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Automatic garage door openers have been around for years now. As time has gone by, they’ve become more and more popular. Homeowners use them all over the world to make their lives easier, and they can be a great asset to anyone who owns or rents a home.
If you’re thinking about purchasing one of these doors or already have one installed in your home, there are several things that you need to know about them. Tom Garage Door Repair compiled a list of the most important things you need to know about automatic garage door openers so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not this is the right product for your home and garage.
How do automatic garage door openers work
Automatic garage door openers are a great way to make life easier. They can save you time by opening your garage door with just the push of a button and give you peace of mind that your garage door will close when it’s supposed to. But how does it work?
Some of the automatic garage door openers work through infrared sensors that detect when someone is near the opener. If there is no one near the opener, then it will not activate and open your garage door. If there is someone near the opener, then it will send a signal to open your garage door. The opener then opens the door using either a belt drive or chain drive system, depending on which model you have installed in your home.
Another option is pressure-sensitive pads that you place directly on your garage floor. They can detect when something or someone drives over them.
A wireless remote control system that allows you to open or close your garage door from anywhere in the world using an internet connection on a smartphone, or tablet device is another option. This can be a great convenience, for example, if you want to open your garage door from the inside of your home without having to go outside. You could even set up a two-way communication system so that you know when someone has arrived at the front door—even before they ring.
How long do automatic garage door openers last?
Automatic garage door openers are one of the most convenient things you can add to your garage. They make entering and exiting the garage easy and fast, while also reducing the risk of injury that comes with manually opening a heavy door. But how long do automatic garage door openers last?
The answer depends on several factors. The biggest factor is whether or not you properly maintain your opener. The more often you clean out your opener’s gears, check your cables for damage, and perform other routine maintenance tasks, the longer it will last. If you neglect these tasks, then your opener may fail sooner than expected.
Now, the typical lifespan of an automatic garage door opener is 10 to 15 years, however, there is a great deal of variation in quality and endurance among models. Some people’s openers have lasted as long as 20 years, while others’ openers have broken down after only 5 to 7 years. The answer depends on a variety of things, such as the sort of opener you have and how frequently you use it.
The two most prevalent types of garage door openers are chain-drive and screw-drive systems. Screw drives typically have a longer lifespan but are noisier and less efficient than chain drives.
Another factor is whether or not you use your garage door opener frequently. If you just use it occasionally, then there won’t be much wear and tear on the gears or cables—and therefore little need for regular maintenance. However, if you use it daily or even weekly for deliveries or other purposes, then those frequent uses will cause more wear and tear on these components over time—which means more work for you.
How often should you get your garage door opener repaired or maintained?
If you use your garage door opener every day, you probably want to make sure it’s operating at peak performance. The best way to do this is by having it checked and maintained regularly.
One of the best things you can do is get a professional inspection of your garage door opener at least once a year. A technician will perform routine maintenance checks and make sure everything is working properly. This will help keep your garage door opener running smoothly and safely.
Another thing you can do to help prevent problems with your garage door opener is to clean it regularly. You should clean off any dirt or grime that builds up on the tracks with a damp cloth and then dry them off thoroughly before using them again.
You should also check the safety sensors on your garage door openers monthly for signs of damage or wear—this could include cracks or chips in the plastic casing, missing screws, or broken wires inside the housing unit itself.
What are the common automatic garage door opener problems?
Automatic garage door openers are a great way to make getting in and out of your garage easier. They’re also a great way to avoid having to walk all the way across your driveway or yard when you want to get into your garage.
But what happens when your automatic garage door opener isn’t working? You might have one of these common problems:
Your automatic garage door keeps opening
There are a few things that could be causing automatic garage door opener problems.
- The sensor that tells whether the door is open or closed is broken. If your door sensor is broken, it will open at random times, even when there is no reason for it to.
- Your garage door’s safety sensors on the sides are broken or not working. If these sensors break, your garage door opener might think there’s something in its way when there isn’t. If that happens, it will keep opening and closing on its own until someone stops it.
- Your garage door opener was installed wrong by an electrician who wasn’t approved by the company or manufacturer (such as LiftMaster or Genie). This can cause problems with your garage door opener’s safety features, like if it keeps opening and closing on its own.
- If your remote control is faulty or malfunctioning, it may not be able to correctly start or stop your automatic door opener.
