Is Your Garage Door Opener Safe?

As the largest “moving piece” of our house, we forget that it should be maintained and kept as safe as possible, but just how do you do that?

We have four steps that we suggest to ensure that you and your family are as safe as possible. The tips we provide below should be used twice annually (in spring and again towards the beginning of winter) to ensure optimal safety:

Step 1: visual inspection

To visually inspect the safety of the garage door opener, stand inside of the garage (at the back wall) and look at the horizontal tracks. Are they parallel and not are they tilting towards one another? Do the bolts fixing those horizontal tracks to the slotted metal supports appear to be solidly and firmly attached?

Now, get up to the door and look at its hinges. Do they seem firmly and securely attached? Consider the rollers that allow the door to open and close. Are they in good condition? Do the rollers actually roll when you open the door, or do they slide? If they slide, it is a problem.

Step 2: deactivate the door opener

Next, it is time to check the emergency door functions. Pop the emergency release cord (it is usually red), and disconnect the garage door from the opener. Now, manually open the door using the handle at the bottom. Lift with your legs by bending at the knee. Was it easy? Did you struggle with it? A well balanced door is supposed to weight from eight to ten pounds (3.5 to 4.5 kg) as “dead weight” without anything other than the springs helping you.

The springs work as counterweight on the door and should allow it to open very easily (with one hand in most cases).

Should it seem very heavy, it may be that the springs are failing and need to be replaced.

Remember that a garage door opener is going to be used as a substitute for human labor, and that is why they can typically lift up to 250 pounds (110kg) with a ¾ HP system. This same system can also push that same amount down, meaning you can be a great risk if there is something wrong with the door opener.

If you find it is difficult to open and close, don’t try to repair it. Stop using it, and call us right away to make the repairs.

Step 3: reversal test

Now, reconnect the door to the opener, ensuring it comes together properly. Use the remote control to open it.

Doors made after 1986 have two safety systems. The first is a mechanical system and the second is a photoelectric safety. If made before that time, you have only a mechanical reversal system for safety.

Let’s test that mechanical system:

• Put a piece of wood, a 2″x4″ works fine, across the threshold of the garage, making sure it is in the path of the door;
• Use the remote to close the door;
• When the door bumps against the wood, it should instantly reverse its downward direction (if it doesn’t, the button that controls the descent of your door needs adjustment. This is found on the housing of the motor and has an arrow pointing downward to indicate it)

Let’s test the photoelectric system:

This is comprised of two units mounted to either side of the garage door roughly four to five inches (10 to 15 cm) off the ground. To test it:

• Stand close to the door, and with the remote control, begin to lower it;
• Once the door begins to lower, kick out one of your feet so it passes between the two units on either side (you should see a beam of light on both of them)
• This should force the door to stop and reverse direction right away. If not, it is time to get in touch!

Note that your reversal mechanism can stop your door from functioning if there are wires cut, if the beams are misaligned, and even if debris or dirt is in the way.

Step 4: lubrication

A great many door openers are chain driven, to lubricate these you:

• Put some petroleum‑based oil on the chain;
• Remove excess with a cloth;
• Put some white grease or oil on the motor’s gear and sprocket assembly;
• Repeat for the other sprocket at the other end of the trolley.

For the belt driven openers (rubber belt reinforced with metal), there is no need for lubrication since the installer will have applied adequate amounts of grease to keep the door operating for many years afterward

Important warning: your door opener is not a toy

Modern kids love remote controls, but you should never allow kids to use the garage door remote on their own. It should be operated only with adults nearby.

This is true for the control panel next to the garage door (on the outside of the house). It can be made more difficult to reach if you put it at a height of at least 5 ft. (1.5 m).

Adults must never use the control panel (or button) to close the door, then rush to exit the garage through the door. Many garage door accidents are due to this precise behavior. If you advise kids to remain well away from the door when it is opening and closing, you should do the same.

And on a final note about garage door safety – advise all family members to keep your 4‑digit access code for opening and closing the door a secret as it allows anyone to enter your home.

The old rule always applies here: it is far better to be safe than to be sorry. We encourage you to watch our video explaining the basic garage door opener safety rules and to visit the garage door industry web site: www.garagedoorcare.com for further information.

If you think you need a new garage door or a new garage door opener, or you wish expert help with maintenance for a garage door, you can click here to get a free quote, or click here to start by building your perfect garage door! You can also call us at 860-668-7991.