Follow These Tips for a Consistent and Safe Garage Door! [infographic]

A garage door is most likely the largest door of your home. Keeping this important access point safe is crucial to most homeowners, and our team here at 31-W Insulation has some great tips for you to keep this large door working consistently and operating safely for everyday use.

• Schedule regular maintenance. Regularly scheduled maintenance can be very beneficial in ensuring that your garage door is operating as it should. Consistent maintenance can also help find and prevent issues while they are still small and less expensive to repair.
• Become familiar with your garage door’s safety features. Every garage door opener has an emergency release handle. Usually red and hanging directly from the garage door opener, practice using this handle so you will be prepared in time of emergency.
• Check the auto-reverse feature monthly. With a roll of paper towels or a phone book, you can check your auto-reverse feature. Simply place the item under the garage door and have it close. It should sense the item and auto-reverse.
• Be wary of where you leave your garage door opener. Your garage door opener is just an electronic key. It can be copied, stolen and used to gain access to your home, so don’t lend it out, let people borrow it or leave it in your car.
• Lock the entry door that leads into the garage. If your garage is attached to your home, you likely have an access door that leads from home to garage. Be sure to lock this door as well as your other doors when leaving your home.
• Consider your garage door when travelling. When going on a trip, don’t forget about your garage door while planning for your home! Unplug your garage door opener and lock the garage door to ensure the safety of this large access point.
• Teach your children about garage door safety. Children need to be taught that garage doors are not toys and should be treated with caution. They are not to be played with, touched when moving or ever try to run under one when opening or closing.
• Don’t leave the garage door open. Some people will leave their garage door open a few inches at the bottom to air out the garage, but we urge you to reconsider. This is enough room to force a door open and can leave your garage and home vulnerable.
• Embrace the rolling-code. A garage door code is convenient for many reasons. If you have an external code, be sure to change the code often or allow it to change itself regularly with a rolling code option that will change the code for you at regular intervals.

If you have questions about garage door safety and maintenance, be sure to call our team here at 31-W Insulation today!