Construction & Contractors Blog
Should you replace your garage door opener? If your garage door opener sputters and spits, or whines and grinds instead of welcoming you in, it's probably time to replace it. However, there are 3 other uncommonly known reasons to replace that old opener, and they are covered here.
1. Your garage door doesn't automatically reverse.
If you recently purchased a home with a garage door opener that's more than 20 years old, you may have a safety hazard on your hands. That is because garage door openers that were made before 1993 did not have an automatic reverse mechanism built into them.
A garage door opener without automatic reverse will continue to come down on anything that gets stuck underneath it. This means that if your car isn't clear before the garage door comes down, it will get crunched. The same goes for anything or anyone else that braves going underneath it while it is in operation.
Therefore, the Consumer Products Safety Commission recommends that you replace your old garage door opener with a new model to ensure the safety of you and your family — especially if you have children or pets.
If you are unsure if your garage door automatically reverses, you can test it by placing an empty shoe box on the floor in the path of the garage door. If the door still continues to close, turn off the unit until you are able to consult with a garage door repair professional.
2. Your garage door stops working whenever there is bad weather.
Whenever the temperature dips below zero or if it gets hot enough outside to fry eggs on the sidewalk, do you notice that your garage door stops working? It you live in an extreme climate and notice that your garage door opener is always on the blink, it might be time to upgrade your old model with one that's designed to take abuse from extreme weather climates.
Some newer models get rid of the old plastic liner and aluminum rails in favor of a more powerful galvanized steel rail system which decreases the need for lubrication and makes the system more resistant to extreme weather conditions. If you live in an environment prone to blizzards or hurricanes, which frequently lead to power failure, these newer systems even feature a manual release in the event of a blackout. Therefore, you will still be able to access your garage.
3. You live above your garage and need noise cancellation.
If you are awakened at night when someone comes home, if you utilize living space near or above your garage, or if you are embarrassed by the deafening noise your garage door makes when friends come over, it is probably time to invest in a new belt driven system as opposed to your old chain driven one.
Chain driven systems are the most commonly found garage door systems around. However, if your goal is noise reduction a belt driven system will give you the whisper quiet solution you are after.
Having the right garage door opener can provide you with safety and convenience. Check with a garage door repair expert, such as Girard's Garage Door Services to ensure that you have the best model to suit your needs. They can take your concerns into consideration and give you tailored advice on the options that will be the best fit for your specific needs.
Share15 September 2014
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
