Many homes have an attached garage which protects your vehicle from weather and possible damage from the elements. It also protects you while getting into or out of your vehicle if you live in an area that regularly has severe weather.
Garages are convenient as long as their doors are properly maintained. A door that is not working right can be a serious inconvenience. Here are some tips to help keep your residential garage door working smoothly.
Look at and Listen to Your Residential Garage Door
A properly running garage door should go up and down without making much noise. Watch the cables, pulleys, and springs while the door is in motion to make sure both sides stay even with each other.
Inspect the tracks and hardware, as motion and vibration can loosen it, which will impede functionality. Regularly check for bolts that may need to be tightened and always be looking for rust, dirt, or debris on/in the tracks and cleaning it out.
Take a close look at the cables, pulleys, and rollers. If any of the rollers are cracked or look worn down, they should be replaced. If the cables look worn or if there is obvious damage, like a broken strand, they should be replaced by a professional.
Test the Auto-Reverse Safety Feature on Your Garage Door
The auto-reverse safety feature is an important part of automatic residential garage doors. This feature stops the door from coming down and re-opens it if there is an object in the door’s path.
In the time between March 1982 and November 1996, 49 children under the age of 15 were injured by automatic garage doors, and 62 children died as a result of malfunctioning auto-reverse features. Please check the auto-reverse on your garage door routinely to make sure it works.
There are two kinds of auto-reverse features. One is a pressure sensor. To check this type, place a thick piece of scrap wood in the path of the door. When the door touches the wood, it should stop and go back up.
The second kind of auto-reverse uses a photoelectric system. There are sensors on each side of the doorway. When the door is closing, move your leg into the path of the door. The door should stop and go back up if the sensors are working properly.
Any automatic residential garage door that does not have an auto-reverse safety feature should be upgraded.
Check the Door Itself
Take a look at the inside and outside of the door itself. Keeping it clean will help the finish last longer. If your garage door is made of wood, check it for any chipped or peeling paint and even water damage or warping. Metal doors need to be checked for rust spots and if noticed, they will need to be taken care of.
Proper Maintenance of Your Residential Garage Door is Important
When a garage door is well maintained, it can last a long time. Inspecting all the parts on a regular routine helps you stay on top of anything that might need to be repaired. Keeping your residential garage door clean and working properly also enhances your home’s curb appeal.