Operating your garage door and motor properly

1. Safety Sensors - An absolute must when your door is operated by a motor is having some sort of safety sensors installed. Typically these look like small cameras with a lens that must face each other in order to work properly. They are installed about 6 inches from the ground on either side of the garage door.

Safety Commission has posted official regulations here: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Newsroom/News-Releases/1993/Safety-Commission-Publishes-Final-Rules-For-Automatic-Garage-Door-Openers/

2. Lock the door and use the motor? - NEVER! So many homeowners ask to have a lock installed on a garage door that has a garage door motor installed. Although against our recommendation we do as the customer wants. We also tell them that adding a lock can become a big future expense. How? I can't tell you many times in the past years homeowners have forgotten that they locked the garage door and then used the motor to open door. What happened? The garage door panel dented. If the panel has glass, the glass can break. Bottom line, a lock is not needed when you have a motor. If you must have one. Place something over the garage door remotes, keypads, or wall buttons to remind you to unlock the door first.

3. Maintenance is key - Regularly inspect your garage door tracks, springs, cables, and other moving parts. Look for loose hinges and damaged or deteriorating parts. If you have a wood door, annual paint/stain maintenance is a must to avoid any rotting panels.

4. What NOT to use - Part of maintaining your garage door is lubrication of parts. Contrary to popular belief WD40 is NOT a lubricant and should NOT be used on your doors. Most hardware stores carry products such as a light motor oil or a non-silicon based lubricant.