7 min read Garage Door Milton
Your garage door is likely the largest moving object in your home, and it can weigh hundreds of pounds. Modern garage door systems include multiple safety features designed to prevent injuries and property damage. As experienced garage door professionals serving Milton and surrounding communities, we believe every homeowner should understand these critical safety systems and how to maintain them.
Before diving into specific features, it's helpful to understand why these safety systems exist. In 1990, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) mandated that all garage door openers sold in the United States include auto-reverse mechanisms. This requirement came after numerous injuries and fatalities, particularly involving children.
In 1993, regulations expanded to require photoelectric sensors on all new openers. These additional requirements significantly reduced garage door-related injuries, but only when the systems are properly maintained.
These sensors, mounted 4-6 inches above the floor on either side of your garage door, create an invisible beam across the door opening. When something breaks this beam while the door is closing, the door automatically reverses.
How to test: Start with the door open. Place an object like a cardboard box in the door's path. Close the door using your remote. The door should reverse immediately upon contacting the object or when the beam is broken.
Common problems: Sensors can become misaligned due to vibration or accidental bumps. They can also be blocked by spider webs, dirt, or debris. If your door won't close and the opener lights flash, check your sensors first.
Maintenance tips: Keep sensor lenses clean and check alignment monthly. The indicator lights on each sensor should both be lit when properly aligned. Never bypass or disconnect these sensors.
In addition to photoelectric sensors, garage door openers have a mechanical auto-reverse feature. This system monitors the force required to close the door and reverses if it encounters unexpected resistance.
How to test: Place a 2x4 flat on the ground in the door's path. Close the door. When the door contacts the board, it should reverse within 2 seconds. If it doesn't reverse, or if it reverses too slowly, the sensitivity needs adjustment.
Adjustment: Most openers have force adjustment screws. However, improper adjustment can make the door either too sensitive (reversing when it shouldn't) or not sensitive enough. If you're unsure, contact a professional.
Every garage door opener has an emergency release, typically a red cord hanging from the opener trolley. This allows you to disconnect the door from the opener and operate it manually.essential during power outages or opener malfunctions.
How to use: Pull the release cord to disconnect the door from the opener. You can now lift the door manually. To reconnect, pull the cord toward the door, then run the opener until it reconnects with the trolley.
Important safety notes: Only use the manual release when the door is fully closed, if possible. If a spring is broken, the door could slam down when disconnected. Teach all family members how to use this feature.
Modern extension springs should have containment cables running through their centers. These cables prevent broken spring pieces from becoming dangerous projectiles if the spring fails.
What to look for: Examine your extension springs (located along the horizontal tracks). You should see a cable running through the center of each spring. If your springs lack containment cables, have them added by a professional.
Torsion springs (mounted above the door) don't require containment cables but are under extreme tension. Never attempt to adjust or repair torsion springs yourself.
The bottom brackets on your garage door are under extreme tension because they anchor the lifting cables. Modern brackets are designed to prevent tampering by unauthorized persons.
Warning: Never attempt to loosen or adjust bottom brackets. The tension on these components can cause serious injury. If cables appear frayed or brackets seem loose, contact a professional immediately.
Children are particularly vulnerable to garage door injuries. Establish and enforce these rules:
- Never play near or under a moving garage door, Keep fingers away from door panel joints, Never touch springs, cables, or other hardware, The wall button should only be used by adults or supervised older children, Remote controls are not toys
Consider installing the wall button at least 5 feet from the floor, out of reach of small children. Some modern openers offer motion-detecting features that can prevent operation when movement is detected nearby.
Schedule annual professional safety inspections. Our technicians at Garage Door Milton check all safety systems, test auto-reverse mechanisms, inspect hardware condition, and ensure your door meets current safety standards.
Between professional visits, perform monthly visual inspections. Look for frayed cables, worn springs, loose hardware, and anything unusual. Test safety sensors and auto-reverse monthly.
If your garage door opener was manufactured before 1993, it may lack modern safety features. While these openers may still function, they pose significant safety risks. Consider upgrading to a modern opener with:
- Photoelectric sensors, Auto-reverse mechanism, Rolling code technology, Battery backup
The investment in a new opener is small compared to the peace of mind knowing your family is protected by current safety technology.
Don't gamble with your family's safety. Contact Garage Door Milton for a comprehensive safety inspection. We serve Milton, Puyallup, Auburn, Tacoma, and all surrounding areas. Our technicians will thoroughly evaluate your garage door system and recommend any necessary updates to keep your family safe.