With the kids home from school, and more opportunities for enjoying the warm weather, summer is a peak season for our garage doors to get a workout. It’s also the perfect time to make sure that you and your family practice good safety habits when it comes to maintaining and repairing your garage door system.
June is National Garage Door Safety Month! To help local homeowners in Delaware and Maryland ensure that their garage doors continue to run smoothly and that they and their loved ones stay safe, Precision Garage Door’s technicians have put together a list of top safety tips to adopt now to embrace Garage Door Safety Month. Check them out below.
Tip #1: Never Perform Repairs on Your Own.
Your garage door is the spring-loaded, motor-powered, 100- to 200-pound moving wall of your home. When you peel back the layers of this intricate system, there are countless parts in play that are loaded with power. If you’re not a professional, every moment that you’re in DIY mode puts you and those who use the garage at risk.
If your garage door’s not working quite right, it’s crucial that you seek assistance from a reputable service company with certified, professionally trained technicians.
Tip #2: Get Preventative Maintenance for Your Garage Door System.
Most of us are familiar with our car’s owner’s manual that details when and how it should be cared for to optimize performance. But did you know that every modern garage door system offers this resource, as well?
If you own a modern garage door and take a look in its manual (if you don’t have your manual on hand, many manufacturers have online versions that are free to download), you’ll notice that the manufacturer recommends routine maintenance for your system every six to 12 months.
Once a year, get in touch with a trusted garage door services company to make sure everything is operating as it should. An annual top-to-bottom inspection ensures complete care for your garage door opener and system. Your technician will thoroughly test key safety features, make sure parts are tightened and lubricated, check door alignment, and much more.
Getting preventative maintenance once a year is the best way to guarantee that your garage door works safely and effectively every time it’s needed.
Tip #3: Get Familiar with the Most Common Garage Door Problems.
Learning a little bit about how your garage door operates and the most common garage door malfunctions that can occur can help you expedite the inspection and repair process. For example, if your garage door has a broken spring, you’ll be able to easily identify it by looking up. As an essential part of what allows the door to open and close, spring problems are major issues that need to be addressed by an expert technician as soon as possible.
Safety sensors are one of the most vital elements of your garage door system that allow it to operate with caution and confidence. But something as harmless as dirt or dust could cause the safety eyes to be misaligned and the garage door to be stuck in the open position.
There are ways that you can test your safety eyes to see if they’re working properly and whether the issue is easily remedied or needs professional attention. If you know about this ahead of time, you can save yourself time and frustration and quickly restore the security of your home’s entryway.
Tip #4: Teach Kids How to Safely Use the Garage Door.
Teaching the rest of your family how to properly use the garage door is really important, especially for homes that have little ones running about. Parents need to instruct kids on how to use the door, and have younger children get into the habit of asking to have the door opened.
Set boundaries in the garage so that kids don’t treat a garage door in motion like a game, and be sure to keep any and all garage door remotes out of the hands of young children.
Tip #5: Don’t Leave Your Garage Door Opener in Your Car.
Garage door remotes that attach to the back of your car’s sun visor may be convenient, but if left in position after you leave your vehicle, they pose a security risk to your garage and home. To prying eyes, seeing a garage door remote is basically an open invitation to step inside to check out your tools and treasures, and be one door closer to getting into your home.
Even if you feel as though you live in a safe and secure neighborhood, why risk giving an intruder an easy way in? Instead, always remove your garage door remote from your vehicle when you go inside, or purchase a keychain remote that you’ll instinctively remember to bring in with you.
Tip #6: When Something’s Broken, Get It Fixed.
In tip #3, you learned a little bit more about what to look out for in order to identify a potential problem with your garage door. Tip #6 is all about action! If you discover a broken part or a serious issue with your garage door, be sure that you’re getting it fixed, pronto.
In addition to issues with your garage door’s internal parts and systems, this tip also applies to damage to the aesthetic parts of your door, such as dented panels, which can affect door performance and security, or broken window glass, which becomes a hazard to pets and people who use the garage and driveway.
Celebrate Garage Door Safety in June & All Year Long
Learn more about best practices for garage door safety by downloading Precision Garage Door of Delaware’s free educational guide on garage door safety and maintenance! For more on the safety features equipped in your garage door system and how they operate, to what to look for when hiring a trustworthy garage door services company, this free eBook will increase your safety smarts and the safety and security of your home.
Share this offer and tips with friends, family, and neighbors using the social buttons at the top of the post, and spread the word about Garage Door Safety Month!