Garage door openers are a convenience many homeowners enjoy. However, they don’t last forever. When garage door openers start showing their age, it’s important to get an inspection. If your garage door opener is experiencing any of these failure signs, it might be time to call an expert:
1. Vibrations
Vibrations can be a sign of loose, bent, or old parts. Vibrations might seem innocuous at first, but you should take any signs of garage door opener failure seriously. If you don’t, it can lead to serious injury or damage. For instance, some vibrations can cause the opener to come loose and fall, which means it could hit you, your car, or other possessions. It’s better to minimize costs by replacing a garage door opener when it first shows signs of wear rather than letting it get to the breaking point and cause expensive damage.
2. Sudden Reversals
If your garage door starts to open and then suddenly reverses, it could be a sign something is wrong with the security sensors. The electrical circuit for your security sensors may need repair, or debris and clutter may be blocking the sensors. If electrical troubleshooting and clearing debris and clutter away doesn’t help, it’s time to request an inspection.
3. New or Louder Noises
Garage door openers are noisy generally, but you should be able to tell if there are changes such as new or louder noises. If the garage door opener is noisier than usual, something is likely wrong. Openers tend to get louder when they’re about to give out, making this a prominent sign you’ll need a garage door opener repair.
4. Unresponsiveness
If your garage door opener stops responding, it’s not an immediate sign of failure. The batteries in your remote control may be dead, or there may be a fault in the wiring. Both problems can be fixed, but if the problem is a wiring issue, it may be simpler to replace the garage door opener. This ensures you won’t have the same problem again, at least not for a long time.
5. Your Garage Door Opener Has Already Gone Through Repairs
If your garage door opener has already gone through multiple repairs and developed a new issue, it’s time to replace it. It’s not cost-effective to keep repairing a failing garage door opener over and over again. Don’t waste any more time on machinery that won’t stay fixed.
The Benefits of Replacing Your Garage Door Opener
When you’re sure your garage door needs replacement, it’s time to consider all the benefits of doing so. Not only is it convenient to have a working garage door opener, but it can also make your home safer and more efficient. Here are three benefits of replacing your old garage door opener:
1. Better Safety Features
Garage door openers made before 1993 are not equipped with an automatic reversal feature. Automatic reversal prevents children and pets from getting crushed if they run under a closing garage door, as security sensors make the door retract at signs of movement. If your garage door opener is old or failing, it presents a hazard. Don’t put the safety of your family members and pets at risk.
2. Improved Security
Old garage door openers are vulnerable to security breaches. Older technology relies on a single code, which burglars can easily steal using a special device. New garage door openers function with a “rolling code,” which means the code changes every time you open the garage door. This makes it impossible for burglars to lift the code.
3. Wireless Features
New models of garage door openers are compatible with wireless devices. That means instead of relying on a remote control, you can open your garage door using systems in your car or smartphone. Additionally, wireless compatibility allows you to receive alerts on your smartphone whenever your garage door opens.
Need An Inspection?
Thunder Garage Door & Locksmith Services can help you determine whether you should replace your garage door opener. Our team is just a phone call or a message away. Contact us today for a free quote!