Many people use garage doors as pseudo entry doors, getting inside their homes through the attached garage. However, unlike the simplicity of traditional front entryways, these setups contain interworking parts that help the system rise and fall with the push of a button. When you use your fob, an infrared signal is relayed to an electric motor that spurs the track-and-pulley system into operation. Sensors prevent the door from closing shut on a person or object. When they malfunction, it creates a safety risk and impedes the unit's functionality. The guide below explains the benefits of these sensors, how they work, and when to seek garage door repair.

What Are the Benefits?

Garage doors can weigh several hundred pounds and could cause significant harm to a person, pet, or car if they were to fall on them. In response to this, the government created a law back in 1993, which made it mandatory for all of these units to contain safety sensors. 

Older models had a mechanical response that meant that the door would automatically reverse direction if it hit an unexpected object. Since then, a system based on infrared sensors has come into popularity. By stopping the door from colliding with the obstruction in the first place, it reduces the risk of injuries or scratches. Plus, the more advanced technology can warn owners of a problem by blinking.

How Do These Sensors Work?

On either side of your garage door, two sensors are fixed to points six inches off the ground. These "photo eyes" watch and communicate with each other, creating an invisible infrared laser line. If something "trips" this system by being in between the laser eyes, the door will retreat upward. Because of this, if your door is refusing to close, first check that there isn't a box, bike, or some other object interrupting the signal. 

The photo eyes might also be obscured by cobwebs or dirt, so wiping them with a damp cloth might fix your problem. If it doesn't, the eyes might have fallen out of alignment, or pests or weather may have damaged the electrical wiring that causes this system to work. Rather than tinkering with this yourself, which may disable the safety measures altogether, call a garage door repair professional to conduct an inspection. They can also use this opportunity to perform maintenance that may extend the life span of your unit.

If you need garage door repairs, rely on Central Garage Door, serving Columbia, Fulton, Boonville, and Centralia, MO. In business for over a decade, this locally owned and operated team prides itself on its efficiency and will get your system working properly as quickly as possible. They can also install a new garage door if yours has reached the end of its life span. To learn more about their offerings, visit the website. Call (573) 886-7810 to set up an appointment.