Longevity & Safety
Is Your Garage Door Safe?
View our Safety Inspection Checklist to get an idea of how thorough our technicians are when completing a service call. Your safety is our priority.
Garage Door Springs
Garage door torsion springs are rated by cycle life, with 10,000 cycles ( a cycle being one opening and one closing action) the industry standard minimum. Upgrades are available to around 100,000 cycles. The average torsion spring breaks about every 3 to 5 years. Extension springs will often break more frequently. If a garage door has two or more springs and one breaks, it is recommended that all springs be replaced to maintain proper balance.
Garage Door Failure
The leading causes of garage door failure and/or replacement include lack of maintenance and being hit by vehicles. A proper maintenance schedule for a garage door includes lubrication of the rollers, bearings, pulleys, and springs once a year. Wash painted steel surfaces several times a year. Paint or refinish wood surfaces as necessary. Also, make proper adjustments to the counter balance system as necessary to maintain door balance. A properly balanced garage door should be able to stop mid-travel without drifting down or up when operated manually.
Garage Door Safety (from the International Door Association)
- Do not let children (or adults) play "beat the door." It is dangerous and can result in serious injury or death. Adults should set a good example. Know how to use the emergency release, in case someone is pinned by the door.
- Do not let children play with or use the transmitters or remote controls. Always place and store them out of the reach of children
- The pushbutton wall control should be out of the reach of children (at least 5 feet from the floor) and away from all moving parts. Mount and use the button where you can clearly see the moving garage door.