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Ideal Building Inspections > Monthly Maintenance > Home Care E-Book > Garage Door Openers |
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Garage door openers are generally quite reliable and for that reason are easily overlooked and taken for granted as long as they fulfill their function. These units do require routine maintenance and safety tests, as they can pose a safety hazard if improperly maintained. Every garage door opener should have a safety device that reverses the door if it encounters resistance when closing. Old door openers may not have these safety devices and should be replaced. Newer door openers also have a photocell beam that automatically reverses the door should anything block its path. Door opener manufacturers recommend that the safety reversal system be tested every month. Without a proper functioning safety reversal system, persons could be seriously injured or killed by a closing garage door. A simple monthly reverse test involves placing a 1" thick board or a 2"X4" piece of wood laid flat at the centre of the garage door. Activate the door opener to close the door. When the door hits the piece of wood, it should reverse and reopen. Activate the door opener again and this time try to hold up the door from closing at around waist level. The door should reverse with a few pounds of pressure only.
Since most door openers have not been maintained, sometimes for many years, the home inspector will not disconnect or disengage any part of the system to avoid damaging the system or changing the settings at the time of inspection. If the door has a photocell safety system, activate the door opener to close the door and block the path of the beam as the door closes. The door should reverse and reopen.
Consult the manufacturer's Owner's Manual for proper Testing procedures, Force and Travel adjustment procedures, and Troubleshooting guide. They may be available for download on the internet. |
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