Your garage door serves as more than just an entry point to your home; it is a vital component in ensuring the safety and security of your property. One essential feature built into most modern garage door systems is the auto-reverse function, which is designed to protect people and objects from serious injury or damage. When your garage door encounters an obstruction while closing, the auto-reverse feature immediately changes its direction, ensuring safety and preventing accidents. But how can you check if this critical function is working correctly?
Testing the garage door auto-reverse feature is a simple process that can be performed by any homeowner. By testing regularly, you not only the safety of your family, pets, and property, but also prevent costly repairs down the line. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to properly test the auto-reverse function and highlight potential issues that could affect your garage door’s performance.
What is the garage door auto-reverse safety feature?
The garage door auto-reverse feature is a built-in mechanism that can prevent accidents and minimize potential damage. If an obstruction is detected in the door’s path while it’s closing, the system will automatically reverse its direction, thus opening the door again. This feature prevents the door from harming anything — or anyone — beneath it. It’s an important feature that is required by law in the United States, especially when garage door openers are installed in homes with children or pets.
Consumer reports gathered by the US Consumer Products and Safety Commission (CPSC) in the 1980s found that automatic garage doors may be more dangerous than previously believed. Since then, all garage doors purchased after January 1, 1991 have had an auto-reverse feature, as mandated by the CPSC. External entrapment reversal systems were also mandated in 1993, making garage doors safer, but also more complex than ever.
Why is it important to check a garage door’s auto-reverse feature?
When your garage door’s auto-reverse safety feature malfunctions or fails to engage, the risks can be significant. A garage door that doesn’t reverse when it encounters an obstruction can crush objects, vehicles, or, in the worst-case scenario, a person. It can also cause extensive damage to the structure and the door itself.
Fixing a damaged door after such an incident can be costly, but the long-term repercussions could include more serious issues such as building code violations. Many jurisdictions such as the state of Washington require that garages be equipped with functional auto-reverse systems to meet safety regulations, and failure to comply with these codes can result in fines or the need for costly retrofitting.
Additionally, unaddressed damage to a garage door system can escalate into more significant structural issues, especially if the springs or hardware are also not properly maintained. Neglecting regular testing can lead to even more dangerous situations, increased repair costs, and delays in necessary fixes. By testing the auto-reverse feature regularly, you make sure that it’s functioning correctly, helping avoid accidents, expensive fixes, and potential legal trouble.
How can you check your garage door’s auto-reverse feature?
Homeowners can perform a basic test to ensure their garage door’s auto-reverse mechanism is functioning correctly. Regular checks like this are an important part of home safety maintenance.
If you’re looking to test your auto-reverse system the DIY way, here are some steps to guide you through the process:
Check the photo-eye sensors
The first part of testing the auto-reverse feature involves checking the photo-eye sensors, which are located on either side of your garage door tracks. These sensors emit an invisible beam across the doorway, effectively detecting any obstacles in the garage door’s path. If the beam is broken while the door is closing, the auto-reverse feature may not activate, and the door will continue sliding down.
How to check
Stand at the base of each sensor and look for a light indicator. Typically, the sensors have a small light that will be either green (indicating proper function) or red (indicating a problem). If the lights are not aligned or are off, the sensors may need realignment or cleaning.
Check the sensor lenses for dirt, spider webs, or debris, which could block the beam. Clean the lenses by gently wiping them with a soft cloth and mild detergent if necessary. If the sensors are properly positioned and the lights are working, proceed to test the auto-reverse functionality itself.
Test the auto-reverse feature
Testing the garage door auto-reverse function is a simple process, one that takes only minutes to do.
How to test
- Step 1: Close the garage door using the garage door opener or remote control.
- Step 2: Place a small object, such as a piece of wood, a brick, or a stack of books, on the floor directly in the door’s path. Never use your fingers or any body part for this test.
- Step 3: While the garage door is closing, observe its reaction when it hits the obstruction. The garage door should reverse immediately once it detects the object, and it should retract back up to its fully open position.
