The large majority of home owners with attached garages use the garage at the main point to enter and exit the home. Garages are typically where today’s family keeps all of their sporting goods and outdoor activity supplies. Therefore, it’s important we talk about garage safety. Garage doors manufactured prior to 1993 may not be equipped with some safety devices and “one in 15 garage doors lack the latest safety features” says Todd Wilkinson, Field manager with Liftmaster a manufacture of overhead garage door openers.
Garage doors are equipped with primary two safety devices that should be checked three to four times a year.
Simple 3 Step Garage Door Opener Safety Checklist
1. Check the sides of the garage door for properly installed photo eyes (black sensors), mounted no higher than 6 inches off the floor.
2. Block the photo eye with an object over 6 inches tall, and press the Garage Door Opener’s close button. The door should not close.
3. Lay an object that is at least 1.5 inches higher on the ground in the door’s path, and press the close button. The door should reverse off this object.
If your garage door fails any on these three tests you should consult a overhead door contractor to review and correct all safety issues along with performing and needed maintenance.Another leading manufacture Genie recommends the following monthly maintenance schedule in addition to the three step safety check listed above.
Note: Do not operate your garage door, either manually or with the opener, if the door has a broken spring. Contact professional overhead door contractor.
- Visually check your door springs and hardware.
- Oil door rollers, bearings and hinges.
- Use silicone lubricant (for doors only) or light oil.
- Ensure your garage door is balanced properly.
- Close door.
- Release carriage from rail assembly by pulling emergency-release cord.
- Manually raise door 36 inches (i.e., three feet) off the ground. The garage door should remain stationary. If the door moves more than a few inches in either direction, your door is not properly balanced. Contact a professional overhead door contractor immediately.
- If the door is properly balanced, reattach carriage to rail assembly.