How to Test Garage Door Reversal Function

Garage door safety has come a long way over the years, and one key feature of all modern garage doors is the automatic reversing feature.     

First, make sure your garage door opener has a reversing feature. It's easy to know... from the inside of the garage with the door closed you should notice two sensor "eyes" located about 6 inches above the ground on each side of the door jamb. (note: these usually have a visable red or green light)  Those sensors detect objects under the door and MUST be there and MUST be in working order.

Any garage door opener without this feature needs to be replaced. Garage door openers manufactured after January 1, 1993 are required by federal law to have advanced safety features which comply with the latest U.I. 325 standards.

Here's how to test the Reversal feature. (note - it's a good idea to do this every month or so).

1. With the door fully open, place a full roll of paper towels on the floor in the center of the door.
2. Push the remote control or wall button to close the door. The door must reverse when it strikes the roll of paper towels. (Note that the bottom part of 'one piece doors' must be rigid so that the door will not close without reversing).
3. If the door does not reverse, have a certified technician adjust, repair or replace the sensors, the opener or the door.

Contact us for additional information. Seattle, Salt Lake, San Diego, Spokane

Get Your Garage Door Inspected and Tuned-up For Summer!

As spring turns to summer and we toast Dads and Grads etc. let's not forget that June is also "Garage Door Safety Month" and it's a good time to remind everyone that Garage doors can be Dangerous!

Seriously, the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission indicates that every year 30,000 people are injured by faulty garage door systems; and that's just those injuries that required medical attention while many other injuries surely go unreported.

Your garage door is essentially a movable wall and when combined with an automatic garage door opener, it is the largest and perhaps the most dangerous moving object in your home. Consider that a garage door can weigh over 400 pounds, and can be potentially lethal.  That's not a fair fight, especially when kids are involved.

An improperly adjusted garage door or automatic opener can exert deadly force when the door closes. This can and has (all too often) led to serious injury or death from being hit by a closing garage door or from being trapped under the door.

So, what can you do? The proper installation, maintenance and testing of these two pieces of equipment are necessary to provide responsible homeowners with safe, trouble-free operation. Take a few minutes to inspect and test your garage door system and make that inspection and testing a part of your regular routine. Safety is everyone's business.

Not comfortable doing it yourself or if you suspect that something isn't quite right?  Contact your Precision Garage Door Service professional ASAP for an inspection and tune-up in San Diego, Seattle, Salt Lake, or Spokane!

Safety Tips for the largest moving object in your home/

By: Jonathan Zalkin/Krull & Associates

The garage door’s role in the home has changed dramatically over the last 30 years and most people don’t realize it. Consider this: garage door openers have been installed in 35 million homes across the United States, making them one of the most widely used appliances. In fact, more than 70 percent of today’s homeowners use their attached garage as their main entrance to their home. Making it "Your other Front Door".

While the garage door is one of the most convenient aspects of your home, it is also the largest, heaviest moving object in your home. This means homeowners need to ensure it is working safely. Industry professionals estimate that one out of 15 garage door openers lack the latest safety features.

Here are some safety tips you can follow to make sure your garage door is safe.

• Safety checks. In 1993, Congress passed legislation that required all new garage door openers sold in the U.S. to come with a set of photo-eyes. These sensors, located near the floor along the sides of the garage door opening, alert the system if anything crosses their path and stops the door from descending further. It’s easy to determine if your system is operating properly with a quick 3-Step Safety Check.

1. First, make sure the photo-eyes have been installed no higher than 6 inches above the garage floor.
2. Second, block one of the eyes with an object over 6 inches tall and try to close the door. The garage door should not close.
3. Third, lay an object at least 1.5 inches in height across the door’s path and press the button to close the door. The door should reverse upon sensing the object.

If your garage door opener fails these safety tests, it may be an ideal time to reach out to a Garage door professional.

• Keep your garage door in tip-top shape. Garage doors, much like cars and other machines, require maintenance in order to run their best. You can keep your garage door running safely and smoothly by making sure all the moving parts are clean and lubricated especially hinges and rollers.

