How Does a Garage Door Opener Work?

December 23, 2016 | 2:48 am | A1 Garage Door Service | 5 min read

How Does a Garage Door Opener Work The garage door opener is at the heart of your garage door mechanism. This is because it controls the opening and closing of your garage door. But, how exactly does a garage door opener work?

It is important to understand how a garage door opener works so that you will be able to ensure its proper maintenance and safety. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, faulty garage door openers are the most common cause of accidents in garage doors. As such, it is important to keep it properly maintained and in optimal condition.

Fortunately, A1 Garage Door Service is at your beck and call 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week. We offer 24-hour emergency garage door repair service to help you out with any problems with your garage door opener or with your garage door. Just call us at (844) 388-3587.

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How a Garage Door Opener Works & Important Components

In order to understand how your garage door opener works, it is essential to know its various components. A garage door opener is made up of the following operating components:

Motors and Gears

Your garage door opener has a set of motors and gears. The motor is the one powering up the opening and closing movement of your garage door, no matter its weight. The gears assist the motor in this function.

Drive Guide

Your garage door has a drive guide that enables the chain, belt, or screws to travel through the garage door opener’s system. In the operation of your garage door, it is the drive guide that will position the pulling mechanism into place. If there are any problems with your driver guide, you will see that your garage door with stop and start during its operation. For more information, check out our guide on the different types of garage door openers.

Garage Door Springs

Your garage door springs serve as the muscle in the operation of your garage door. During the opening of your garage door, the spring will uncoil and send this tension to the door. When the door closes, the spring will help to bear a majority of the weight. If your garage spring becomes damaged or broken, it is important to immediately consult A1 Garage Door Service for garage door spring repair or replacement.

Maintaining Your Garage Door & Opener System

In order to ensure that your garage door system is in optimal condition, it is important to follow the steps below:

Check the different components of your garage door — brackets, cables, fasteners, tracks, and supports. See if there are loose, bent, or worn parts. If you know how to fix issues, you can do it yourself especially if it is as simple as tightening some screws. Contact an expert if necessary.
Check the cord connections, especially the one between the opener and the electrical outlet. If frayed, you will need to fix it immediately or call a technician.
Determine if the batteries in the garage door opener remote control are still working. Replace if necessary.
Test your opener’s reverse system, if not once a month, then at least every couple of months. Follow the procedures stated in the manual. When in doubt, it is better to consult a technician in order to ensure the alignment of the electronic eyes.
Apply lubricants on the moving parts, especially the chain, screw, and rollers.
Test the manual release handles which allow you to open your garage door manually when your garage door opener is malfunctioning.

Always remember that for the sake of your safety, check with a professional such as A1 Garage Door Service if you encounter any problems or issues with your garage door.

Call A1 Experts For All Your Garage Door & Opener Needs!

At A1 Garage Door Service, our local garage door company experts provide a comprehensive range of garage door and opener services, repairs, and installations for homeowners in locations across the United States. Our comprehensive services include:

Call our local professionals in your area at 844-214- 2724 for all your garage door services or any other assistance you may need for your garage system.