What Steps Should I Take to Ensure My Automatic Garage Door Opener Is Safe?

Garage door openers can be super convenient. But, whether you've recently bought a home with a garage door opener installed, had one added to your home years ago, or have just had one placed recently, you want to be sure it's safe. This ensures you and all your family members have no worries when spending time in the home and garage.

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Was your garage crammed full of stuff? Don't be shy. It happens to a lot of us. Maybe you didn't even have the space to put your SUV inside. But you ended up lounging on the couch watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix, and you put the KonMari Method into effect to get rid of the things that no longer spark joy in your garage. Before you start parking inside, you have a few tasks to handle first.

Take a minute to check on garage safety

Picture of warning sign

There are two situations where you should wait before you make any changes. This includes buying a home with a used garage door opener or starting to use a garage door opener you've had a while but haven't needed to operate. This article will ensure you're safe. But that's not all! We'll also give you tips to keep the garage door opener functioning as long as possible.

First up, research when the garage door opener was manufactured

An example of a garage door label and where it can be found on different garage door opener models

Here are the main models of LiftMaster garage door openers with their sticker locations and the information you can find on it.

You'll find an important sticker on the garage door opener. It's going to provide crucial information such as the serial and model numbers. These can be highly useful if you need to have the opener serviced.

Also, make a note of the manufacturing date or MFG data. This gives insight into when the garage door opener was created.

Are you using a Chamberlain door opener instead of one from LiftMaster? Check out this FAQ for help.

Was the MFG date of the garage door opener before the year 1993?

It's a good thing you checked. Repairs and maintenance aren't going to be enough for your garage door opener. For safety, you need to replace the garage door opener.

What makes 1993 so crucial for replacing garage door openers?

As of 1993, all US and Canada-made garage door openers come with a set of reversal systems to keep you and your family safe and protected.

  • The first is a mechanical system. When the bottom of the door comes down and hits an item, it stops and will immediately go back upwards.
  • The second system is photoelectric. This includes a unit on each side of the door near the floor. One shoots an infrared beam to the other, which is a receiver. When the beam is broken, the motor stops and the door will move back up toward the ceiling.

Think it's okay to let it go for a bit longer to replace your garage door opener? First, you should get some information on photocell safety beams. You can also learn about the urban legends about planes opening garage doors and which of them are accurate.

If your garage door was made far past 1993, that doesn't mean you're good to go. Another date that you want to consider is 2012.

As of 2012, Chamberlain garage door openers come with Security+2.0. It's used to create rolling codes for more protection.

Why does this matter? Well, major manufacturers like LiftMaster and Chamberlain realized burglars were driving through nice locations while clicking on garage door remotes at each house. If the remote happened to work, they could sneak in and steal everything out from under the owners' noses.

With rolling codes, intruders will find it much harder to get into your home. The code changes every single time you use the remote for the garage door opener.

The Security+2.0 label

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.

When you press the button on the remote to use the garage door opener, one code out of more than 100 billion is used. The code used the last time is gone, and the door will not respond to it in the future. That code is used only one time. Stealing a code does a potential thief absolutely no good.

Have a garage door opener with all these features? Great! You can avoid burglaries and injuries. Now we can move on to the checkup process.

Second, test the automatic safety reversal system on your garage door is working correctly

  • Find a wooden board, brick, or other item and put it underneath the garage door.
  • Click the button to close the garage door via remote.
  • Watch to see if the garage door reverses when it hits the brick. If it doesn't, you aren't safe. Instead, contact our garage door and opener specialists so the repairs and maintenance can be handled.

Third, test the photoelectric safety reversal system on your garage door

A picture showing where is the photoelectric safety reverse system on your garage door and what it does

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.

Not sure how to test the photocell reversal system on your garage door?

  • Here's what to expect: The garage door should immediately stop and retract as soon as the beam is broken as it is closing. This can be done with an object or a body part.
  • When testing, you shouldn't use a body part, not a pet, since both of those are precious. Instead, use a bicycle or a stuffed animal that nobody plays with anymore. This ensures you aren't out a lot of money if the test goes wrong.
  • Now you can attempt to close the door at the same time as the bream is broken. Of course, if all is well, the door won't go down.

