The Role of Safety Sensors in Preventing Garage Door Emergencies

Your garage door is the largest moving object in your home, weighing several hundred pounds. The door can have dire, body-damaging and property-damaging consequences if it does not have safety measures built into it. That’s because safety sensors—those little devices mounted near the bottom of your garage door tracks—are so crucial. They serve a safety function, preventing the door from shutting on a person, pet or other valuable thing.

Here, at DoorMaster Garage Doors Service, we know firsthand that a working sensor can make the difference between panic and confidence during an emergency.

How Safety Sensors Work

Safety sensors are powered by infrared beam technology. One of the sensors is serving as a transmitter, and the other sensor is receiving an emitted beam. Together, they make an invisible line down the bottom of your garage door opening.

• Detection: When the beam is obstructed by any object, such as a child or pet, this prompts the system to alert and open up backwards.
• Rapid Recharge: Prematurely stops the downward movement of the heavy door, significantly reducing potential injury.
• Daily Protection: From pets to delivery men, a bike in the driveway to a wandering child or a pet run.

Common Problems with Safety Sensors

Despite being dependable, there is still the potential for problems with safety sensors. Common problems include:

• Misalignment: Even a minor bump can dislodge sensors from their intended position.
• Filthy Lenses: Dust, dirt, or spider webs may stop the beam.
• Bad wiring: Loose or faulty wires can sometimes interfere with the messages.
• Sunshine Interference: Strong sunshine can occasionally break the beam.

If your garage door won’t close, or the opener’s light blinks, then the sensors might be to blame.

Why Safety Sensors Prevent Emergencies

If the sensors aren’t functioning, the garage door may attempt to close on top of something — or someone. This carries a series of risks.

• Injury to children or pets
• Damage to vehicles, bikes or personal property
• Service Requirements: Emergency repair requirement due to heavy impact

Sensors are an obstruction prevention device that helps prevent a garage door from closing on anything in its way, thereby ensuring the safety of people/pets and avoiding costly emergency calls to release the door.

Maintaining Your Garage Door Safety Sensors

Regular maintenance can keep your sensors efficient:

• Wash the lenses with a soft cloth once a month.
• Check for alignment if the door won’t close properly.
• Inspect wiring for damage.
• Test the system by placing an object in your door’s path, and it should stop and reverse itself immediately.

Preventative maintenance goes a long way towards preventing catastrophic incidents.

For Safety and Repairs, Trust DoorMaster Garage Doors Service

Safety sensors might be small in size, but they have a big job when it comes to keeping your garage door safe and functional. Protect your property with regular inspections, sensor repairs, and emergency garage door services to keep your system in excellent condition, from DoorMaster Garage Doors Service.

Reach out to DoorMaster Garage Doors Service for quality garage door safety sensor repair, check or emergency service. Protect your property with a local professional you can rely on.