Tips for Ensuring a Secure and Safe Garage Door
No matter how strong a garage door is, its parts are prone to failing at some point.
Continued use of garage doors, coupled with their heavy weight, makes them prone to wear and tear. Without proper care, these doors can be a source of injuries or allow burglars to break in effortlessly.
Here are some tips for maintaining a secure and safe garage door:
Make maintenance an ongoing practice
No matter how strong a garage door is, its parts are prone to failing at some point. However, homeowners can prevent this by carrying out regular maintenance.
To avoid noises and squeaks:
Remove dirt and grime from the tracks.
Give the door hinge points and rolls a generous amount of lubricant.
For roller doors, lubricate the exterior of the door loop.
Many advise avoiding oil-based lubricants because they attract dust, preventing the door from operating correctly.
Don't forget to include checking the door springs on a maintenance checklist. To check if the springs are in place, disengage the door and allow it to run manually. If it's not well-balanced, it might be a sign the springs need adjustment. In this case, calling a professional for repair would be an ideal option.
Lastly, inspect the cables on the sides of the garage door for breakage or fraying strips. Any apparent cable damage needs an immediate replacement as the door might fail to lower and lift in this condition.
Shield the garage door emergency release
Most garage doors have an emergency release or a backup for opening the garage door manually in case a homeowner misplaces the remote. Usually, burglars fit in a flat metal bar or a coat hanger in the weather stripping to pull it down and open the garage.
Owners can prevent this by installing a shield in front of the emergency release pull cord. The other option is to zip-tie the pull cord up high near the door trolley where intruders can't get to it easily.
Install latches on the garage door rails
The garage door's left and right sides have square and circular holes punched into the track. Installing a latch or a padlock on one of the sides or both will prevent the door from sliding up and opening. These latches are especially convenient when planning to spend time away from home.
To prevent damage, homeowners only need to unlock the latch before using the garage opener.
Install photo eye sensors and ensure they are always working
The photo sensors are the garage door's first line of defense. Typically, they send a laser between the sensing eyes. If the laser beam has a break, the sensor signals to the door that something obstructs the closing path.
Consequently, the door stops and reverses. These sensors prevent injuries to homeowners and their pets and damage to the car or other items should someone press the close button by mistake.
When either of the eye sensors is damaged, it produces a blinking light. The door will also not reverse even if there are obstacles. Inviting a professional for regular check-ups is the surest way to ensure the sensors work as designed.
Tighten the home security
Proper garage door care can improve the home's safety and security. However, if the garage door shows signs of age or damage, it will need a replacement. Contact a local garage door professional to learn about the best options for the property.
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