Being a homeowner isn’t something you should take lightly because a house is an investment. Consequently, this also extends to the things you own, such as a car. A car is another high-ticket expense like a house, so you must store it appropriately in your garage. However, garage doors can also experience problems, such as a blocked sensor.
Modern garage doors can make your life much easier to operate. They have features like a remote to automatically open and close your garage door as you drive up to your house and a sensor to open the garage door as you drive away. However, blocked sensors pose a problem because they’re the primary component that makes a garage door open or close. For this reason, one must be aware of the possible reasons why this happens.
How Garage Door Sensors Work
Infrared is the primary energy that makes a garage door sensor work. The sensor will send a signal to the opener when it detects a beam of infrared energy. The opener will then reverse the door to its fully closed position and repeat the opening process until it stops.
Regardless of your garage door type, the sensor mechanism is the same. These sensors are located on your garage door tracks, which is why the door will not open when it encounters an obstruction. The sensors can be optical or magnetic, and the latter is more common on older garage doors.
Other things that can interfere with the sensors are magnets. These magnets can be taken from a refrigerator or speaker magnet and put in the sensor. Once the magnet is inside the sensor, the motor will not be able to detect the obstruction, and your garage will not be open.
What Causes a Blocked Sensor?
Many things can block a garage door’s sensor. These include:
Obstructions and Debris
Garage doors are designed to open every time you return home. However, building up obstacles such as leaves, paper, and dirt on the sensors will cause the garage door not to open. You need to clean off the sensors regularly to prevent this from happening. Check if there are any other obstacles on the sensor, such as a sticker, to ensure that it’s free from debris or obstruction.
Dirty Photo-Eye
A dirty photo-eye refers to the part of the sensor that takes a picture of an object and processes the image to decide if it should open. A sensor may be dirty when you come home if you find a lot of dust on the mirror. You need to clean it every time you park your car in the garage.
Sunlight
When sunlight hits the sensor, it can be more intense than the infrared energy that a sensor emits, potentially interfering with a garage door’s ability to detect an object. For optimal performance, you need to close the window shades or wall panels facing your garage door.
Fixing a Blocked Garage Door Sensor
If a garage door isn’t opening or closing, it’s best not to force it because it will likely damage the garage door or the opener. Instead, troubleshoot the sensor. Because a garage door is a significant part of your home, it’s best to call the professionals for a thorough check and fix your garage door if you can’t find a solution. You don’t want to be stuck with a garage door that isn’t working during emergencies or bad weather.
Professionals can check if your garage door’s sensor is blocked by using an infrared camera. This device can detect infrared energy beams, the fundamental component of garage door sensors. When you hire a professional to fix your garage door, they will check your entire garage door assembly to ensure that there aren’t any damaged or worn parts. They will also check the door’s alignment and ensure no additional problems can hinder your garage door from working correctly.
Conclusion
Garage doors are essential for any home, but a malfunctioning garage door is nothing but an inconvenience. The parts of a garage door are delicate and can experience wear and tear with age. If you have problems with your garage door, contact a garage door expert to check the system and fix your garage door.
Garage Door Repair – Salt Lake City, UT, provides top-quality services for garage door repair. Our garage door specialists will ensure that your garage door will be appropriately repaired and maintained, all for an affordable price. Reach out today to get a free estimate!
