I know I closed that damn thing!

Everyone is ready to go. You pull the car out of the garage, press the remote, and off you go. No worries. That is until, upon your return, you realize the garage door isn’t closed.

It’s a common mistake that many homeowners make not realizing what they have done until they return.

Why did it not close? Garage doors do not close normally if the safety sensors are blocked. There’s a little light that shines  and meets the receptor on the other side of the garage. If anything blocks the sensor, sometimes even a cobweb, this will cause a malfunction.

You have to make sure nothing is blocking the path of the door. This is a frequent cause of service calls for garage doors. Always be careful when you use your door, be especially careful, however, if it does not work correctly. It is probably the largest, heaviest piece of machinery in the house. The counterweight system of the door is under extreme pressure, and if it does not work properly, it can be dangerous. Many people have been injured not knowing what they were doing. It’s always safer to call a professional repair company immediately.

If the door works, but does not close the first game, it there a few more things before you try a professional. Try using the wall button instead of the remote control or keyless entry. It is possible that the remotes batteries are dead. If the garage door works correctly, you can pull the manual release on the opener allowing you to manually close and open the door.

Some may have opened an indicator light that can help solve problems. Again, you need your manual for your opener. Information can be found online with a quick search of your brand and model number. You can find the model and manufacturer on the opener.

If all else fails, it may be time to call a pro. Some companies may give an estimate of likely repairs by phone, so they know what steps you have already met. Call a few different companies to ensure their numbers are competitive. Since the life expectancy of an opener is about 10 years, it could also be a good idea to check the prices of new opener, instead of repairing an older model. The new models have up to date safety features, as well.