DIY Tricks to Stop a Garage Door from Bouncing When Closing

For most homeowners, a smoothly operating garage door is a thing that goes unnoticed until one day it starts to be cranky. An annoying problem among such is when the door bounces off the floor instead of going down and locking itself up fully. This not just infuriates but is also an indicator of a mechanical malfunction that will lead to more troubles if it is not fixed.
 
Understanding Why Your Garage Door Bounces
If the garage door bounces while closing, the main reason can be an unbalance or wrong opener settings. A defective sensor, the springs that are no longer in perfect condition, or wrong force settings can make the door stop and change direction at unexpected times. Certainly, wear and tear in the process can also be a part of the problem.
 
To address this issue, following the advice from the experts at garage door repair, evaluating the door’s balance by disconnecting the opener and manually raising it halfway, reprogramming the opener’s settings and ensuring the safety sensors are properly aligned can help restore operation. If it doesn’t remain stable, the springs likely need adjustment. Regular maintenance can prevent these issues and keep your garage door in optimal condition.
 
Checking and Adjusting the Travel Limit
One of the most common reasons a garage door bounces is improper travel limits. Newer garage doors have an adjustable travel adjustment that determines how far the door will travel before it stops. If this adjustment is not correct, the door will hit the ground with too much impact and will bounce a little.
 
First, if the closing or starting travel limit switch is not in the right place, you may need to relocate it. Use the adjustment knobs up and down, which are provided to manually set the travel limits. Avoid having them so close which increases the risk of trapping something to have them several inches apart. Adjusting the pulley to secure the sagging spring is recommended. After that, you may need to reposition the sensors of the system to guarantee stable operation. In fact, the process involves minor activities, and it does not require any skill at all!
 
Inspecting the Springs for Wear and Tear
Garage doors use tension springs to operate effectively. Springs that are too tight can cause the door to bounce back when it closes. Conversely, weak or broken springs can lead to jerky movement or unequal weight, which also creates the bouncing issue.
 
Take a good look at the torsion springs on top of the door or the extension springs on the sides. If they look rusty, stretched, or broken, it is likely best to replace them. Remember that garage door springs can be hazardous to work with since they are under so much pressure. If you do not feel comfortable with them, it is likely best to call a professional garage door repairman.
 
Checking the Tracks and Rollers for Alignment Issues
With time, the rails that direct the garage door may get out of alignment or clogged with dirt. A slight misalignment can make the door close unevenly and bounce when opening.
 
To test this, look at the rollers when the door is in motion. If they are loose or appear to be fighting, the tracks may require alignment. Loosen the track brackets gradually with a wrench and shift them so that they are in exact parallel.
 
Lubricating Moving Parts for Smooth Operation
Friction also creates garage door problems. Springs, rollers, and hinges, lubricated or otherwise, will gliding smoothly but come to sharp stops without recoiling. An individual can apply a quality silicon-based grease in greasing all moving parts such as springs, rollers, and hinges.
 
This not only reduces resistance but also optimizes the lifespan of your garage door parts. Avoid grease or thick oil, as they attract dust and dirt, which can result in more problems.
 
Evaluating the Garage Door Opener’s Sensitivity Settings
Most contemporary garage door openers include sensitivity controls that regulate the amount of pressure the motor uses when closing the door. If the sensitivity is set too high, the door will bounce when it makes contact with the ground.
 
To make settings, find the force adjustment handles on the opener unit. The handles usually permit you to tweak the amount of pressure the motor uses before stopping.
 
When to Seek Professional Help
Though most DIY repairs can correct a bouncing garage door, there are instances that require professionals. If the door’s parts are extremely worn out or if the issue recurs despite multiple adjustments, it would be safer and more convenient to hire a garage door repair professional. They can identify issues and repair them efficiently and safely.
 
In Conclusion
A garage door that bounces when it closes is not only annoying, but also a potential indication of mechanical problems. Luckily, by tweaking travel limits, checking and replacing springs, realigning tracks, lubricating moving parts, and readjusting opener settings, you can typically fix the problem yourself.