Tip of The Week

March 10, 2007

One of the hardest working machines in the house that often is forgotten about until it doesn't work is the garage door opener. Garage door openers are rugged devices that are expected to do many years of hard labor. An opener has both mechanical and electrical parts that could use a little maintenance and care. Always be sure the power is off to an opener before making any adjustments.

Speaking of electricity, the first thing to check if an opener doesn't work is the power supply. Is it plugged in? Are electrical wires loose or disconnected? Lots of household fix-its are just that easy.

Eliminate a sagging chain by adjusting the chain tension. If the chain sags more than 1/2 inch below the rail, it may bang against the rail and cause undue wear on the drive sprocket. Tighten the chain until it rests 1/2 inch above the base of the rail, but be careful not to overtighten.

A door that fails to open fully can be fixed by adjusting the limit screws. Unplug the opener and locate the up-limit adjustment screw on the power unit. Turn the screw clockwise. Plug in the opener, run it through a cycle, and see if you need to adjust it more.

Safety reversing sensors are those two little light-beam devices near the bottom of the door. If something breaks the beam while the door is closing, the sensor reverses the door. Sometimes, the beams can get out of alignment. Make sure the sensors face each other across the garage door opening in order to function properly.

Clean and lubricate the drive chain and track of the automatic door opener once or twice a year. Use a light penetrating oil instead of grease to keep from collecting dirt and grit.

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