When you move into your new home, there are a few simple things you need to double-check regarding the garage area.
● Test the clicker and make sure the batteries work.
● Make sure the door properly seals in all areas.
● The weatherstripping should be in good shape.
● The garage door opener should be in good working condition.
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If you watch Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix or have used KonMari Method to clean your garage, you might have heard them talk about the importance of your garage door opener. In this simple guide, we will provide you with the easiest ways to make sure this component is functioning properly. This is extremely important for the safety of you and your family.
STOP RIGHT THERE!
If the garage door opener hasn’t been used in a while, there is a vital list of steps you should go over to ensure it functions properly. It’s important you don’t use your garage door opener until you’ve gone over the following list of safety checks.
Step 1 > Your Opener Manufacturing Year is Vital
Here are the main models of LiftMaster garage door openers with their sticker locations and the information you can find on them.
On the face of your garage door opener, there should be a black and white sticker embossed with a few key stamps. These numbers are important when it comes to the safe operation of your garage door opener.
The first important element to look for in the area that says “MFG. Date.” This is the year that the garage door opener was put on the market. It’s extremely important that the opener was not designed before 1993. If it was, you need to contact a specialist and get a new opener immediately.
Use this FAQ to help you if your garage door opener is a Chamberlain model. There are different elements to look for when it comes to this specific brand.
Remember, anytime the opener was manufactured before 1993, you need to replace the garage door opener. The safety of your family is of utmost importance.
Why is 1993 such an important date?
Garage door openers have included 2 important safety mechanisms in the United States and Canada since 1993. It’s important your garage door opener contains these safety elements.
● The First Change is Mechanical: When your garage door is closing, if it hits an object that lies in the threshold, it instantly begins rolling back upward toward a closed position.
● The Second Change is Photoelectric: There are 2 units that are installed across from each other on either side of the garage door frame. These units are located about six inches from the ground. One unit emits a beam that the other unit receives. These beams are invisible, but when they are breached, a closing garage door will automatically begin opening to avoid shutting on anything in the way.
Still don’t think it’s important? Learn more about photocell safety beams here first. Then you can read these urban legends about planes opening garage doors and find out which ones are true. Don’t read these if you have a weak stomach. Here’s a clue; most of the stories you have heard have an element of truth to them!
Just because your door was made after 1993 doesn’t mean you are in the clear yet. There was another security feature added in 2012 that’s critical in regard to your family and home’s safety against burglars.
Since 2012, Security+2.0, a rolling code technology, has been installed on all Chamberlain garage door openers.
Indeed, Chamberlain and LiftMaster became aware that burglars could ride around with random garage door openers. These openers would be used to generate random codes that would open different garage doors. They could use the clickers in neighborhoods as they drove through them, finding any door that would randomly open. This gave them an opportunity to come back later and burglarize these homes.
This rolling code technology generates a new code each time your clicker opens the garage door. The old code is deleted and never used more than once. Each new code is only used one time, making your garage more secure.
Want to make sure your garage door opener has rolling code technology? Look for the Security+2.0 label on your Chamberlain, LiftMaster, or Craftsman garage door opener.
There are 100 billion possible code combinations from the Security 2.0 bank to choose from. This gives burglars a zero chance to gain access to your garage by using this trick. Because each code is only used once, even if they figure out the code to your door, it won’t engage the second time it is used. After the first use, the code is essentially useless.
Assuming your garage door opener contains both of these vital updates, you can begin the real safety checkup.
Step 2 > Testing the Reversal System
● Lay anything across the threshold of the garage door. A board or any type of long object will work just fine. As long as it crosses the threshold, you should be good to go.
● Use the clicker to shut the door.
● You should contact your local garage door and opener specialist if the door doesn’t instantly begin opening when it comes in contact with the object on the threshold. This means the updates aren’t in proper operation, and the door isn’t safe to use.
Step 3 > Testing the Photoelectric System
What to look for on your garage door when you want to check your photocell reverse system? 2 photo eyes installed on each side of your door no more than 6 inches from the floor.
How do I check the photoelectric system if I can’t see it?
● When the photoelectric beam is compromised, the garage door should immediately begin opening to avoid closing on anyone or anything.
● Never use a real person or animal when testing this system. Use a rolling wagon, a toy car that’s at least six inches high, or any other moving component. You don’t want to see what happens if the system doesn’t work and you’re using your foot.
