Pulling into the driveway, you grab the garage door remote, push the button and nothing happens. You try again with the same results. Several more attempts, you finally give up and begin searching for what could be the problem.
When any electrical device is not working the first thing to consider is the power source. Is the unit plugged in? Take a look at the circuit breaker and reset if necessary. Did this take care of your problem? If not, try plugging another electrical device into the same outlet as the garage door opener. If that device works, the power supply is not the problem and we need to try a few other tests.
Next, try pushing the opener control button on the wall unit and note whether either the small green light or the overhead light blink or come on at all. If the light is blinking check to see if there is anything blocking the sensors from communicating with each other. These are the two sensors located on the track on both sides of the door, about a foot off the ground. It could be a tool, a trash can, spider webs, dirt or anything. Either something is blocking the two sensors or the tracks are misaligned. The sensors are installed for reasons of safety. They prevent hazards by keeping the doors from closing when something is blocking them.
If the garage door labors to open, then stops, suspect a broken torsion spring. If they appear broken in any way at all call a professional garage door repair service. Do Not Attempt To Repair a malfunctioning torsion spring. It is a difficult and risky repair and could cause serious injury. Leave it to the professional garage door contractor.
If the garage door opens and closes with the main control button on the wall but does not open or close when using the remote or keypad, change the batteries in the remote and keypad and try again.
If that didn't resolve your opener problem, the unit may be in lock mode. If it is in lock mode the light on the main control would be blinking. Your wall unit comes equipped with a button that you press for a few seconds and release. If the light is not blinking any longer than you have solved the problem.
If the door still does not respond, the garage door opener itself may have a bad component. If the door sounds like it wants to open but does not and the torsion springs are intact, it's probably a bad capacitor which can disable the motor entirely. It could also be a bad power board or control board. Once again, we recommend you leave these types of repairs for the experts.
If you're experiencing issues with your garage door opener, contact the experts at Overhead Doors of Lansing!
Showing posts with label Garage Door Openers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Garage Door Openers. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
How the Cold of Winter Affects Your Garage Door Opener
Anyone who owns a car in places with cold winters knows from firsthand experience that extreme cold causes mechanical problems. Therefore, it shouldn't come as a surprise that your garage door opener may not function as it should when the temperature drops.
These problems come down to how the cold causes the metal components of your garage door opener to shrink. When moving parts shrink, they don't quite fit together as they should, which can cause them to seize. The tendency to contract also stresses and may warp the garage door tracks, which increases the likelihood of the rollers getting stuck. Furthermore, the cold causes grease to thicken, and moving parts already affected by the cold are also held back by thick, hard grease.
Low temperatures make the metal in your garage door springs "want to contract." They can't do this because they are held in place. This stresses the metal. In addition, the metal becomes brittle in the cold. What happens to your stressed and brittle springs when they are near the end of their service life? They break.
Here's what you can do to prevent cold weather issues:
Since cold temperatures are at the heart of the above problems, it makes sense to keep the cold out of your garage as much as possible. Insulate the door, the walls and ceiling of your garage. Make sure the seal at the door bottom makes full contact with the floor. Insulation also saves on heating costs in the winter, and air conditioning costs in the summer.
Weak and old springs tend to break in the winter because of the reasons discussed previously. Contact a garage door serviceman to evaluate the condition of your springs. If they're on the verge of breaking, the serviceman will be able to determine this.
Use a solvent to clear out old grease and then use a cloth to wipe away the solvent. Lubricate the parts with a silicone-based lubricant. Apply lubricant to all moving parts including those not caked up in grease. This will make them less likely to seize in cold conditions.
If your garage door opener tracks are slightly misaligned in warmer weather, the cold can worsen the problem. Have a garage door professional check the alignment and make the necessary adjustments.
Whenever an ice storm coats your door with ice, don't try to open the door because the door bottom will be iced to the floor. Furthermore, the ice coating is weighing down the door and lifting the extra weight will stress and possibly damage your garage door motor. Remove ice from the entire door including its bottom. You should manually check to see if the door freely opens before using the garage door opener. Also clear out any snow buildup at the floor below the door because it may trigger the safety reverse mechanism when closing the door.
If your garage door opener needs a winter tune up, give us a call today.
These problems come down to how the cold causes the metal components of your garage door opener to shrink. When moving parts shrink, they don't quite fit together as they should, which can cause them to seize. The tendency to contract also stresses and may warp the garage door tracks, which increases the likelihood of the rollers getting stuck. Furthermore, the cold causes grease to thicken, and moving parts already affected by the cold are also held back by thick, hard grease.
Low temperatures make the metal in your garage door springs "want to contract." They can't do this because they are held in place. This stresses the metal. In addition, the metal becomes brittle in the cold. What happens to your stressed and brittle springs when they are near the end of their service life? They break.
Here's what you can do to prevent cold weather issues:
Insulate Your Garage
Since cold temperatures are at the heart of the above problems, it makes sense to keep the cold out of your garage as much as possible. Insulate the door, the walls and ceiling of your garage. Make sure the seal at the door bottom makes full contact with the floor. Insulation also saves on heating costs in the winter, and air conditioning costs in the summer.
Have Your Old Springs Checked
Weak and old springs tend to break in the winter because of the reasons discussed previously. Contact a garage door serviceman to evaluate the condition of your springs. If they're on the verge of breaking, the serviceman will be able to determine this.
Clean out the Grease and Apply a Silicone-Based Lubricant
Use a solvent to clear out old grease and then use a cloth to wipe away the solvent. Lubricate the parts with a silicone-based lubricant. Apply lubricant to all moving parts including those not caked up in grease. This will make them less likely to seize in cold conditions.
