<p>Every part of the house is considered important and expensive.</p>
<p>A lot of people believe that the more expensive the material or the object the better the quality is and the longer it survives from everyday use.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-Correct-Size wp-image-1672" alt="Garage Door" src="https://medusamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Garage-Door-640x405.jpg" width="600" height="405" /></p>
<p>But as far as practicality is concerned, any object will last long if it is maintained properly.</p>
<p>Any garage door, either it’s manually operated or automatic, is the largest moving part of the house.</p>
<p>Maintenance is a must, since properly operated and maintained garage doors will provide easy access and security to the house.</p>
<p>This is a simple checklist that can be used and be done at home to assess whether the garage door is still in good condition, safe and functional.</p>
<p>Simply follow the instructions, observe and answer the questions by yes or no:</p>
<p><strong>1. Visual Inspection</strong></p>
<p>With the garage door closed, stand inside the garage and inspect for the following:<br />
Damage on the:</p>
<ul>
<li>Springs</li>
<li>Cables</li>
<li>Rollers</li>
<li>Pulleys</li>
<li>Mounting hinges</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Door Balance Test</strong></p>
<p>If the door has an automatic door opener system, shut the door and disconnect it. After that, lift the door up to its full point.</p>
<ul>
<li>Is the door smooth with a little resistance upon opening?</li>
<li>Did the door remain fully open?</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Reversing Mechanism Test (for doors with automatic opener system)</strong></p>
<p>With the door fully open, place a piece of wood with a 2&#215;4 dimension on the floor right at the center of the opening where the door touches the floor.</p>
<p>Push the wall button to close the door. Observe when the door strikes the wood.</p>
<ul>
<li>Did the door automatically reversed upon striking the wood?</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>4. Photo Eye Test (for doors with automatic opener system)</strong></p>
<p>With the door fully open, push the wall button to close the door.</p>
<p>Upon closing, wave a long object, such as a broom stick, to the door`s photo eye</p>
<ul>
<li>Did the door automatically reversed upon waving the object?</li>
<li>If not, is the photo eye clean?</li>
<li>Is the photo eye aligned?</li>
</ul>
<p>If most answers are No, close the door and check the photo eye. Clean and adjust it before repeating the same step.</p>
<p><strong>5. Force Setting Test (for doors with automatic opener system)</strong></p>
<p>With the door fully open, push the wall button to close the door. As the door closes, hold the bottom part of the door with both hands, outstretched, and stiff.</p>
<p>Remove hands before door completely closes.</p>
<ul>
<li>Did the door easily reverse upon resistance?</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>6. Lubrication</strong></p>
<p>Apply an amount of lubrication to the door`s hinges, rollers and tracks.</p>
<ul>
<li>Are the rollers and hinges functioning well?</li>
</ul>
<p>If most of the answers are no, it is best to call a technician to fix it or upgrade it.</p>
<p>A federal law has been implemented in the year 1993 to upgrade or fix the reversing mechanism of the garage door for safety.</p>
<p>These tests can be done as a self task, but if one is not confident, let a trained technician perform these tests.</p>
<p>To avoid injury, it is best to tell every member of the household that a monthly maintenance test is to be done.</p>
<p>No one is allowed to touch anything inside the garage not until the tests are executed.</p>
<p>With these simple steps, the garage doors can be maintained, could help in saving unnecessary expenses, and provide easy access and security to the house.</p>
<p>The article was provided by Justin White of GarageDoorRepair.com, an online tool that can help you find local, professional garage door techncians.</p>