Taking Care of Your Garage Door

Perform routine maintenance steps once a month. Review your owner's manual for the garage door. If you don't have a manual, look for the model number on the back of the door, or check the lock handle, hinges, or other hardware for the manufacturer's name and request a manual from the manufacturer.

Visual Inspection
Look at the garage door springs, cables, rollers, pulleys, and other door hardware for signs of wear. If you suspect problems, have a qualified person make repairs.

WARNING- Springs are under high tension. Only qualified persons should adjust them.

Garage door springs, cables, brackets, and other hardware attached to the springs are under very high tension and, if handled improperly, can cause serious injury. Only a qualified professional or a mechanically experienced person should adjust them, but only by carefully following the manufacturer's instructions.

The torsion springs (the springs above the door) should only be adjusted by a professional. Do not attempt to repair or adjust torsion springs yourself.

A restraining cable or other device should be installed on the extension spring (the spring along the side of the door) to help contain the spring if it breaks.

WARNING - Never remove, adjust, or loosen the screws on the bottom brackets of the door. These brackets are connected to the spring by the lift cable and are under extreme tension.

Lubrication
Regularly lubricate the moving parts of the door. However, do not lubricate plastic idler bearings. Consult the door owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommendation.

Door Balance - Periodically test the balance of your door.
    1. Start with the door closed.
    2. If you have a garage door opener, use the release mechanism so you can operate the door by         hand when doing this test.
    3. You should be able to lift the door smoothly and with little resistance. It should stay open                   around three or four feet above the floor. If it does not, it is out of adjustment. Have it adjusted           by a qualified service person.

This important information is provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Safety Council, and the Industry Coalition for Automatic Garage Door Opener Safety.