Time to Clean the Winter Off Your Garage Door

Rain, sleet, snow, hail…whatever your garage door put up with last winter, now it’s time to clean off the mess and inspect your door for damage. It is easy to take your garage door for granted but considering the wear and tear this equipment undergoes, it does need to be maintained. Spring is a great time to clean your garage door inside and out while checking for any structural issues. Here is a quick checklist of garage door maintenance to put on your to-do list.

  • Wash your garage door. Steel, aluminum or painted wood doors can be washed with soap and water. Use a scrub brush to remove mildew, mold and dirt from the past several months. You may be surprised how dirty something you see every day can get without you noticing. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for solid wood door cleaning.
  • Check panels for damage. Closely inspect your garage door panels. Looks for cracks, dents or rust that could lead to larger issues. Many times garage door panels can be replaced separately if the rest of the door is in good condition.
  • Inspect garage door hardware. Even without any knowledge of garage door hardware, you can still inspect the railings, screws and other hardware to identify any dents, rust or issues that are apparent. Any issues with the hardware can affect the function and safety of your garage door, so call a garage door service company if you notice any damage.

Once your garage door is clean and inspected, have any garage door repairs completed by your local service company. While they are fixing any issues, have a tune-up and inspection completed on your garage door opener assembly to ensure your entire door is ready to last another year.

Garage Door Safety Sensor 101

Since 1992, all garage door openers have been required to have a safety sensor that stops garage doors from closing when anything is blocking the doorway. This electronic eye ensures that you do not accidently close your garage door on your vehicle, or worse, a person. However, this safety sensor can cause problems if it is not aligned correctly. Here are a few basic tips to ensuring your safety sensor on your garage door is working correctly.

  • How your sensor works. The safety sensor works by having two sensors, one on each side of the garage door, near the bottom. One sensor sends a laser beam across the garage door opening into the second sensor. A disruption in the laser sends a code to the opener to stop the door from closing.  If your garage door won’t close, it often can be due to the sensors not aligning,
  • Safety test. To see if your safety sensor is doing its job, try putting a large cardboard box under your garage door. Close the door using your garage door opener. The door should stop closing if the sensor is working correctly. If the door crushes the cardboard box, your sensor needs repair or alignment.
  • Aligning the sensor. If your sensor is not working, check the alignment of the two sensors. Make sure the emitting sensor and receiving sensor are pointed at each other. After realigning, try the safety test again. If the door still closes on the cardboard box, you may need to have your sensors replaced.

The safety sensors on your garage door are crucial to avoid damage to your vehicles and prevent injuries. If they are not working, call your local garage door service company to have them repaired or replaced.

Posted on behalf of: 
Habpro Garage Doors
Dacula, GA
770-985-3355