Everyone wants to make sure that their garage door lasts for as long as possible, naturally. You want to be sure it is always working properly, and you need to know if there are any issues as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do about four times a year (once during each season) that can help you check the system for any errors. Best of all, the entire test is only going to take you about fifteen minutes.
Visually inspection of the door system
The first thing you want to do is examine the door visually. This simply means shutting the garage door while you are inside, so you can get a good look at all of the parts. Then, you will want to look at the rollers to see if they look like they are worn out or if they are not rolling properly. Check the lifting cables for signs of fraying. If there is a torsion spring above the head of the door, is it broken? For those who have extension springs, are they distended or are they taut, as they should be? You will also want to check the horizontal tracks to make sure they are in alignment. Also, check for any bolts or screws that seem like they could use some tightening.
Check the garage door to see if it is properly balanced
Do you know if your garage door is balanced properly? There is an easy way to check this. When the door is in balance, it should be easy to open with just one hand. To check, you will want to disengage your door opener using the red emergency release cord. Then, try to lift the door using just one hand. It should open easily.
When you have the door about four feet high, slowly let it go. It should stay in place. If the door is not balanced properly, it will instead start to close slowly. This means the spring system is not properly acting as a counterweight, and it needs to be inspected by a garage door professional
Does your MECHANICAL Reversal work properly?
Garage doors have two reversal systems installed in them. These help to keep you and your loved ones safe. The mechanical reversal system is easy to check. You can find a piece of wood, such as a 2”x4” that’s about 12” long. Then, you will press the close button on the garage door. As soon as the door touches the wood, it should reverse automatically.
If it doesn’t there is a problem. It could mean that the sensitivity is incorrect, which you will need to address. You can turn the limit adjusting screws on the side of the opener housing. Turn them about a quarter turn counter clockwise. Keep retesting and adjusting until it reverses correctly.
Is the PHOTO‑EYE Reversal working correctly?
The second safety system on the garage door includes the photo eye sensors. These have been in use since 1993, and they are required on all garage door openers made in North America. This system utilized a beam of light that crosses the garage door opening. Whenever this beam is broken, the door is supposed to reverse. You can easily test this by placing you hand between the beams of light, which emanate from sensors on either side of the door.
If it does not open properly, it could mean the units are not aligned properly, or that one of them is malfunctioning. If you can’t get them lined up, be sure to speak with a professional.
When you need a tune‑up or a new door
If you find that you have some trouble with your garage door, and you fear you might need a repair, you can contact us at 978-342-3344. We can provide our “Tune‑up” program, which will help to make sure your garage door is working perfectly. If you find that you need help, or that you need to change your door or your opener, we will be happy to send you a quotation by email. We can also come to the home to let you know more about the models and options available.
Those who might want to know more about what their new door could look like will want to check out the Design Centre and our image gallery.
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