A homeowner in Strongsville called Proactive Garage Door Repair because their garage door opener had stopped working. The opener was old, and it was ready to be replaced. On this visit, our technician removed the old unit and installed a new Chamberlain belt drive opener. When we left, the door opened with one press of the button again.
Here is how the job went, what we looked at before recommending a new opener, and what you can check at home if your own opener starts to act up.
The problem: an opener that quit
When a garage door will not open, the cause is not always the opener. A broken spring, a cable off its drum, or a door that has come off its track can all stop a door from moving, and an opener should never be used to force a door that is stuck. That is why our technicians look at the whole door, not only the motor, before recommending anything.
On this job, the opener was the part that had failed, and it was old enough that putting more money into it no longer made sense for the homeowner.
Repair or replace?
We always look at a repair first. Many openers only need a new remote, a sensor adjustment, a fresh gear, or a new logic board. When an opener is still in good condition, a repair is usually the better value.
There are times when a replacement is the smarter choice:
- The opener is old and parts are hard to find or not worth the cost.
- It has failed more than once, and the next breakdown is only a matter of time.
- The homeowner wants a quieter opener, better security, or smartphone control that the old unit cannot offer.
In this case the old opener had stopped working and was ready to be replaced, so the homeowner chose a new one.
Why a belt drive opener
The homeowner went with a Chamberlain belt drive opener. A belt drive uses a reinforced belt instead of a metal chain to move the door, so it runs smoothly and quietly. That makes it a popular choice for attached garages, especially when there is a bedroom or living space above or next to the garage.
Chain drive openers are strong and still a good fit for heavy or oversized doors. For most homes in Strongsville, though, a belt drive is the choice we see most often for everyday comfort. If you want to compare the options, our guide to the different types of garage door openers explains how chain, belt, screw and wall-mount openers differ.
What the installation included
Our photos from this job show the work step by step: the old opener before we started, the new unit going up during the install, and the finished opener afterward.
A new opener is only as safe as its setup. On every opener installation we check that the door travels all the way up and all the way down, that the safety sensors near the floor see each other, and that the door reverses when something is in its way. After the install, the door opened with one press again.
What you can check before you call
If your opener stops working, a few simple checks can save you a visit:
- Power. Make sure the opener is plugged in and the outlet has power. A tripped breaker or a GFCI outlet that has popped is a common cause.
- Remote batteries. If the wall button works but the remote does not, try a new battery.
- Safety sensors. If the door starts down and then goes back up, look at the two small sensors near the floor. Wipe the lenses and make sure the lights are steady. Our article on how to align garage door sensors walks you through it.
- Lock switch. Many wall buttons have a lock or vacation switch that blocks the remotes.
Do not try to adjust springs or cables yourself. They hold the weight of the door under high tension and can cause serious injury. If the door feels very heavy, looks crooked, or makes a loud bang, leave it closed and call a technician.
Garage door opener help in Strongsville
We repair garage doors and openers all over Strongsville, from the neighborhoods off Pearl Road and Royalton Road to the newer streets on the west side of the city. Whether your opener needs a small repair or a full replacement, we will give you the price on the phone and explain your options before any work starts.
Learn more about our garage door opener repair service, or see everything we do in town on our garage door repair in Strongsville page.
Need help in Strongsville? Call (440) 876-4444.
