Garage doors last for several years. It’s easy to forget that they need maintenance and can break over time. A broken garage door can be dangerous. However, with proper maintenance, you can expect your garage door to be one of the longest lasting investments in your entire home. While it may not be easy to always spot a problem with your door, if you keep a keen eye out, you can spot the signs. Here are a few ways you can ensure that your garage door is working safely and properly.
Watch the Garage Door’s Smoothness
One of the best ways to ensure your garage door is opening and closing safely is to watch it. Take a look at the door, itself, as it opens and closes. Does it seem to be moving in a smooth motion? If so, then everything is working properly. This can usually be pretty obvious. If your door closes in one smooth motion, it is properly working. If it stutters or closes wrong, it may be time to get a professional to come and take a look at it.
Usually, if you notice stuttering or if it seems as though the door is closing at an angle, then something is wrong. Stuttering could indicate that something is blocking the track. It might mean that the wheels are starting to deteriorate. This can affect the overall safety and quality of your garage door. Many of the features that a garage door has plan on it closing properly. If that is not the case, then something could go wrong and potentially harm you or your family.
If the garage door is closing at an angle, then you could be facing a serious problem. It means the door is misaligned. Sometimes the fix is as easy as re-aligning the door. Other times, it requires more work than just that. Because of the nature of these types of jobs, a professional is usually needed to come and take a look at it. Finding someone who is qualified and experienced in door maintenance can be the key in having a properly maintained garage door.
Loud Clanging or Screeching Sound
The next way you can tell if your garage door is working safely and properly is by listening to it. A properly working garage door doesn’t generate a lot of noise. One installed by a qualified professional like Raynor Door Company, for example, is built to last for years. Just because you have a warranty, however, doesn’t mean that nothing will go wrong. Inclement weather or other natural factors could cause a door to malfunction earlier than you would expect.
A garage door that is starting to malfunction will generate noise. It may be a clanking sound. This is generated when the opener is overworking and is broken. It may also be caused when the track is blocked and the door isn’t closing properly. Because these are also difficult to spot, you want to find a professional to come fix any noise problems that may arise. Similar to how an auto mechanic knows how to spot problems with your car better than you do, a garage door professional will help recognize when there is a problem even if you can’t tell yourself.
A screeching sound indicates that you may have a problem with lubrication. The wheels and other parts of the opener may be rubbing against each other. You’ll want to lubricate those parts before operating the door again. Otherwise, you may break the door. This is generally a pretty easy job. An online video or tutorial can usually be enough to get this type of fix done. If you don’t feel comfortable lubricating your garage door, hire a professional to do it and ask to watch while they work. That way, you can know that you are doing the job right when it comes time to do it again.
Check the Infrared Motion Detector
One great safety system you can use with your garage door is an infrared motion detector. If anything crosses the detector, then the garage door ceases to close. This can help prevent serious injuries and damage to your family and vehicles. Because of its importance, you want to make sure that this sensor is doing its job correctly. If you notice that the detector is not centered like it used to be or if it has been knocked off balance, you probably want to get a professional to come take a look at it.
You can check to see if the motion detector is working by closing the door and using a stick to wave over the detector. If the detector is working, then it will sense the stick and stop the door from closing. If you notice that the detector takes some time to register the movement or doesn’t halt the door’s progress altogether, then it is time to find a professional to help you out. They can diagnose where the problem is with your sensor and get it fixed as soon as you notice a problem arise.
If you want to make sure that your garage door is working properly, then you should call the experts. They can run maintenance on the door to ensure it’s working efficiently. By keeping an eye on your door and acting quickly when any problems arise, you can be sure that you, your family, and your vehicles will be safe for years to come.