Do you constantly strain your back by opening and closing heavy garage doors multiple times a day? If yes, it's time to add garage door openers to your home. You can reap many benefits after installing garage door openers, ranging from increased safety and accessibility through your smartphone to adequate ventilation whenever you want. Some smart garage door openers work well and send you alerts every time you operate the garage door opener. So, this keeps a record of who comes in or goes out of your home with the help of technology. 

Read on to learn about each type of garage door opener and some common issues that you may face while operating your garage doors. Also, explore some tips for proper waste management if you want to dispose of malfunctioning garage door openers. 

What Are the Types of Garage Door Openers? 

Garage door openers allow easy opening and closing of your garage door and are available in various types as mentioned below: 

• Chain Driven Opener

These door openers are popular and among the most affordable ones. They work perfectly for any kind of heavy garage door. If noise is your matter of concern, these doors are not suitable for you, as the chains creak while in operation and need regular maintenance, unlike the other garage openers. 

• Belt Driven Opener

Instead of a chain, the door utilizes a rubber belt to operate. These openers are suitable for heavy doors but are equally functional in any kind of light door. Unlike chain-driven openers, belt-driven openers are expensive and work in silence. 

• Screwdriver Opener

The screwdriver opener consists of a threaded metal rod that rotates like a screw when opening or closing your garage door. So, if you are in search of door openers with moderate noise levels and price, you can buy these openers for your garage door. However, you may face issues if you do not maintain them consistently. 

• Jackshaft Opener

If you want to mount your garage door opener on the walls instead of a high ceiling, a jackshaft opener is your go-to product. Installing these openers, which function quietly, will give you extra space. 

• Smart Opener

With its smart remote control system, you can easily operate this technology-friendly opener even when you are far away from home. 

Factors to Take Into Consideration When Choosing a Garage Door Opener

Now that you are familiar with the types of openers consider the following when choosing a suitable opener for your garage door. 

• Weight and size of your garage door: This is one of the critical factors that determine your opener buying decision. A screwdriver opener is not the right option for your extremely heavy garage doors, but a chain-driven opener can work perfectly in this case. 
• Horsepower: If you have heavy garage doors, you need to purchase openers that operate with a garage door powered by motors with higher horsepower. 
• Noise: If you dislike noisy garage doors, you can opt for Jackshaft, belt-driven, or screw-driven openers. 
• Budget: The cost of the garage door opener is the major deciding factor, so it's essential to choose openers that fit your budget. 

How to Resolve the Common Problems Associated With Garage Door Openers? 

It's annoying to deal with a faulty garage door opener constantly, but you can easily fix some of the common issues. However, if you have bigger problems that require expert assistance, we advise you to call a door specialist to handle garage door opener issues. 

Below is a list of some common opener issues and practical solutions for troubleshooting garage door problems yourself. 

• Battery issues

Sometimes, a simple battery replacement can help you operate your garage door opener. Weak batteries don't function if you are 25 feet away from the garage door. So, check for dead or weak batteries if you have issues with your garage door. 

• Malfunctioning track 

When garage door openers are not the issue, dirty tracks can create obstructions when trying to open up garage doors. So, routinely check and clean the tracks to clear out dirt and debris. You should also lubricate the tracks for smooth and silent operation. 

• Repair or replace door parts

Sometimes, even when your garage door opener is working perfectly fine, the door may be reluctant to open. If that's your problem, you must check other associated door components. For instance, a worn-out spring makes it difficult to open garage doors. Also, check all the other parts like cables, tracks, hinges, or motors and make sure that they are working properly. Don't ignore a damaged component and instantly repair or replace it according to your door needs. 

• Inappropriate transmitter frequency

Garage doors operate abruptly when garage door openers have mismatched frequencies. Sometimes, your neighbor's door opener may have the same frequency as yours, causing interference while closing or opening doors. So, adjust the frequency according to your model's manual or ask your dealer to assist you. 

• Problems with safety sensors

A faulty safety beam sensor means that the garage door opener easily opens your garage door but is unable to close it. In such a scenario, the sensors may be misaligned, unplugged, or dirty, which makes them perceive that some obstruction is below the garage door. So, fix the alignment if the sensor has alignment issues or clean it if it is dirty to make sure that it measures the path correctly. 

Proactive Tips to Maintain Your Garage Door Openers

Your garage door opener functions well when you take some time out to take care of your garage doors. If your garage door has some problems on its parts, it puts a strain on your door openers so routine checks and lubrication of your garage door once a year can be helpful for a smooth operation. 

A garage door service provider may offer a warranty that covers all the repair costs associated with garage door openers. However, you can extend the life of a garage door opener by following these preventative maintenance techniques. 

• Check your door alignment once every month to ensure that the springs are well-functioning. Do not attempt to reverse an unbalanced garage door by yourself, as the springs work under high pressure, and attempting to fix them can cause severe accidents. 
• Lubricate all the moving components, such as door rollers, bearings, and hinges, annually so that the doors slide well while operating. 
• Follow the lubrication process once again after 3-4 years. While doing so, wipe out existing grease and apply a small layer of lubricant for proper functioning. 

How to Manage Faulty Garage Door Openers?

You must be careful when disposing of a malfunctioning garage door opener. Always follow the necessary waste management guidelines to avoid legal penalties. 

Here are some steps you can take to manage your waste effectively. 

• Do not mix batteries with other household waste, as they belong to the hazardous waste category. Instead, you can take the dead batteries to local collection sites nearby or recycle them whenever possible. 
• One method of waste management is to call your garage door opener dealer to have the system removed and replaced with a new one. 

You can schedule a date to sell off the metal tracks in scrap companies as they follow responsible waste management techniques and recycle them as far as possible.