Garage doors are integral for many Geelong homes, providing security and optimal function for the household. With the amount of use they endure, they’re exposed to standard wear and an occasional worn track.

Regular maintenance helps keep the system moving safely and smoothly. If not adequately maintained, garage doors can become incredibly dangerous. Visit – All About Garage Doors: A Comprehensive Guide – This Old House – for a comprehensive guide on garage doors.

The Impact of Routine Maintenance

Routine maintenance is the cornerstone of an optimally functioning garage door. Like any moving components, periodic checks help ensure high performance. A regular maintenance program can serve you in numerous ways.

Malfunction prevention

Early detection of malfunctions can help Geelong homeowners avoid maor repairs in the long run. A door that starts to lean or make odd sounds might signal an underlying issue that will worsen when neglected.

Component longevity

Moving parts need proper adjustments and prompt lubrication to extend their longevity and avoid premature replacement. This includes the cables, springs, and other key components.

Safety assurances

A well-maintained garage door poses less risk of an unexpected failure, leading to injuries, trapping cars, or damaging property. Safety checks are integral to averting these disasters.

A proactive approach to maintenance can save costs and time by keeping the door operating at peak efficiency. Consider the following minor malfunctions and solutions.

Remember that small issues may seem insignificant, but they are warning signs of bigger issues ahead.

Loud functioning

While garage doors don’t typically operate super quietly, excessive noise can signify loose hardware or potentially worn-out rollers. By tightening screws, with regular lubrication, and replacing rollers, you can help to reduce these noises. Read here for tips on keeping your door working seamlessly.

Slow response

A few variables can contribute to a slow responding opener, such as remote frequency interference, sensor misalignment, or an aging opener. The first step is to check the sensors and the alignment and then replace the device’s batteries.

Sagging/imbalanced movement

If the door doesn’t open smoothly or shows as visibly unbalanced, it could be an indication of torsion spring problems. In this case, a professional should inspect and dust these for optimal safety and proper operation.

Seal and weather-stripping deterioration

The rubber seal at the bottom of the door can become brittle and damaged over time, which can lead to water infiltration, energy loss, and pest invasion. Replacing the weather stripping is an easy and effective repair.

Safety Tips When Using a Garage Door

You can reduce the risk of being involved in accident or being injured by following a few safety precautions when handling your garage doors.

Avoid garage doors in motion

Garage doors are the safest when they are stationary; however, many people have a poor habit of passing under the door while it’s in motion.

Most of the time, no injuries occur, but this is incredibly risky. If there was oil or another spill on the floor, or some type of obstruction, leading to a fall, the scene could be much worse. It sets a poor example for children who tend to follow their parent’s lead.

Enter the garage when the door is fully open

In a comparable vein, when arriving home and opening the garage, refrain from entering whether on foot or in the car until the door is fully open to avoid confusing the sensors, which could cause the door to get stuck mid-range.

That can result in damages to the vehicle or injuries if you attempt to walk in as it’s rising.

Does the reverse safety feature work

Garage door openers come with reverse safety features, which work by using sensors to detect whether an obstruction is blocking the door’s path. If one is detected, the door will rise again. You can test this feature with any object including an empty box.

If the obstruction is not detected, the door will need a tech to inspect and repair the system. You want to make sure the door will respond if you were injured beneath it.

When young children are playing and someone inadvertently hits the button as a child runs under the door to catch a ball, you want to make sure the door senses the ball and goes back up to avoid an unfortunate and tragic accident.

Final Thought

A big part of garage door safety is making sure it stays in good condition and professional service providers for your garage door in Geelong will schedule routine annual inspections to check the door and its components. These experts look for signs of wear, broken or non-functioning parts, and other malfunctions.

In between this annual preventive maintenance, homeowners can be proactive with regular visual inspections, changing batteries in the opener, and being consistent with following the above safety protocols.

Garage doors are a major convenience and add incredible efficiency to a household, but they can become dangerous if not adequately monitored and maintained.