The garage door opener is the most critical part of a homeowner's garage system, and can cause big headaches if it is not functioning properly. Often a little know how and some simple tips can fix the problem and avoid a costly call to a service technician. For problems that are not immediately clear or for larger problems you still may want to refer to your owner's manual or a professional. This article highlights a few common and easily fixable issues that the average homeowner may face.
1. Transmitters will not operate the door.
This problem could be connected to malfunctioning sensors or infrared 'eyes'. Every garage door system is required by law to have a safety system that will not allow the door to close if an invisible path is blocked or interrupted. These sensors can be found on either side of the door close to the floor. If these are in any way blocked, the 'eyes' that supply the beam are dirty, or the wires connected to this part of the system are loose, the door will not close. Sometimes the sensors can be bumped and their alignment offset, which will also cause the system not to operate properly. Obviously these are all easy fixes and are the most common problems, however unplugging the garage door opener may also be a solution as a loss of power usually acts as a reset switch.
2. The door closes completely and then opens again.
Your garage opener system is configured with an open limit and a close limit. Both of these functions must be properly set as they control the distance the door is allowed to open or close before stopping. For example, if the doors' close limit is set at a distance larger than it takes for the door to close completely the system reads a safety hazard and automatically reverses the direction. The limit controls vary between several different styles of garage opener so in order to correctly make this adjustment you will have to research your specific model online or refer to your owner's manual for the specific location of these adjustments.
3. The opener makes grinding, scraping, or whirring sounds during operation.
These noises can indicate a variety of issues related to a range of components within the system. Problems with gears, motors, or the wheel tracks can all cause these noises so if you are not exactly sure what the problem is get a professional opinion rather than tinkering with the entire system. However, sometimes the track may need lubrication on some of the hinges or rollers. As part of your maintenance, you should be applying a low viscosity, permeating oil to these parts to prevent this. Sometimes springs can also squeak and groan due to use. While there is no way to test springs for their remaining life, be assured that the door will not fall when open due to a malfunctioning spring as there is no tension on them when the door is raised. The easiest way to check if your opener springs are ok is to disconnect the opener and raise the door manually. If you can do this without much trouble the springs are fine.
While there are countless other issues that undoubtedly arise with the varying garage door openers, those listed above are some of the most common and can be easily fixable. Obviously the best way to prevent issues is to perform proper scheduled maintenance and read your owners manual to ensure correct operation of your garage door and door opener. If you are having major problems with your system be sure to seek professional advice to avoid any accidents, and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions!
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