How quickly can you respond to emergency garage door repairs?

We pride ourselves on speedy response times. For emergency repairs, our technicians typically arrive within 30-60 minutes in our primary service areas. We understand that a malfunctioning garage door can be a security risk and an inconvenience, which is why we offer 24/7 emergency services. Our dispatchers will give you an accurate ETA when you call, and our technicians are equipped with the most common parts to complete repairs on the first visit.

What are the signs that my garage door springs need replacement?

There are several warning signs that indicate your garage door springs may need replacement. These include: the door feels unusually heavy when lifting manually, the door doesn't stay open or closes too quickly, you notice visible gaps in the spring coils, there are loud squeaking or grinding noises during operation, or the door appears crooked when opening. Springs typically last 10,000-15,000 cycles, which translates to about 7-10 years of average use. We recommend annual inspections to catch wear before complete failure.

Do you offer warranties on garage door installations and repairs?

Absolutely! We stand behind our work with comprehensive warranties. All new garage door installations come with a manufacturer's warranty on the door itself (typically 1-lifetime depending on the model) plus our 2-year labor warranty. For repairs, we provide a 90-day warranty on labor and use only manufacturer-approved parts that carry their own warranties. Our spring replacements come with a 3-year warranty. We believe in transparency and will explain all warranty terms before any work begins.

Garage Door Safety: Protecting Your Family and Property

2023-12-20 7 min read Mike Johnson

Garage doors are marvels of engineering that we often take for granted. However, as the largest moving part in most homes, they can pose serious safety risks if not properly maintained and operated. Understanding these risks and taking appropriate precautions is essential for every homeowner. This guide covers everything you need to know to keep your family and property safe.

Understanding the Risks

Before diving into safety tips, it's important to understand why garage doors can be dangerous:

Weight and Force

A typical residential garage door weighs between 130-400 pounds, depending on size and material. The springs that counterbalance this weight are under extreme tension. When something goes wrong, the forces involved can cause serious injuries or death.

Moving Parts

Garage doors have numerous moving parts.springs, cables, rollers, hinges, and tracks.all of which can malfunction or fail. Components under tension can break suddenly, and moving parts can catch fingers, hands, or clothing.

Electrical Components

Garage door openers involve electrical systems that, if faulty, could pose shock or fire hazards.

Essential Safety Features

Modern garage doors are required to have certain safety features. Make sure yours are working properly:

Auto-Reverse Mechanism

Since 1993, all garage door openers sold in the United States must have an auto-reverse feature. When the door encounters resistance while closing, it should immediately stop and reverse direction. Test this monthly by placing a 2x4 board flat on the ground in the door's path. The door should reverse upon contact.

Photo-Eye Sensors

These sensors create an invisible beam across the door opening about 6 inches above the floor. If anything breaks this beam while the door is closing, it will stop and reverse. Test monthly by breaking the beam with your foot while the door is closing. Keep sensors clean and properly aligned.

Manual Release

Every automatic garage door should have a manual release that allows you to disconnect the door from the opener and operate it manually. This is essential during power outages or if the opener fails. Make sure everyone in your household knows how to use it.

Child Safety Guidelines

Children are particularly at risk for garage door injuries. Teach them these important rules:

Never Play Near or Under the Door

Children should understand that the garage door is not a toy. They should never: - Race the door as it opens or closes, Play in the area where the door operates, Hang on the door or its components, Try to beat the door closing

Keep Controls Out of Reach, Mount wall controls at least 5 feet high, Keep remote controls away from children, Never let children operate the door as a toy

Supervise Young Children, Never leave young children alone in the garage, Keep the door to the house locked when not in use, Consider disabling the opener when going on vacation

Maintenance for Safety

Regular maintenance is crucial for safe operation:

Monthly Visual Inspection

Walk around and look at all components: - Check springs for gaps or damage, Inspect cables for fraying or wear, Look at rollers and hinges for wear, Examine tracks for bends or obstructions, Test the balance by disconnecting the opener and lifting manually

Keep Hardware Tight

Vibration loosens hardware over time. Periodically check and tighten: - Roller brackets, Hinge bolts, Track mounting brackets

Lubricate Moving Parts

Use garage door lubricant or white lithium grease on: - Springs, Rollers (metal only) - Hinges, Locks

Test Safety Features Monthly

As mentioned above, test the auto-reverse and photo-eye sensors every month. If either fails, stop using the automatic opener until repairs are made.

What NOT to Do

Some well-intentioned actions can actually create dangers:

Never Attempt Spring Repairs

Garage door springs are under extreme tension.enough to cause serious injury or death if they release unexpectedly. Leave spring repairs and adjustments to professionals only.

Don't Ignore Strange Sounds

Unusual noises often indicate problems. Grinding, squeaking, or banging sounds mean something needs attention. Address issues promptly before they worsen.

Never Leave the Door Partially Open

A partially open door invites theft and can confuse the safety sensors. Also, the springs are working harder when the door is partially open, which can lead to premature wear.

Don't Block the Sensors

Keep the area around photo-eye sensors clear of debris, boxes, and equipment. Blocked sensors can't protect you.

Security Considerations

Safety also means keeping your home secure:

Lock the Door to Your House

If your garage is attached to your home, always lock the door between the garage and the house. If someone gains access to your garage, this provides a second line of defense.

Secure the Emergency Release

The emergency release cord can be exploited by burglars using a coat hanger. Consider a release cable shield or securing the cord.

Don't Leave Remotes in Vehicles

Garage door remotes left in visible places in parked cars are easy targets. Use a keychain remote or smartphone app instead.

Close the Door

It sounds obvious, but many home burglaries occur through open garage doors. Use the automatic close feature if your opener has one, or use a smartphone-connected opener to verify the door is closed.

When to Replace Your Opener

If your garage door opener was manufactured before 1993, it likely lacks modern safety features. Consider upgrading to a new opener with: - Auto-reverse mechanism, Photo-eye sensors, Rolling code technology, Battery backup

Professional Safety Inspection

We recommend an annual professional inspection. A trained technician can identify potential problems you might miss and ensure all safety features are functioning correctly.

At Garage Door Lowell, your family's safety is our top priority. We offer comprehensive safety inspections and can bring your garage door system up to current safety standards. If you have any concerns about your garage door's safety, don't hesitate to contact us. When it comes to garage door safety, it's always better to be proactive than reactive.

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