Your commercial garage doors are designed to last through thousands of openings and closings, but like any mechanical system, they experience wear over time. Knowing the warning signs of trouble and understanding what could be causing the issue can help you act fast, avoid downtime, and protect your business.
What to Watch For: Common Signs of Trouble
Here are some of the scenarios that may require commercial door repair for your garage door.
Uneven Movement or Sticking
If one side of your commercial garage door rises faster than the other, it could indicate:
- A broken or unbalanced torsion spring
- Frayed cables or worn-out pulleys
- Bent tracks or misaligned rollers
Operating the door in this condition puts strain on the motor and increases the risk of failure or injury. Schedule service before it gets worse.
Loud or Unusual Noises
Loud, sudden noises are never a good sign. Common causes include:
- Worn bearings or rollers
- Loose chain or belt drive components
- Debris stuck in the tracks
Ignoring strange sounds can lead to mechanical breakdowns or a door coming off its tracks altogether.
Slamming or Hesitation
A properly functioning garage door should move smoothly and stop precisely. If your door:
- Hesitates or stops mid-cycle
- Slams down quickly
- Jerks violently during travel
it likely needs immediate repair. These symptoms can stem from sensor issues, damaged springs, or problems with the opener.
Safety Features Not Working
Modern commercial garage doors include safety sensors, auto-reverse functions, and manual release mechanisms. If your door:
- Doesn’t stop when something is in its path
- Fails to reverse when obstructed
- Has a malfunctioning emergency release
it may be out of compliance with safety regulations — and it could endanger employees or vehicles.
Unresponsive Controls
If your keypad, remote, or wall switch stops working — or if your door openers hums but doesn’t move the door — there could be:
- Electrical issues
- Circuit board failure
- A worn-out motor or stripped gear
A technician can quickly test and diagnose opener problems to restore functionality.
Visible Damage or Wear
Dents, warping, rust, or broken panels don’t just affect appearance — they often point to deeper mechanical problems. A damaged door can throw the entire system out of alignment and pose safety risks. Some issues to look for:
- Impact damage from forklifts or delivery trucks
- Cracked panels in sectional doors
- Rusted or bent tracks
Early repairs can prevent costly replacements later on.
What Could Be Wrong: Common Commercial Door Issues
If you’ve noticed any of the issues above, here are some of the most common problems that could be to blame.
Track damage or misalignment
Garage doors open and close on metal tracks. Over time these tracks become corroded, disrupting the alignment of the door as it moves along the tracks. Tracks can go out of alignment when something jars the door, even when the door isn’t damaged. When tracks get out of alignment, the rollers may ruin the tracks, or the garage door motor may burn out as it strains to operate the door on the misaligned tracks.
Broken Springs
A damaged torsion spring can account for a garage door not moving. If your door’s lifting power is provided by a torsion spring operated by an electric door opener, be aware that the springs are rated for a certain number of cycles – usually 10,000 up and down movements. Springs may rust, particularly in humid environments, or just wear out over time. A broken spring should be replaced.
Damaged Rollers
The door sits on wheels, which are the rollers that move the door along the tracks. Rollers may be nylon, plastic or metal. Depending on their quality, some rollers may wear out faster than others. As the radius of the wheel decreases, the wheel will then be narrow enough to slip off the track. Metal rollers are much preferred for this reason. Damaged rollers should be replaced.
Panel Malfunction
Depending on how they are constructed, panels can separate, but may also malfunction when a panel is dented, perhaps by a moving vehicle. Sometimes a single panel can be repaired or replaced, but it’s possible the entire door will need replacement.
Cable and Pulley Damage
Garage doors have cables that do different things. If yours uses a torsion spring system, the door won’t move when the cable breaks. A sign they are giving out is when the door shakes or squeaks. Extension spring system cables should be inspected for signs of rust, fraying or pinching.
Most of these problems require a skilled technician to replace or repair the parts or the entire door. Good maintenance can help prolong the life of your commercial garage door, so find a company you trust with your commercial door repair.
Preventive Repairs Save Time and Money
Waiting until your garage door completely fails can result in lost productivity, safety hazards, and emergency repair costs. Regular inspections and prompt repairs help extend the life of your system and ensure day-to-day reliability.
At SACS DOORS, we provide expert repair services for all types of commercial doors — including rolling steel, sectional, and high-speed doors. Whether you’re seeing early warning signs or dealing with an emergency, our trained technicians can restore your door’s performance safely and efficiently.