Your Avondale Garage Door is a major structural component of your home. It is also a significant visual feature that can boost curb appeal and complement your architecture.

Traditional steel garage doors are the most popular. They are low-maintenance and come in a variety of colors and styles with tons of window options.
Garage door openers are motorized devices that open and close the garage doors at the push of a button. These devices come equipped with safety features like automatic reversal mechanisms and sensors to ensure your family and home are protected from injury and damage. While these systems are designed to reduce the risk of accidents, they can sometimes experience problems that may require professional assistance.
Safety sensors work by sending a signal to the garage door opener when an obstruction is detected in their path while closing. This safety feature is required by UL 325 standards and helps prevent accidents that could otherwise injure people or pets that get caught under the moving garage door. This technology also minimizes damage to the garage door itself that would otherwise occur if it were to run into a solid object.
Most residential garage doors use photo eye sensors, while commercial models typically incorporate edge and door edge sensors. These sensors can detect an object or person in their path by emitting and detecting invisible beams of light. If the beam is interrupted, or if an object is placed between the sensors, the garage door will immediately reverse its direction.
Regular inspections by InterNACHI-certified professionals help to keep garage doors functioning properly. These inspections can include a check of the manual safety release handle, which should always be easily accessible and positioned high enough to prevent children from reaching it. It’s also important to teach your family members proper lifting techniques and to regularly test the automatic reversal mechanism.
The reversal test can be conducted by placing an object (like a 2 x 4 laid flat) in the center of the track where the garage door closes. If the garage door comes into contact with the object and fails to automatically reverse its direction, this indicates it is out of alignment or needs a sensor adjustment by a qualified technician.
Depending on the model, your garage door may also have adjustable force settings that determine how much pressure is exerted when the automatic reversal system is activated. These force settings can be adjusted with the dial on the garage door opener, and they should be kept at a level that will not cause the system to engage even if there is an obstruction in its path.
Force Settings
If your garage door stops halfway through an opening or closing cycle or reversing before reaching its fully open or closed position, it may indicate that the force settings on your opener need to be adjusted. These controls regulate the amount of power that is applied to the door, providing safety and ensuring that the doors don’t hit the floor or ceiling during operation.
The force settings are made up of an up and down travel limit as well as a force adjustment screw. While higher settings can increase door speed, they also make the opener more susceptible to damage from debris and other obstructions. To reset the force settings, follow the manufacturer’s instructions in your owner’s manual. Start by adjusting the up travel limit to a medium level and retest the door after each adjustment. Once the up travel limit has been set, turn the down force adjustment screw clockwise to increase the down force. Repeat the process to adjust the up and down forces to their desired levels.
Occasionally, a garage door may stop operating properly because of sensor or motor problems. In such cases, a technician should be called in to diagnose and repair the problem. DIY attempts at limit resets can cause electrical damage, void warranties, and lead to recurring problems in the future.
In addition to adjusting the opener’s limits, homeowners should regularly inspect and maintain their garage doors. The safety sensors should be correctly aligned and free of obstructions, and the rollers, hinges, and tracks should be properly lubricated. The sensor lenses should be cleaned regularly to remove dust and debris that could obstruct the sensors’ line of sight.
A common reason for a garage door to malfunction is that the springs are unbalanced. A professional can perform a comprehensive test to determine the status of the springs and provide an accurate estimate of how much weight should be on each side of the door. Unbalanced springs can cause the garage door to stop midway through its opening or closing movements, as it cannot transition smoothly from a vertical standing position to a horizontal lying position.
Safety Sensors
The safety sensors are a smart addition to any garage door system. They are designed to prevent the door from closing if there is an obstruction in its path, protecting children and pets from being trapped. They operate by transforming electricity into an invisible infrared beam of light. This beam is transmitted by a transmitter sensor to a receiver sensor that sits directly across from the transmitter. When the beam is interrupted, a signal is sent to the garage door opener, which then reverses the direction of travel. This feature significantly reduces the risk of entrapment and injury.
The sensors are easy to install and operate. Simply place one of them on either side of the garage door opening, and ensure they are positioned at a height of 6 inches off the ground. They should have a yellow light on the transmitter, and a green light on the receiver, to indicate that they are properly aligned and communicating with each other. Once the lights are on, a test can be performed. Put an object, such as a box, in the sensor’s line of sight. If the sensor is activated, it should immediately reverse the direction of travel to avoid damage or harm.
Like other components of the garage door, it is important to perform regular maintenance on the safety sensors to ensure they continue to function effectively. Keeping the sensors clean is an essential part of this maintenance. Dirty lenses can block the infrared light that is transmitted by the transmitter, causing the sensor to malfunction. This can be easily remedied by wiping the lens with a soft cloth, or by using a mild cleaner that won’t leave streaks on the glass. Other common causes of malfunctioning sensors include misalignment and pinched wires. A garage door professional can help you troubleshoot any issues with your safety sensors and restore their functionality.
Security
The garage is a valuable entry point to your home and a storage space for all kinds of tools, sports equipment and vehicles. Keeping this area secure is important for family safety and property protection. This is why modern garage doors include a range of security features designed to make your home more resistant to break-ins.
The most critical component of your garage door’s safety is a set of sensors that detect objects and prevent the closing of the garage door on them. These are mounted on either side of the garage door near the floor and housed in small black boxes with a light. To keep these sensors in good working condition, you should check them regularly for misalignment or damage. In the event that a sensor is displaced from its normal position, you can manually reset it by pressing the emergency release cord.
You can also install motion detection lights that automatically turn on at night and illuminate your garage area when movement is detected. This visual deterrent is a powerful deterrent that can significantly reduce the likelihood of burglaries and other security breaches.
Another simple, but effective, way to enhance your garage’s security is to add a lock on the service door that connects the garage to your house. While it may be a little inconvenient to use, you’ll appreciate having the added layer of security if your home is targeted for break-ins.
If you want to further boost your garage’s security, consider installing smart security cameras both inside and outside of your garage that can be accessed via your smartphone. These are especially useful if you’re a frequent traveler and need to monitor your home while away for long periods of time.
It’s always a good idea to change the access code on your garage door opener periodically, as this will prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to your home. It’s also a good idea to keep your garage door remote locked in a safe place at all times, so it doesn’t fall into the hands of someone who might use it to break into your home.