Like any other machine, your garage door opener occasionally needs adjustments to make sure it continues to work properly and safely. If your garage door is not properly maintained, it can become a major risk to your family’s safety and liability for your property. While it’s always best to have your garage door inspected and serviced by a garage door repair technician, the specialists at MP Garage Doors in Southeast Alabama recommend these three ways to adjust your garage door opener.

How to Make 3 Garage Door Adjustments

1. Adjusting the Limits

If your garage door does not open or close all the way, you need to adjust the door’s limits. Most standard garage door openers can be adjusted in similar ways, but always consult your owner’s manual before attempting any repairs. To make your door open wider, turn the limit adjustment screw clockwise. To make your garage door close all the way, turn the limit adjustment screw counter-clockwise.

2. Adjusting the Force

If the garage door reverses direction when it’s opening or closing, you may need to adjust the force. If the door reverses when it’s closing, first, check to make sure there is nothing blocking the sensor. If it’s clear, increase the down force. If the door reverses directions when opening or does not open more than 5 feet, increase the up force.

3. Adjusting the Safety Feature

All garage doors come with a safety reverse feature to prevent harm to people, pets, your car, and anything else underneath a closing garage door. To test this system, place a 2x4 across the door’s threshold. If the garage door stops, but does not immediately ascend, adjust the safety feature. Turn the screw on the down-limit clockwise by one-quarter, and then, test the system again.

If this all sounds a bit too difficult, call MP Garage Doors at (334) 793-2089 to have a repair technician adjust your garage door opener for you. You can also visit the website for additional information.