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Help Roller Garage Doors Problem .

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modeller | 11:02 Thu 17th Jan 2013 | DIY
16 Answers
My remote controlled garage roller door tries to open but then stops. If I help it by lifting it a bit it will then work. It also closes OK.
This first happened two weeks ago when it was cold. I contacted Doormatic who charged a £102 call out fee payable in advance but when they came a week later it was warmer and the door was working OK. However the engineer did spend 15 minutes doing a bit of a spring clean and oiling.

This week the cold has come back and so has the fault. I have told Doormatic but they don't want to know. They did suggest it was the motor which would cost £800 plus VAT.. They promised three times to phone back but have not done so. I don't think they have the ability to diagnose the fault.
Before I contact other any other company has any ABer what the trouble may be ?
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Our teminology (US) for overhead roll-up doors is somewhat different than yours... probably. Let me see if I can work around that.

First, is there a disconnect handle on the chain drive? It should hang down where it's obvious. Point is, when you pull the handle it disengages the door from the chain drive (at least here). When you pull the handle the door, if properly balanced should open by itself (the spring is doing this) about half way up. Some times the spring tension requires adjustment to achieve this balance. If the door isn't balanced it sometimes can shut off (automatic safety function) as it rolls up.

By the way, if the spring isn't adjusted properly, it's best not to try to do it yourself unless you have experience or know someone who does. It can be quite dangerous (but entirely harmless if you know how.

At any rate, that's the first thing I'd do.

If it does balance correctly, go ahead and use th e remote or interior door switch to roll the door up and the disconnect handle will automatically reattach itself to the chain drive...
Question Author
I did wonder what the rod hanging from the motor housing was ?
I do have a long handle to wind it up by hand if necessary but presumably if as you say by pulling the handle it should go up by itself that would be better.
I don't understand your term chain drive as as far as I know the motor is joined directly inside the tube around which the slates rotate. It's a bit like a Venetian Blind. The motor being at the top at the end of the tube and I assume a shaft extends from the motor, goes into the tube and engages
with splines. Thanks for your help , I've learnt a lot about roller doors in the last few days.
Question Author
Hello Clanad I've found the operaing instructioins and that rod hanging down has nothing to do with a spring, it has a T section on the bottom to engage with the crank handle for manual operation in the event of a power failure.
I think Clanad 's answer refers to what we call an 'up & over' door
Obviously, your drive system is differnt from ours.

In our most common type, the door is made up of about 4 or 5 sections (depending on height) and operates thusly:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/outdoor-projects/garage-door-opener-how-it-works

The little red handle hanging down near the door is the disconnect handle I mentioned earlier...

Good luck!
Question Author
Thanks for your help I thought you would like to see the type of roller dooor mechanism I was trying to explain in words.
http://www.discount-roller-garage-door.co.uk/non-insulated-roller
Thanks modeller... I've only ever seen that style here on industrial type applications... large repair shop doors or things of that nature... interesting!
Funnily enough a friend of mine had a similar problem about a month ago.
He to was quoted a substantial callout fee, with suggestions that it was more than likely the motor. He would'nt pay the call out, and ended up looking in the local free paper for garage door repairs.
The first chap he phoned advised him to turn the power off for a few seconds and then turn it on again.
The problem was solved ... it appears that there was a power cut in our area, and he said that it causes confusion with the door controller. By turning it off and on you wipe the problem... May well be worth a try.
Question Author
It's worth a try but coincidently since the trouble ( which started on and off
several weeks ago,) the power to the garage has been turned off , for another matter, and then back on again and it made no difference.
However when I can get into the garage , its blocked with snow at the moment, I shall switch it on/off again. As you say it's worth a try.
Question Author
alav I gave it a try but it didn't cure the trouble. The company came back after some pressure and now think it may the sensors in the door or the conrol unit. Time will tell.
I had the same problem with my garage door a couple of years ago and it turned out that the problem with mine was it wa too tight in the rollers on the sides, the door guy adjusted the width bolts on the door sections a little and it has never happened since.
Question Author
Doormatic still hasn't contacted me and arranged another visit. It's over a month now and I still can't operate the door electrically. It seems to me Doormatic is in Guildford or Esher and all the other outlets are working for them . So you don't know who you are dealing with . My local firm is
Dormatic Chalfont but they may as well be in India for all the help they are.
Why not approach them with your complaint on Twitter and see if they respond to negative exposure ... https://mobile.twitter.com/DoormaticDoors
Question Author
good idea . I have done a highly negative review on their home page so that won't do do their business any good.
Question Author
alavavhalf I've tweeted it but how do I get them to see it ?
Question Author
I think I've sorted it I've now left a tweet on their site although it doesn't
identify me so I will have to do another one.

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