The automatic garage door only opens part way
When your automatic garage door only opens part way, it can be a nightmare. You’ve got a pile of groceries in the backseat and no way to get them into your kitchen without making multiple trips. Or maybe you have to leave for work in 30 minutes and your car is parked inside. When your garage door won’t open all the way, there are a few things you can try.
- First, ensure that the safety sensors on either side of your garage door are not damaged or snow-covered. If they have, clear away the snow or remove the sensors and retry.
- Check whether there are any obstructions in front of your garage door if that does not work. This might be a car, a bike rack, or simply a bush with excessive growth. If something is preventing your garage door from fully opening, it may be necessary to remove it before attempting to open the door again.
- Lastly, it’s always a good idea to unplug an electric motorized system like this one before troubleshooting it. If your garage door opener isn’t working right, unplug it and let any leftover electricity go away before trying again later. This is just a precaution to make sure you don’t get hurt while troubleshooting or fixing your garage door opener.
Your automatic garage door won’t open
Automatic garage doors are a convenient way to get in and out of your garage without having to park the car. However, when something goes wrong with your automatic garage door opener, it can be embarrassing and inconvenient.
One of the most common problems with automatic garage doors is that they won’t open or close. Here’s how to fix them.
First, check that the sensors are working by turning off the power to the garage door opener and then trying to open the door by hand. If it opens, your sensor is broken and needs to be changed. If you can’t open it manually either, turn the power back on and try to open your garage door with the remote instead of a key or button. If that works, then something happened to your remote control unit, and it needs to be replaced as well.
If neither of these options works or if they don’t seem like they should work based on what we’ve talked about so far (like if they were both supposed to work but didn’t), then there might be something wrong with your motor unit itself. You should call someone who knows how all this stuff works and has the time to come out and look at everything for free before deciding whether or not to replace anything.
The automatic garage door opener won’t close
It’s happened to the best of us: you’re getting ready to leave for work, and you hit the button on your garage door opener. You watch as the door glides up. Then, when it’s time for it to come down again, nothing happens.
It doesn’t matter how many times you press the button, or even if you try to open the door manually—nothing will make it budge. You can’t get out of your house. And if it’s raining outside… well, that’s just not going to go well at all. If your automatic garage door opener won’t close, there are a few potential causes.
- The power has been cut off, either because the power went out or because a fuse or circuit breaker blew. You might have to turn the circuit breaker back on or change the fuse.
- The safety sensor on the ladder has been triggered because something is in its way (like a leaf). Check for obstacles and, if necessary, move them out of the way. Sometimes this can be fixed by turning the circuit breaker back on or replacing the fuse.
- Your automatic garage door opener may not be working because it is old or because it has been damaged by the weather. If this is the case, you will probably need to buy a new one and then program it according to the instructions that came with it. If none of these steps work, you may need to get help from a professional.
What are the best automatic garage door opener brands?
Automatic garage door openers are an essential part of any home. They make it easier to get in and out of your garage, and they can also improve security by keeping your garage secure at night. Automatic garage door openers come in a variety of styles, but the best ones are easy to use and reliable. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite automatic garage door opener brands below!
- Chamberlain
- LiftMaster
- Genie
- Craftsman
- Marantec
- Linear
- Overhead Door
- Stanley
- Sommer
- TecMate
There are many different types of automatics on the market. For example, you can get one that is controlled by a remote control or one that is operated using a wall-mounted device.
When you’re looking for an automatic garage door opener, you should consider what type of model will work best for your home. If you have a large family or live in an area where it rains frequently, you may want to invest in an automatic with a built-in sensor system so that it won’t activate when it rains or when there’s too much moisture around your home.
Also, keep in mind that some automatics need to be installed by a professional while others can be easily installed by anyone who has basic knowledge of how to use tools like wrenches and screwdrivers.
Your Trusted Automatic Garage Door Opener Installers in La Quinta, CA
When you’re looking for a company to install an automatic garage door opener for your home, you want someone who will take the time to help you make the right choice and fit your needs. At Tom Garage Door Repair, we believe that the best way to accomplish this is by getting to know each of our customers and finding out what they need. We have been around for years servicing La Quinta now and we have seen everything from simple repairs to full renovations. We are proud of our record of providing excellent customer service and quality workmanship.
Our expert technicians are here to help you choose the right model for your needs and budget. You can trust our team of experts to work quickly and efficiently so that your garage will be up and running again in no time! Contact us today for an automatic garage door opener repair or installation.
