Garage doors rely on several mechanical and electrical components being in good working order, and over time, some of these components can experience wear and need to be repaired or replaced. The motor unit on your garage door is essential for opening and closing the door, and when it begins to fail, it can impact just about every part of the mechanism. Aside from your garage door motor completely giving up and rendering the door non-operational, there are signs that it is failing and needs to be looked at by a garage door repair company. Read on to learn about a few common signs that indicate your garage door motor is failing.

The Door Opener Vibrates

The garage door opener houses the motor and typically operates pretty smoothly. If you notice the door opener vibrating either intermittently or consistently there could be a problem with a component in the motor. If a component in the motor has broken off or come loose, the vibrating will likely continue to worsen if you ignore it. This could lead to further damage and the frequent vibration could cause the mounting system to loosen and fall to the ground, which would only add to the cost of getting your garage door back into prime condition.   

The Door Moves Slowly

The power of the garage door motor determines the speed and ease with which the garage door opens and closes. If you notice your garage door seems to be opening and closing more slowly than it was, the motor is likely struggling and not operating at full power. You could be dealing with a circuit fault or simply a motor that's worn out due to age, but it's best to get it looked at quickly, as what can start as a problem that simply needs a replacement part can turn into a burnt-out motor that can't be fixed and needs to be replaced.

The Door Makes Excessive Noise

Your garage door will make some noise when opening and closing and the level of noise tends to be determined by the type of drive system you have. For example, belt-drive garage doors tend to be quieter than chain-drive garage doors. However, the noise should not be excessive and should not vary from one use to the next. So, if the noise your garage door makes when in operation has increased, the power of the motor may have decreased. Out of the ordinary noises, such as clanking and banging, could be caused by loose or damaged parts.

If you think your garage door motor is faulty, have it inspected before you're dealing with a complete failure, which would prevent you from accessing your garage and could make a repair trickier. Reach out to a professional to look at your garage door motor.