When Should Your Garage Door Motor Be Replaced
The motor for your garage door is an essential part as it powers the carriage, and can open or close the door when you push the buttons of your remote or enter your code on the keypad. If everything is working properly, the motor should come on instantly when you signal the door to close or open, and it should shut or open the door in just a few minutes. Similar to every other motor that you use, a garage door opener is only able to last a short lifespan and could have a variety of issues that can prevent it from operating correctly. That means there will be an occasion when you will need to get the garage door motor replaced. Here are a few indications of the need for the replacement of your garage door motor.
Motor Makes Excessive Noise
Garage door motors will always emit a sound however, they shouldn’t get too loud or make strange noises. If the garage door opener sounds incredibly noisy, it’s a sign that it’s starting to fail and having difficulty opening and closing the door. Scraping, grinding and squealing sounds emanating from the opener are all the time a sign that your motor is not working properly and requires to be replaced or repaired. If your garage door’s motor is louder than usual or has an unusual sound we recommend that you have it examined at the earliest opportunity.
Garage Door Opens and Closes Slowly
When a garage door motor gets older, it can become more difficult to open the door and shut. If your motor’s in excellent shape and functioning correctly your garage door will completely open or close within 10 to 15 minutes. If you notice that it’s beginning to take longer than 20-30 seconds to get your garage door closed or opened, this is an indication that your motor has worn down and should be replaced.
Garage Door Won’t Shut or Open
Garage door motors are typically damaged with time, however some situations can make them cease to function completely. When your garage doors suddenly don’t shut or open, you must first inspect the inside of the garage and ensure that the trolley remains linked to the motor and all the tracks have fallen off the tracks. Also, you should check the torsion springs as well as the lifting cables to identify any problems and check to see if anything blocks the door. If everything appears like it should, but the door doesn’t seem to be able to open or close it is recommended to inspect the motor. The issue could be due to an electrical issue in the outlet the opener is connected to or the motor has burned out and requires to be replaced.
Garage Door Stalls
Garage door openers that are unable to open and close only a fraction of the way, before stopping are a common problem. The reason for this is usually due to bent tracks or the rollers being broken. If the tracks and rollers are in good condition and appear normal, it could be an indication that your motor may be damaged and require replacement. In any case, this is an issue you’ll need to get an expert look at as soon as possible because the garage door that becomes stuck is hazardous and may cause serious injury.
Garage Door Opener Isn’t Always Responsive
Also, your garage door motor must start immediately after you press the button on your remote or the keypad. If you notice that you need to press the button on your remote a few times before the motor starts responding, the first thing you need to do is replace the batteries on the remote. If this does not resolve the problem or the motor sometimes does not respond to the keypad, you’ll be required to have the opener examined. Most of the time the issue is that the motor is suffering from electrical problems and will need to be repaired or replaced.
Garage Door Opens and Closes On Its Own
Garage doors that open and close can be an issue because they can allow anyone to gain entry if the door opens while you are away, or during the night when you’re asleep. The buttons on a remote or the keypad may sometimes become stuck and cause the motor to close or open by itself. But, this issue more typically indicates an issue in the circuit board of the motor that is causing the issue, like the short circuit. A short circuit may cause the motor to start which causes the door to close or open independently. If you find that the garage door opens and closes by itself then you must replace the motor immediately to protect your family and home security.
Garage Door Reverses, and Reopens Immediately After Closing
Another common issue is the garage door closing and the motor then reverses and opens the door. The reason for this is usually because of a problem with the safety sensors that help to stop the doors closing in case there’s something within its path. The first step when you notice this problem is to ensure that the sensors are aligned after which clean and disinfect the lens of the sensors. It is also important to check that nothing is blocking the connection between the two sensors.
The safety sensors function by sending a light beam back and forth. If the sensors are not aligned properly and the lens is dirty the beam of light cannot pass between them. This can lead to the door not closing completely or reopening after it’s shut.
If your sensors appear in good condition and aligned properly, but the issue persists it is usually a sign that the motor is experiencing problems with its electrical system or components that are worn out. You’ll have to get the motor examined and replaced or repaired.
Garage Door Opener is Old and Dated
A garage door motor should be capable of performing approximately 10,000 open and close cycles before deteriorating. This implies that the motor will last from 10-15 years or more at maximum, depending on how often you shut and open your garage door daily. If the motor you have is more than 10 years old, we’d advise replacing the motor as quickly as possible even if it’s operating properly.
Older garage door openers may not be entirely secure, as they are often programmed with the exact access code, and that code doesn’t change. This means that thieves could gain access to your garage using a remote for an alternative door that uses the same opener model. Modern garage door openers employ an access code that can be changed every time. This type of opener can only be compatible with your remote. By reinstalling your garage door opener you’ll be able to also ensure that your garage door is working properly and make your home safer.
If you require the motor of your garage door repaired or replaced, or if your garage door requires any repairs, you can count on Precision Garage Door Las Vegas to help. We are experts in the installation of garage doors and repairs. We handle residential and commercial garage doors for clients across Las Vegas and Henderson. To learn more about our services or arrange an inspection for your garage door get in touch with us today.