Looking for useful tips and advice on garage door maintenance, upgrades & more? Make sure to read our tips below in order to learn more and keep your door in the best shape possible.
Learn how to use the emergency release cord
This is a good safety precaution measure to practice in order to ensure you're ready during emergencies. Most automatic openers will have a red cord dangling from them or from their trolley carriage and pulling that cord will disengage the unit from the door, which will essentially switch it over to manual mode. Consult your owner's manual to learn exactly how to do this and what extra safety precautions need to be taken.
Test your opener's safety sensors regularly
Your automatic opener comes equipped with special photoelectric sensors that prevent it from closing the door while you, your family members or any other type of obstacle, living or inanimate, is blocking its path. It's important to regularly make sure these units are working in order to ensure the unit is safe to use. To test the photo eyes, wave a broomstick in front of the two sensors while the door is closing. The result should be that the door will automatically reverse. If that doesn't happen, sensor realignment may be required.
Test the balance of your door
In order to make sure the tension of your springs is adjusted correctly, and to also make sure your door doesn't leave a gap and hangs open slightly, you need to test the balance of the system. You can do this by manually opening the door halfway and then seeing if it's able to stay in place. If the panels drop or continue to rise more than a couple of inches, then there's a problem. You need to have a professional (preferably one of ours) adjust the tension of the springs. This is a dangerous task so no matter what don't try to do it yourself.
Spring problems demand immediate attention
A broken garage door spring definitely needs to be repaired as soon as possible, but it's important that you don't try to handle it on your own. Replacing or adjusting this type of device can be incredibly dangerous and can result in serious injuries. So don't any needless risks and instead let a professional (like one of our technicians) take care of the problem for you.
When to get a metal garage door
You don't have to spend a fortune in order to get a reliable door today. A metal one will usually cover most people's needs. Steel garage doors are not only durable but they can also be insulated to better prevent heat transfer. If you're looking for a lightweight model with low maintenance requirements, then an aluminum door will probably be an ideal choice for you.