You and your family rely on your garage door to open and close at the push of a button multiple times a day. You also rely on it to stop and retract when something enters its path.

This is the duty of your garage door’s set of safety sensors. If you’re wondering if your garage door needs safety sensors, the answer is absolutely!

In the following post by Precision Door of Delaware, we’ll explain the importance of safety sensors, how you can check door sensor operation, and the next steps for maintaining or installing new sensors.

A Closer Look at Your Garage Door’s Safety Sensors

Modern garage door systems are equipped with two safety sensors. Each one is positioned at either side of the door track low to the ground. These sensors “talk” to one another, sending a straight line infrared beam from one end of the door to the other.

Properly aligned sensors form an invisible wall when the door is up, always ensuring that this space is clear before closing. If an object intercepts the garage door’s intended path, the sensors immediately tell the door to stop closing and reverse direction to protect people, pets, objects, or vehicles that may have wandered in.

Checking Your Safety Sensors

The easiest way to check whether your sensors are working as they should be is to place a piece of wood in the door’s entryway and press the close button. If the sensors are aligned and in good condition, they will stop the door from closing and reverse its direction.

If your garage door’s individual safety sensors are off balance with one another or damaged, they might not pick up on an object breaking their infrared beam. If this is the case, it’s likely that you’re experiencing issues with your garage door’s performance, such as erratic opening or a garage door that won’t close.

Safety Sensor Maintenance

As life happens around your garage door, its many moving parts can get worn and out of whack from normal use, safety sensors included. Oftentimes, the safety sensor’s “eyes,” where the beam projects from one side of the door to the other, can get knocked off balance or something as subtle as a cobweb could be interrupting their path.

Because safety eyes can be easily misaligned, manufacturers make them so they can be adjusted by homeowners themselves. For step-by-step directions, check out Precision Door’s instructive video on safety sensor upkeep.

How Precision Door of Delaware Can Help

If the troubleshooting solutions in our video don’t do the trick, you’ll want to contact a garage door repair specialist as soon as possible.

Because safety sensors play such an important role in your garage door’s safe and efficient operation, it’s crucial to have your door inspected by a certified professional like the expert technicians at Precision Door of Delaware.

Call us today at 302-266-6560 and we’ll send someone out to take care of your system right away!