• Find the right balance. Ensuring your garage door is properly balanced will lead to safer use. To check the balance, close the door and pull the opener release mechanism, allowing you to maneuver the door by hand. A properly balanced door should lift with minimal effort and stay open 3 to 4 feet above the floor.

June is Garage Door Safety Month

At Precision Door Service safety is job #1 - We hope the following safety tips will help protect you and your family from any potential harm.

• Do not stand or walk under a moving door!
• Garage Doors & Openers are NOT Toys. Do not let children play with remote controls, always placing them out of the reach.
• Teach Your Children About Garage Door and Opener Safety. Discuss garage door safety with your children and explain the danger of being trapped under the door.
• Teach children never to play under or near an open garage door and to keep their hands & fingers clear of section joints, hinges & other door parts.
• Do not play "beat the door" (ducking under a closing door) - It can result in serious injury.
• Know how to use the emergency release,(read cord/handle) in case someone is pinned by the door.
• When using the push button or transmitter, keep the door in sight until it completely stops moving.

We hope these few simple precautions prove helpful . If you have additional questions, refer to your garage door & opener's manual for details specific to the model you own or contact us.

June is Garage Door Safety Month - Let's teach our Children well!

More Safety Information

Garage Door Safety - Don't Let this Happen to You!

Yes, this is a graphic picture - and ample evidence that garage doors and garage door springs in particular can be VERY dangerous. Since June is garage door safety month, let's get real for a minute. This accident was caused by an ambitious DIY repair on a torsion spring and he is lucky he didn't lose the hand!


Injury from DIY Garage Door Spring Repair



Reports from the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission indicate that over 30,000 people are injured by faulty garage door systems every year!

Here are a few safety tips to pass on to your friends and family.

Remember: Safety is Everyone's Business

A few simple precautions can protect your family & friends from potential harm. Refer to your garage door & opener's manual for details specific to the model you own. Then check the operation of your garage door & automatic opener.

•Garage Doors & Openers are NOT Toys. Do not let children play with remote controls, always placing them out of the reach.
•Teach Your Children About Garage Door and Opener Safety. Discuss garage door safety with your children and explain the danger of being trapped under the door.
•Teach children never to play under or near an open garage door and to keep their hands & fingers clear of section joints, hinges & other door parts.
•Do not stand or walk under a moving door!
•Do not play "beat the door". It can result in serious injury.
•Know how to use the emergency release, in case someone is pinned by the door.
•When using the push button or transmitter, keep the door in sight until it completely stops moving.


So take a moment - realize that they are dangerous and call a professional!

The Balancing Act - Garage Door Safety

James Migani from Precision Door Service, takes “The Balancing Act” on a tour of the garage to look at smart solutions for a safer home garage door. Learn what you can do to make your home safer and more secure by addressing a few issues surrounding that wall that goes up and down, your garage door! Everything from protecting from thieves, key less entry & carbon monoxide detector protection.
http://www.thebalancingact.com/story/?id=2496

Precision Door Featured on TV's The Balancing Act

Precision Door Service, the nation’s leading garage door service company, will be featured during the hit morning TV show “The Balancing Act.”  The segment will air as part of the April 21st show at 7:00 am (ET/PT) on Lifetime Television.  Discussion will include garage door safety and how routine maintenance can prevent mishaps and injuries.  For repair or service in Seattle, Salt Lake, Spokane, Tucson and Albuquerque

For more information about The Balancing Act  

If You Don't Believe Garage Door Springs are Dangerous - Check this out!

From KXLY.com

MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. -- Spring is officially here in the Inland Northwest and with the warmer weather comes a list of home improvement projects to complete.

Before you start on your projects, a Medical Lake man warns people to be extra cautious when working on garage doors.
"I had no idea, I had no idea that it was dangerous," said Christian Best, who was taken by ambulance Saturday after attempting to repair his garage door.
 
For full story and video
http://www.kxly.com/news/27303956/detail.html

Struggling With Your Garage Door?

