Home Maintenance Tip: Inspect Automatic Garage Door Safety Shutoff

homezada-inspect-automatic-garage-door-safety-shutoff

There have been some recent accounts of homes being broken into because burglars are visiting the home posing as a potential buyer during an open house. With this top of mind, we wanted to remind our readers about investigating and doing a quick check of their garage doors. Most garage doors have an electronic beam of light or door eye at the very bottom. This beam is designed as a safety mechanism that stops the door from the door from closing if something is blocking this beam. These beams are great for protecting children and pets. They can also protect items that could receive damage from a large garage door. These wires can be bumped by a pet, a box of items or dust collected on the area.

Checking Automatic Garage Doors 

Take a look at the area to determine if there are frayed wires or something blocking the area. If there is something blocking it, move it out of the way. After you have moved the blockage, begin testing doors for proper function. If the wires are frayed to the point that the garage door does not work, call a garage door expert to repair them. Now that you know the garage door works, it is time to test the sensors or door eye.

When testing this area, use a small box or one inch piece of wood. Block the sensors area using this box or wood. Then try to close the door with the garage door opener. The door should not close but reverse once it hits the piece of wood. If the sensors are blocked by a large object, then the doors will not operate at all. If the door continues to operate, you will need to check your sensors. The sensors may need replacement. Check to make sure the connections are all in place for the automatic door opener. Also, switch all your garage doors to a manual setting.

If you have an outside door panel keypad that gives you access to your garage, check that the batteries are current. Also check that your current code for this keypad still works. If you have accidentally given your code out, change the code to a new, safe, and secure code.

For more information on this tip, visit the HomeZada Maintenance Checklist Tips.