It’s June, which means it’s Garage Door Safety Month! Here’s a friendly reminder to ensure that you and your family maintain a safe home environment. Your garage door may not seem like the biggest threat, but many individuals are hurt by garage door malfunctions each year. Fortunately, you can help prevent these accidents. Start by taking a look at these garage door safety tips.
1. Check Door Balance
Your garage door should move up and down with ease when it’s balanced. If you neglect its maintenance, however, it can become unbalanced. You’ll notice this problem if your garage door seems unevenly weighted. You can test your theory and determine a solution with a few tricks. It’s smart to conduct this check every few months to stay safe.
Turn off your garage door’s opener. Then, slide it up and down the tracks a few times to see if it glides smoothly. Let go at a certain point to see if the door stays put. If it moves, you’ll know there’s a balance problem. You may need to replace your garage door’s springs — it’s best to contact a professional for this project.
2. Look for Wear
You should check your garage door for wear and tear. All garage doors endure damage over time, especially when it comes to severe weather. If yours has cracks or dents, it likely doesn’t function as it should. Plus, any moisture buildup can lead to mildew and rot. It’s more common for wooden doors to take on water-related decay, but you should make time to check for these issues no matter your door’s material.
You can use a flashlight to illuminate your garage door’s cracks and crevices. If you notice any prominent damage that may affect your door’s performance, you should have an expert take a look.
3. Test Door Sensors
Your automatic garage door can prevent injuries, but only when it works correctly. A garage door that comes with sensors and functions properly can sense when there’s an object around or underneath it. It won’t close unless the item moves. However, if the sensors are damaged, missing or misaligned, your garage door could shut abruptly even if there’s an obstruction. Your sensors can help you avoid such risks.
Look at your garage door’s sensors to see if there’s an LED light. Do you notice any blinking? If you do, it’s time to readjust them. You can use a screwdriver to secure the bracket around the sensor. Once it’s secured, the sensor should be ready to work correctly.
4. Consider a Tuneup
How do you keep your garage door safe and operating as intended? An annual garage door tuneup can answer this question. A professional can inspect your door to ensure that it works properly. They’ll check hardware and cables to make sure every component is secure. An expert can also replace different parts that could’ve worn down over time. Opting for regular tuneups is one of the best steps for keeping a garage and garage door system safe.
Contact a Garage Door Specialist at American Overhead Doors, Inc.
If you want to ensure that your garage door works reliably, contact us at American Overhead Doors, Inc. today. Our garage door specialists can conduct a check and provide specific recommendations that enhance your safety. Whether you need a spring replacement or a new garage door entirely, we’re here to provide reliable service for anyone in the state of Connecticut.