You are all set to go to work. The kids are off to school. The car is already in the driveway with the engine running, but the overhead door won’t close down. You are just thinking: can I just go one single day without problems stalling and frustrating me? This is the thought millions of people have every single day. Guess what? Some problems are fixable. Some of them can be even prevented. One of the most common garage door problems is related to the sensors. The door might open fine but when pressing the wall button or the garage door clicker to close it down, it will only move a few inches and then stops and returns back up. This is clearly a problem with the reverse mechanism, so therefore you must check the sensors.
The purpose of photo eyes is to prevent accidents. When the beams transmitted by each device are interrupted by an obstacle, the descending door is supposed to stop its movement and return back up to its original opening position. There is a reason why safety sensors are installed 6 inches over the floor. They must see small objects, a dropped bicycle, a cat or a crawling baby. The good news is that the sensors are easily checked, tested, and aligned. If the problem is worse and they must be replaced, it’s best to rely on the services of Garage Door Repair Roswell.
Test the Sensors Often to Avoid Trouble and Accidents
Next time the door reverses the minute it starts travelling downwards, check the sensors. It’s wise to clean the lenses and check the floor first just to make sure there is nothing in the way, although when the door immediately reverses, the sensors are not aligned. If you look closely, you will notice there is a green light on each device. It must be strong and don’t blink. Try to shake them a bit until the light is turned on again. Sometimes, the sensors are pushed by children or by the car, thereby losing their initial position. Check the bolts or other fasteners securing them on the bracket and confirm they are tightened. If the problem is not fixed, check the wires coming out of each device. Follow the travelling across the wall and ceiling to the garage door opener unit. Inspect them for any damage and make sure they are connected well.
If the wires are frayed, disconnect the electric garage door opener, remove the damaged wire, and place the new one. Make sure the terminals are properly connected at the opener unit and sensors. Then you can plug in the opener again. In order to avoid sensor problems, you must:
* Keep the sprinkler for plant watering farther away! If the sensors got wet, wipe them well and let dry before using the electric operator again. Water might cause a short.
* Protect the sensors from the sun. If they are exposed to the sunlight for many hours daily, they will start malfunctioning and you will be dealing with a reversing door often. In order to deal with such a problem use a small cover made of cardboard or plastic to use as an umbrella over each sensor. Be careful not to interfere with the beams.
* Test the reverse mechanism often. Once you are sure the LEDs are on, place a tool or other small object under the closing door. It should come in contact with the object, stop, and reverse. If it doesn’t, there might be a more serious problem.
