
Why Won’t My Garage Door Stay Open?
Why Won’t My Garage Door Stay Open? A garage door that refuses to stay open is almost always dealing with a spring tension or balance
Mon (to) Sun: 7:30am - 8:00pm
San Antonio
When your garage door stops working,
you need someone who can actually show up.
Not a company juggling calls across the entire city.
Sentinel Garage Door Repair is a local, family-owned company based in North San Antonio.
We serve Stone Oak, Shavano Park, Hollywood Park, Castle Hills, Leon Valley, Timberwood Park, and surrounding areas
Whether it’s a broken spring, a malfunctioning opener,
or a door that’s completely off track, we handle it.
Here’s what we do:
From minor issues to complete system failures, we handle residential garage door repair on the spot whenever possible.
If your spring is showing signs of wear, making noise, or struggling to lift the door properly, we can repair the issue before it becomes a bigger problem. We inspect the full system and fix what’s needed.
When a spring snaps, the door becomes impossible to lift safely. We carry the right springs for most residential doors and replace them efficiently, with proper balancing so your door operates smoothly again
Opener acting up? Whether it’s running but not moving the door, making grinding noises, or responding inconsistently, we diagnose the issue and repair it when possible
If your opener is beyond repair or simply outdated, we’ll help you choose a reliable replacement that matches your door and your needs. We handle the full installation and make sure everything works together
Frayed or snapped cables can leave your door stuck or unbalanced. We will replace them properly to restore safe operation
A door that’s jumped its track is a safety hazard and can cause further damage if not corrected. We realign and secure the door, so it runs smoothly again
Looking for a new garage door? We install residential garage doors with proper spring and opener matching, not just what looks good, but what works right for the long term
Garage doors don’t always break during business hours. If your door is stuck open and you can’t secure your home, reach out and we’ll do our best to help you as quickly as possible
From minor issues to complete system failures, we handle residential garage door repair on the spot whenever possible.
From minor issues to complete system failures, we handle residential garage door repair on the spot whenever possible.
From minor issues to complete system failures, we handle residential garage door repair on the spot whenever possible.
Affordable Service
We believe in long-term relationships, not one-time transactions. Our prices reflect that.
10+ Years Experience
Over a decade in the field. We have seen every failure, every workaround, and every shortcut that should not be taken.
Free Estimate
We always show up, assess the problem, and give you a price upfront — no charge, no obligation.
Backed by Warranty
We stand behind our work and the parts we install. Every job comes backed by a warranty — no fine print.
1,000+ Customers
Years of hands-on work add up. We have earned the trust of over a thousand San Antonio homeowners.
Read what our customers have to say
See what homeowners are saying about us
Nihal P
15 hours ago
My torsion spring broke this weekend and I needed it replaced. Eddy came by and fixed it Monday afternoon. He was able to replace it within an hour for a reasonable price and even lubricated the door after.
Nick Abrutz
4 days ago
Eddie was very responsive and diagnosed our garage door problem quickly. Parts were readily available to repair and had our issue fixed within the hour. We could have waited until tomorrow but Eddie fixed it and saved us time and money.
Melissa Nacol
4 days ago
I had an absolute 5-star experience with Eddie at Sentinel! When our garage door went out during a busy weekend with family visiting, he was able to come out much faster than any other company in town. On top of offering competitive pricing, he replaced the motor and got everything fully working the exact same day. I'm so grateful for his prompt, high-quality service—I highly recommend Sentinel!
Tim Todd
7 days ago
Called after hours and Eddie graciously showed up and fixed the issues with the door quickly and very professionally. Would highly recommend Eddie and his company.
Joy Swartzbaugh
2 weeks ago
Eddie is a great garage door repair man. He was fast, efficient and very kind to my hyperactive big dog.
Garage doors are mechanical systems, and things can go wrong, even after a repair.
That’s why we back our work.
Every repair, every part, every new installation comes with a warranty.
If something isn’t right, we’ll make it right.
We’ll come out, look at the problem, and give you an honest quote – no charge, no pressure.
You’ll know what you’re dealing with before any work begins.
We’re a small, local crew.
When you call, you’re not getting passed around to a dispatcher in another state.
You’re talking to someone who actually does the work.
with a focus on:
(210) 864-9594

Why Won’t My Garage Door Stay Open? A garage door that refuses to stay open is almost always dealing with a spring tension or balance

Garage Door too Heavy to Lift? If your garage door suddenly feels much heavier than it used to, the spring system is almost always involved.

Garage Door Most Important Costs: What Homeowners Actually Need to Know Quick Summary There are three things that drive the cost of a garage door
Common Garage Door Problems We See Every Week
Garage doors are used more than almost any other entry point in your home, often multiple times a day. That kind of use leads to wear, and eventually, something gives. Here are the issues we run into most often:
This is the call we get most. The cause can range from a broken spring to a dead opener motor to a sensor out of alignment. If the door feels extremely heavy when you try to lift it manually, the spring system has likely failed. If the opener makes a sound but the door stays put, the issue is usually internal gears or the drive mechanism. Don't force it. We diagnose the exact cause on-site and fix it in one visit.
Grinding usually means worn rollers or dry hinges. Scraping points to a track that shifted out of alignment. Both get worse over time and can eventually cause the door to come off its track entirely. Catching it early is a quick, affordable fix. Waiting until the door jams turns it into a bigger repair.
Springs carry the full weight of the door, typically 150 to 350 pounds. When one snaps, you'll hear a loud bang from the garage, and the door won't move after that. This is the most common repair we handle across Shavano Park, Stone Oak, and the surrounding San Antonio area. We carry a range of spring sizes on every truck and complete most spring replacements in under an hour.
When a door opens but slowly slides back down on its own, the springs are losing tension. They're no longer strong enough to hold the door's weight in the open position. This is also a safety concern because a door that drops unexpectedly can cause injury or damage. Schedule a repair before the springs fail completely.
You hear the motor running, but the door stays put. In most cases, the internal gears inside the opener have stripped. This is common on units that are 10 to 15 years old. Sometimes a simple gear replacement solves it. Other times, the motor is worn to the point where a full opener replacement makes more sense than sinking money into an aging unit. We'll assess it honestly and let you decide.
If any of this sounds familiar, give us a call.
We'll figure out what's going on and walk you through your options.
No pressure, no surprises.
📞 (210) 864-9594
If you’re dealing with a broken spring, a stuck door, or a garage door opener that’s on its last leg, don’t wait until it gets worse.
These problems rarely fix themselves, and leaving them can lead to bigger
(and more expensive) issues down the line
local insured team
Or fill out the form below to request a free estimate.
We’ll respond quickly, show up on time, and explain what’s going on before any work begins. No surprises,just honest answers about what your garage door actually needs