What is a garage door opener exactly, and why is it so critical to the security and privacy of your household?
It might not shock you to learn that garage door openers are exactly as they sound: they are mechanisms that can open and close your garage doors. However, it is important to note that these devices are fairly new innovations.
Your grandparents, for example, were unable to park to their cars without first getting out and manually opening the door, making garage door openers an incredibly helpful but often overlooked innovation.
While traditionally, garage door openers have been known for both convenience and some pesky noisiness, there are now models available, such as belt chain openers, that offer homeowners an easy entrance to their garage along with some much-needed peace and quiet
But just as with your garage doors themselves, garage door openers will need maintenance, repair and occasionally even replaced parts.
Garage Doors Openers Installation and Repair by C Town Doors
Before learning about some of the commonly required repair services for garage door openers, here is a little more information about the types of openers and the parts that comprise them:
Chain Drive
Chain drive openers are lost-cost, popular options that are often seen as the industry standard for residential properties.
A chain drive opener will somewhat resemble a chain conveyor belt, and functions with the help of many little parts, including sprockets, screws, pulleys, cables, wires and batteries.
Of course, given the number of small parts and complexity of a chain drive, it is important not to try to figure out and solve any issues on your own and instead contact a professional when things begin to go awry.
Belt Drive
Although not significantly different from a chain drive, a belt drive does offer smooth operation without all the disruptive noise often associated with chain drive openers. Like chain drives, belt drive openers have a slight assembly line resemblance, and are constructed with a single belt along with a series of pulleys and connectors.
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DC or AC Motors
Most motor-operated systems in Canada today are powered by AC motors, although DC motors are on the rise and also come with a distinct set of benefits.
The biggest benefit of an AC powered motor is the price. In many cases, you can find an AC powered motor for a much more affordable cost than most DC motors, although the operation may be less sophisticated and offer less control over things like noise and speed.
While AC powered openers are more popular, they also have a bigger reputation for noise. DC motors often have different speed controls, and are known to be both quieter and smaller than AC models. Battery back-ups are also available, which is a worthwhile investment as you would be able to leave and enter your home even during a black-out.
Other Opener Parts
Tracks
Your garage doors are not lifting up and receding backwards as the result of magic– they run on tracks, like an item on an assembly line. When your garage doors are installed, your contractor will custom fit your tracks to ensure that your door fits. While the good news is that tracks themselves rarely need replacement or even repairs, a build-up of dirt and debris can affect their operation.
Rollers
Rollers are essential to ensure that your garage door runs as smoothly, efficiently and quietly as possible. For optimal operation, every roller should be balanced, well-oiled and rolling properly. Rollers essentially look like long, small wheels that, with the help of a garage opener, will roll along the track, helping the door up as they go.
Cables
Cables are the secret super power of garage door openers. Although their job is essential and can greatly reduce damages to your garage in the case of a broken spring, they are often underappreciated and not the first thing on anyone’s mind when your garage door starts to function improperly. While springs are the powerhouse of any garage door, they can take on excess pressure, which can quickly lead to damage, as well as devastating consequences for anyone around when a spring forcefully snaps.
Common repair services
If your garage door opener is not functioning properly, the issue could be as simple as a battery problem or missing screws, or incredibly complex.Of course, it is important not to give your garage an armchair diagnosis and take on the repairs as a DIY project. Instead, you should call a professional, as they will be able to find the underlying cause of your problem, as well as the best solution. If possible, you should reach out to the contractor who installed your garage door opener, as they will be familiar with your device.
Some common garage door repairs include rollers that are not properly greased or seated. If even one roller needs to be replaced, it can affect the whole system. Additionally, weakened or even snapped cables have the potential to leave your garage door badly damaged should a spring ever break. Unfortunately, however, some homeowners may not even notice cable damages until it is too late, as cables provide support more than anything else.
In terms of the opener itself, an all too common issue is a battery issue. You can call your contractor to replace an old or temperamental battery, but you can avoid the service cost altogether by simply investing in a battery back-up when you first have your opener installed.
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In some cases, the issue will not lie in the opener itself, but rather the wall switch that allows it to function. If this happens, the end result may be a wall switch replacement, or the replacement of certain wires.
Other common areas of repair include replacing the circuit board that allows your motor-operated opener to function, replacing the trolley carriage for your chain belt, adjusting the chain tension or simply lubricating the tracks and rollers.
If your garage door opener is acting up, or you have noticed a considerable decrease in operation quality, it may be time to call a professional and ask about repairs or even replacement services.
