Modern garage door openers add convenience and provide an extra measure of security to your home. Unlike automatic garage door openers sold decades ago, modern garage door openers are equipped with safety features that prevent injuries associated with older garage doors. These safety features need to be working properly to provide maximum security and safety for your family.
Fortunately, it takes less than thirty minutes to run through a safety check to ensure your garage door’s safety features are properly adjusted and working as designed. The first thing to check is the age of your garage door opener. If it is more than 20 years old, you should replace it with a new garage door opener. Garage door openers sold before 1993 are lacking important safety features that are standard equipment on every garage door opener today.
Next, check the spring tension by disengaging the opener while the door is in the closed position. Then slowly open the door by hand. Even though a garage door can weigh up to 400 pounds, the door should open easily and should stay in place when opened about halfway. If the door is heavy, binds, will not stay partially open, or is otherwise difficult to open manually, have it adjusted by a garage door professional. Do not attempt to adjust the spring tension your elf!
Test the automatic reversing feature by re-engaging the opener and opening the door to the fully open position. Place a two by four block of wood in the path of door and close the garage door. The door should reverse automatically when it reaches the wood block.
Finally, test the photoelectric eye sensors. Starting with the door in the open position, start closing the door with the opener. Without getting in the way of the door, break the photo electric beam with your hand or a broom. The door should immediately stop closing, reverse direction and return to the fully open position.
If any of your garage door safety features do not function properly, have the door serviced by an experienced garage door technician.