- Step 4: Repeat the test several times to see that the auto-reverse function works consistently and reliably.
If the garage door continues to close even after making contact with the object, or if it takes too long to retract, there may be an issue with the auto-reverse system. Further inspection or repairs will be needed. If this is the case, it is recommended that you disengage your electronic garage door and schedule an assessment with a reputable garage door specialist. In the meantime, do not attempt to use the garage door to prevent untoward incidents.
Check the garage door’s force setting
Do this test only if the initial auto-reverse test fails. The force setting on your garage door opener controls the amount of pressure applied by the door when closing. If this setting is too high, it can prevent the door from reversing when it encounters an obstruction. On the other hand, if the force setting is too low, the door may reverse too easily, which could prevent it from closing all the way.
How to check
- Test the door opener’s force by attempting to block the garage door with your hand as it closes. If you can easily stop the garage door from closing, the force setting may be too low. On the other hand, if your garage door does not reverse when extra pressure is applied, then the force setting may be too high.
- Adjust the force settings using the controls on your garage door opener. Most systems allow you to turn the dial or set screws to increase or decrease the amount of force used during operation.
Test the manual reversal
Testing the manual reversal is another important step in ensuring that your garage door is properly configured. This test involves using the manual release to simulate the garage door’s reaction to an obstruction.
How to check
- Step 1: Pull the manual release cord to disengage the garage door from the opener.
- Step 2: Try to close the garage door manually.
- Step 3: Place an object in the garage door’s path (e.g.,a small piece of wood or a rubber mat) and try to close the door by hand.
- Step 4: The garage door should reverse its motion once it hits the object. If it doesn’t, the manual release may not be functioning properly, or the force settings could be incorrect, requiring further investigation
Inspect the garage door springs and cables
The garage door springs and safety cables play a critical role in ensuring your door moves smoothly. If the garage door springs are worn out, broken, or improperly tensioned, the door may not function correctly, which could interfere with the auto-reverse feature.
How to check
- Inspect the garage door torsion springs or torsion bar, or extension springs for any signs of wear, cracks, or damage. Garage door torsion springs carry a significant amount of tension when being operated, which makes them prone to splitting or breaking, especially if they become exposed to excessive moisture and oxidation. Meanwhile, extension springs, which carry tension while your garage door is closed, may wear down over time and snap at the slightest disturbance. Replacing springs will typically cost less than the expenses you’ll incur when the old spring breaks and damages the rest of your door system.
- Another thing to keep in mind is to check that the safety cables are securely fastened and in good condition to prevent the garage door springs from potentially causing serious injury if they break. This is especially critical for heavier doors, such as sectional garage doors.
Take note that taking the DIY approach when a spring breaks is a dangerous task, especially if you don’t have proper tools. Garage spring replacement is generally considered to be a three-person job, and it is more advisable to seek the help of a trusted garage door spring repair expert instead.
When to call a professional for help
If you encounter any issues with the auto-reverse system that you can’t fix yourself, call in a professional garage door technician. Problems such as misaligned sensors, faulty openers, or worn-out garage door springs or cables require expert knowledge and tools to be addressed safely.
It’s also important to point out that garage door reliability and durability are enhanced if the doors are installed by experienced installers. DIY is often seen as a less expensive route, but professional installation can reduce the need for future repairs. Experienced contractors can quickly tell if a door or garage door opener is the right fit for your property. It is almost always worth paying a reputable garage door specialist or overhead door company for their services, as the overall cost of a professional garage door job can cost the same amount of money or even less than corrective measures for an improperly installed one.
Contact Rainbow Garage Door Service for expert assistance
Regular testing helps you catch issues before they become serious. If you’re unsure how to perform tests or run into problems, reach out to a professional. Keeping your garage door’s auto-reverse feature in top condition ensures your garage stays safe and secure.
If you need professional installation of your garage door and opener, or help repairing your garage door auto-reverse feature or checking for broken springs, Rainbow Garage Door is here for you. Contact us today or visit our garage door services page to schedule a professional inspection or job order, and keep your garage door system running smoothly and safely.
