If you’re dealing with an older garage door that has seen better days, it may be time to assess just how safe your garage door really is. While investing in a new garage door is a big step, sometimes it’s far better than risking the safety of yourself and your property. In this article, we are going to review the importance of the garage door, along with some key components and how they keep your garage door safe.
The Importance Of Your Garage Door
When you stop to think about it, the garage door serves a number of purposes. For one it is the largest door to your home, allowing for the safe passage of your vehicle in and out of your garage while additionally providing a barrier of protection from the elements. Let’s not forget the curb appeal your garage door adds to your home. An older, worn down appearing garage door isn’t precisely the most welcoming sight around.
The Springs
If you have an older garage door and haven’t kept up on the maintenance, then there is a high probability that one of your garage doors most crucial components is posing a danger to the entire system. Each garage door has a spring system, which is often referred to as the counterweight system, with the purpose of safely raising and lowering your garage door. The lifespan of these springs, regardless of brand or style, is typically only seven years, and without appropriate maintenance, even less.
When you think about the weight of your garage door, many of us just don’t realize they actually weigh 140 lb to a full 350 lb! The reason the doors may feel as if they are as light as 8 lbs to 10 lbs when being manually lifted, is thanks to these springs.
If you find you’re unable to manually lift your garage door after disengaging the door opener, then give us a call at Straight Up Garage. Do not attempt to repair this issue yourself as the spring system is often under high tension, meaning if things go wrong there is a high probability for serious injury to occur.
Another important component: tight nuts and bolts!
Is your garage door noisy when it opens and closes? That is usually caused by nuts and bolts that are loose. Look closely at the hinges and the system that holds the tracks. If needed, tighten up these areas to keep everything secure.
The Rollers
Garage doors make use of rollers on a track for smooth and easy rolling motion as it is opened and closed. Make note we said rolling, not sliding. If you find your garage door is ‘sliding’ along its tracks, then it may be time to change this key component. Rollers that have lost their smooth and rounded edges can pose a threat to the safety of yourself and your property, and if you catch these rollers coming off the tracks, then it is time to give us a call at Straight Up Garage immediately!
The Garage Door Opener
When was the last time you installed your garage door opener? If you’ve purchased a home, do you know how old your opener is? If your garage door opener is 20 years old or older, then it’s about time for not just a replacement, but an upgrade. Older model garage door openers don’t yet have the automatic reversal system in place. Which means that your garage door won’t stop moving if it touches anything that isn’t supposed to be there – such as an item, pet, or even a child. The implementation of the automatic reversal system is highly important for the safety of not just your family, but your property as well.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know about some core components of your garage door, it’s time to ensure they are up to date and well maintained. Whether you’re in the market for updated parts or a whole new garage door and opener system, the professional staff at Straight Up Garage is here to help.
