GARAGE DOOR WON’T OPEN OR CLOSE WITH REMOTE CONTROL

Don’t you just hate it when technology doesn’t do what it is supposed to do? It doesn’t matter if the waffle iron has shorted out, or if your computer’s flat screen suddenly broke – we want and need our appliances and technological tools to work whenever we need them to. The same goes for your garage door opener and remote. We have them installed for a reason; they move your Peachtree City, GA garage door up and down as needed. Maybe you are leaving for vacation and just want to think about the good times ahead. Or, you might have an important job interview and your mind is focused on that. The last thing on your mind is that your garage door remote has stopped working.

Should you call for repair?

Here at Peachtree City Garage Door Repair we often get calls about garage door opener and remote failure. There seems to be confusion at times what to do about it. We are often asked if we should step in or if the customer can service their own hardware. Our answer is; that depends. If the problem is your opener itself, it should be serviced by a garage door repair pro. If the problem is simply your remote, most always, you can fix the issue yourself. Keep reading and see in greater detail what we mean!

Do this first

If you suspect that your remote control is not working; do this first. Simply check your remote’s battery. Wasn’t that simple? You certainly don’t need a local Peachtree City, GA garage door expert for that. Just take out the battery from your remote and test it at home with your battery tester. Most testers are inexpensive and you can get a good one for between $5 and $10. If you don’t want to spend the money, or don’t have one already, simply take your battery to any local store that sells batteries and they will test it for you free of charge. Some of these stores include The Battery Store, Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Sears. You are under no obligation to buy a new battery from them but if you do need to replace yours, it might be nice gesture on your part to patronize their store.

Check the terminals too

Frequent dropping of your remote and/or frequent battery changes can loosen your remote’s battery terminals enough to cause the battery within to be ineffective. Fortunately, you can tighten your terminals yourself. Simply squeeze them together gently until they hold the battery tighter and with enough of a grip to transmit battery power as needed. If there are traces of leakage, be sure to clean that up with a cloth as battery fluid can also interfere with the effectiveness of your remote control.

Remote buttons

If your remote buttons are sticking or if you notice that you have to hit the button several times in order to make it work; then your remote may be worn out. Please don’t make the mistake of thinking that your entire opener system is damaged; it isn’t. Remote controls do wear out with age and use so if you have a spare, use it or order another unit from your opener manufacturer.

Also, older remotes can lose their programming and this can cause it to stop working. They simply can’t retain their memory so you’ll need to re-program yours if this is the case. Newer remote models don’t need this but yours might if it’s older. For directions on how to do this, refer to your owner’s manual or look it up online as almost all of them are available in PDF form.

Safety sensors

This is a tricky one. Many people are fooled into thinking that their remote is broken when in fact, it is not! It only seemed that way because when the remote button was pushed; nothing happened. Sometimes the problem is your safety sensors. Be sure to inspect your photo electric safety eyes and make sure that the LED lights are lit. If they are blinking or out, you should have them checked. While you are at it, look for frayed wires, unplugged system, misalignment and blockage by garage materials like tools, trash cans, bicycles, etc. Also, clean any spider webs from your safety sensors as they not only block the signal, they are also so sticky that leaves, dead bugs and other debris cling to them and make the matter worse. Your sensor lenses should always be clean and clutter free. Use a soft cloth to wipe them every so often. If they appear to be misaligned, simply manually adjust them until the light is on again and the beams match up. Test your safety eyes by initiating your garage door movement and by intentionally blocking the signal.

Wall lock button

Some garage door opener systems have a lock button located on the wall unit inside the garage. This was designed as a safety and security system so that remotes cannot be used to open your door. It is usually activated when the residents go on vacation or out of town but leave the car (and usually the remote inside it) at home. Sometimes the lock is activated by accident or is forgotten and left on by mistake. It then does what it is supposed to do; block the garage door from opening! If your opener system includes this wall switch lock, release it and see if this ends your access problem.

Still need help?

If the problem still persists and you haven’t been able to make your remote control work as it should, it is probably time to call a specialist. Peachtree City, GA is home to many garage door repair experts that offer affordable prices, expert service and superior quality hardware. Why not call them and explain your situation? Be sure to relate to them all of the symptoms that you’ve noticed and what you’ve done to remedy the problem. Remote service for garage door openers is typically not expensive or complicated so the issue should be fixed quickly and without a big expense.

Article source here: GARAGE DOOR WON’T OPEN OR CLOSE WITH REMOTE CONTROL

IF YOU’RE FACING GARAGE DOOR TROUBLES, HERE’S WHAT TO DO!

Are you having difficulties with your on-the-blink garage door? After opening and closing thousands of times over the years, it’s bound to require some sort of attention. There are numerous reasons for garage door problems. Here are some of the most probable possibilities and solutions.

