subject: More Secure Garage Doors [print this page] Messing with an automatic garage door is just about the only thing that increases its risk. However, homeowners tend to be 'do it yourselfers' and prefer to save costs and learn maintenance on their own, which isn't a bad idea. Homeowners should heed the following warnings about handling garage doors, the biggest, heaviest pieces of equipment found in the home.
Costly mistakes that can be prevented are people fiddling with springs, children playing with remote control devices, and aging garage doors. In terms of garage door maintenance tenets, there are only two major ones. Do not try to fine tune the springs, and do not defer needed repairs.
Only two sorts of springs are sold for doors. The spring that stretch upon closing the door to act as a cushion and tightens upon opening to lighten the load is called an extension spring. Then there is torsion springs twisted to bear the door's burden.
Meddling with either type is quite unsafe. Imminent peril awaits those homeowners who insist on setting up torsion springs by themselves, especially if they are not familiar with the special tool required for installation. Homeowners make a huge mess when they try to use a stand in tool to increase the tension on the springs.
Something else few homeowners recognize is the danger of tweaking the spring brackets on the garage frame, which are also under pressure. The number two rule states that damages should be repaired without delay. Call in a professional, because repairs should not be attempted alone.
An incorrectly installed door is a hazard to the whole family, which can result in high repair costs. You know the door has been properly or improperly installed by the time it takes the door to bounce back after hitting the floor. The collision and bounce back should occur within two seconds.
Delays in reversal are commonly attributed to worn tracks or broken springs. The door works best on a straight track with free rollers. Sticky wheels may need lubrication.
Oiling rollers, springs, hardware pivot points, and openers can prevent any problems you might have with them. Doors, not hardware, need a regular paint job to protect from exposure. The purpose of the hardware is to enable movement, and this is thwarted by paint.
To put triggering devices for automatic door openers in places children can reach is a grave mistake. Garage buttons should likewise be installed somewhere inaccessible to children. Your door is in safe hands, with a bonus stretched lifespan, if you follow these directions.
