Common Reasons a Garage Door Sensor Stops Working
(& How to Fix It)
Garage Door Sensor Replacement
The sensor devices along the tracks of the garage entry are prone to exposure and damage. With the lack of checkups and regular adjustment, the sensor will eventually succumb to damage and break. As such, it’s best for you to learn how to adjust garage door sensors or decide when to replace these devices.
Many businesses can help you with choosing a new sensor model. There are also tons of options in the market, so you can match and purchase sensors that suit your needs. For every garage owner, there is a fit model that can help with an increase in garage safety. You don’t need to buy the same model and brand for the garage door sensor replacement.
signs for necessary sensor replacement
The first question you can ask is, “when should I replace the sensors?” There are some strong signs that you should replace the sensors instead of booking a repair. Newer sensor devices can be more reliable than old ones with inefficient functions and power consumption.
sensors are old
Sensors are mandatory items inside any garage. According to US laws and regulations, since 1993, all garages should be equipped with working sensors. Many brands and models of sensor devices are durable enough to last decades. As such, garage owners from that time may still have the same sensors inside the tracks from the 1990s. If the sensors are too old, it has undergone a lot of weather damage and exposure. It’s best to know how to replace garage door sensors or book for garage door sensor replacement. Keeping all garages safe is a top-notch priority for every property owner. This can only happen with pristine tools in mind, so scout for newer models and brands that suit your garage.
severe sensor dAMAGE
The main reason you need to know the installation process or book for replacement service is damage. The door sensors are some of the most exposed items inside the garage. Imagine the daily weather conditions bringing a lot of factors that can cause the sensor material to deteriorate. The unsolicited impact from moving vehicles or obstruction can also contribute to the damage of the sensor.
The photo-eye lens may be too dirty or under too much damage from the sun. Rainwater may be causing moisture leaks inside the photo-eye build of the sensors. Calamities may end up destroying the brackets or loosening the holding hardware in the tracks. Moreover, severe force and impact can cause the sensor to break eventually and not function.
AUTO REVERSAL METHOD DOESN'T WORK
The primary function of the garage door sensor is to prevent the traversing of door panels when there is an obstruction. Anything blocking the light beams SHOULD signal the door opener to stop the door panels from descending. The auto reversal mechanism should work as soon as the light beam or the LED light indicator turns red.
A dysfunctional sensor can cause a lot of potential accidents inside the garage. Imagine if you have pets, children, or bigger items standing in the path of the traversing door. If the sensors don’t signal the obstruction, people get hurt, and things get broken. It’s better to replace the sensors if you notice that the auto reversal isn’t as effective and efficient as before.
CONSTANT FALSE SIGNALS
The photo-eye of each sensor is responsible for detecting the obstruction. It’s also the source of the light beam of the sending sensor, which is beside the LED light indicator. Sometimes, the photo eyes send the wrong signal to the garage door opener. You will have a hard time closing the garage, even if nothing is blocking the pathway.
If there are too many false signals from the sensor, then the damage may be severe. The sensor circuit may be corroded, or there is damage to the sensor’s circuit board. Consider finding a replacement sensor to ensure that there will be no false signals causing the garage to stay open.
obvious signs of wear and tear
Since the sensors are exposed all the time, wear and tear will appear. Check for scratch marks and signs of damage around the build of the sensor. If there are dents and wedges in the bracket, the bracket may lose hold of the sensor. Find new brackets, or replace the sensor set, which includes the mounting bracket of the device.
Check for any scratches in the glass of the photo eyes. Scratches can lead to water build-up and moisture inside the sensor’s lens. The water build-up can end up corroding and causing damage to the sensor. Replace the sensors with newer units.
some things to consider for the sensor replacement
Since the sensors are exposed all the time, wear and tear will appear. Check for scratch marks and signs of damage around the build of the sensor. If there are dents and wedges in the bracket, the bracket may lose hold of the sensor. Find new brackets, or replace the sensor set, which includes the mounting bracket of the device.
There are some approaches you can take to replace a sensor unit in the garage.
diy installation
If you know how to install garage door sensors and have time, you can consider doing the task alone. Search and buy brand-new sensors for the garage. Ensure that the wires of the sensors are long enough to reach the power source. Keep yourself safe and always wear the proper protective equipment inside the garage.
professional service
Some many services and businesses cater to garage door sensor replacement. With a team of professional technicians, you don’t have to worry about laying out the new sensors. Experienced technicians can estimate and install the new sensors in no time. It doesn’t take a lot of time to set up the sensor. You don’t need to block off many days for the job.
make an appointment with a garage door repair company
We are Sterling Garage Door Repair. We help all garage owners set up brand-new sensors in the garage. All property owners deserve a safe garage with functional sensors in the tracks. The process starts with assessing the sensors and inspecting the garage.
Other parts of the mechanism should be in working condition for the sensors to work well. The opener should work together with the sensors for the auto reversal mechanism. The tracks should be in a good place to ensure that both sensors are opposite each other properly. Nevertheless, we are here to help with the job and keep your garage a safer space.
