How heavy Calgary snow impacts your garage door sensors is a serious problem for local homeowners every winter season. We understand that a blocked sensor prevents your door from closing safely when you leave for work today. Our team observes that drifting snow often piles up right against the delicate electronic photo-eyes at the bottom. Because we want to protect your family, we suggest checking these sensors after every major Alberta snowstorm or blizzard. We notice that even a tiny bit of frost or ice can stop the beam from connecting across the opening. Consequently, the door may reverse suddenly or refuse to move at all when you press the wall button. Furthermore, we believe that keeping the area clear of debris is the best way to avoid a service call.
Using a soft cloth to wipe away moisture ensures that your safety system works perfectly in the freezing cold. This process ensures that your home stays secure and your pets remain safe from a heavy descending garage door. We offer the Best Garage Door repair in Calgary to help you handle these stubborn winter maintenance tasks. Furthermore, our professional technicians can realign your sensors if the shifting ground has moved them out of place. This allows you to stay warm inside your car while the door operates smoothly and reliably every time. Proper sensor care is the first step to a functional home during the long and cold Canadian winter months. Our team focuses on your safety by ensuring every safety feature meets the highest standards for your peace of mind. We take pride in helping our neighbours keep their homes accessible even when the weather turns very harsh. Please Contact Us if your door sensors continue to fail despite your best efforts to clean them today.
Why Cold Weather Causes Your Safety Sensors to Misbehave
Winter temperatures in Calgary can drop well below freezing very quickly during the night. We find that extreme cold causes the metal brackets holding your sensors to contract and pull apart slightly. Additionally, this small movement can break the invisible light beam that tells the door it is safe to close. Furthermore, the light on the sensor might start blinking to warn you that a misalignment has occurred today. Consequently, you might find yourself stuck with an open garage door while trying to leave for a busy shift. We prioritize checking the tightness of these brackets to ensure they stay level despite the changing outdoor temperatures. Our team uses specialized tools to verify the signal strength of your safety eyes in all weather conditions.
Clearing Snow Drifts to Prevent Accidental Door Reversals
Heavy snow often blows under the door seal if the ground is not perfectly level near your driveway. We see that these drifts can physically block the path of the sensors and trigger a safety reversal. Additionally, ice chunks falling from your wheel wells can land directly in front of the electronic lenses at home. Furthermore, this blockage tricks the system into thinking a person or a car is in the way. Consequently, the door will bounce back up just as you are trying to drive away for the day. We suggest shovelling a wide path around the door tracks to keep the sensors clear of all obstacles. Our team can also inspect your garage door sensor to ensure the wiring remains waterproof and protected from melting snow.
Managing Condensation and Frost on Your Electronic Lenses
Rapidly changing temperatures often lead to thick fog or frost forming on the glass of your safety sensors. We find that this moisture scatters the light beam and prevents the door from closing on the first try. Additionally, the sun reflecting off white snow can sometimes blind the sensors during the bright Calgary winter afternoons. Furthermore, this creates a situation where the door works fine at night but fails during the sunny daytime hours. Consequently, you may need to build small cardboard sunshields to protect the lenses from the direct glare of the sun. We provide expert advice on how to keep your sensors dry without scratching the delicate glass surfaces today. Our team ensures that your safety system remains sensitive enough to protect your children while ignoring the winter weather.
FAQ
Why does my garage door open back up right after it hits the floor?
This usually means your sensors are blocked or your close-limit settings need a quick adjustment for the winter. We can recalibrate your opener to ensure it recognizes the floor level correctly without bouncing back.
Can I bypass my garage door sensors if they are frozen?
We do not recommend bypassing safety features as this creates a major risk for your family and your pets. It is much safer to clean the lenses or call our professional team for a permanent alignment.
How do I know if my sensors are actually aligned correctly?
Most sensors have a small green or amber light that stays solid when the beam is connected perfectly. If the light is flickering or off, the sensors are likely out of alignment or blocked by snow.
Will salt from the driveway damage my garage door sensors?
Yes, road salt can cause corrosion on the wiring and the metal housing of your safety eyes over time. We suggest wiping the sensors with a damp cloth to remove any salt spray from your tires.
What should I do if my sensors are still blinking after I cleaned them?
If cleaning doesn’t work, the sensors might have a broken internal wire or a failed electronic component. Our team can replace the sensors with new weatherproof models that handle the Calgary cold much better.