If your garage door does not go up and down smoothly and easily, you may have a potentially unsafe condition. Even older garage door systems should operate smoothly and easily. If you're struggling to open your door even when the door is manually operated, you may have a spring system that is out of balance. When a garage door is out of balance it can cause premature wear and tear on other important door parts. We've talked before about the dangers of repairing or replacing garage door spring systems (they can be hazardous) so please have the door looked at by a trained garage door technician.

Garage Door Repair: Thinking about Doing-It-Yourself?

If you're thinking about trying garage door repairs your yourself? Here's something to consider - The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission indicates that over 30,000 people are injured by faulty garage door systems every year. It’s also important to note that these statistics count only those injuries that required medical attention while many other injuries go unreported.

Garage doors can weigh over 400 pounds, and can be potentially lethal. Your garage door is essentially a movable wall and when combined with an automatic garage door opener, it is the largest and perhaps the most dangerous moving object in your home.

Most consumers choose to have their doors repaired by trained & certified door technicians. These professionals are trained in the challenging and time consuming task of door repair, and have the tools and background to repair your door properly.

If you're thinking about doing-it-yourself - think again.. and contact a professional!

Carbon Monoxide Detector Signals Garage Doors to Open Automatically

A Florida man has developed a carbon monoxide detector that signals garage doors to open if CO toxins trapped inside the garage reach dangerous levels. John Vole spent more than 20 years developing the alarm after a news story about an accidental death inspired him to build a preventive device.


If CO levels inside the garage reach 150 parts per million, the carbon monoxide detector will sound an alarm within 20 minutes. The alarm prompts the electric garage door opener to open the door to help reduce toxin levels. Units also can be linked to an alarm panel to notify police and fire departments of a possible emergency.

Vole said placing an automatic door opening response system is important because a carbon monoxide detector placed inside a well-sealed home likely will not detect dangerous levels occurring inside the garage.

According to a three-year study released in 2000 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 5,376 deaths attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning in stationary vehicles from 1995-1997. Of those deaths, 665 were ruled accidental. Sixty percent of those accidental deaths occurred at home.

Vole’s company, Second Chance, sells the carbon monoxide alarm for $99 on eBay.

I KNOW ITS WINTER: But Don't Warm up Your Car inside the Garage!!

It sounds harmless doesn't it... a couple of minutes and you've got a warm car....

But, did you know... that it takes less than two minutes for gas fumes to reach lethal concentrations in a garage where a car is being warmed up—even if the garage door is open.

Just don't do it!!! - A warm car on a cold winter morning just isn’t worth the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Always open the garage door before starting the car. Once it’s started, immediately drive out and away from the garage, and close the garage door.

According to Iowa State University study - large concentrations of gas still remain trapped inside a garage even after the car is driven out. In an attached garage, fumes can quickly spread into the house and remain for hours.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can result in illness and even death. Carbon monoxide reduces the oxygen supply to the brain and is particularly dangerous because it is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include headaches, dizziness, tiredness, flu-type symptoms, nausea and loss of consciousness. Poisoning can happen to anyone, but children, the elderly and those with health concerns are especially susceptible.

Solution? Don't warm up your car in the Garage!!!

How to Do General Maintenance On Your Garage Door

If Life is like a box of chocolates... Your garage door is like a toaster. Every time you make toast on it, crumbs and oils fall to the bottom of the machine and onto the wires as well. The more you use the toaster without cleaning it the more the crumbs pile up. As time passes, these crumbs and the oil react with the metal and cause rusting. To avoid rust and prolong the life of your toaster you need to clean it regularly.

Just like your toaster; your garage door needs regular maintenance. Daily use can wear out the springs, loosen screws, cause misalignments or dents on the tracks, and cause the paint to chip. Here are a few maintenance tips you can do to make sure your garage door works perfectly and lasts for a good many years.

Check the tracks for dents and if there are any, pound them back into place (gently) with a hammer.Realign misaligned tracks both sides should be level with each other and slanting slightly towards the back of your garage. Clean the tracks and remove any debris. You can use a paintbrush to brush away the debris and a mild detergent to remove dirt and grease. Check and tighten any loose nuts, bolts, and fasteners. Use a screwdriver to screw them back into place. Lubricate the tracks, pulleys, and rollers. A lubricant spray specially formulated for garage doors will help to make sure that they operate smoothly.

