Three Garage Door Safety Concerns You Don't Want To Overlook
Garage door safety is very important, mainly because a malfunction can lead to a devastating injury. This is especially true if you have an automatic garage door. Know what mistakes can lead to garage door safety issues so they don't happen to you.
#1: Ignoring the springs
Automatic garage doors usually have at least two large springs on either side of the door, while some may also have a spring in the center of the door depending on the type of opener. These springs are under a lot of tension. If one breaks or comes off, it can ricochet through the garage and cause major damage or even injury. Give your springs a visual inspection once a month. They should look stretched or over extended, and no part of the coil or attachment should look warped or damaged. If you notice anything awry about the springs, bring in a garage technician to service or replace them. Don't try replacing them yourself, as they are dangerous to work with if you aren't sure what you are doing.
#2: Letting the eye get out of alignment
All modern automatic garage doors have a safety eye at the bottom that prevents the door from closing if something is in the way. This means the door can't accidentally crush a child, pet, or object that is in the way. These eyes must be properly aligned and operating correctly to provide any benefit. You can test the eye by by first locating it. It's usually a small box with a red or green light located near the bottom of the door tracks. Then, grab a board that is taller than the eye. Activate the door so it closes and then slide the board in front of the eye. If the door stops and reverses, it's working. Otherwise you will need to realign it.
#3: Not fixing a balance issue
An off balance door can sometimes still operate, but it may make a loud noise or shake, or it may seem to hitch and get stuck. If you suspect your door isn't balanced you can check it by disconnecting the automatic opener and then seeing if the door will move smoothly and then stay open about halfway when manually moved to this position. If not, it's time to have the door balanced. Otherwise, it puts unnecessary stress on the springs and other components, which could lead to breakage and injury.
For more help, contact a garage door contractor in your area.