Doors are the only 'civil' entrance and exit that a person can use in an enclosed space, say at home or in the office. This is why it is very difficult when this part gets bad. To keep it at its best performing condition, regular maintenance should be administered. This should include the automatic door opener which serves as the part that keeps the door opening or closing. But if the door is not working appropriately, like opening when you are trying to close it, then there must be something wrong with one of its internal parts like the safety beam.
The safety beam is actually comprised of two light beams coming from both sides of the door hole. These beams should be able to shine against each other when the door is locked close. If they don't then the opener cannot close and the door is open. They work like sensors that send information to the motor of the door opener, which is what actually enables the opening and closing of the door. In the case that there is an obstruction in between the beams, this will prevent the beams from letting the doors closed and locked even if a person adds pressure in shutting the door closed.
So when the door is not shutting close as before, and worse running in a different direction, this does not immediately mean that there is a problem with your door panel or your door opener. This may be a common problem that directs back to your safety beam. The only way you can solve this issue on your door mechanism is by inspecting your door opener if there is an element that may obstruct these beams from completing their functions. But if you think that there is none and it continues to work that way, getting the help of an expert is a wise decision.
Your friendly handyman will surely find the root cause of your present dilemma. In case that it is really the safety beam, you can rest assured that your technician will come up with the soundest solution to the problem. In case it needs a fix then agree to your tech's terms. But if it is already irreparable, never compromise your convenience and comfort. Immediately let your tech replace the safety beam of your automatic door opener to bring back the original performance of your door.
