2025-01-05 4 min read
Your garage door weighs between 150 and 400 pounds and is powered by springs under extreme tension. While modern safety features have made garage doors much safer than in the past, accidents still happen. Here's what every homeowner should know about garage door safety.
Let's start with the most important safety message: never attempt to repair or adjust garage door springs yourself. These springs are under tremendous tension.enough to lift that 300-pound door dozens of times a day. If a spring breaks or slips while you're working on it, the result can be severe injury or even death.
We've seen the aftermath of DIY spring repairs gone wrong, and it's not something we'd wish on anyone. This is one job that absolutely requires trained professionals with the right tools and experience.
Since 1993, garage doors have been required to have auto-reverse features. There are two types:
Mechanical Auto-Reverse: Place a 2x4 flat on the ground where the door meets the floor. Close the door. When it touches the wood, it should immediately reverse. If it doesn't, the door needs adjustment.
Photo-Eye Sensors: These sensors near the floor should stop and reverse the door if something breaks the beam. Test by closing the door and waving a broomstick through the sensors. The door should stop and reverse.
If either safety feature fails, don't use the door until it's been inspected and repaired.
Children are naturally curious about garage doors, which makes safety education essential:
- Teach children that the garage door is not a toy, Never let children operate the door or remote, Keep remotes out of children's reach, Make sure kids know to never run under a closing door, The wall button should be mounted at least 5 feet high
Once a month, take a few minutes to inspect your garage door:
- Look at the cables. Do you see any fraying or wear? - Check the springs. Are there gaps or signs of wear? - Examine the rollers. Are they cracked or worn? - Look at the tracks. Are they aligned and free of debris? - Test the balance. Disconnect the opener and lift the door halfway. A properly balanced door will stay in place.
If you notice any problems, call a professional. Many issues are relatively inexpensive to fix if caught early.
Every garage door opener has an emergency release.typically a red cord hanging from the opener track. This disconnects the door from the opener so you can operate it manually during power outages or if the opener fails.
Make sure everyone in your household knows: - Where the emergency release is located, How to use it (pull down and away) - That the door will be heavy to lift manually, To re-engage the opener after the emergency has passed
If you're going on vacation or leaving your home unoccupied:
- Disconnect the opener or lock the door manually, Don't leave a remote in your car where it could be stolen, Consider a vacation lock that prevents the door from being opened
Annual professional maintenance isn't just about preventing breakdowns.it's about safety. Our technicians check:
- Spring tension and condition, Cable integrity, Roller and track alignment, Safety feature function, Opener operation
This inspection can identify potential safety issues before they become dangerous.
Your garage door should be a convenience, not a hazard. If you have any concerns about your door's safety, call Garage Door Chula Vista at 619-604-4605. We'd rather check it out and find nothing wrong than have you take a risk.