1. Springs, Rollers, Cables, and Tracks

Visually inspect the springs, rollers, cables and tracks for any sign of wear or damage. Cables should appear taut and with no fraying. Springs should be one continuous coil with no breaks or gaps. All rollers should be able to travel freely inside the tracks. Tracks should be free of any obstructions. Springs and cables are under extreme pressure, as they take most of the weight of the door. Only a professional should attempt cable or spring repair or replacement.

2. Lubrication

This step is the easiest way to keep your garage door running smoothly and quietly. We recommend using a spray lubricant on all moving parts of your door, avoiding any plastic parts. Manufacturer recommendations can vary, and most garage door manuals will offer specific guideline for your garage door or opener.

3. Garage Door Balance

Garage doors can be quite hefty, with some tipping the scales at hundreds of pounds. All garage doors have a spring system to counter-balance that weight and make it functional. To check for proper balance, start with the garage door in the closed position. Disengage the opener by pulling the emergency release. You should then be able to easily lift your garage door. If it’s difficult or heavy to lift, your garage door opener could be receiving unnecessary wear and tear. We recommend scheduling a service call as soon as it’s convenient if yours feels heavy.

Always consult your owner’s manual for your garage door and opener for manufacturer specific instructions on maintaining your system. Most companies offer online resources for finding the appropriate manual for your model. We also offer service plans and reasonably priced repair and maintenance services. For more information about our garage door services in the metro Atlanta area, please contact us online, or call us at 678-714-7393.

The following instructions are for programming a Genie garage door opener intellicode remote. If you have an older model Genie opener you may need to follow a slightly different procedure.  These instructions should also allow you to clear all the programming codes from your opener. Clearing the codes from the opener’s receiver is the only way to disable a lost remote.

Make sure to keep everyone, including pets, out of the path of the garage door when programming a remote or keypad.

1. Locate the “learn” button on the opener. The location of the learn button is dependant upon the model opener. It can typically be found under the light cover. The learn button will have a small indicator light next to it.
2. Press and release the learn button
3. Press and release the button on the remote.
4. Press and release the button on the remote once again.

That’s it. The remote should be able to operate the opener at this point. Repeat these steps for any additional remotes or buttons you may wish to program.

To clear all existing codes from the receiver:

1. Press and hold the learn button on the opener for 10 seconds, or until the indicator light goes out.

Clearing the codes will erase all programming from the receiver. This feature is useful if  a remote has been lost, or if you wish to disable any old remotes or keypads. After clearing the codes,  remotes or keypads will need reprogramming.

Why didn’t it close? Garage doors usually fail to close as a result of the safety sensors being blocked. They’re located on each side of the opening, no more than a foot or so off the ground. Typically, each will have a small light that stays lit when everything is going well. If either of the lights are out, simply move whatever is blocking the sensor (sometimes even cobwebs/small debris can cause safety sensors to malfunction) or adjust them so that they are pointing at each other again. You can move these around by hand if they’ve been knocked out of alignment.

If you’re still stuck at home, make sure nothing is blocking the path of the door. This can be a common cause for service calls on garage doors. Always use caution when operating your door, but be extra cautious when it’s not working correctly. It’s the probably the largest, heaviest piece of machinery in the house. The counter balance system of the door is under EXTREME pressure, and when it doesn’t work properly, it can be dangerous. Many people have been injured or even killed by garage doors, some of them professionals. If your garage door is sitting crooked in the opening, has come off the tracks, or is not working properly, call a professional repair company immediately.

If the door works but the opener still won’t close it, there are a couple more things to try before calling a professional. Try using the wall button instead of the remote or keyless entry. It’s possible the remote’s batteries are dead, or the opener’s lock function has been enabled. If the garage door itself is working properly, you can pull the manual release on the opener. This will let you close the door manually, although the opener won’t be locking it shut the way it normally would.

Some openers have an indicator light that can help troubleshoot any problems. Again, you’ll need your owner’s manual for your opener. Many can be found online by doing a quick search for your make and model number. You can find the model and manufacturer on the back of the opener.

If all else fails, it may be time to call a pro. Some companies will be able to give an estimate on probable repairs over the phone, so let them know what steps you may have already taken. Call a few different companies to ensure their numbers are competitive. Since openers have an expected life span of about 10 years, it might also be a good idea to check prices for new openers, instead of repairing an older model. Newer models will have more up to date security features, as well. For more information about security vulnerabilities and older model garage door openers, take a look at “Is Your Garage Door Opener Leaving Your Home Unsecured?“.