An automatic garage door is a convenience that most of us take for granted. It works until one day it doesn't. If your garage door is giving you grief, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem yourself. With a little elbow grease and some patience, you may be able to fix the problem without spending a dime. 

Check the Obvious Things First

Before you start disassembling everything in your garage, it's always best to check the obvious things first. Start by ensuring that your garage door opener's power cord is plugged into an outlet and that the outlet has power. Once you've checked that, look at the garage door opener itself and ensure there isn't any obvious damage that could be causing the problem. If everything looks good so far, it's time to move on to the next step.

Check the Sensors

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission ruled that effective January 1, 1993, all garage doors manufactured and installed must have sensors to protect children and pets from injury. If the sensors are blocked or improperly aligned, however, it may cause your garage door to stop working. A sensor can easily get bumped out of alignment when you take out the trash or when a child brings in a bicycle.

Inspect the Tracks

If your garage door isn't opening or closing properly, one possibility is that something is obstructing the tracks. Inspect both tracks carefully. You may have to use a ladder to get a good look. Remove any debris or obstacles that you find. Once you've cleared away any obstruction, test your garage door again to see if the problem has been resolved. If not, it's time to move on to the next step.

Inspect the Rollers

Another possibility is that something is wrong with the rollers. Inspect them carefully and look for any signs of wear or damage. If you find anything, try replacing them with new rollers to see if that solves the problem. Depending on how old your garage door is, it may be time for an upgrade anyway. Newer models come with higher-quality parts that are designed to last longer.

Don't Touch the Springs

Garage door springs are under extreme pressure and should only be touched by a professional. If you think the problem lies with your garage door's springs, call a professional garage door repair person to take a closer look.

If your garage door is acting up, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem yourself. With a little patience and some elbow grease, you may be able to fix the problem. 

Contact a local garage door service, such as Plano Overhead Garage Door, to learn more.