Check the Alignment of Your Tracks
If your garage door opener tracks are slightly misaligned in warmer weather, the cold can worsen the problem. Have a garage door professional check the alignment and make the necessary adjustments.
Other Winter Problems
Whenever an ice storm coats your door with ice, don't try to open the door because the door bottom will be iced to the floor. Furthermore, the ice coating is weighing down the door and lifting the extra weight will stress and possibly damage your garage door motor. Remove ice from the entire door including its bottom. You should manually check to see if the door freely opens before using the garage door opener. Also clear out any snow buildup at the floor below the door because it may trigger the safety reverse mechanism when closing the door.
If your garage door opener needs a winter tune up, give us a call today.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Garage Door Accessories You May Not Know About
If you've just installed a new garage door or are looking to revamp your garage, you may be wondering what you can add to make your garage easier to use, maintain and enjoy with the members of your household. Here is our list of a few accessories we think you'll be interested in adding to your garage!
Garage Door Openers: Garage door openers are a convenient and secure way to open and close your garage with ease. Openers can be installed on the inside or outside of your garage, as well as in your vehicle. Automatic openers are designed to handle varying weights and sizes of garage doors, so matter what type of door you have, an opener is a great accessory to invest in.
Garage Door Seals: A seal on your garage door will ensure that your garage stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The seal will provide protection from weather, pests, and even home intruders. A seal is an accessory you do not want to be without.
Fresh Air Screens: Zipper garage door screens allow you to keep bugs and dirt out of your garage while still letting some fresh air and sunshine in. They will not interfere with your door opening and closing and are easy to install. This is perfect for those who use their garage as a recreation or laundry room!
Parking Mats: A parking mat in your garage will catch any debris that falls off of your car. It will help to keep your walkways clean and dry, protecting you and your family from injury. It will also prevent you from dragging any mud or grime into your home. A bright colored parking mat with ridged material can help you to park in your garage as well!
Parking Sensors: Sensors come in a wide variety of models, but all are designed to help you park your car in tight garage spaces and ensure that your garage door has enough room to close behind you. Some models include a light sensor that will turn on to indicate you should stop, or a hanging object that is positioned to touch your windshield when your car is positioned appropriately.
To learn more about garage door openers and other accessories, contact us here at Overhead Door Company of Lansing!
Garage Door Openers: Garage door openers are a convenient and secure way to open and close your garage with ease. Openers can be installed on the inside or outside of your garage, as well as in your vehicle. Automatic openers are designed to handle varying weights and sizes of garage doors, so matter what type of door you have, an opener is a great accessory to invest in.
Garage Door Seals: A seal on your garage door will ensure that your garage stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The seal will provide protection from weather, pests, and even home intruders. A seal is an accessory you do not want to be without.
Fresh Air Screens: Zipper garage door screens allow you to keep bugs and dirt out of your garage while still letting some fresh air and sunshine in. They will not interfere with your door opening and closing and are easy to install. This is perfect for those who use their garage as a recreation or laundry room!
Parking Mats: A parking mat in your garage will catch any debris that falls off of your car. It will help to keep your walkways clean and dry, protecting you and your family from injury. It will also prevent you from dragging any mud or grime into your home. A bright colored parking mat with ridged material can help you to park in your garage as well!
Parking Sensors: Sensors come in a wide variety of models, but all are designed to help you park your car in tight garage spaces and ensure that your garage door has enough room to close behind you. Some models include a light sensor that will turn on to indicate you should stop, or a hanging object that is positioned to touch your windshield when your car is positioned appropriately.
To learn more about garage door openers and other accessories, contact us here at Overhead Door Company of Lansing!
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Garage Door Openers in Michigan
One of the most common features being put into homes these days is the addition of a garage. At one point in time, a home with a garage was a bit of a luxury item, but as times change, so do trends, and having a garage on your house has become so common that it's almost becoming the primary entrance to any home with one attached. The biggest thing to take into account in this regard now is how big of a garage you'll need: single car, double, so on and so forth. Depending on the size of your garage or door, you'll need to consider your options as it pertains to a garage door opener.
Like so many things today your options for garage door openers come in quite a few variations, depending on if this is for your own home or a rental, or if you're looking for something that's going to offer less noise or more power. If you're planning on the garage door being the primary entrance to your home, you may want to consider going with a higher horsepower motor due to the increased usage. Another feature that seems popular is the inclusion of Internet capability. Some newer garage door openers are even adding in WiFi as an optional upgrade. If you go with one of the Internet-connected openers, you'll save the headache of losing your remote or having to swap out your batteries.
Overhead Door Company of Lansing is ready to help you out in your search for the perfect solution to your garage door opener quandary. Specializing in customer service and knowing what each situation will require, we are available to take care of your every need. Contact us today to set up your appointment – we'll get you scheduled quickly and make sure you're happy with everything that is being done.
Like so many things today your options for garage door openers come in quite a few variations, depending on if this is for your own home or a rental, or if you're looking for something that's going to offer less noise or more power. If you're planning on the garage door being the primary entrance to your home, you may want to consider going with a higher horsepower motor due to the increased usage. Another feature that seems popular is the inclusion of Internet capability. Some newer garage door openers are even adding in WiFi as an optional upgrade. If you go with one of the Internet-connected openers, you'll save the headache of losing your remote or having to swap out your batteries.
Overhead Door Company of Lansing is ready to help you out in your search for the perfect solution to your garage door opener quandary. Specializing in customer service and knowing what each situation will require, we are available to take care of your every need. Contact us today to set up your appointment – we'll get you scheduled quickly and make sure you're happy with everything that is being done.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)