A frustrating scenario for any homeowner is driving home just to find that you can’t get into your garage because the garage door will not open. This would be even more frustrating to those that use their garage door as a front door. If your garage door will not open, it is possible your garage door opener motor has stopped working. Here are some ways to troubleshoot and find out if indeed your garage door motor has stopped working.
First Clue, Age.
There are several other reasons a garage door just stops opening, so you have to ask yourself, why am I thinking it’s the opener motor? One big answer could be the age of our garage door opener. After about 10 to 15 years, a garage door opener just might give out. If your opener is older than 10 years, then you can do the next steps as a process of elimination.
Check Your Garage Door Hardware.
Again, even with an older garage door opener motor, you can’t just assume that is the issue. You will want to check for other issues before concluding it’s the opener motor. Check your garage door hardware. Inspect your garage door tracks to make sure they do not have debris blocking the rollers, and that the tracks are vertically aligned as they should be. Inspect your garage door springs and make sure that they have not broken. If all checks out, open your garage door manually. To do this, disengage your garage door opener from your garage door. Pull the red release cord. The release cord should be located near the front of the door. If the garage door opens and closes manually as it should, move on to the next step.
Check Your Power.
Your garage door opener requires power to operate. Making sure your opener is getting power is the next thing to troubleshoot. This is also good to check if your opener motor has stopped working after one of our Houston famous power surges or outages. In regard to the motor, make sure it’s plugged in properly. It may be a good idea to unplug then re-plug in the opener after waiting 15 minutes, making sure the motor cools, and has not overheated. After re-plugging in the motor, use the wall switch and see if the garage opens and closes. If it does, move on to the next step.
Check Your Remote.
If your opener motor works from the wall switch, then it is possible it’s your remote, not the garage door opener. Replace the old batteries of the remote control. If after replacing the batteries it still does not work, you may need a new garage door remote.
One Last Thing, Your Sensor.
Before your run out and buy a new remote, make sure your garage door sensor is still in its correct place. Garage door sensors tend to shift away from their original position after having consistent use of the garage door to open and close.
This is Houston, where the pollen and dust can get everywhere. Inspect the garage door sensor to see if dust particles have been blocking the lenses of the sensor. Stored-up dirt around the sensor’s surroundings tends to cause a poor connection from the remote to the unit of the garage door motor. Wipe off your garage door sensor with a clean rag and then try opening and closing the garage door with your remote.
If you have followed these steps and the garage door still won’t open, it’s a good chance your garage door opener motor has stopped working. If you are in the Houston area, Spectrum Overhead Door has been repairing garage door openers and installing new garage door openers since 2006. We deliver fast friendly service, at reasonable rates. Call 281-748-9542 or if you’re on the East side of Houston 713-557-3407 for a free quote and appointment today! Same-day appointments are available.
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The garage door opener (along with its accessories, like a remote) is the single piece of equipment that keeps you from having to get out of your vehicle and manually open your garage door. The average door opens 1,500 times per year. Needless to say, we don’t think you want to get out of your vehicle or go to the garage door before driving your vehicle out 1,500 times in one year. This is why you want a reliable garage door opener. There are really two top brands that are good, reliable choices, Liftmaster and Chamberlain. So, we will be comparing Liftmaster and Chamberlain garage door openers.
Same Parent Companies
Now, first off, the reason why these are the top two major brands of garage door openers is that they are made by the same parent company, Chamberlain group. Chamberlain Group’s line of companies includes LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Merlin, and Grifco.
Brand Positioning and Marketing Segments
Now that we have established that they are made by the same parent company, that does not mean they are the same product lines. Indeed, Liftmaster and Chamberlain garage door openers are aimed at two different groups of people. If you go into a Lowe’s or Home Depot and try to buy a garage door opener, Chamberlain is going to be an option you’re presented with, but not Liftmaster. Chamberlain’s openers are high quality, but with a simpler design aimed at do-it-yourselfers. Liftmaster’s openers are professional grade, meant for operations that need more power (such as a garage door taller than 7 foot). Another example of differences is that LiftMaster door openers are generally built with a sturdy steel one-piece trolley system that lifts your door. Chamberlain door openers have a multi-piece trolley system that in many cases is built from sturdy plastic. It’s strong enough to lift lighter garage doors.
Chamberlain Garage Door Openers
Like stated above, Chamberlain garage door openers are more geared to the general do-it-yourself public. As such, it makes them readily available from a number of sources, from Home Depot and Lowe’s to even Amazon. Chamberlains are great for those who have a small garage or do not use their garage door every single day. This is mainly due to the aforementioned trolly rail system. It’s a multi-piece system built for lighter garage doors. The rest of the garage door opener is built with good, sturdy material.
