How to Check Your Garage Door Safety Sensors

Are you planning a home improvement project or you moved into a newly acquired property? Investing in a property is a milestone in life that is worth celebrating! However, a critical factor to be considered is the safety of your loved ones because automatic garage doors can be a potential hazard.

That is why all garage door openers that was manufactured after 1993 were mandated by federal law to be equipped with an automatic reverse feature or safety sensors. The purpose is to help reduce domestic accident that could lead to fatal injuries.

If your automatic garage door is acting up or takes time to sense an obstruction in the doorway, then you need to check and fix the safety sensors to avoid regrets.

How Garage Door Sensors Work

The garage door sensors are installed to ensure the safety of users. They are designed with a photo eye reversal system, or safety eyes that works with the motor of the door. Once the sensors identify any obstruction or an object in the doorway, it stops and reverses the movement of the door.

However, do not panic if you notice that the sensors have stopped working because it is an issue you can resolve.

5 steps to Check Your Garage Door Safety Sensors

Step 1 Get a Cardboard Box

Now that you understand how the sensors work, it’s time to check if the ones on your door is working perfectly. Get a cardboard box. It’s easy, buy the cardboard sheets from any hardware store or make one yourself. You can also use any object like chairs, bags or ordinary carton.

Step 2

Place the cardboard box or any other object in the garage doorway. To get effective results, you need to ensure that the box is in front of the garage door sensors. 

Step 3

We assume that the door is already open, then try closing it by pressing the button or you can use the remote. At this stage, you need to be very observant. Check how fast the sensors identify the object and the speed of reversal.

Step 4

In case the garage door fails to stop, that means there is an issue that has to be resolved!

The first step to resolving this issue is to align the sensors. In most cases, they are not properly aligned and that is the reason the door is malfunctioning. Check if the LED is blinking, and realign them.

Step 5

Sometimes dirt and spider-webs could be the problem. Just get a soft cloth and clean the lens. You should also check for broken wires or damages along the connections. 

Step 6

Get the second cardboard box or items to run another test. We assume that the door will reverse and work perfectly. But if the problem still persists, then it’s time to call a professional.

Call the Professionals at Bob's Advance Garage Doors

Garage door sensor issues shouldn’t be neglected. In case you consistently experience problems with your garage door sensors, call the garage door professionals at Bob's Advance Garage Doors. 

Our technicians have years of experience working on different types of garage doors. We have the latest tools to troubleshoot and identify the problem – whether simple or complex. Give us a call for garage door repairs, replacement or installation and a professional will attend to your needs.