Fourth, make sure the control panel for your garage door opener is in proper condition

A picture of garage door opener wall control panel

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.

  • The first step is to see if you can press the open and close button and the door responds correctly to that.
  • Next, press the LIGHT button and ensure it also does what is expected.

Fifth, test that your keypad and remotes for your garage door are both functional

  • When was the last time you or someone else switched out the batteries in your keypad or remote? Not sure? You aren't alone.
  • There's a quick and easy way to determine whether replacement is necessary. Most of the time, you can click on a button and an LED light will come on. However, if the light is absent or the remote doesn't operate the door, your batteries may have to be replaced.
  • Are you still having issues with a non-working remote? Try reprogramming it. Learn how to program many LiftMaster accessories.
  • If the remote is still refusing to work or you need an extra for a spouse or the kids, you have options. Get some insight into remote controls, 3-button mini remotes, and universal remote compatibility.
  • Take a look at the antenna. This should stick out of the rear of the garage door opener. If it's bent upwards or has been hacked off, this can be detrimental to the range of the remote.

Sixth, inspect the emergency release handle and rope of your garage door

A picture of an installer a garage door opener emergency release rope and handle

The garage door installer is examining the garage door opener emergency release rope and handle

As long as you have a somewhat modern opener, there will be a rope next to the rail that goes from the door to the opener. Not the one for the garage tracks. The one for the opener!

You want to make sure the garage door is closed. Once that's done, the rope and handle that act as an emergency release will be right by the door.

Testing whether it works is easy:

  • Grasp the emergency release cord and tug on it

    The trolley connects in two areas. It goes to the motor of the garage door opener and the garage door itself. It moves when you electrically open or close the garage door. When you yank on the cord, it turns off the operator to move the door.

  • Find and lift the lifting handle on the garage door

    Next, try using the lifting handle. It's on the garage door. You may find it on one of the lower panels.

Assuming you have a well-balanced garage door spring system, the lifting process should be simple with a single hand.

Is the garage door hard to lift? Heavy? Stop what you're doing as soon as you notice.

Instead, close the door, move away from it, and keep others a safe distance from it. It will need to be inspected and then repaired or undergo maintenance.

Springs on garage doors are under excess tension. If one of them is malfunctioning or broken, it can cause damage or severe injury.

Were you under the impression that the door opener was what made the force to lift the door? It's not true. The springs handle all the serious work.

Seventh, handle garage door rail and trolley maintenance

If everything up to this point has gone well, you're almost to the finish line. Just hold on a little longer!

That's right. Now you can do a touch of maintenance!

A picture of an installer checking if the  garage door opener trolley slides well on the rail

The installer is checking if the garage door opener trolley slides well on the rail

  • Check that the trolley on your opener easily slides on its rail.
  • Grab a laundered dry cloth and use it to remove dust and dirt from the rail.
  • Try a petroleum-based lubricant to lube up the opener rail.
  • Finally: While you're already equipped with lubricant, a cloth, and a ladder, you can take care of maintenance for the hinges, tracks, and springs of the garage door.

Now you're all done! You've checked out everything you need to be sure the opener is safe. Make sure you do this at least twice every year to ensure your garage door opener is not a safety hazard.

Not sure you can handle the process? A garage door specialist can help you out!

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Get in touch with us at 603-524-4778.

Whether you need maintenance, repair, or installation for a garage door or an opener, we've been working with them for years. Our passion and knowledge are sure to be of help!

Are you ready to upgrade your garage door opener or invest in a new garage door?

At Laurent Overhead Door Systems, we're always happy to assist you with your garage door-related needs. First, we'll ask a few questions to get an idea of how much you want to spend and what needs you have. Then we can share some products that would be perfect for your specific situation.

Already know which garage door or garage opener you want to be added to your home?

Reach out for a quotation by email.

Prefer to do some more research to get inspired?

Check out our residential photo gallery. Or look at colors and designs of great garage doors on your home. All you need is a device and access to our Design Centre. It's the perfect way to create a door that meets your exact specifications.

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