Tilt A Door, Inc. Garage Door Systems

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I have a garage door with an opener and it doesn't not want to close when I push the remote or wired button on the wall.

A. Most late model operators are equipped with infrared safety sensors. Those sensors are located at the base of the vertical tracks or the base of the opening of the garage. The sensors "see" each other which allow the door to close properly if there are no obstructions. The sensors are equipped with L.E.D.'s which are "on" if the sensors are aligned correctly and there are no obstructions in the line of site. If the L.E.D. is blinking or off, make sure there are no obstructions in the line of sight for the sensors. If after removing any obstructions the L.E.D. remains off or is blinking, simply move the sensors up and down or side to side until the L.E.D.'s illuminate or no longer blink. This should correct the problem.


Q. I have a sectional door with an operator and it does not open or open completely.

A. Sectional doors, to operate correctly, require springs as a counterbalance/counterweight. If the door does not open, or does not open completely, this usually indicates that the springs are worn or may be broken which makes the door too heavy for the operator. If you have an older operator (more than 10 years old) that may also be a problem depending upon how frequently you open and close the door.


Q. My garage door is making too many noises. I hear squeaking, rubbing, and grinding.

A. If you have a sectional door, the noises you are hearing are probably because the rollers are being "pinched". Sectional doors require periodic re-alignment and lubrication allowing the rollers to travel smoothly through the tracks on each side of the door. If you have a one piece traditional or legacy door, the noises you are hearing are most likely coming from the hardware and springs attached to the door which indicate the door needs to be rebalanced and the hardware checked for wear and tear. Whether sectional or once piece, doors need to be inspected at least annually or more frequently if you have an older door or hardware.


Q. My remote control does not function with my opener, but the wired button does.

A. Your remote control has a battery, and that battery must be healthy in order to produce a strong signal for the operator's circuitry to "hear". Try replacing the battery which usually solves the problem. Batteries should be replaced at least once if not twice a year, as you would a non-wired smoke detector in your home. If battery replacement doesn't solve the problem you may have a problem with the security code being accidentally changed on the remote control or the operator's receiver board, or with the receiver board itself – it might require replacement.


Q. Can I replace the springs on my garage door myself?

A. Unless you are very experienced and have the proper tools to remove and reinstall garage door springs, this is not a "do-it-yourself" project. Replacement and installation of garage door springs requires an experienced technician having the proper tools and supplies. Springs if they are installed incorrectly can cause serious property damage and personal injury.


Q. If the power goes out in my house, how do I open the door manually?

A. Building codes require that all doors be equipped with a manual release on the "trolley" that attaches to the chain or belt drive of the operator (usually a red pull cord which hangs below the trolley). If you exit or enter from a garage that has no entry or exit point other than the garage door itself, the garage door will be equipped with an external key release in addition to the manual release on the trolley. Pull the cord, which releases the trolley from the operators chain or belt drive, to open the door manually.


Q. How often should I have service performed on my garage door and operator?

A. Maintenance and service intervals depend upon age, the type of door, the type of operator you have, and how frequently the door is opened and closed. Wood doors, frames and jams are not as durable as metal or fiberglass doors and may require replacement on more frequent intervals. Wood doors are also exposed to dry rot and termites. Operators have a useful life of between ten and fifteen years. We recommend all doors and operators be inspected at least annually. Wood doors, older doors and operators, and doors that are opened and closed more frequently should be inspected semi-annually.