Residential Garage Door FAQs

For many homeowners, the garage door is the primary entrance to their home. Since the garage door is used daily, a non-functioning garage door is frustrating, inconvenient, and a possible safety hazard. Below, you will find answers to many common garage door problems. If you need help finding a certain garage door term, check out our Glossary of Garage Door Terms

If you do not find the answers to your questions, contact ask.amarr@amarr.com. We are here to help!

General

My garage door doesn't open or doesn’t close?

The best way to determine whether to repair or replace a garage door is to call a local professionally trained garage door dealer. Depending on the problem, a garage door may just need servicing (like an oil change for your car), a few new parts, a new section or a door replacement. Many times, the issue is not the garage door, but the garage door opener that needs replacement or service. Learn more

Installation

Where can I find Installation Instructions to install my new garage door?

Downloadable instructions can be accessed via the QR code on the label of the hardware box that came with your door, or by going here. Garage door installation is an advanced project and can be extremely dangerous. Installation by a trained garage door technician is highly recommended.

When I am installing my new garage door, how many turns should I put on the springs?

Check the spring chart in the installation instructions for your door. You will find the correct number of turns for doors up to 8’ tall with standard track installation. If you have a door over 8’ tall or a non-standard track configurations (example: low headroom), please contact a local Amarr dealer.

On a Wind Load door, how can I keep a support strut from showing through the window?

Struts are placed on Wind Load doors in predetermined positions based on testing to ensure the door performs against the stated wind speeds.  If a strut has to be installed across the windows, the door can be ordered with Frost, Obscure or Dark Tint glass to make the strut less visible.  Painting the inside of the strut black before installation also makes it less noticeable even through Clear glass. 

Opening & Closing Issues

My garage door does not open smoothly, but with a jerky motion?

This may be due to the lack of maintenance of the garage door or the garage door opener. Consult a garage door dealer for a service check-up.

When I push the button on my garage door remote, my garage door does not open. Why?

A remote that fails to operate the door could be caused by several issues. The most common is that your garage door remote may need the batteries replaced. The safety photo eyes on your garage door opener may be out of alignment. Or your spring(s) may be broken. Please consult your local Amarr garage door dealer for help.

My garage door does not close all the way? It keeps going back up into the open position.

Check the photo eye sensors for your garage door opener. An object may be blocking the path of the sensors, or the opener photo eye sensors may be misaligned.

My garage door makes noise when it opens and closes. Is there any way to make my door quieter?

Springs, rollers and hinges can squeak and be noisy. This is caused by normal use and does not necessarily indicate a problem. Before calling a professional service technician, use a spray-on lubricant (recommended specifically for garage doors).

If the noise persists, call a professional Amarr garage door installer. After inspecting your door the dealer may recommend service or the installation of noise dampening roller sleeves like the Amarr Quiet Door system.

Other Common Garage Door Problems

What should I do if the cable on my garage door is frayed?

Contact a professional garage door dealer/installer. Do not attempt to remove, repair or adjust garage door springs or cable. HIGH SPRING TENSION CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

What is the black residue on the outside of my garage door?

These marks are caused by the oil-coating that is on torsion springs. Care for your garage door with an annual washing of the door to remove these marks.

What caused the rust spots on my garage door?

Rust spots may be caused by salt used during the winter to melt ice and snow or chemical splatter from a driveway cleaner. Make sure to clean your garage door with water and soap to remove any debris that may remain on the exterior of your garage door.

The bottom seal of my door has fallen off. Can it be replaced?

 Yes, most garage door bottom seals can be replaced. Please contact a local garage door dealer for help.

What should I do if the spring at the top of my garage door is broken?

A broken spring is a safety hazard. Do not attempt to operate the door. Call a qualified garage door technician to replace the spring(s).

What caused a crack in my garage door?

Cracks can form in the top section of a garage door due to incorrect installation of the door or the operator. Here are just a few of the reasons you may see a crack forming in the top section of your door:

  • Incorrect positioning of the strut on the door
  • Top roller and operator bracket pivot point position is not correct
  • Weaker springs than specified for the type and size of door causing the opener to apply too much force to the top section
  • Opener arm coming into contact with the strut when the door is opening
  • Incorrect slope for the opener
  • Down limit setting on the opener is not set properly so the opener pushes hard on the top of the door at the end of the close cycle – the door should coast that last two inches to close.

The cable is off the drum and my garage door doesn’t close. What do I do?

For safety reasons, do not attempt to operate the door where the cable has jumped off the drum. Call a qualified garage door technician to repair the door.

What caused the top section of my garage door to be crushed?

Crushing damage to only the top section of a door is usually related to incorrect door/opener installation, or the door hit an obstacle while closing. Please contact an Amarr dealer for service and repair.

As my door is opening, I can see paint is wearing off from in between the sections. Why is this happening?

Friction maybe created between sections causing paint rub. This is normal wear on the product. There could be dirt or debris causing wear between sections. Open your door to where the section joint can be cleaned according the cleaning instructions to remove anything that could be causing wear.

Why do my garage door windows or door sections leak water?

Most modern garage door window frames have seals and there are seals around the door itself to deter the infiltration of wind driven rain.  However,  windows, sections and the bottom seal of the garage door may not be 100% leak-proof.  

Because a garage door is not permanently fixed in position but moves up and down and is subject to wind loads, perimeter window seals can be breached by vibration of the door or deflection of the door in the closed or open position.

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