Month: March 2023

Most automatic garage door openers are chain driven. The chain is connected to two sprockets that work to drive the carriage or trolley so the door opens and closes. One sprocket is located at the motor and the other is at the end of the rail just next to the garage door itself. Garage door chains require a bit of slack in order for the motor to smoothly open and close the door. The issue is that the constant vibration that occurs whenever the motor runs can start to loosen the chain to where it starts to drag on the rail or disconnect entirely.

If the chain ever does come off, the opener won’t work and you’ll need to manually open and close the door. This is one reason why it’s always a good idea to have your garage door professionally maintained every year as the technician will always check and tighten the chain. Fixing a chain that has come loose may seem like a simple job; however, attempting to fix it yourself can be dangerous. One wrong move, and you can cause injury or even death. If the chain on your garage door comes off, a call to a repair technician is warranted. Of course, there is nothing wrong with being curious about how the technician will repair your garage door. Below are the steps the technician will take to reattach your garage door chain.

Disconnecting the Door From the Opener

The first thing the technician will do is disconnect the door from the opener. There will be a cord with a red handle hanging from the carriage, which is the part that moves the door along the trolley or rail.

If the chain comes off when the door is fully open, the technician will not worry much as the door will normally stay up even after he or she disconnects the carriage from the trolley. However, there is always a chance that the door can come slamming down upon disconnecting the chain. Technicians are aware of these risks, and they have the training and the tools to mitigate them.
After disconnecting the carriage, the technician will then need to close the door by hand so he or she can access the chain. To do this, the technician will pull down on the rope that is connected to the door.

Unplugging the Motor

Once the door is disconnected and closed, the technician will climb on a ladder to unplug the motor from the outlet. This is essential as the technician will not want the motor to suddenly come on while working as it can lead to injury or even death.

Putting the Chain Back on and Then Adjust for Tightness

Depending on how loose the chain is, the technician may simply be able to slip it straight back onto the sprockets. They will make sure that the chain is fully on the sprocket at the motor. Depending on the specific model, the technician may need to use a screwdriver to pry off the cover to access the sprocket.

The technician will then need to take a ladder and climb up to the end of the trolley next to the door. He or she will see a second sprocket at the end of the trolley. If the technician can’t get the chain to easily slide back on the sprocket, he or she will first need to loosen it to secure and retighten it.

The technician will see a bolt that goes through the carriage and attaches to the chain with two nuts threaded on one side of it. The nut that is closest to the opener is the locking nut, and the nut closest to the door is the tension or adjustment nut.

The technician will first need to slightly loosen the locking nut with pliers or a wrench and then loosen the adjustment nut until the chain sags enough that he or she can enable it to slip back onto the sprocket. Once the chain is back in place, the technician will then start to turn the adjustment nut in the opposite direction to tighten the chain. The technician has the experience to know that tightening the chain too much can cause it to break or the opener to not work correctly. He or she will test if the chain is too tight or too loose by pushing down on it with one finger. The chain should only give by about an inch. Any more give and the chain is still too loose, and any less give means it is too tight.

Once the chain is properly tightened, the technician will retighten the locking nut to ensure it stays in place. The technician knows that forgetting this step will cause the chain to quickly come loose and eventually fall off again.

Plugging the Motor in and Testing That Your Door Works Correctly

The last steps are to plug the opener motor back in and then test that everything works as it should. After plugging the opener in, the technician will reconnect the carriage to the trolley. This is done by pulling the red emergency cord back in the direction of the opener until the carriage clicks back in place. When the carriage re-engages, the technician will usually notice that the chain suddenly has a bit more slack. This is normal and the chain will tighten back up as soon as he or she opens the door.

Once everything is reconnected, the technician will test your garage door to ensure that it opens and closes smoothly. If the technician notices the chain slightly dragging on the rail when the door opens and closes, he or she will disconnect the carriage again and tighten the chain a bit more.

If the door opens and closes as it should and the chain doesn’t drag, then the technician’s job is done. If the motor doesn’t work for any reason or the chain immediately falls off again, then the technician will inspect the opener further to determine what is causing this problem.

Depending on the specific cause, you may need to have the chain replaced, or you will potentially need to replace the opener. If the chain constantly falls off, it usually means that the teeth on the sprockets have worn down to the point where they can’t properly grip the chain. As such, you may need to have the sprocket, motor or both replaced.

