The garage door getting jammed or stuck can happen at the most inconvenient time. When it happens there are a number of things that you can do to try and get the door working on your own before you have to pay for a professional to come and fix the problem. Here is a list of three things that you can do to fix a garage door that is not currently opening or closing properly.

Clear The Tracks

The tracks are one of the most important mechanical aspects of the garage door, as the door slides up and down the tracks when it needs to open or close. If the door is not working, you can grab a ladder and check the tracks to make sure that there is nothing obstructing the door from sliding along the tracks. Take the time to clean the tracks of dirt and debris that might have built up along the tracks by taking a warm wet rag and rubbing it along the length of the track on each side.

Align The Sensor

Sometimes the garage door sensor can get thrown off as the door opens and closes or is bumped. Attach a piece of string to the left side of the sensor, then to the right side, and then adjust the string until you have it completely straight. Use a level and hold it along the string to get an idea of what side you need to make adjustments to get the sensors back into alignment. To complete the job make sure that there is nothing in the path of either sensor and remove items are located around it that might bump the sensors.

Reset The Power

Sometimes there could be an electrical issue causing the problem so test to make sure that there is power running to the unit. Check the breaker at the electrical panel and make sure that it is switched to the on position. If the breaker at the electrical panel is switched on, reset the breaker by turning it to the off position and hold it for five seconds before turning it back to the on position. Test the door after adjusting the power to see if the problem is fixed or if there is any electricity going to the unit itself.

If you follow the steps outlined above and the door is still not working, it is a sign that there is a much larger mechanical issue. Call a professional garage door technician like Rogers Overhead Door Co who can take apart the door and properly diagnose the issue that is causing the door not to operate properly.