After having an automatic garage door installed, you may feel that you can let it operate as expected until it breaks sometime in the distant future. But the truth is that you will need to check it periodically to be sure it is providing the level of security you expect and that it remains safe for children and pets.
When the door is first installed, the technician will probably check it several times to be sure it operates as indicated in the packaging. If you've installed one yourself, you need to perform this function. If there are any indications that the security level is not what it should be, such as errant opening and closing or the failure of the laser beam to detect movement, then you should return the unit to the store of purchase for a replacement unless you feel it needs a second look by the installer first.
Once the door is working properly following installation, you will want to keep track of the date and check it again after two or three months. Inspect the bolts along the motor unit at the top of your garage ceiling to be sure they continue to hold securely. You will probably need a ladder to do this, so be sure the legs sit securely on the garage floor before you climb the rungs.
Examine the metal plates along the sides of your garage door to see if they are still secure or whether one or more has pulled away from the framework and is coming loose. Check for rusting or excess grease around the metal hardware.
Then take a look at the lights connected to the opener. Typically, an overhead garage light will come on when activated by the noise of the door's opening. You can select a light with a motion sensor device. If someone should come in through a window or deactivate the door, the motion sensor should still force the light to come on and expose, perhaps hopefully startling, the intruder.
Make sure the electronic garage door opener works properly and that the activation code remains confidential among family members. Don't let the kids share it with the neighbors or their friends at school. Check the batteries of the hand controls and wall panels occasionally to see if they are still working or about ready to give out. If there is a manual pull-cord in case of a power outage, look to be sure it remains securely fixed and ready for use.
You may want to consider installing an alarm system that rings at the local police station when tripped by a burglar. The problem is that many people forget to turn off the alarm before using it sometimes, and thus trigger false alarms that bring the authorities to their door. Still, this is a great feature for disabled, single, or elderly people who live in isolated or crime-prone areas.
Your garage door may seem like a simple and perhaps unimportant investment. But it helps to secure your home from invaders through the portal of the garage and provides quick and easy access to home owners. Oil hinges and tighten screws as needed, and don't forget to schedule annual maintenance for optimum, long-lasting performance.
