Your garage door sensor isn’t just a convenience; it’s an integral part of your entire garage door system. For 30 years, federal law has required these sensors to ensure door safety and prevent accidents.
Keeping your sensors up to regulatory safety standards helps you comply with those requirements and grants you peace of mind. Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie has repaired and replaced thousands of garage doors and has the experience you can trust to keep your sensors working reliably.
Testing to See if Your Garage Door Sensors Are the Problem
When faced with a malfunction in your garage door, it’s important to promptly determine whether the problem is caused by your sensors. Understanding exactly how those sensors operate is crucial. Infrared sensors on either side of your garage door, usually no more than six inches from the ground, form an invisible line across your door.
When your sensors detect something in the door’s path, they won’t close, but if the sensors stop working correctly, you’re faced with a serious safety hazard. When sensors malfunction, the door may begin to shut and suddenly reopen for no reason or, more alarmingly, shut even when an object is in its path.
First, check the garage door open indicator lights located on the outer side of your garage door. Normally, these are green when they sense your sensors working correctly. If they blink red as you try to shut the door, your sensors are likely not correctly aligned. If they don’t light up, a faulty circuit board is one possibility. It’s also useful to visually inspect the wires of your sensor system, which weather, pests and other factors can damage.
How to Fix Your Garage Door Sensors
If your garage door hesitates when closing and then quickly reopens, there are a few approaches you can take before reaching out for a professional repair service. Your sensors may have become dirty, interfering with their ability to function. Cleaning them with a fresh microfiber cloth may be your only fix. Regular lens cleaning is an important part of garage door safety if your area is especially prone to dust or dirt. If your indicator lights are blinking or solid red, they need realignment.
For the more unnerving possibility that sensors are failing to stop your garage door, this is best tested by placing a household object, such as a cardboard box, in line with the sensors and testing whether the door closes when prompted. If it continues closing even with an object in its path, the sensors are faulty and must be replaced by a contractor. A professional evaluation can determine the root cause if it stutters but still stops.
Trust Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie for Garage Door Repair
Suppose your troubleshooting has uncovered a garage door sensor malfunction or your home tests are inconclusive. In that case, it’s important to get a professional evaluation from technicians whose skill, dedication and experience you can trust.
Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie offers sensor inspection and correction, as well as a wide range of same-day repairs, dependable installation and replacement services. We handle residential and commercial properties with friendly, prompt service and are available around the clock for emergencies. Check out our great deals to get started.
Keep your garage door safe and code-compliant. Contact us today for sensor inspection and repair.
