2024-01-01 5 min read Mike Johnson
Your garage door is the largest moving object in your home, and when operating properly, it's easy to take for granted. However, garage doors can pose serious safety risks if not properly maintained or used correctly. At Garage Door Yountville, we've seen too many preventable accidents over our 30 years in business. Here's what every homeowner needs to know to keep their family safe.
Garage doors are heavy, typically weighing between 150 to 400 pounds for residential doors. They're operated by high-tension springs that store enormous amounts of energy. When something goes wrong, the results can be catastrophic. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that garage doors cause an estimated 20,000 injuries annually, including many that are serious or fatal.
Since 1993, federal law has required all garage door openers to include safety reversal systems. These photo-eye sensors, typically located near the bottom of the door on either side, detect objects in the door's path and automatically reverse the door. Here's how to ensure yours are working:
Monthly Testing: Place a cardboard box or similar object in the door's path. If the door doesn't reverse upon contact, your sensors need adjustment or replacement.
Keep Sensors Clean and Aligned: Dirt, spider webs, or misalignment can cause sensors to malfunction. Regularly clean the lenses and check that both sensors' lights are steadily lit.
Never Bypass Safety Features: It might be tempting to disable sensors if they're causing problems, but this is extremely dangerous. Call a professional to fix the underlying issue instead.
Garage door springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury or death if they break or are improperly handled. There are two types:
Torsion Springs: Mounted above the door, these are the most common type in modern installations. They last longer but are under significant tension.
Extension Springs: Mounted on either side of the door, these stretch and contract as the door moves. They should always have safety cables running through them to contain them if they break.
Warning: Never attempt to adjust or replace springs yourself. This is one of the most dangerous DIY projects imaginable. Always call a professional like Garage Door Yountville for spring work.
Children are particularly at risk around garage doors. Teach your children these essential rules:
1. Never run under a moving door, Even if they think they can make it, the door could reverse or they could trip.
2. Keep fingers away from door sections, The spaces between panels can pinch fingers seriously.
3. Never play with remotes or wall buttons, Garage door openers aren't toys.
4. Stay away when the door is moving, Wait until the door has completely stopped before walking near it.
5. Keep the remote out of reach, Store remotes where children can't access them.
A well-maintained garage door is a safer garage door. Here's a monthly checklist:
- Visual Inspection: Look for worn cables, broken springs, damaged rollers, and loose hardware. - Listen: Unusual sounds can indicate problems. - Balance Test: Disconnect the opener and manually lift the door halfway. It should stay in place; if it falls or rises, the springs need adjustment. - Reversal Test: Use a 2x4 board to test the automatic reversal feature. - Lubrication: Apply garage door lubricant to hinges, rollers, and springs twice a year.
Some situations require immediate professional attention:
- Broken springs or cables, Door falling faster than normal, Door not reversing when blocked, Unusual sounds or jerky movement, Visible damage to tracks or hardware
At Garage Door Yountville, we offer comprehensive safety inspections as part of our maintenance services. Our technicians can identify potential problems before they become dangerous. Call us at 510-902-4239 to schedule your safety inspection today, it could prevent a tragedy.