Garages come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small and detached from the home with space above for storage. Others make it easy to open the garage door, park and walk right outside without ever facing the elements.

If you’re lucky enough to have a garage, you also know that they can come with an assortment of problems. From garage doors that won’t close to leaks, these are issues you must fix. Here are a few common garage problems and how to solve them.

Is your garage in need of a repair? Contact a garage contractor and get quotes from pros in your area.

Common Garage Problems

Like any other area of the home, garages are not immune to issues. However, it will have a unique set of problems since it has features that aren’t quite like other areas of the home. Garage doors seem to top the list when it comes to frequent problems. Here are a few issues you may be dealing with in your garage:

• Garage Door Opener Doesn’t Work
• Garage Door Doesn’t Close All The Way
• Cracks In Garage Floor
• Noisy Garage Door
• Items Disappear In Your Garage

Problem 1: Garage Door Opener Doesn’t Work

Have you ever tried to use your garage door opener just to find out it won’t do what you need it to? Sometimes, we find a “trick” to get it to work, but that only lasts for so long. From a dead battery to a poor transmitter, finding the quick fix to a broken garage door opener isn’t always easy.

Solution

Unfortunately, there’s not always a clear solution when it comes to a garage door opener that doesn’t work. First, try replacing the batteries. It’s a simple step that we don’t always think of. Create a routine where you change your garage door opener batteries every time you change your smoke detector to avoid this problem.

If this still doesn’t work, try seeing if something is blocking the door or sensor. It could be a small item that has simply shifted. This is an easy fix. If your garage door opener still isn’t working, it could indicate a larger problem like poor track alignment or broken springs. You’ll want to have this checked by a pro as soon as possible.

Problem 2: Garage Door Doesn’t Close All The Way

Some homeowners encounter the opposite problem. While the garage door opener works, the door refuses to close completely. Whether it's an inch or a few feet off the ground, this is a serious hazard. It could lead to burglaries or pest problems. Get this fixed right away.

Solution

The first step to correcting a garage door that won’t close completely is to check the sensors. If they aren’t properly aligned, that could keep the door from closing completely. You should also check to see if the sensors are clean and free of debris, as this can influence how the door functions.

If you’ve aligned and cleared your sensors, it could be a problem with the track. I’d advise making sure the track is clear and then contacting a garage contractor who can help identify the problem with the door. They’ll be able to easily identify what, if anything, must be replaced.

Problem 3: Cracks In Garage Floor

Over time, you may realize that your floor has cracks that seem to be getting larger. In a cement floor, cracks can cause leaks, insects and more to impact your garage. The quicker you solve this problem, the less you’ll have to deal with in the long run.

Solution

Small cracks in your garage floor can easily be taken care of by using a heavy-duty concrete crack filler. For larger cracks that need leveling, you might want to consider leveling your concrete. While this is an investment, it is the best way to keep your concrete floor even. The average cost to level a concrete slab is $825, with most homeowners spending between $598 and $892

Problem 4: Noisy Garage Door

Garage doors sometimes have a language of their own, producing noises you didn’t know were possible. Sometimes, the door makes a small creak and other times, it’s a grinding sound that can wake up an entire neighborhood. While annoying, a noisy garage door can be a symptom of a bigger problem with your springs.

Solution

The good news is that it could be one of two problems that could be an affordable fix. The rollers on the track may need to be greased, and you can easily do so by picking up garage door lubricant from your local hardware store. However, if that doesn’t work, you may have imbalanced springs, which will have to be repaired or replaced. The average cost to repair or replace an imbalanced garage door spring is between $45 and $65.

Problem 5: Items Disappear In Your Garage

One of the top problems in any home is organization. So, it’s no surprise that disorganization and clutter in the garage is a common problem for homeowners. From lawn equipment to tools and outdoor toys, your garage can be a catch-all that’s hard to keep clean.

Solution

The easy fix for a cluttered garage is to clean it up! Take time to get rid of old items you may not need such as boxes, toys and more. Sweep the floor and get rid of dust. If you find yourself cleaning your garage more than you anticipated, perhaps installing garage organizers is a good choice. Storage shelves and cabinets can make it easy to keep everything in its place. The average cost to organize a garage is $2,065, with most homeowners spending between $1,092 to $2,357.

Conclusion

A garage is a great place to keep items out of the weather but must be taken care of like any other room in the home. See if your garage has any of these common problems and get it repaired as soon as possible.