checking your garage doors
By admin On July 17th, 2010The garage door is typically the largest moving part in your home and is probably used every day. With normal use, parts can wear out and break, creating potential safety problems. There are a few light maintenance duties and inspections a mechanically inclined person can perform to ensure maximum safety and increase the life of their door.
Check the rollers, hinges and safety devices to be sure they are fastened securely and in proper working order.
Check the balance of the door by lifting it a few feet off the ground and releasing. The door should not travel more than a couple of inches in either direction. If the door drops to the ground then your springs either need adjusting or replacing. When operated manually a garage door should go up and down smoothly. 
In the event of spring failure extension springs can cause severe damage if they are not contained. If the door’s springs don’t already have safety cables installed, now would be a good time to get them installed. Remember even the highest quality springs eventually wear and break.
Replace springs if they show signs of wear such as uneven gaps between the coils, bent or damaged ends.
Inspect the cables for fray. Replace frayed cables immediately. Check the pulleys for nicks or excessive wear that can cause damage to the cable. Replace worn pulleys if necessary.
Verify that the tracks are Read the rest of this entry »