Whether you use a remote control, a keypad, or a Wi-Fi-enabled gadget, today’s garage-door openers let convenience be just a button press away. But equally important is maintaining safety, especially to stop the door from closing unintentionally on someone or something. Here is where garage door safety sensors find application.
Low-voltage “photo eyes” mounted around 12 inches above the ground on both sides of the garage door make up these safety sensors. One of these sensors produces an infrared beam aimed toward the other. Should this beam be cut off—by an object or a person—the door stops shutting automatically.
Should your garage door stop closing or pauses midway-close without any apparent cause, the sensors may be responsible. They can be merely broken, crooked, or filthy. Cleaning the sensor lenses and gently changing their positions will help you to solve this and guarantee proper alignment of the beam. The beam is working when the green indication light of the receiving sensor stays on.
Should these methods not fix the problem, it is also advisable to check the garage door opener remote for any issues including dead batteries.
Should these troubleshooting suggestions fail, it could be time to bring in a specialist. Any problems with your safety sensors can be precisely identified and corrected by a local garage door specialist.
Cost of installing garage door safety sensors
Whether installation, replacement, or adjustment, the typical cost for services pertaining to garage door safety sensors is from $110 to $230. This value covers labour as well as material costs.
Usually included in a basic service call, this type of repair falls around $80 to $130 range. Should new sensors be required, they usually run between $30 and $50.
Factors Affecting the Cost
The whole cost of installing or fixing safety sensors can be influenced by several factors:
- Repair scope: Usually covered by the basic service call charge, which runs from $80 to $130, are simple tweaks or sensor cleaning. If replacement is needed, though, the whole cost—including labor and supplies—usually falls between $100 and $180.
- Electrical Work or Special Services: An electrician might be required if the power supply to your garage door opener causes the problem. Usually charging a minimum fee of $75 to $150, electricians charge additional $50 to $100 per hour for more involved repairs.
Advice on Saving Money
These tips will help you cut the expenses of installing garage door safety sensors:
- Most top automatic garage door manufacturers, such Lift Master, Craftsman, or Chamberlain, provide at least a 1-year limited warranty covering safety sensors. Check whether a replacement is covered if your sensors are broken yet under warranty.
- Hiring a talented handyperson can be a more affordable choice for little fixes. Usually, their charges run from $40 to $80 an hour. You could also buy the safety sensors online or from a home improvement store, then have the handyperson set them up.
- Maximize a Service Call: Ask the repair professional to handle additional garage door needs during the same visit, including opener repair or maintenance, so optimizing a service call.
Frequent Questions
Should one install safety sensors on garage doors?
Indeed, any new garage door opener installation calls for safety sensors. Federal rules requiring all residential garage doors sold in the United States to contain a device to reverse the door’s motion within two seconds should an obstacle be found starting in 2018 Should you need to replace your sensors, anticipate to pay between $30 and $50 for the replacements plus installation expenses.
Can my current garage door opener have sensors added to it?
Indeed, only if your current opener is made to operate with sensors will this apply. Should your sensors not be operating as expected, a garage door repair specialist can replace them for a projected $110 to $230, including time and materials. You might have to replace the whole opener, though, if you desire sensors and your present system lacks them.
How might one install garage door safety sensors?
Wiring garage door safety sensors to the opener might be a difficult task. For correct installation, most homeowners find it best to work with a garage door business or an experienced handyperson.
