Garage
doors are arguably the largest moving feature in most any
home. In addition to vehicle storage,
garages provide extra space for tools, seasonal items, and workshop areas for
many homes. In this, they provide added
value and security, but they can present dangers if their mechanics are not
inspected and maintained on a regular basis.
Though the door should be inspected by a professional yearly to make
sure that it is working properly, the home’s resident should also do routine
monthly inspections to keep an eye out for problems that could emerge. Quickly discovering a small problem can save
money and prevent potential injury in the long run.
When doing the monthly inspection of a garage door,
a good starting place is by checking the functioning of the opener. Since 1982, mandatory guidelines have been in
place requiring that the garage door openers will cause the door to reverse if
it comes in contact with an object. This
auto-reverse feature was added largely to keep children and pets safe from the
heavy door. To check the auto-reverse on
the door, place an object such as a 2x4 wooden board across the garage door
threshold and press the button to close the door. If the door does not reverse when it touches
the board, a garage
door service should be called to fix this
problem.
Assuming that the garage door opening mechanism is
working properly, the next check should be of the door itself. The movable parts that make a garage door
function as it should can wear out over time, creating potentials for damage to
property as well as personal injury. The
most obvious thing to look for would be if the door does not open and close
smoothly on its track. A garage door
should be able to be stopped at any point along its track and maintain this
position. A door that jerks, stops, or
falls quickly at certain sections needs to be professionally inspected and
repaired.
The bottom brackets of the garage door are typically
made to be resistant to tampering, and this should be respected. If they do not look as they are supposed to,
it is worthwhile to call in a professional.
If the springs need to be replaced, they should be replaced at the same
time to be sure they continue to wear evenly.
Also, while still in the garage, it is a good idea to look over the
cable and see if there are any fraying or worn out sections. Spring and cable replacements should always
be done by a professional.
Having a garage adds
value, security, and privacy. With
proper maintenance and inspections, garage doors can be a
long-lasting feature to a home.