Garage Door Motor Repairs

Surge Damage — The Most Common Motor Fault in Gauteng

National load shedding has been suspended since 2025, but Gauteng still loses power — to scheduled load reduction in affected suburbs, cable theft, substation faults and summer storms. In almost every motor we're called out to afterwards, the damage wasn't done while the power was off. It was done in the instant it came back, when the voltage spike reached an unprotected control board.

Common repairs and warning signs

• Control board diagnosed, then repaired or replaced depending on which is the better value
• Surge protection fitted after every board repair, so the fault doesn't come back
• Backup battery tested at the same visit — a battery that failed during the outage often hides a second fault behind it
• Remaining components checked for heat damage before the repair is signed off

Repair or Replace? An Honest Answer

Repair is usually the better value while the motor is under about eight years old and the fault is a single component. Replacement becomes the better option once the motor is older, has needed a second major repair within a year, or uses a discontinued board.

Common repairs and warning signs

• Repair: the fault is a gear, belt, limit setting, beam, remote or battery
• Repair: the motor is under about eight years old and parts are still in production
• Repair: the board is undamaged and only a component has failed
• Replace: the motor is more than 8–10 years old
• Replace: it's needed a second major repair inside twelve months, or the board has already been repaired once
• Replace: the model is discontinued and boards are no longer available

Where replacement is the right answer, a new motor supplied and fitted falls under Garage Door Automation — we'll always say so rather than repair a motor that isn't worth saving.

Booked Repair or Emergency Callout?

This page covers booked, diagnosed motor repairs — not stuck, damaged, or urgent doors. Here's how to tell which service you need:

Common repairs and warning signs

• Motor won't respond, but the door can still be opened by hand and it can wait for a booked slot → Garage Door Motor Repairs (this page)
• Door stuck open or shut, off its track, panel or spring damage, break-in damage, or a car trapped inside → Emergency Garage Door Repair, 24/7
• Manual door you want motorised, or a motor at the end of its life → Garage Door Automation
• The door itself is worn out, rusted or being replaced → Garage Door Installation