If you are looking into a Chamberlain, you might consider something like Chamberlain Group B1381 Drive Garage Door Opener, which comes with a built-in garage light. If you are looking for a belt-drive, the Chamberlain B550 Smart Garage Door Opener that is ultra-quiet might be a good choice for you.
Liftmaster Garage Door Openers
As they say, we saved the best for last. Liftmaster garage door openers are professional-grade and are the brand we recommend for anything heavier than a light single garage door. These garage door openers are made from premium materials and are built to last. They use a single steel trolly system built to pull heavier garage doors.
Other than the construction, it’s the features that really make them worth spending just a little more on. They now come with smart home integrations and have a model with a video camera for extra security.
If you are looking to get a Liftmaster Garage Door Opener, here are some of the best ones to consider. The 3/4 HP LiftMaster 8550 belt drive with battery backup and the ability to connect to your smartphone. For a more economical choice, choose the Liftmaster 8365 quiet chain drive to enjoy the professional reliability that LiftMaster delivers every time. If you are looking for an integrated camera, might we suggest the LiftMaster 85503 267 DC Battery Backup Belt Drive Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener with Integrated Camera?
Being award-winning garage door professionals, it makes sense to us to endorse and install Liftmaster garage door openers. Their premium construction and feature-rich openers are perfect for any home garage door. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable choice, and have a lightweight garage door, the Chamberlain garage door openers could work well for you.
If you are looking to replace and install a new garage door opener, Spectrum Overhead LLC has over 15 years of experience installing garage door openers in Houston. Call us at 281-748-9542 or 713-557-3407 for fast, friendly, award-winning service. Same-day appointments are available!
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At the heart of your garage door system is your garage door opener. It is the motor that opens and closes your garage door without having to do it manually. Yet, there is not exactly a one size fit’s all garage door opener. The one you want to get depends on what garage door features you are looking for. Today we are going to look at several important garage door opener features that can affect the decision on which garage door opener to get.
Garage Door Opener Features
The Type Of Drives a Garage door opener has.
There are several types of drives a garage door opener can have that raise the garage door up and down.
Chain Drive: The chain drive features a chain that pulls the door up to open. The upside to these types of drives is they are usually the least expensive to purchase. There are two major downsides though. The first is they are the types of drives that require the most lubrication. The Second is they are usually the ones that is the noisiest.
Belt Drive: In belt drives, the belt is made of rubber or polyurethane. The belt drive is almost as cost-effective as the chain drive. Another upside to the belt drive is they produce fewer vibrations than a chain drive which helps contribute to the fact they are quieter.
Screw Drives: The screw drive uses a threaded metal rod to pull the garage door along the track, offering a more reliable and longer-lasting track system. The upside to this is the screw drive consists of fewer moving parts than a chain drive.
Wall-Mount Jackshaft: Jack Shaft Garage door openers are mounted to the wall instead of the ceiling. Jackshaft openers are connected to the garage door’s torsion bar to raise and lower the door. This system is suitable for any type of garage door including full vertical lift, standard lift and high lift doors. The upside to these types of openers are that they are incredibly quiet and require less maintenance because there is no chain, belt or screw. The downside is they do cost more than the other options.
Horsepower matters.
Horsepower is defined as follows; a unit of power equal to 550 foot-pounds per second (745.7 watts). Every garage door opener has a horsepower rating. Generally, garage door openers range from 1/3 horsepower to 1.5 horsepower. Generally, unless you have a single car garage with a light aluminum garage door, you want to look for ½ on up. ½ to ¾ horsepower will work for a two-door garage. Large houses or custom heavy doors may require more horsepower.
Safety Features of Garage Door Openers
Auto Stop and Reverse
Garage door photosensors are 2 small little devices with lenses on the front that are positioned about 6 inches off the ground on either side of the garage door track. What does this have to do with the garage door opener? When something crosses that beam it triggers an auto-stop and reverses feature inside your garage door opener. This is to protect small children and pets from being crushed under the weight and torque of the garage door.
Rolling Code Technology.
With everything becoming more digital, you have to stay ahead of want-to-be thieves that are smart enough to use more than a crowbar. Rolling code technology is one of the next steps to doing just that. Every time you use your garage door opener remote, your remote and your opener randomly choose a new code, with over a million possible codes available. This has become standard technology on Liftmaster garage door openers since 1993.
Battery Backup
Some garage door openers come with a battery backup option. This can come in handy in case of a power outage in your home. You will want to check your manual for how many times can it be used during a single outage, as they do have limits. The only other downside is they will have to replace about every 2 to 3 years.
