Garage doors are not the first thing we think about when thinking of dangers around our house. These systems, especially older ones, can pose serious danger if they aren’t handled properly.
Clear the Way for Doors in Motion
Most people have experienced the following scenario: You back your car from your garage, and then you realize that something was missing. You pull the car over and then run into the house to get what you need. You press the garage door switch while you are returning to your car.
Although many people do this every day without injury, we strongly discourage it for the following reasons.
- A single mistake is enough. There’s always the chance that you might slip on something slippery or trip on your shoelace as you race to get out of there before it closes. Even though you may make it safely 19 out of 20 times, one trip could lead to disaster.
- Your kids might copy you. This will be a bad example to your children and could lead them to follow your lead. Children may be impressed by you escaping the garage door quickly and confidently. They might then attempt it themselves and injure their parents.
It is best to stay out of a garage door that is opening. This may seem safer than it is, but there are many safety features, such as the safety motion sensors that can get confused if you cross the threshold. The door will stop automatically when it detects you. However, there are some safety features that could cause more serious problems. You could get seriously injured if it starts to descend again.
Ensure that you watch the door carefully as it opens and closes. This will allow you to ensure your garage door is properly functioning and doesn’t get stuck.
Perform Proper Maintenance
Garage door malfunctions can sometimes lead to injuries. You can minimize the risk of injury by performing the following maintenance tasks regularly:
- Pay attention to your door To avoid a malfunctioning garage door, the best thing to do is to inspect it every time it opens and closes. You should pay attention to how smoothly the door opens and closes. Also, pay attention to any unusual noises. Does the door make a grinding or scraping sound? Are the springs, cables, and pulleys symmetrical?
- Tighten all parts. Garage doors are opened and closed an average of over 1000 times per year. Some components can become loose from vibration and movement. You can inspect the bolts and brackets closely and tighten them with a socket wrench if necessary.
- Check the garage door’s balance. Garage door openers that are not properly balanced will work harder and have a shorter life expectancy. First, pull the opener’s release handle to check the balance. Next, lift the door about halfway with your hands. If the door begins to move on its own, it is likely that the counterweight system has not been properly balanced. Do not attempt to balance your door by yourself. This involves changing the springs which can lead to serious injury. This can be a dangerous job that should only be left to professionals.
- Check and replace your rollers. No matter if your rollers are made of nylon or steel, they should be inspected twice a year and replaced approximately once every seven years. You will need to replace your garage doors sooner if you use them frequently. Replace your rollers as soon as possible if they are chipped, cracked or worn. You can do this by removing and reinstalling any brackets that are not connected to the cable system.
- Replace weatherstripping. Weatherstripping is the rubber seal at the bottom garage door. It should be replaced immediately if it becomes cracked or brittle. This will prevent the elements from getting into your home. Weatherstripping can be purchased at hardware and home improvement stores by the foot. Simply cut the material to the desired size and place it in the grooves. The flange should be positioned on the inside.
- Lubricate all moving parts It will increase the lifespan of your garage door by spending just 10 minutes a year cleaning it. Spray lubricant can be used to coat overhead springs. White lithium grease can be used to lubricate the opener’s chain and screw.
- Check your cables. To check for damage or broken strands near the roller bracket at the bottom of your cables, take a closer look. Hire a professional if they are. These cables are extremely tense and can cause serious injury or even death if not handled with care.
- Keep tracks clean Keep debris off the tracks at the door’s edges. You can grab a level if you wish to verify that the tracks are straight. You will need to hire a professional to correct the problem.
- Make sure to check the door. The garage door will need to be maintained. Wooden doors must be checked for water damage, warp, and peeling paint. Steel doors may have rusty spots that you will need to sand and prime, then paint. A mild, all-purpose cleaner can be used to clean your door. You can wash your garage door at the same time as you wash your car to save time. It is important to maintain your garage door clean, as it makes up about a third of your exterior.
