#1 Problem Colorado Springs Homeowners Have with Their Garage Doors

In our previous blog post, we talked about how garage door systems in Colorado Springs have several moving parts, which, as you can imagine, means any number of things could go wrong.
Yet you may be surprised to learn that the #1 problem local homeowners have with their garage door systems doesn’t relate to the remote, a broken motor, or faulty springs.

It has to do with the auto-reverse mechanism.

Imagine that you arrive home after a long day at the office. You’re cranky, you’re tired and the only thing you can think about is how hungry you are. It’s raining, it’s cold and you’re looking forward to kicking your shoes off and curling up on the couch.

Yet when you arrive at your home and you press the garage door opener, the door opens all the way, but when it comes time to close, it stops, shifts course, and opens back up. No matter how many times you press the button on the remote, the door simply won’t close.

This is a prime example of what a faulty auto-reverse mechanism looks like.

How big of a problem is this?

The good news is that this type of garage door problem isn’t serious and in some cases, you may be able to resolve it yourself.

To start, you should know that all garage door systems manufactured after 1993 are equipped with an auto-reverse system. It’s a built-in safety feature.

Today’s systems come equipped with photo-eye sensors. One sensor is installed on each side of the garage door- and they communicate with one another through the use of an invisible beam.

If the signal is interrupted for any reason, the door will reverse direction. The good news is that this means if your pet (or toddler) tries to run under the garage door while it’s closing, the door will recognize that there is something in the way.

There is also a second component to the auto-reverse system—this one relates to touch. If you don’t pull the car into the garage and when the door begins to close, it taps the back end of your bumper, the door will reverse and reopen.

If you’re having problems with the auto-reverse component of your garage door system, the first thing you’ll want to do is make sure that there is nothing that’s obstructing the door’s path. Bicycles, pieces of wood that are on the floor and your car’s bumper can all cause the door to reverse- should the door come in contact with one of those things.

If the problem seems to relate to the beam sensors, take a soft cloth and dust them off. This may do the trick.

On the other hand, if you think the sensors are misaligned or if you have another type of problem, call Above the Rest Garage Door Repair today to schedule a free, no-hassle repair estimate.

For more information on the common reasons that garage doors don’t open and close properly, call us today at 719-499-0491 to learn more.