Security Lights
Many modern garage door openers, including the newer Liftmaster garage door openers, come with a security light. The security light turns on automatically when the garage door opener is activated. Many of the models with security lights are now motion-activated, allowing deterrence of intruders.
Wifi Integration
Although not exactly a security feature in itself, it does allow you to use apps like MyQ, a garage door app that let’s you control and monitor your garage door wherever you are. It can alert you when your garage door has been opened and let you see inside your garage if you have a camera.
If you are considering getting a new garage door opener or having issues with your current garage door opener motor, Spectrum Overhead Door LLC has been giving award-winning garage door service to the Houston area since 2006. Call either our main office at 281-748-9542 or East Houston office 713-557-3407 to schedule an appointment for a free quote with no trip charge!
Houston is a notoriously stormy area. When you are looking at all your home systems that could be affected, a question that should come up if you don’t already have one is: Should I have a battery backup for my garage door opener? Now, keep in mind, that from July 1, 2019, all newly made Liftmaster garage door openers come with a battery backup built-in (liftmaster.com). Yet a lot of Houston homeowners have older garage door opener models. So, is it worth the trouble of buying an extra battery backup? And what is a battery backup and how does it work?
Let’s take on the first question, is it worth the trouble? It’s important to note here, that if you Google this question, you’re going to get a lot of info about it being required in California after people getting trapped in their homes. Yet, if you live in the Houston area, and you are asking this question, it’s probably due to storms and hurricanes, not wildfires. However, the answer will be the same, yes, it is worth the trouble. Now, can you lift the garage door manually if the power goes out? Yes…yes you can. Yet if you are trying to come home in a storm and the power has gone out in your home, do you really want to get out in the rain to manually open your garage door?
The second question was what is a garage door battery backup and how does it work? Battery backups are 12-volt battery units that supply power to the garage door opener when the power goes out. The batteries can be distinct units connected to the motor that drives the door opener or are placed alongside the motor inside its housing. With LiftMaster and Chamberlain models, the battery will either be located in the motor housing or right on the outside of it. These batteries hold enough power so that you can use the door about 20 times on a single charge. A full charge takes about four and a half hours. It is important to note that some features like the garage door opener light will not work. Yet, your safety reversal system will stay connected to the system and operate on battery power as that is a required safety feature of the garage door.
Liftmaster Backup Power Integration
Now as stated from July 1, 2019, all newly made Liftmaster garage door openers come with battery backup built-in. If you just bought the home and are not sure whether your Liftmaster has a battery backup or battery backup adaptability, check on the motor housing, there will be a logo that indicates a battery backup is either already installed on the unit or that one can be added.
If you are thinking of purchasing a battery backup and installing it yourself, we suggest buying local from Parts 4 Garage Doors. Here is their listing for Battery Backups.
If you are looking to upgrade your garage door opener or need your backup battery installed, Spectrum Overhead Doors LLC has been installing and repairing garage door openers with award-winning service in the Houston area since 2006. Call 281-748-9542 or if you are closer to East Houston 713-557-3407 for a free quote today.
Your garage door not opening can be a frustrating and daunting problem. It can be easy to jump to all sorts of extensive and time-consuming conclusions. Yet, we encourage that before you think it could be a large problem, have you stopped to consider that it could be something as simple as the battery in your garage door keypad to your Liftmaster garage door opener? Or maybe you just need to reset your pin code. Before you call to have a garage door repair technician come to your home, you might want to troubleshoot your garage door keypad first. Here is how to Troubleshoot your garage door keypad.
Reasons Why Your Liftmaster Garage Door Keypad May Not Be Working
Your batteries have died.
Out of all that could be wrong, this the simplest and easiest to fix. Your batteries at some point will need to be changed regardless. The battery in your garage door keypad will last depending on how often it’s used. Be that as it may, if it has been a year since the keypad was installed, it probably needs new batteries. To fix this issue, all you would need to do is just replace the batteries.
Lift the cover of your keypad and take a look under the number pad. There should be a compartment for the batteries to be slotted in. If you’re not sure where this is, take a look at your manual to find the information you need.
Slide the cover of the battery compartment in order to access the batteries.
Insert a 9-volt alkaline battery.
Replace the cover, and then test the keypad to see if it works. (buttons light up)
The keys are sticking.
