One of the greatest inventions of modern time is the garage door opener. Who doesn’t love the idea of being able to drive into a garage on a rainy day without having to get out of their car? If you are one of the lucky ones with both a garage and a garage door opener, you know what I’m talking about. Easy to maintain, one of the most common problems with some types of garage door openers is a sagging chain. While not a serious problem, keeping the chain adjusted will lengthen the life of your opener and ensure that it will be working properly when you need it the most.
There are three types of garage door openers available on the market, screw driven, belt driven and chain driven. A chain driven garage door opener uses a garage door chain to open and close and as a result presents its own unique set of circumstances at installation and throughout the life of the opener. If you have a chain driven garage door opener and are having a problem with it, chances are you are having a problem with the garage door chain.
The garage door chain is the central mechanism to this type of garage door opener and may require maintenance from time to time. It’s not a difficult thing to repair or replace a chain if you know how to do it. Many homeowners can take care of this repair themselves.
If you notice that your garage door chain is rubbing or sagging there are several things you can do to fix the problem. Before you begin any garage door repair or adjustment, close the door and disconnect the door opener via the emergency release. When the door is in the closed position you will be able to adjust the chain.
You may need a stepladder to reach the repair. Be sure and use the necessary precautions to ensure your safety. To make the chain adjustment, begin by finding the spot where the chain connects to the cable. Here you will ordinarily find a bolt with several nuts. One nut will adjust the chain and the other will lock it in place. First, loosen the locking nut and then adjust the length of the chain by turning the center nut.
When adjusting the garage door chain, be careful not to tighten the chain too much. The chain at the center point should sag about one half inch from the track. If you tighten it too much you run the risk of causing too much wear and tear on the chain rollers causing them to wear out.
A sagging garage door chain is not cause for concern. It does not mean your opener is worn out and in need of replacement. Simply tighten it up and you’re good to go. If you have a tubular track there may be another adjustment you can make to correct this problem. Some tracks have an adjustment that allows you to lengthen the track to accommodate the loose chain.
If your garage door chain breaks you may wish to purchase a replacement chain and install it yourself. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions and your door will be working again in no time. A garage door opener is not a complicated piece of equipment and simple maintenance and repairs can usually be done by the homeowner.
