This is something that happens all the time. A garbage bin bumps a sensor when taking out the garbage. A broom or a shovel stored in the corner is grabbed too quickly and knocks the sensor out of line. A child may think that the sensor is a play thing and turn it in a different direction. Any of these scenarios, or similar scenarios, can cause your garage door not to close because the garage door opener is reading that an obstruction is in the way.
Homeowners sometimes express frustration with the inconvenience of sensors being placed so close to the ground and that their sensitivity stops the garage door opener from operating when a mild misalignment occurs. But, by law, the sensors are required to be placed where they are – three inches to six inches from the ground. The reason for this is to protect infants and small pets you might not see. In the process, the placement of the sensors helps to prevent serious injury, or even death from the weight of a garage door.
The good news is that most maintenance, and even replacement of the garage door sensors, is something many homeowners can do themselves. If your garage door opener cannot close your garage door because the sensors are misaligned, it is easy to resolve. Ensure the light, that little red dot, is square in the bracket and that the bracket is square to the floor. Then use a measuring tape to check the distance from the floor to the center of the photo eye. Repeat the process on the other side, ensuring the second photo eye is the same height. Your garage door opener should now complete the close cycle.
Your sensors should last as long as the for the life of the garage door opener system. On occasion, however, they may fail before that but this is unlikely. If you feel you are mechanically inclined, to some degree, then this repair is something you can probably handle. It is basically disconnecting two wires from the old sensor and reconnecting them to the new.
There are some simple things to keep in mind to avoid issues with your garage door sensors. Set up a system to store your tools away from the door. Keep the salt that gets you through your Northern Illinois winters away from the corner of your garage. Make sure you clean up the leaves and cobwebs that collect near your sensors. All of this will keep your garage door opener raising and lowering your garage door as you expect it to.
Remember to maintain your garage door sensors so they operate properly. Realignment and replacement are simple projects most homeowners can do. If you feel uncomfortable with that, or you find that it isn't as easy as you thought, call in a professional you know you can trust.
