Getting Your Garage Door Working Again
As one of the most frequently used mechanisms in your home, a garage door can experience issues that prevent it from functioning. Homeowners can find this especially frustrating when they are running late or need quick access to their vehicle. If you are dealing with a malfunctioning garage door opener, you can take several simple steps to get it back up and running.
Check The Garage Door's Power Source
Before starting more complex repairs, it is important to verify your garage door opener is receiving power. Inspect the outlet where the motor is plugged in to ensure it is properly connected and there are no noticeable signs of damage or wear. Next, test your home's circuit breaker and confirm it has not tripped. If everything seems fine, but your remote still is not working, try replacing its batteries before moving on to more advanced solutions.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Regular lubrication of all moving parts associated with your garage door opener is essential for smooth operation and prolonging its life span. When friction increases between these parts due to lack of lubrication, it causes wear and tear while putting undue stress on the motor. There are numerous types of lubricants for garage door openers. However, silicone spray or white lithium grease are popular options, and experts often recommend them due to their long-lasting effectiveness in reducing friction. To apply lubricant effectively, clean the moving parts and proceed by spraying or applying a thin layer of grease onto rollers, hinges, and tracks.
Clean The Photo Eye Sensors
Photo eye sensors ensure proper function and safety for your garage door system. These sensors detect obstructions in the door's path and prevent it from closing in potentially dangerous situations. However, due to their low position, they can accumulate dirt and dust over time. Signs that your photo eye sensors may require cleaning include erratic opening and closing behavior or a complete failure to close altogether. To clean them effectively, use a soft cloth or cotton swab with mild cleaning solutions to gently wipe away any debris or buildup on the lenses.
Inspect And Replace Worn Out Gears
Over time, gears within your garage door opener mechanism can wear out due to daily stress. Before attempting gear replacement, it is important to recognize the difficulty of this repair. If the gear is not properly installed, it can worsen performance issues and even cause further damage to the garage door. For this reason, hiring a garage door opener repair technician to complete this part of the repair process can be required.
Contact a professional to learn more about garage door opener repair.