Not to be attempted if you are uncomfortable with the repairs Hire a certified technician instead.
Safety Features
Three standard safety features are included in modern garage doors. They need to be inspected regularly.
- Automated Reversal System
For the past 28 years, this feature has been required by federal law. Garage doors will immediately stop if they detect obstructions in their path and reverse their direction.
It is important to make sure this feature works properly, as springs and openers can corrode. Place a brick or a piece of wood on the garage floor, in the direction that the door is opening. The door should instantly reserve its direction when it descends to the object. These safety features may not be available on older garage openers. If you have an older door, it is worth replacing. - Infrared Motion Detector
The detector is approximately six inches above the garage floor and can be found at the bottom left or right. It will stop or reverse its direction if it detects any object in its path. This could be anything, from a garden tool to an item like a bicycle wheel. Close your door, and place your leg in front of the door to test the mechanism. - Emergency Manual Release
The emergency manual release is a red handle that hangs from a rope. It is used in case the garage door fails to work or someone is trapped. The release will pull the opener off the garage door. This is the most important safety feature for garage doors. Make sure you pull it often to ensure it works.
Practice Garage Door Opener Safety
It’s not only convenient but also very satisfying to move a large garage door up or down by pressing a button.
Imagine how much joy a child can have when they experience the same pleasure as an adult. Many parents will give the remote to their children so that they can feel this thrill. However, it’s not a good idea to give your children control of the remote, even if you supervise them. Children love to press the remote button when their parents are present. This makes them tempted to play with it even when their parents are not there. This is something that you should avoid.
Let’s say your children are playing hide-and-seek with their friends, and one of them realizes that they can gain an edge by opening the garage door. They may have intended to open the garage door in order to find out if there is anyone hiding, but accidentally pressing the button twice could cause the garage door not to close. This unintentional action could confuse them and cause them to drop the remote. Unintentionally, a younger child could be hurt if it is closed and they are not aware of it.
Even though this is the worst-case scenario you can do, it’s a good idea to keep your remote safe so that kids don’t have access to it.
Hire a professional for installation and repair
While experienced DIYers might feel confident handling certain aspects of garage door installation and repair, it is best to have both these complex tasks handled by professionals. These are the reasons.
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- Experience Many homeowners feel confident that they can repair and install garage doors. DIY videos make this seem so simple. This is often because the professional in the video is an expert. Garage door repair and installation can be difficult for people with little experience. Installation and repair professionals have extensive experience in this field and the skills to complete the job quickly and correctly.
- The Right Parts: When you hire a professional to install or fix your garage door, you can be sure that it will have all the necessary components. Professionals will ensure that your opener is installed in a way that suits the size and weight of your door. This will increase the lifespan of your opener. Professional installers have the right tools to do the job correctly and efficiently.
- The Right Order: Garage doors must be installed and repaired in a specific order to function properly. These steps include correct alignment of the photo eyes, proper wiring, correctly securing your door opener, and properly installing the springs, pulleys, and cables. Also, the door must be properly balanced. These complicated steps should be done in the correct order.
- Safety: Repairing and installing garage doors can pose a risk, especially when using springs. Garage doors can be dangerous. If you are not experienced, garage doors can be heavy and difficult to use. Installing garage doors requires you to be familiar with electricity and how identify properly grounded outlets. To ensure that all safety precautions are in place, a professional installer will test the door after it is installed.
- Warranty: Most garage doors come with a warranty. Most warranties are voided if the homeowner tries to install or repair garage doors themselves. You’ll spend hours trying to fix or install the doors yourself, and you won’t be happy with the end result. It’s better to trust professionals who offer a guarantee and warranty on their work.
Be aware of tension springs
The most important of all the safety tips for garage doors we have shared is the following: Never attempt to remove, adjust, or repair springs or any other part to which door-spring components are attached, including steel brackets and wood blocks or cables. A professional should perform repairs or adjustments to high-tension springs.