10 Ways to Conduct an Irvine Garage Door Safety Inspection
Garage doors are a standard fixture in residential areas and commercial buildings. They are designed to provide convenient access to your property and are often considered the first line of defense between intruders and any valuables in the Irvine garage doors. One important task that you may need to be aware of is a garage door safety inspection. This can only be conducted by a certified person knowledgeable about the hazards of operating a garage door opener.
A safety inspection includes testing for proper operation and determining if any recent repairs or service calls could have undergone unperformed preventative maintenance and caused further damage to the structure of your garage door opener, its components, or your car below it. A professional garage door repair near Irvine, ca company, will perform a safety inspection and make necessary repairs, replacements, or adjustments to improve your garage door’s overall performance and safety. Here are some tips when conducting a safety inspection yourself.
1. Check The Irvine Garage Door Opener Operator
Test if it responds to commands sent via remote control. If you do not have a remote control, check if the door opens or closes when you pull on the cord or chain attached to the door opener. Ensure the rules work correctly and that any additional features also work. Check that all lights work properly, especially those used during nighttime operations. Clean any buildup of grime or dust off the control panel to improve the readability and visibility of the display panels. If the garage door does not open, you may need to check for a disconnected or broken belt, an obstruction under the door, or loose brackets.
2. Check the Balance of the Door
If your garage door is not balanced, it may damage the tracks and rollers of your door opener. Such damages can be costly and require additional repair. The best way to check the balance is to lift the door halfway, check for any obstructions, and then reverse the door back to its closed position. Lift the door manually and tap the opener with a hammer to test the balance. A significant difference in the weight of your garage door will make it difficult to open or close manually. Always seek assistance from an expert garage door company near Irvine, ca, if you need help balancing your garage door.
3. Inspect the Weatherstripping
The weatherstripping provides a cushion between your garage door and the frame to protect your garage door opener from the elements. This helps prevent the mechanism from becoming rusty, damaged by debris, or otherwise worn down. You should inspect the condition of the weather stripping once a year and replace any damaged parts.
4. Check the Safety Sensors
Safety sensors are installed to prevent the accidental crushing of any object under your garage door. Such a sensor is commonly known as an object presence sensor and is attached to the latching mechanism of your garage door opener. These sensors can also be found on both sides of the garage door opener if you want more excellent protection against injury or damage. You can test these safety sensors by inserting a thin piece of wood or plastic beneath the garage door when it is closed. If it does not immediately close, replaces any worn or damaged parts before re-operating the opener.
5. Check the Latch Release Mechanism
The latch release mechanism on your garage door is designed to prevent the door from being raised or lowered if something has become lodged between the garage door and its hinges. The release mechanism will also give you an advanced warning as to whether a piece of your car is stuck in the tracks or rollers of your garage door opener. The most common types are a metal bar that extends from the bottom of the door up and across each side, metal rods that extend from each side of the garage door opener, or a metal plate with holes on each side over which a leaf spring can be placed. These mechanisms should be checked for wear or tear and replaced when necessary.
6. Check the Operator Call Points
Check that the operator call point mechanisms are in place and fully operational. These small rods or metal plates extend beyond each side of your garage door and connect to the safety sensors. Test whether or not one end of these rods is connected to a live terminal. Check that the springs holding these call points in place are in good condition, but only replace them after testing for continuity with a multimeter.
7. Test the Auto-Reverse Feature
An auto-reverse feature will cause the garage door to stop and reverse after detecting a safety sensor or obstruction. This will prevent the door from continuing to travel and possibly causing damage, accidents, or injuries. You can test this feature by manually checking whether your door reverses when obstructions are in the way. If it does not, you may need to make some adjustments or repairs to your garage door opener before it can work properly.
8. Test for Overheating
Overheating damages components within your garage door hardware, including the motor and its moving parts. You can check for signs of overheating by manually operating your garage door and looking for any hot spots. Motor housings and bearings should also be checked for any signs of excessive heat and replaced when necessary. To prevent overheating, ensure your garage door is appropriately balanced, operate only when necessary, lubricate the hinges and tracks, replace faulty parts immediately, and replace worn-out parts before they break entirely.
9. Check the Cables and Trolley Systems
Check that the cables and trolley systems that operate your garage door opener are in good condition and are properly lubricated. If not, they may cause damage to the tracks and other parts of your Irvine garage door opener. You can inspect these cables and trolleys for frayed or broken wires. If you find any signs of damage, seek professional help from a garage door company in, Irvine ca, to replace these damaged pieces as soon as possible.
10. Schedule Regular Maintenance of your Irvine garage door
Regular maintenance will help you prevent any problems that tend to arise with your Irvine garage door opener. Schedule regular garage door tune-ups and maintenance appointments every 6 to 12 months. A simple inspection and maintenance can help you identify any problems with your garage door opener early on and fix or replace worn-out parts before they become serious. A trained technician will know the exact issues your garage door faces so they can perform any necessary repairs.
Garage door openers are often a homeowner’s most excellent convenience for easy entry and exit of their home. If you want to maintain your garage door opener, then you need to be aware of the common issues that can arise and take measures to avoid them from happening in the first place. Look at your garage door opener and address problems before the damage worsens. Schedule regular maintenance sessions with a local garage door company near Irvine so that you can repair or replace any faulty parts as soon as possible.
