When you have a motorized garage door, it’s essential to maintain it properly. Otherwise, you could end up with your vehicle trapped inside or being unable to get in, forcing you to park it on the driveway or road. Here are a few steps you can take to keep your garage door opener operating effectively.

How to Maintain a Garage Door Opener 

1. Make Sure the Sensors Are Working

Excess use can knock door sensors out of alignment. If this happens, they won’t be able to sense if there’s anything in the doorway and will stop functioning correctly. Most doors have lights on the sensors, one on each side of the door. One sends a signal to the other, and if they’re blinking, it means the signal isn’t working.

Loosen the screw attaching the sensor to the wall, and move it slightly until both lights are on. To check which side is skewed, tie a piece of string from one side of the garage door to the other in line with the sensors, and then use a spirit level to see if they line up.

2. Check the Chain Drive

The chain drive opens your door and works like a bicycle chain. Keep it clean and well-lubricated to stop dirt or grit from getting inside, which would cause it to seize up. Also, spray it once or twice a year with a light penetrating oil to keep it working smoothly.

3. Fix a Sagging Chain

A chain is the main moving mechanism of your automatic garage door. It runs along the ceiling of your garage, from the motor controlling the system to the door itself. If your chain sags below the rail keeping it in place—even just half an inch—the slack can cause excess wear on the drive sprocket.

The drive sprocket is a wheel with teeth that grip into the holes of the chain, pulling it up or down depending on the direction you’re turning it. If the teeth wear down, it won’t be able to create traction on the chain. A garage repair professional can fix the issue by fine-tuning the adjustment bolt. This can be a little tricky to get right, as the chain will snap if you make it too tight, so it’s best to work with a professional. 

Tracey Door is one of the leading garage door repair specialists in Rochester, NY. With over 30 years of experience in Monroe County, this family business has worked on almost every type of garage there is. Whether you need one of their certified installation technicians or a door repair professional, you’ll receive exemplary customer service from every team member. Call them today at (585) 426-6060 or go online to request a free estimate.