After being in business for over forty years, we’ve seen all sorts of garage door opener issues here at Entry Systems. Some of the problems our customers call us for are unique, but there are certain problems that happen frequently. Every week someone calls us to say “I think my garage door opener is dead, what should I do?” So how do you know when it’s time to either repair or replace your garage door opener?
Check out these simple guidelines to help make the decision easier if you are on the fence about whether you should try to repair or replace your garage door opener.
- One of the first things our technicians look at when inspecting a malfunctioning garage door opener is the manufacture date. Most garage door openers have a tag near the programming button on the opener that will tell you how old it is. If your opener is over ten years old and is having a problem, you should consider replacing it. Parts for an opener over 10 years old can be challenging if not impossible sometimes to find.
- If your garage door opens randomly on its own, you should probably think about installing a new opener. This usually is a sign that the logic board inside of the motor is failing. While most logic boards can be replaced, there is no guarantee about how long a new board would last. Since there is no way to guarantee how long it will last, installing a new opener is often the best choice.
- If your remotes, keypad, or programmable visor in your car stop working, it might be a problem with the receiver.
- If it seems like there is suddenly no power to your garage door opener, you may want to consider replacing it. However, you’ll want to test the electrical socket to discover the nature of the problem. Try plugging a different electronic device into the socket. If the device you plug into the socket works normally but your opener still doesn’t work, it’s time to replace it.
- If your opener is so old that it does not include photo eye sensors, you should consider replacing it. These sensors are designed to prevent your door from closing on anyone or anything that is in the way. The Federal Consumer Products Safety Act, passed in 1993, requires all garage door openers to have safety sensors. Any garage without these sensors is technically not up to code, and would greatly increase the risk of injury. You're better off with the peace of mind that having a safe, modern garage door opener will surely give you.
- If you hear a grinding sound coming from your opener, you should consider replacing it. Usually, this is an indication that the gear inside the motor has become stripped.
Hopefully, these guidelines will give you an idea of whether you should repair or replace your current garage door opener. If you’re still unsure which decision makes the most sense for you, call us at 949-495-0835 or fill out our online service request form. With over 40 years of experience serving Orange County, CA, you can count on our garage door specialists for professional maintenance and repair service for your garage door opener!
