Inspecting Your Garage for Potential Security Compromises

 We utilize our garages for so many things; to store lawn equipment, old furniture, clothes, kids play area and are even used as home offices by some homeowners. The problem with having a garage is that they are susceptible to intrusions. Intruders or burglars usually know that they can get money by breaking into garages. In addition to getting what they want out of your garage, they can also gain entry into your home if you have a garage that leads into your house. Most homeowners do not even consider the risks of having an attached garage. If there is a malfunctioning garage door, you risk the door not coming down completely. If you use the garage several times a day, it could stop working at any time and sometimes this will happen without your even knowing it.

A garage door opener is what closes and opens your door. If you’re having problems with your opener, you may think that you have closed the door and when you turn your back, it begins to go up again, without your noticing it. This is a huge problem because someone can come right into your home undetected. It is possible for a garage company to inspect your garage door to make sure it is always safe and secure. Here are some steps that you as a homeowner can take to ensure your safety.

Reverse Mechanism Test

This requires that the garage door is completely open. Place something underneath the door, directly in the middle. This is where the door meets the ground. Push the power button on the wall to close the door. When the door touches the object that you have placed underneath the door, it should automatically reverse. If it doesn’t, this is problem that should immediately be checked out by a garage door specialists.

Photo Eye Test

To perform this task, you have to make sure the door is completely open. Push the button on the wall to close the door again. Wave something like a broom across the door’s photo eye. The door should reverse since the beam will then be broken. If this doesn’t occur, pull the broom or stick away to enable the door to close. Once the door has closed, clean the photo eye with a dry, soft cloth. If the photo eye is misaligned, carefully align them. Open the garage again and try testing it again by opening it and then closing it. While closing it, wave a stick in front of the photo eye in hopes that it will reverse. If it does, you’re in good shape.

Door Balance Test

If you have an automatic garage door opener, you should check your door monthly. Close the door and disconnect it from the opener. Try lifting the door manually, slowly. If the door lifts smoothly with very little effort, this means it is working properly. The door should remain open. If there is some challenges opening it or it will not remain open, this is an indication that the door might be out of balance. If this is the case, do not hesitate to contact the services of a professional locksmith.

Force Setting Test

To ensure that your garage door is working efficiently, performing a monthly force set test is essential. Again, open the door up fully. Push the button on the wall. While it is closing, carefully move your hand underneath the door. If it won’t reverse and is still closing, quickly remove your hand. This indicates that the closing force of the door is too much and need to be adjusted by a professional technician.

Visual Inspection

A visual test is what some would consider the easiest test but actually, it can be the most difficult because people may not know what to look for. Here are some of the things you can look for in order to determine if your garage door is in good working condition. While the door is closed, look for damages and wear and tear. Inspect the springs, cables, rollers, pulleys and the doors mounting hardware. Look for fraying and anything that is loose. If something doesn’t look right, snap a picture and share it with a garage door professional. They may be able to determine from the picture what the problem might be. This is rare that they can do this without seeing it in person but on some occasions, depending on the problem, they can. It’s worth a try. I would recommend that you contact a garage door service and allow them to handle the inspection for you on a yearly basis. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Listen Up

This sounds easy enough. All you need to do is listen for anything that sounds unusual. It is not the easiest thing to do because you might hear something and not see that there is anything wrong. When you do not notice anything wrong, you will likely go on using your garage. This is the worst thing you could do. Instead of continuing to use a garage when you are hearing strange sounds, call a professional garage door service.

Keeping Up with Garage Door Maintenance

The key to making sure that your garage door is consistently working properly is to make sure you also receive routine maintenance. Routine maintenance means that you can catch any problems before the problem becomes worse than it may already be. Keeping your door in good working condition is only part of the way to secure your garage door. Consider contacting a reputable and reliable locksmith, such as 24 Hour Renton WA Locksmith in Washington who can also install durable locks on your garage door to prevent break-ins.

Don’t put your life and the life of your family in jeopardy. Take immediate action today to ensure that your garage door remains secure. Don’t leave it to chance because it may be a decision that you regret for the rest of your life.