Your garage door is probably the largest and heaviest object in your home. It can weigh 400 lbs or more, so it’s of the utmost importance it is kept in working order. With this being said, people commonly neglect this essential aspect of home safety, despite these heavy doors hanging over heads and valuable belongings. Automatic garage doors are reliable, but with poor maintenance and a failure to hire a professional for regular repair, carelessness can result in tragedy. To avoid problems manifesting from neglect, here are some do’s and don’ts to ensure you and your family remain safe.
What You Should Do
Is Your Garage Door Unclean?
A dirty garage door will trap unwanted particles like dirt, dust, and debris. It should be able to move freely on its tracks, otherwise you’re at risk. Alongside cleaning your door, you should lubricate the rollers so it can move easily. This will improve performance.
How Is Your Weather-Stripping?
Your weather-stripping will degrade over time, so will need to be replaced whenever necessary. Check the bottom rubber seal regularly, inspecting it for signs of warping and discoloration. If either of these are present, it’s probably time to replace it.
Have You Cleaned Your Sensors Lately?
The sensors at the bottom of your garage door prevent it closing on an individual or object. The door should stop in time, to safeguard you from harm. This is a critical function, and so it requires due care and attention. Clean your sensors regularly, and if there appear to be issues, call a professional.
What You Should Avoid
WARNING: PULLING YOUR DOOR DOWN MANUALLY IS DANGEROUS!
If your motor is burned out, or there’s been a power outage, do not in any scenario try to lower the door manually. Only use the emergency handle to raise or lower the garage door, but in the event of a power outage, do not move the door at all. Lowering the door without the emergency pull will put you and others at risk.
If It’s Malfunctioning, Don’t Turn It On!
Garage door owners will often try to get a malfunctioning door to work, but this is ill-advised. A malfunctioning door will need professional attention, otherwise it could fall off track and hurt someone.
Thanks for reading this article. Hopefully it’s given you an insight into garage door repair, which you can use on your quest to successful maintenance and repair. If you have any questions, please contact our team of experts and we’ll get back to you.