If you need to have your garage door chain put back on or you need your garage door or opener serviced in any way, the expert team at Garage Door Doctor is always here to help. We specialize in all types of garage door repairs, and we can also help if you need a new door or opener installed. We service both residential and commercial clients, so give us a call today if you need any garage door service in the Indianapolis or Bloomington areas.

The post What To Do When the Chain on a Garage Door Opener Comes Off appeared first on Garage Door Doctor.

This post first appeared on https://www.garagedoordoctorllc.com

A functional garage door is an important aspect of your home. You rely on it to ensure you are safe when you use it. More importantly, you assume that it will continue to remain up as you drive underneath it when you enter your garage with your car. With that in mind, it’s important to know when you should replace your garage door springs to prevent harm to you and your family members.

Replace Your Springs After 10 Years

The age of your springs is an easy way to determine when to replace your garage door springs. Typically, garage door springs last between 7 to 9 years. With some springs only lasting for seven years, you should monitor your springs-regardless if they are torsion or tension springs-well before year seven. A simple test like lifting your garage door and observing how it responds to you can help you determine if your garage door springs are wearing down. Your door shouldn’t bounce continually once it’s in the up position. If you notice a constant movement, then you can infer that your springs may not be working as they should.

Heavy Use May Dictate that You Replace Your Springs

Beyond age, if you use your garage door heavily, then you should consider replacing your garage door springs before they’ve aged a lot. Much like other consumer goods, your garage door and its springs have a useful life; it’s not manufactured to last forever. When it comes to observing your springs based on your usage, you should have an expert examine your garage door springs. Their knowledge and experience help them easily identify problematic garage door springs.

An Unbalanced Door Signals Bad Springs

Your garage door is manufactured to meet the ground evenly. There should be no gaps between your garage door and the cement of your driveway. If you notice gaps or you’ve noticed that your door seems unbalanced, then you may have a problem with one of your garage door springs. Since damage to garage door springs can happen at any time, you should respond promptly when you have an unbalanced garage door for the safety of your family.

A Crooked Garage Door Signals Damage

Finally, another problem that you can visibly observe is a crooked garage door. If you notice your garage door is crooked, you should stop using it immediately. Continual use may affect other aspects of your garage door and make repairs more costly.

At Door Power, there is no garage door problem too small to fix. We specialize in many types of garage door repairs for homeowners who reside in and around Chanhassen, MN. Give us a call today so that we can help you restore your garage door.

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com

If your like thousands of other homeowners, you probably keep your home’s heaviest valuables in the garage. While thieves may have trouble stealing your car, your bench press or your tool stand, they can still cause financial damage if they’re let in.

Your garage door might seem like it’s a high-strength, durable sheet of metal—but it’ll make your valuables vulnerable if you don’t take a few security precautions. All too often, the garage is forgotten. Don’t leave your lawnmower, power tools or vehicle exposed. Take charge with the following garage security tips.

Security Tip One: Cover the Windows

Regardless of how strong your windows are, they’re still windows. Reduce the theft incentive, and install blinds or curtains. Or, apply an opaque film over the glass. You can still let light in while keeping prying eyes out.

Security Tip Two: Install a Garage Security Lock

Next, you should double down on your garage door’s security. It should be as secure as your other doors. If you want to halt potential intruders, you’ll need to make sure your garage door can be securely locked. Install a deadbolt, or multiple locks, and top it off with either a padlock or programmable lock.

Security Tip Three: Install a Garage Timer

Sometimes, life gets in the way. If you’re constantly running in and out, you might be forgetting to put the door down. If your garage is open, it’s inviting prowling thieves. Install a garage timer. A garage timer signals your garage door opener to close once a set amount of time has passed. You can pre-program this time, making sure your garage is never left open for too long.

Security Tip Four: Set Up Motion Detection Lights

You may have motion detection lights installed in your backyard, already. If you’re aiming for a cable replacement, spring replacement or track replacement job, consider using the time to install motion detection lights around the garage, too. Among the many safety features you can install, motion detection lights are among the best.

Security Tip Five: Consistent Repair

Talk to your provider, and get your garage door opener, cables and springs checked out. You’d be surprised how often garage doors are damaged from high winds, cold weather and small dents. By having your garage door professionally examined—and examined frequently—you can make sure it’s always in tip-top shape, security-wise.

Browse home security systems, too. While not centric to your garage area, home security systems can boost your home’s overall defense. Take the time, and make sure your household’s safety features are top notch.

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com