Safety sensors are quite commonplace. It is because, in the US, it has been federal law since 1993 to have some safety system that will stop the garage door if something gets in the way. When your garage door detects an obstacle, these sensors allow it to reverse automatically. Since garage door safety sensors are critical for security, it is equally critical to keep an eye on them for symptoms of wear and tear. If the safety sensors on your garage door are not working properly, they will not be able to protect you from potentially dangerous situations. Learn about these four warning signs that indicate when it is time to replace your garage door safety sensors.
Garage Door Safety Sensors Repair Warning Signs
The Garage Door Opener Safety Sensors Light Is Flashing
Malfunctioning garage door safety sensors are one of the common culprits behind a garage door that will not close. You will be alerted of sensors not working properly by the garage door not going down when you press the remote or wall controller and the garage door opener light flashing ten times. Those ten flashes indicate an issue with your safety sensors.
The Transmitter Safety Sensor Amber Light Is Off
The transmitter unit (the sensor that sends the signal out) has an amber light indicating if it is getting power. The amber light should always be on if the unit is getting power. Even if the sensors are misaligned and are not completing the signal, the amber light should still be on. If the amber light is not on, the unit probably has problems with the wiring.
The Door Will Not Fully Close
The door may stop and start again because the sensor has detected an obstruction in its path. This is to prevent the door from closing and injuring any person or object that may be in the way. A faulty sensor can cause the door to close even when there are obstructions present. This issue must be fixed right now since it poses a risk to everyone’s safety.
A Door Closes Despite the Presence of an Obstacle
A door that closes regardless of who or what is obstructing it is a symptom of a garage door safety sensor failure. Instead of sensing you walking or driving under the door, the sensor perceives the space as free and clear, allowing the door to close. The door may not even halt despite hitting the roof of your vehicle or your head. This could indicate that your sensors need to be replaced. Only a professional garage door technician can figure out what is wrong with your garage door sensors and make the necessary repairs so you can feel safe again.
Reasons Why Garage Door Safety Sensors Go Bad
When dirt or spiderwebs obscure the sensor lenses’ view of the garage door opening, they may fail to function. Cleaning the lenses will allow your door to function normally. If your garage is particularly filthy or your street is notorious for dust, you should clean your sensors regularly.
The wires connecting the garage door sensor system might deteriorate over time due to constant use, weather, and pests. You may need to replace the sensors if they show signs of deterioration, such as water damage or gnaw marks.
Garage Door Repair Service From Titan Garage Doors Quad Cities
A service expert should handle residential garage door repair and garage door safety sensor replacement. If you cannot fix your garage door sensors on your own, call Titan Garage Doors Quad Cities for help. We are experts when it comes to garage door safety sensor repair. If your garage door needs to be serviced, call us at (309) 808-7181.
