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Garage Door Safety & Maintenance Tips for Cypress Homeowners


Simple Ways to Keep Your Garage Door Safe, Quiet, and Working Smoothly


A garage door can weigh as much as 1,000 pounds, and is a high-potential safety risk to people and valuables if the door accidentally fails or falls due to either improper installation or overdue damage repair. 

Simply put, your garage door is the largest moving object in your home — and one of the most relied-upon. A little routine care can prevent breakdowns, extend the life of your system, and keep your family safe.

See below for the top ten garage door tips created by LARA Garage Doors. We're ready to help you keep everything running smoothly for many years.

 

── Tip #1 ──

Test the Auto-Reverse Safety Feature
Your opener should automatically reverse if something is in the door’s path.
 

How to Test:
 ✔   Place a 2×4 block or roll of paper towels under the door.
 ✔   Close the door using the wall button.
 ✔   The door must reverse immediately after contact.

 

 
If it Doesn’t Reverse:
The opener’s safety sensitivity needs adjustment
 
Test it Monthly:
A failing auto-reverse system is one of the most common causes of garage door injuries.
 

── Tip #2 ──

Clean & Align the Photo-Eye Sensors
Photo-eyes keep your family safe by projecting an invisible beam across the bottom of the door.

 

Check For:
 ✔   Dust, dirt, spiderwebs
 ✔   Misalignment (often shows as a blinking light).
 ✔   Toys, tools, or objects in front of the sensors.

 

 
Pro Tip:
A soft cloth + 10 seconds of wiping solves this problem for most homeowners.

── Tip #3 ──

Listen for New or Unusual Noises
Your door will “talk” to you when something’s wrong.

 
Noises to Watch For:
✔   Grinding
✔   Popping
✔   Rattling
✔   Scraping
✔   Squealing


 
Pro Tip:
This is often caused by worn rollers, loose hardware, or an off-balance door.

── Tip #4 ──

Check the Door’s Balance (Safely)

A Balanced Door Stays Put!


       

Very Carefully...

✔  Pull the red emergency release cord
✔  Lift the door manually to waist height.
✔ Let go gently.


Pro Tip:
If the door slams down or shoots upward, your springs need professional adjustment.

*** SAFETY WARNING ***
Spring adjustments are never a DIY job — they store enough tension to cause severe injury.

── Tip #5 ──

Tighten Loose Hardware
Over time, vibration loosens hardware.

 

You can safely tighten:
✔  Hinge screws
✔   Roller bracket bolts.
✔   Track bracket connections.

 

 

Pro Tips:
✔Avoid touching the torsion system.
✔If something looks bent or damaged, get in touch with a repair professional ASAP.
 

 

── Tip #6 ──

Keep the Tracks Clean (But Dry!)
This Bit of Preventive Maintenance Goes a Long Way

 


Do:
✔   Wipe away dirt and debris
✔   Remove leaves or cobwebs
✔   Inspect for dents


Don't:

✘ Lubricate the tracks
✘ Spray oil or WD-40



Pro Tip:
Lubricating the tracks can cause roller slip and alignment issues.

── Tip #7 ──

Replace Remote & Keypad Batteries
This is an Often Overlooked Maintenance Item.
 

Signs you need new batteries:

✔   Slow response

✔   Intermittent operation
✔   Button presses not registering


 
Pro Tip:
Replace opener batteries once a year for reliability.

── Tip #8 ──

Know What Not to DIY

 Remember... Safety First!


       

More Serious Issues, Such As...

✔   Broken springs
✔   Snapped cables
✔   Doors off track
✔   Motor issues
✔   Crooked/sagging doors

✔ Burning smells from the opener.



Pro Tip:
Call a professional ASAP!.

── Tip #9 ──

Lubricate Moving Parts Each Season
Another Easy but Important Maintenance Item

 

Apply Silicone to:
✔   Hinges
✔   Springs
✔   Bearing plates
✔   Roller stems (not nylon wheels)
✔   Metal joints

 
Benefits of silicone:

✔   Doesn’t attract dust
✔   Reduces friction
✔   Prevents rust
✔   Keeps operation quiet

 
Pro Tips:

Use Blaster Premium Silicone Garage Door Lubricant.
A $7 can of silicone spray can prevent $200+ in repairs.

*** Never lubricate the tracks ***

── Tip #10 ──

Watch the Door's Full Operation Monthly
Monitor Your Garage Door Operation for Safety and Efficiency 
 

Watch and Listen Carefully for:
✔   Smooth door travel
✔   Without jerking or hesitation
✔   A quiet motor
✔   With even movement on both sides
✔   And no sagging or scraping

 

 
Pro Tip:
If something doesn’t look or sound right - contact a professional to handle the maintenance.

 

Fast, Friendly Garage Door Help Starts Here

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Serving Cypress and Houston area communities with honest, reliable service

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