A garage door opener involves both electrical and mechanical elements, which may break down over time. If you find your garage door opener isn’t working properly, you may need to hire a professional to provide garage door opener repair services.
In this article, we’re taking a closer look at several common garage door opener repair services you may need.
Garage Door Opener Repair Services
Usually, you’ll never think about your garage door opener. You get home, open the door with your remote, and drive-in. If anything breaks down though, then you’ll need to find a way to repair it quickly. It’s not only inconvenient if it’s not working, but it also makes your garage a lot less secure. If there is a problem with your opener though, not to worry. Here are some of the most common garage door opener repair services, and how they’ll help you.
Changing Batteries
This is so simple, but it’s so easy to forget about. If the remote for your garage door opener isn’t working, then the batteries may have just died. This is very easy to test. Simply change out the batteries for fresh ones, and try pressing the button again. If the door opens now, you’re all set.
If it still doesn’t work, check the battery contacts in the remote. Sometimes they can corrode, which will stop the batteries from working. These can be polished to remove corrosion, so try this next.
If it still won’t work, then you may need to have the remote replaced. You can talk to the garage door company who installed the opener for you, and they’ll be able to provide you with a new one.
Plug the Opener in
One very simple thing that you should check is whether the opener is plugged in. You may expect it to be plugged in, but it’s easy for a plug to be knocked out of a socket, and so it can’t draw power. It could also have been unplugged for other reasons that you weren’t aware of until you come home and try to open the door.
As well as this, always check that the door hasn’t been locked manually. If you can heat the garage door opener moving, but the door won’t open, that’s a sign that the lock is engaged. Again, it’s a simple check but this could be why the garage door opener isn’t working.
Changing Out Garage Door Springs
If the garage door won’t open, it may not be the garage door opener that’s at fault. The springs on the door itself may be broken or worn out. These springs are what give the garage door the tension it needs to open up when needed. Over time, they will wear out, and won’t be able to perform as needed.
There’s an easy way to test if this is the case. All you need to do is unplug your opener, and open the garage door about halfway. Let go, and step back. If the garage door stays open, the springs are still in good condition. If it slides shut again, that shows you the springs need replacing.
Should you replace the springs yourself? Most homeowners won’t feel safe enough to do so. Springs are dangerous, even when they’re older and worn out. They can spring away when released and cause serious injury.
As always, we recommend contacting a professional for issues like this. A professional will offer a variety of garage door opener repair services and understand how to fix the problem safely.
Cleaning And Realigning The Photo Eyes
If you’re having a problem with the garage door auto-reversing, this could be down to the photo eyes. These are two sensors that sit at the bottom of the door frame, one on either side. They shoot an invisible beam between them, and if the beam is broken they will send the signal for the door to open back up. This is usually to ensure safety, so the door won’t shut if someone or something is in the path of the door.
If the door is auto-reversing even when nothing is there, that can be a sign that the photo eyes are dirty. It’s so easy for them to get dirty, as they are so close to the ground. Give them a wipe with a soft cloth until they are clean again, and try the door again. In most cases, this should be enough to get the door opener working again.
If it still won’t close, then the eyes may need to be realigned. This is a lot simpler than it sounds. Tie a piece of string between the eyes, and check it with a spirit level. If the string isn’t level, the eyes aren’t aligned with each other. Adjust them until they are, and then try the door again. Now, you shouldn’t have a problem.
Adjusting The Limit Switch
Do you have a problem with auto-reversing garage doors? Not a problem. The answer may be as simple as adjusting the limit switch on the garage door. This is something you’ll usually have to do with newer garage doors, as they won’t be programmed to work on your property yet.
The limit on your opener tells it where the ground is, so when the door shuts it knows when it’s touching the floor. If the limit isn’t right, then the door will auto-reverse as the opener thinks it’s encountered a blockage. To adjust the limit, you’ll be able to find the setting on the opener itself. Check your manual to see exactly how to do it. You may need to try a few different settings to get it right, but it’s fairly easy to do.
Call On The Professionals
If you’re still not sure how to repair your garage door opener, don’t worry. You can call on professional garage door repair teams who will be able to help you out. They are well trained in the garage door and garage door opener repair, so they can diagnose and fix the problem right away.
If you’re having problems with your garage door opener, one of these repairs will most likely help you get it back up and working. Most of them won’t take very long, and you’ll be able to use them again right away. Remember, if you’re ever stumped don’t be afraid to call for help and get the opener working again.