Garage door sensors are crucial to your garage door’s safety system. Compact yet mighty devices detect obstructions in the door’s path and stop it from closing to prevent accidents. However, like most mechanical components, external forces can also influence them, notably the weather. At Star Garage Doors, understanding these effects will help you keep your garage door system functioning accurately and safely all year!
The Impact of Weather on Garage Door Sensors
Extreme Cold Temperatures
Cold weather can contract the sensors’ metal components, leaving them misaligned. When temperatures fluctuate, the sensors’ lenses can fog up, disrupting their ability to detect objects. Cold temperatures also make the wiring brittle, making it break more easily.
How to Prevent Issues:
- You also want to ensure your garage is insulated to reduce temperature extremes.
- Regularly check the sensors for condensation or frost, and clean them with a soft cloth.
Excessive Heat and Sunlight
Sunlight hitting the sensors can simulate the infrared beam that enables them to communicate, leading to false signaling or malfunctions. This is a frequent problem in summer when one sensor remains under the sun for extended periods.
How to Prevent Issues:
- Put small sunshades or little covers around them to help protect the sensors from direct sunlight.
- Fix the position of the sensor so it is not in direct sunlight.
Heavy Rain and Humidity
Rain or high-humidity water can enter the sensors and reach their components. If these sensors are exposed to moisture for a long time,](they can rust or corrode and stop working correctly.
How to Prevent Issues:
- Inspect the seals around the sensors to verify they are intact and weatherproof.
- After unexpected heavy rains, clean and dry the sensors to avoid water ponding.
Wind and Dust
Dust, debris, or leaves carried by wind could be placed between the two sensors — blocking the infrared beam. Over time, this accumulation can mess with their function, ruining your garage door.
How to Prevent Issues:
- Dust off sensor lenses frequently using a cloth that is only mildly damp.
- Ensure there is no debris around the sensors to prevent blockages.
Snow and Ice
When it is snowy, snow can accumulate at the garage door’s base and block the sensors. Ice can also form on the sensors or their lenses, preventing them from doing their job.
How to Prevent Issues:
- Sweeping away snow and ice accumulation around your garage door often.
- During the winter season, check sensors more frequently to ensure they are clear and aligned.
All weather conditions (like extreme cold and searing heat, to name a few) considerably affect the function of your garage door sensors. The good news is that taking preventive action and doing some essential maintenance can help your sensors endure these hazards, allowing your garage door to function safely.
Here at Star Garage Doors, we’re here to help you keep your garage door system operating through the seasons. So, we are only one call away, whether it be for repairs, maintenance, or an expert opinion.