● Try to close the door and break the beam at the same time. If the door doesn’t immediately begin opening, you need to call a technician and have the door serviced.
Step 4 > Checking the Wall Panel of Your Opener
Where is your wall control panel? On the wall, often by the access door leading to the house or beside the garage door itself, at least 5’from the floor.
● There is a panel on the wall of your garage that opens and closes the garage door.
● Make sure the open and close buttons work properly.
● You also want to test the light button to make sure it engages the garage door lights properly.
Step 5 > Make Sure the Clicker and Keypad Work
● Do you know the last time the homeowners had the clicker serviced or changed the batteries on the unit?
● Most clickers have an LED light that turns on whenever you press any button on the component. If you press the button and the LED light doesn’t engage, your batteries may have to be replaced.
● Here’s how to program many LiftMaster accessories. If you replace the batteries and the unit still doesn’t work, you may just have to reprogram the clicker. This is done fairly easily by following the steps on the above link.
● Learn more about remote controls, 3-button mini remotes, and universal remote compatibility. There could be times when you just need to program a new remote for someone in your family. Or, it’s possible you bought a universal remote and need to know how to program it. The link above can help you with both of these issues.
● An antenna wire always sticks out from your garage door opener. Don’t cut this antenna wire or pull it out. It’s a vital piece that needs to be installed for the clicker to work. If it is gone, this is why the clicker isn’t working properly.
Step 6 > Check the Emergency Release Rope and Handle for Manual Opening
Most garage doors made after 1993 contain a rope that hangs from the component. This rope isn’t for looks or for climbing. If this rope is pulled, it will manually open the garage door if you get locked inside.
The manual release rope should be located somewhere close to the garage door.
How to Test this Rope:
● Pull the Rope
Pulling the rope disengages the trolley and motor of your garage door. If pulling the rope doesn’t disengage the trolley, there’s no need to go any further. The door will not open manually, no matter how hard you try.
● Locate the Handle to Test
The handle is usually installed on the bottom of the garage door. If the trolley and motor were properly disengaged, the manual handle should easily open the garage door.
If your garage door spring system is well-balanced, you should easily be able to lift the garage door by the handle without using much force.
If you notice that the door is hard to lift, stop what you are doing immediately. You don’t want to break the garage door.
Close the garage door and slowly back away. This could indicate there is trouble with the spring, which could cause injury. The door will need to undergo maintenance.
Garage door springs are under extreme tension. If one is broken and ejects near your face or body, you could become seriously injured.
The opener isn’t the component that actually lifts the garage door. The spring is the piece that does all the heavy lifting. Most people do not know this.
Step 7 > Maintaining the Trolley and Rail of Your Garage Door Opener
Does your emergency release cord work? Good, you are almost finished with the inspection.
Can you handle a little maintenance?
The installer is checking if the garage door opener trolley slides well on the rail
● The trolley should slide easily along the rails when the garage door opener is engaged.
● Use a dry cloth to wipe the duration of the rail. Make sure all dust and dirt are removed from the length of this rail to prevent malfunction.
● It’s important you lubricate your opener rail with a lubricant.
● Great Tip: Since you already have your stepladder, go ahead and clean the springs and other components near the ceiling of the garage. It’s always easier to kill two birds with one stone!
You should perform these steps twice a year to make sure your garage door opener is not a safety hazard. It should only take an hour or two to complete this safety check-up.
Realized the Job is More than You Bargained for? Call a Specialist to Perform This Check-Up for You!
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Contact us any time at 902-624-8993.
We are more than happy to perform maintenance, repair, or installation of your garage door. Whether it’s the opener or the door itself, we can complete any maintenance or new installation.
Do you need a brand new garage door opener or a new garage door?
At SGM Garage Doors, we specialize in new installations. Sometimes the parts or components can’t be replaced or serviced. When this happens, it’s important to have a resource for brand new installation options.
If you already know which type of door you want, ask us for a quotation by email. We would be more than happy to provide you with a quote on the door and design of your choice.
Need to shop around a little more?
Check out our residential photo gallery. This contains real photos of jobs that we have completed in the past. You can draw inspiration from our past clients with this gallery!
Want to see what your new door would actually look like in its finished setting? Grab your smartphone and try our Design Centre. This gives you the opportunity to virtually build your entire garage door installation via computer. You can pick your design and the setting before you make your final decision.
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