 

 

Easy Issues to Fix

 

Does your garage door not close at all? Your garage door has a photo eye on both sides. Between them is an invisible beam, which, when broken, prevents the garage door from shutting. See if these sensors are misaligned or grimy.

 

Check your transmitter batteries. Perhaps they simply need replacement, and then your garage door will work.

 

Does the garage door opener run, but your garage door doesn’t budge? If there’s a power failure, your garage door opener comes with a disconnect switch allowing you to open or close your garage door by hand. This switch is attached to a rope or knob, which can get unhooked inadvertently. Close or open the door manually all the way, then securely reattach the hook. Finally, with your transmitter, try opening or shutting the garage door again, and now it should work.

 

Is your garage door opener running for a few seconds, then turning off? If your garage door still doesn’t move, and the door’s shut while the garage door motor is attempting yet failing to lift the door, then it’s time to examine the springs. If that isn’t the issue, check the track for any tiny obstacles. If neither of these is it, then see if your garage door is the kind with a built-in lock that’s been engaging accidentally. This often happens with older garage doors.

 

Does your garage door go down all the way, then open again? The open-and-shut limit settings of your garage door opener are probably on the fritz. These settings tell the garage door opener how far the garage door has to move before being completely closed. If the settings are set too high, the garage door will touch the floor before the opener thinks it ought to, because it assumes the door is hitting something in its path. It will reverse automatically, to stop from crushing it. To find out how to set the open-and-shut limits, check the manual.

 

Is your garage door opening and closing randomly? If it’s opening or shutting all by itself, it’s not only inconvenient, but also unsafe. First, look at the transmitter. Make sure it’s not stuck beneath some object that’s inadvertently pressing on the control mechanism. For example, the transmitter might be underneath items you forgot in your automobile, or somewhere else in the vicinity. Also see what the transmitter’s frequency is; a neighbor may have exactly the same one you have.

 

 

Complicated Issues

 

Your garage door track might be out of alignment. This is bad. The metal track of your garage door has to be properly aligned, or it won’t move. If there are any bends in the rails, or gaps between the rail and the rollers. The weight of the garage door will compound these issues as the years pass, so don’t procrastinate, because the door could become dangerous. It’s time to call a professional.

 

Does your garage door slam down with a bang? You likely have a broken tension spring, which normally counters the garage door’s weight. Or, the cables connected to the tension spring are broken. Either problem is hazardous. Hire a garage door repair expert.

 

What if your garage door goes down part way, and opens again? A garage door is designed with a reversing mechanism to prevent it from smashing an item caught in its path. The reversal instruction is activated by anything on the ground blocking the garage door’s path, such as a toy, box, trash can, or bicycle. But also there might be a buildup of debris on the garage door’s tracks ~ dirt or a small object ~ which will stop the rollers from moving forward. This is serious, requiring professional attention.

 

If your garage door won’t open at all, it’s very likely that the spring is failing. Your garage door probably has one or two torsion springs. If either of these springs is broken, the door will malfunction. Hire a professional for repair or replacement.

 

Don’t adjust the garage door yourself, unless you’re an engineer! If not serviced correctly, a garage door spring can cause injury or even be deadly. The garage door bottom brackets, cables, and drums may also need adjustment. Consult a local reputable professional garage door company. If you’re in Peachtree City, Georgia, consider a legitimate company such as Peachtree City Garage Door Repair.

 

 

Prevent Future Issues

 

Set up a regular garage door maintenance schedule. To extend the life of your garage door, it’s smart to keep your garage door in tiptop condition. Especially if you use your garage as an office, game room, or workshop, you ought to maintain it very well.

 

Lubricate your garage door springs, rollers, and hinges ~ at least once per year, before winter arrives. Without lubrication, the springs will rust, and the coils will bind. Use a top brand, so it won’t dry out. Just a light coating will do the trick.

 

Schedule an annual inspection with a trustworthy local garage door company. Cables, pulleys, springs, and wires require extra attention by an expert technician.

 

Every two years, clean your garage door and it will last much longer. Wash it on both sides with a sponge and mild dish soap and water. Rinse well. Clean the garage door opener sensor eyes too, using a dry, clean cloth. Keep the area around the sensors free of cobwebs and dirt. If your garage door is steel, apply car wax to protect against cold weather. If your garage door is wooden, if there are any signs of peeling or chipping, apply a coat of paint.

 

Once a month, go over the components of your garage door system. Tighten loose bolts. Replace worn parts. If you notice any strange noises when your garage door opens and closes, be sure to investigate.

 

Garage door maintenance takes minimal time and effort, and it’s absolutely worth it. You’ll spend a lot less on any repairs that do arise, and you won’t likely need to replace it for a good many years.

Article source here: IF YOU’RE FACING GARAGE DOOR TROUBLES, HERE’S WHAT TO DO!