Your garage door is probably one of the most-used parts of your home and most likely the largest moving one. It keeps your vehicles and belongings safe while adding convenience to your daily routine. However, if it’s not properly maintained or used the right way, it can easily become a safety hazard. To keep things running smoothly (and safely), here are some garage door safety tips every homeowner should know. 

Schedule Regular Maintenance 

Garage doors take a beating with regular use, so keeping up with maintenance is essential to making sure everything runs smoothly. Here are a few things to keep an eye on: 

Springs and Cables: These are the backbone of your garage door system, so they need to be in good shape. Check for any signs of rust or fraying. 

Rollers and Tracks: Make sure the tracks are clean and free of debris, and check that the rollers glide smoothly. 

Lubrication: A little spray lubricant on the hinges, rollers, and springs goes a long way in reducing friction and preventing wear and tear. 

You should be able to handle basic tasks like cleaning and lubricating on your own, but for a more thorough checkup, it’s always smart to call in professionals. At The Door Company, our experienced technicians can catch potential issues early before they turn into costly problems. 

Test Safety Features 

Contemporary garage doors usually include built-in safety systems to help prevent accidents. It is important for homeowners to conduct routine tests on these features to confirm they operate correctly. 

• Auto-Reverse Mechanism: Set a tiny item such as a wooden block beneath the garage door. The system requires adjustment or repair if the door fails to reverse automatically when it makes contact. 

• Photo-Eye Sensors: The sensors can identify any obstacles that block the door’s opening path. Check that the door reverses when you block the sensor beam to confirm that the lenses remain clean and properly aligned. 

Close Doors Fully 

Partial closure of your garage door exposes you to multiple potential dangers. When your garage door remains open, it creates security vulnerabilities and leads to unexpected door movements. To prevent accidents or malfunctioning of your garage door, you must make sure it is completely closed or open. 

Teach Safe Operation 

Make sure everyone in your home, especially children, understands the importance of garage door safety. Children should never play near moving garage doors because of safety hazards. It’s best to show family members the correct door operation techniques and emergency response actions. Moreover, store all garage door remotes and controls away from places where children could access them. 

Disconnect During Power Outages 

Your garage door opener becomes inoperable during power outages. Understand how to operate your door manually with the release lever during power outages to ensure safety. Securely reattach the lever to the door opener after power restoration. 

Invest in Professional Inspections 

Certain issues still demand professional attention despite regular maintenance practices. Even just the smallest damage to garage door panels or parts can create safety hazards. Inspect the door frequently to identify any cracks, dents, or signs of sagging. If you happen to discover any issues, avoid trying to repair them on your own because do-it-yourself repairs of springs and cables alongside other high-pressure parts pose serious safety hazards. 

When you implement these safety measures and collaborate with professionals from The Door Company, you gain assurance that your garage door functions with both efficiency and security. Our extensive experience enables us to deliver full maintenance, repair, and installation services, which are customized to your requirements. We maintain your garage door’s peak performance because customer satisfaction is our top priority. Our team is ready to provide expert advice and arrange safety inspections, so reach out to us today.