, and replacing it is routine. If a company tells you the whole door needs replacing because of a spring, ask them to show you why.
Can I lift my garage door if the spring is broken?
Do not try. The spring carries the weight of the door, which can be a few hundred pounds. Without it the door can drop on you or your car. Leave the door where it is and wait for the company.
Is a broken garage door an emergency?
It is when your car is stuck inside, or the door will not close and the house is open. Say that in the details box and the company treats it as a same-day call.
What is the most common garage door problem?
Broken springs, bumped safety sensors and worn openers. Springs break with age and use. Sensors get knocked out of line and the door refuses to close. Openers wear out their gears or motors.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a garage door?
Repair, in most cases. Replacing makes sense when several panels are damaged or the door is old enough that parts are hard to find. A good company quotes both and tells you which it would choose.
Will homeowners insurance cover garage door repair?
Policies usually cover sudden damage, such as a storm or a car hitting the door, and not wear such as a broken spring. Check your policy or call your agent before you file.
Can a garage door be pressure washed?
Yes, on a low setting. Keep the spray away from the opener, the safety sensors and the weather seals, and use a mild soap. A garden hose does most of the job.
Ready when you are.
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