The garage door is an important part of any home. Not only does it keep your car safe and secure, but it also protects you and your family from intruders and the elements. You'll want to make sure that your garage door is always in good condition so that it can continue to do its job properly.
However, there are some things that you should never do with a garage door if you want it to last as long as possible:
Don't Put Off Repairing a Broken Door
If a garage door is broken, keep repairing it. Garage doors are heavy and dangerous, so if yours is broken or malfunctioning, don't try to fix it yourself. If you need help with what the problem is or how to repair it, call in a professional for help.
It's also important to have your garage door inspected regularly by a professional—the springs that open and close the door can wear out over time and need to be replaced periodically. A broken garage door can be dangerous for both you and your family members who use the garage frequently; make sure that any problems with your garage door get fixed immediately.
Don't Leave your Garage Door Partially Open
You may think that leaving the door open a little bit is okay, but it can actually cause damage to your garage door opener. When you leave your garage door partially open, rain and snow can get into the tracks and motor of your garage door opener. This means that you'll need to repair it more often than if you had left it completely shut.
It's also possible that the wind could blow your door open even more and cause damage to your garage door opener. If you leave your garage door partially open, consider installing a safety device that prevents it from being opened any further than it already is.
Don't Hang Things On Your Garage Door
Don't hang things on your garage door. While it may be tempting to hang a bike or ladder from your garage door, this is not a good idea. The garage door is designed so that it can hold up weights, but only as long as they are evenly distributed over the entire surface of the door and not concentrated in one area.
Hanging heavy objects in one spot will cause undue stress on that section of the door, which could lead to damage or even failure of the lift mechanism. This is especially true if you don't have a double-wide garage door. You can also damage the door if you hang something from your garage door in such a way that it will prevent the door from closing properly.
Don't Try to Repair or Replace Panels Yourself
Repairing or replacing garage door panels is a job best left to the pros. Garage doors are heavy and can be dangerous if they fall on you, so it's important to have someone who knows what they're doing handle this task for you.
Garage doors also utilize springs and cables that can break when improperly handled, which means that repairing or replacing the panels yourself could result in injury, damage to your property, or damage to your garage door opener.
Don’t Disconnect the Safety Features of your Garage Door Opener
Safety is important, and so are garage door openers. The safety features of a garage door opener should always be used for your own benefit and for the people around you. If you decide to disconnect these safety features, make sure that someone who has experience with it does the job for you. Otherwise, do not touch it.
You can contact a professional garage door repair company if you want to disconnect these safety features. They can help you with any issues that may arise, and they can also install new safety features on your garage door opener if needed.
Make Your Garage Door Last Longer and Function Better
We hope this guide has offered some helpful insight on making your garage door last longer and function better. Whether it's replacing a broken spring or simply knowing when it's time to get a new opener, many things can be done to make sure your door works properly and safely.
If you have any questions about garage door maintenance, feel free to get in touch with Peter and Sons Construction at +1 773-851-3056. We can help you with any garage door repair or installation.