Garage Door Parts

Garage Door Parts

Garage Door Parts - A Safety Guide
By Anna Woodward - Ezinearticles

Though a fairly simple contraption, garage doors provide an invaluable comfort to home and business owners, adding security and protection to items ranging from cars to that old baseball card collection you simply refused to get rid of. When it comes to maintenance, nothing is more important than checking up on your garage door parts. In this article, we will list a few basic safely precautions and give you an idea of what to look for in order to avoid a problem.

Replacement Of Old Springs.

Perhaps the most dangerous and important part of the unit, springs will eventually wear themselves out. If you happen to own an older model, get it inspected by a professional tech and replaced if need be. Make sure to replace in pairs, even when an issue deals only with one. In this way you will be able to prevent any problems caused by the second spring later on, while also keeping your unit working efficiently.

Cable Check

Inspect the cables that attach the bottom brackets to the spring system on both sides. Cables which are frayed or worn are in danger of breaking and should be replaced immediately to avoid injury. Due to the dangers associated with high spring tension, it is recommended that these types of cables be replaced by a professional technician.

Safety Cables

If your door happens to have extension springs, you will need a safely cable to run through them that will secure to the wall or ceiling at each end. A safety cable can keep a broken spring contained in case it breaks, thus minimizing the chance of injury.

Tamper Resistant Brackets

Bottom brackets are under extreme tension being that they are connected to the door's springs. These brackets should only be maintained and adjusted by a trained technician.

Old Tracks

Many homeowners will try to save a few dollars by installing a new door on an old track. Though temping, the old track may not be compatible with the new unit. Save yourself the hassle down the road and replace older tracks when installing a new one.

Service and Maintenance

The garage door is typically the largest moving part in most homes. As it is used daily, parts will eventually wear and break, creating safely hazards. Though visual checkups should be performed by the homeowner on a monthly basis, an annual visit from a systems technician is always a worthwhile investment.

While many homeowners hold onto a certain pride when it comes to DIY projects, tasks involving these units are not recommended for a novice. Be sure, if you do decide to take on a maintenance project that you follow the manufacturer's installation instructions carefully.

Garage Door Parts