Your garage door keypad sits outside in the weather every day, and it will accumulate dirt and grime over time. Sometimes this can cause the keys to start to stick and cause problems. If this is happening, all you need to do is clean off the keypad. Use a few drops of appliance cleaner on a soft cloth and clean off the keypad, making sure to get into the spaces between the keys. If you can remove the front of the box, remove it and remove any dust with a clean dry cloth.
The PIN has been reset.
Did you put in your pin code wrong one too many times? If you have put what you thought was your code, only to accidentally hit the wrong key you might have triggered a security measure in the keypad. In some models, once the wrong code has been entered several times, the system will ‘lock-up’ and won’t work again until you set a new PIN. Press the ‘learn’ button on your motor and put in a new PIN to use.
In another instance, it may be just those particular buttons that may be wearing out. Resetting your pin code using a fresh set of numbers on keys that haven’t been used could do the trick!
Loose or frayed wires.
Over time, the wires in your keypad may have come loose. This means it can’t register when you press certain buttons, so it won’t work. If this is happening, you can remove the front of the keypad and inspect it for loose wires. Reconnect any that have come loose and try the keypad again.
Reboot your garage door keypad system.
If you have changed the batteries and looked for all the other possible issues, it may just be best to reboot. Like any other computerized system, sometimes you just need to turn it off and on. Rebooting the system will clear the memory which can fix stubborn issues. Unplug the system for around five minutes, and then plug it back in. Try it again and it will likely work again.
The garage door still not opening?
If the garage door still won’t open, then it may be time to call in a professional. If you live in the Houston area, the Houston garage door repair professionals at Spectrum Overhead Door LLC can be there in the same day and give you a free quote. With hundreds of satisfied customers and homeowners over the last 12 years, you can be sure you will be treated to fast, friendly and affordable service.
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As we enter winter this year, we wanted to talk about something that happens from time to time: power outages. More specifically, power outages and your garage door. Here in Houston, we do not get a lot of winter weather, but when we do, it can be brutal. That includes high winds and ice on the power lines that can take them down. Your garage door opener needs electricity to operate properly. Without some sort of electrical power running to your garage door opener, you won’t be able to open or close your garage door. That is why we wanted to introduce to you an important garage door safety feature, the garage door opener battery backup.
What’s a Garage Door Opener Battery Backup?
A backup battery ensures your garage door will open and close during times of power outages, More specifically, it is a small, 12-volt battery unit that has stored power that is used to open and close the garage door when a power outage occurs. Many brands of door openers currently provide this battery backup option, including Liftmaster, Chamberlain, and Genie.
With Liftmaster professional series, they have been offering this option since 2003. For instance, with Liftmaster, there are some with the battery (485LM) incorporated into the motor housing, like models 8550 and 8550W, and somewhere the battery (475LM) is over the housing, as the models 2500, 3800, 8500, 8360 and 8360W have.
When Is it Time to Change the Backup Battery?
Depending on the backup battery model you use in your garage door opener, you’ll hear a beep every 20 or 30 seconds in addition to seeing an orange or red light indicating the state of the battery. We recommend looking it up on your garage door opener manufacturer’s website for exact instructions on what you should do and when, and follow them closely.
What Other Ways Are There to Open the Garage Door?
If you have an older model garage door opener or opted to by one without the battery backup option, your only other option during a power outage is to open the garage door manually. You have to pull down on the red emergency release cord on the door opener which disengages the trolley, manually lift the door, move your car out of the garage, then close the door and reengage the trolley by reconnecting it to the release mechanism. Reconnecting the release mechanism is vitally important because if not done, your garage becomes vulnerable, as it can be easily lifted and closed by anyone. An alternative to reengaging the trolly is a sidelock that can be installed on the inside of the door in the second section. By pushing the steel bar on the lock into the vertical track, you’ll lock your door so that no one can enter.
One Last Note: Your Garage Door Opener Logic Board
There are times here in Houston we have a power surge. That power surge or the surge after a power outage can cause problems with the garage door opener logic board. If the motor unit has power but won’t respond to any remote or the wall control, the logic control board could be the problem. Unplug the garage door opener and check the wiring connections on the panel. If the wiring connections are okay, wait a few minutes before plugging the garage door opener back in. Disconnecting the power resets the logic board after a power outage or surge. Then test whether the opener works. If not, you’ll likely need to replace the logic board
If you’re not sure of the condition of your battery backup option or logic board or would like to install an opener with a battery backup or logic board, you can contact a garage door repair specialist to review your options. If you are in the need for garage door repairs Houston you can give Spectrum Overhead Door LLC a call at 281-748-9542 for a free quote. Spectrum Overhead Door LLC has been serving the Houston area since 2006, with a 4.9 rating on Google and A+ rating by the BBB.
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