Despite a break from the norm with the past few weeks of rainfall, the hot California weather we all know and love is due to come back within the next few weeks as the spring season rolls around and summer being only a few months away. Although the warmth of the sun may put us in a good mood, there’s nothing worse than a faulty garage door before work or a garage too hot to set foot in. It is important to understand how the heat can affect your garage door. Garage Door Medics is here to help with any problems that may arise from the California heat.
Why won’t my garage door close properly?
Have you ever had issues with your garage door refusing to close properly? Although it could be issues with the garage door opener, broken springs, or frayed cables, the problem is often much simpler than you think. Try to troubleshoot before calling Garage Door Medics, inspecting your garage for possible easy-to-fix solutions. Perhaps the problem lies within the garage door safety eyes. Garage doors use a sensor system called safety eyes that detects objects within the opening of the door. This feature is meant to protect both people and our furry friends from getting hurt, as a garage door can pose a serious threat to the wellbeing of our loved ones if it doesn’t stop and reverse.
What is a garage door opener and safety eyes?
Safety Eyes, also known as electric eyes, photo eyes, or simply safety sensors, are door sensors placed 4 to 6 inches above the floor meant to detect any objects in the opening of the garage door. If functioning properly, the garage door will stop its descent and reverse itself if an object, person or pet are in the way. In 1993 a law was passed that requires all garage door openers be equipped with safety sensors along with built in pressure reversing system.
Although the weight of a garage depends on multiple factors such as material and size, some garage doors can weigh more than 350 pounds. While not all garage doors can be this heavy, should a garage door fall on top of someone, especially a child, the damage can be deadly. For this reason it is important to ensure that your garage door safety eyes are properly working.
Problems associated with safety eyes?
Sometimes, your garage door may not function properly and it will refuse to go down unless you hold the wall button down. Here are a few reasons as to why this may be happening:
- The safety eyes are not aligned properly
- Sunlight is hitting the sensor eye, obstructing the alignment light
- Dirt and grime have obstructed the light beam
- The wires may have a short
- The safety eye has failed
- An object is blocking the safety eye
What can I do to fix my safety eye problems?
We have technicians readily available to realign safety eyes, there is no task too big or too small for Garage Door Medics. While we recommend calling a professional, there are ways to try and fix the problem on your own. When safety eyes are not aligned properly, you can adjust them manually. Misalignment may be from items in your garage having accidentally bumped into your sensors. You can make adjustments to the positioning of your safety eye by loosening the screw holding it in place and moving it slightly up or down until the light remains on and is no longer flashing.
While the overcast weather may keep the sun hidden, California’s sunshine is expected to be out more often, especially with our longer days due to the recent time change. If you begin to have problems with your garage door in sunny days, or if you recall having problems with your door at seemingly random intervals, the sun may be to blame. Direct sunlight on the garage door safety eye is enough to obstruct the light beam, and while your garage door will have no problem opening, it will refuse to close unless you hold the wall button down. To fix this problem, the best solution is to purchase a sun shield for your garage door safety eye. It’s better to get one now before summer rolls around and you’re stuck wasting precious time holding the wall switch when you could be spending time in your pool.
You can prevent safety eye issues by taking the time to clean your garage door safety eyes using a damp cloth to allow the light beam to pass through properly. The garage door can get messy and the overlooked safety eyes can build residue and dust from years of neglect. When was the last time you checked yours? And if none of these solutions work for you, it may be a more serious problem. If your garage door still fails to close properly, it may be due to the wiring. Skilled Garage Door Medics technicians are happy to help.
Why is my garage so hot in the summer?
California residents know how hot the garage can get in the summer. Those minutes spent in your cool air-conditioned car when pulling into your garage are suddenly replaced by hot lungful’s of air..No fun! The summer heat can damage stored goods and electronics, especially the garage door opener and its circuit board. So why does it feel much hotter inside your garage door than it does outside? Some reasons include:
- No proper ventilation system to let the hot air out
- Your car engine is heating the garage when you pull in
- Lack of proper weather stripping allows heat to enter more easily
- Poor or lack of insulation
Having proper weather stripping can help keep the garage sealed from the heat. Another option is to add a proper ventilation system which can be costly. While fans are a relatively cheap if you’re spending a lot of time in your garage you may want a lasting solution that can also help reduce your energy bill in the summer months.
What are the benefits to insulating my garage door?
Insulated garage doors help keep the heat from transferring from the hot steel to your garage because of the polystyrene barrier that has an R value of 10-13. An added bonus to insulated garage doors is significantly reduced noise when the garage door opens and closes. Insulated doors are much quieter than non-insulated garage doors that often rattle when opening and closing. If you want a quieter door and a cooler garage consider getting your garage door insulated. Please contact Garage Door Medics at (951) 364-3441 or visit https://gdmedics.com/san-diego-garage-door-repair/ to set up an appointment.
