How Safe Is Your Garage Door?

Your garage door is one of the most important elements of your home, and it is quite likely the largest moving part of your home. You might have noticed recently that the door doesn’t sound as quiet as it once did, or that there is a bit more of a grinding sound when it opens and closes. Many people don’t think twice about this, and they figure that as long as the door continues to open and close, they don’t have to worry about it.

While having an older garage door does not always mean it needs a repair or a replacement, when you notice that there are some strange sounds or other issues with the door, it might be time that you acted on it. If you don’t, you could be exposing your family to all manner of risks.

It is essential that your door is operating safely all the time. They can be deadly if they are not working properly.

In addition, you also need to think about just how important the garage door is to the overall look of your home. It’s one of the first things that people are going to see and notice about your house when they pull up into the driveway, or even when they are just driving past. If you have an old and dingy garage door, it’s not going to make a very good first impression.

Importance of the Spring System

If you have an old garage door that hasn’t been maintained properly, there is a good chance that there will be an issue with the spring system. Another term for this is the counterweight system, and it is responsible for safely raising and lowering the garage door. If it is not properly balanced, the elements in the door, such as the springs, are only going to last for about five years, or up to seven max.

The doors tend to weigh quite a bit, which is one of the reasons they are so dangerous. A garage door that’s 9’ wide is going to weigh 140 lb (63.5 kg), and a door for a two-car garage is about 16’ wide and will weigh 260’ (118 kg). A garage door opener is not going to have any trouble opening even the heaviest of doors.

In addition to being able to open the doors, you will find that they are also going to be able to push down with the same amount of force. This can cause a problem if the photo-eye safety reversing systems are not working properly, which can then lead to dangerous situations in the garage.

A garage door that is properly balanced should only weight about 10 lbs (4.5 kg) at most. You should be able to lift the door with just one hand. You can quickly and easily test this by pulling on the emergency cord. This will disengage the door opener. See if you can lift the door with just one hand. If you can’t, then you should contact us right away. You need to have the professionals come out and make the needed repairs to your door rather than attempting it on your own. It can be dangerous since the door is under so much tension.

Check the Nuts and Bolts

If you have a garage door that is noisy, part of the problem could be because the nuts and bolts have started to become loose. You will want to check the hinges as well as the system that holds the tracks. Make sure everything is secure.

Check the Rollers

One of the other areas that you are going to need to check is the rollers. You will want to watch them as the door opens and closes to make sure that the door is rolling properly. If they are not, you will want to make sure that you change them with a proper repair professional.

Does the Door Need Lubrication?

If you notice that everything seems to be working properly, but you are still worried about damage to your door, it could be occurring because there is not proper lubrication. You can easily add lubrication to the rollers, the springs, and the tracks to make sure they continue to work properly. It can help to extend the life of the door elements.

The Door Opener

For those who have garage door openers that are several decades old, it probably does not include an automatic reversal system. These types of systems help to ensure safety if there were a person, such as a child, or an animal that goes under the door when it is being closed. If you have an old opener without these safety element that was made before 1993, you should consider getting a new one soon.

Changes to Technology

You will also find that there have been quite a few changes to garage door technology over the past decade or so. Today, you can use tech, such as LiftMaster’s MyQ™ that allows you do use an Internet enabled device, such as your computer or phone to operate the garage door no matter where you are in the world.

We Can Help

If it is time to get a new garage door, make sure you contact us at 1-800-425-0662. We have the help you need to learn more about the different types of garage door and openers that are available. We can even provide you with a quotation by email.

Check out the Design Centre to see what styles might work for you, and look at some of the great options in the image gallery.