Garage Doors are more than just my business; they’re my passion. I got into the garage door industry because it’s what I love to do, and I like to think of myself as a perfectionist when it comes to garage door repairs, components, features and complete system installs.
Safety is on the top of my list as far as priorities go. I only install and repair with utmost quality, reliable and safe garage door hardware and I want to make sure you, my valued customers, are equipped with garage door safety facts.
Here’s five of the most important garage door safety tips you should know:
- First and foremost, performing regular maintenance by a trained professional, is the key to a long-lasting garage door system and a safe one. We recommend having your system inspected and a tune-up performed once a year. Your garage door technician will inspect all the vital components such as your system’s springs, pulleys, tracks, cables, door panels, transmitters and test the functionality of your garage door opener.
Next your garage door man will lubricate all necessary areas, check and test your photo eyes and reverse mechanism is operating properly. If we see anything wrong or potential issues, we’ll let you know. - Second, check your photo eyes at least once per month to ensure they are working properly. Make sure the sensors on either side of the garage door, about 4 – 6 inches from the floor, have clean lenses. Your photo eyes sense if there’s something in the path of your garage door and will trigger your opener’s reverse mechanism in the event that there is an object in it’s path.
- Third, check your garage door hardware, springs and fittings. STOP! Before checking these components, close your garage door and pull your garage door opener’s “quick release” lever to detach the garage door from the automatic opener. This will ensure your garage won’t somehow automatically open while you’re inspecting this potentially dangerous system hardware. Using the handle on your garage door, manually open and close your garage door to ensure that your garage door springs are operating properly.
Inspect the tracks are clean and free of debris. Check for any damage to pulleys and system components. You can check for any loose nuts and bolts around your system. When done, make sure to reattach your system’s “quick release” and open your garage door via the automatic door opener remote, to test the automatic opener is working again. Do not tamper with the garage door springs in any way or even get too close to them. They are the most dangerous component of your system. - Fourth, install your garage door transmitter (wall push button) high enough on the wall so it’s out of reach of young children. Be sure to keep any portable garage door remotes out of their reach as well.
- Fifth, If your door sounds abnormally loud while in operation or appears to struggle to open or close, call your technician and have your system inspected. Your garage door springs could be on their last leg and it’s better to have your springs repaired or replaced before they break. All garage door springs come with a shelf life. On average, 10,000 cycles (one open and one close = one cycle). At some point your door springs will break and it’s far better to replace your garage door springs before they break, for safety and potential damage to your garage door itself.
If you have any questions, give Elite Door Systems a call. We are always happy to assist you with your garage door questions and system needs. We have over 20 years in the garage door industry and it’s our privilege to be able to assist you.