Check the door’s spring tension by opening and closing it manually. Make sure it does so fully. If it feels too heavy to lift, or if you bring it to a halfway open position and it opens or closes, you may have a problem with the springs. The springs will probably have to be adjusted. This is dangerous and many people get hurt each year trying this.. so.... call a garage door professional to do it for you.

Do a safety reverse test by placing a piece of 2x4 tall side up below the door and see if the door reverses on sensing it. Adjust the force limits if necessary. (not sure how.. call us).
Give your garage door a fresh coat of paint every few years. Chipped off paint will expose the door to the elements so it is necessary to make sure that the paint on your door isn’t cracked or chipping off. If the wear and tear is only on a few small spots, you can do spot painting on those areas. Before you do a complete paint job, check your door’s manual for the correct materials to use on your door.

If you need garage door repairs Precision Garage Door of Seattle provides 24-hour emergency service and our certified technicians know their profession.

Got New Garage Doors? Here's the Most Important Thing to Remember

So, you have beautiful new garage doors. Congratulations!! Now, here the MOST important thing to remember..Do yourself a hug favor and mark your calendar for an annual maintenance, tune-up - 1 year from now.

Go ahead, I'll wait... You see.. that garage door is the largest moving part in your home and it needs a little TLC - just like your car needs oil. Remember, in many cases; your warranty may depend on this detail.

Now relax and enjoy the smooth quite operation of that new door. Your technician will see you in a year for a quick check-up.

4 Things to Know about Your Garage Door Springs

The safety of a garage door is directly attributed to the system components working together.

1) Torsion Springs (located above the door) are now the most common type of garage door springs.

2) Most doors require two springs that work in tandum to make your door system work smoothly. Spring pairs should be replaced together, since the mate is likely to fail soon after the first, and any possible savings in parts isn’t worth the extra effort to repeat the work later.

3) Correct spring size is determined by factors such as the weight and height of the door. For example, garage door springs are designed to accommodate the original intended weight of the door. If additional weight is added to the door sections after the original door installation, the door could become unbalanced such that operation is not smooth, possibly even resulting in damaged or broken springs.

4. If your garage door is out of balance or has a broken spring it will adversely affect your garage door opener motor as it could become overworked or cease functioning.

Your garage door's smooth operation depends on having the right springs working properly. These are NOT good DIY projects. If you have an out of balance door or broken spring - Call a Professional.

How to Check the Balance of your Garage Door

Door Balance is an important indicator of the condition and safety of your garage door system.
With that in mind, it's a good idea to test the balance of your garage door a couple of times a year.
It's quick and it's easy. In fact you've probably done it without even realizing it.

Start with the garage door closed. If you have an automatic garage door opener, use the release mechanism (usually a red cord and handle). This will allow you to operate the door by hand.

With the opener released; you should be able to lift the door smoothly and with little resistance. It should stay open around three or four feet above the floor. If it does not, it is out of adjustment and you should have it adjusted by a certified technician.

LAST CHANCE TO EARN TAX CREDITS ON A NEW GARAGE DOOR

Now is your last chance to save 30 percent off the price of an energy-saving curb-appeal-inspiring garage door, courtesy of the U.S. government. The tax credit eligibility for qualified garage doors will expire on Dec. 31, 2010.

The savings come from a federal income tax credit, which is more valuable than an equivalent tax deduction, because a tax credit reduces your tax dollar-for-dollar, while a deduction only decreases the amount of income that is taxed. Through the end of this year, the U.S. government is offering up to a $1,500 tax credit for homeowners who buy and install qualifying insulated garage doors.

The government is encouraging everyone to save energy, and the tax credit is an incentive for homeowners. If your home has an attached garage, you’ve probably noticed that the room next to the garage is typically the coldest room in the winter and hottest in the summer. That’s because the winter’s cold and summer’s heat can enter the house through the garage, which increases the amount of energy your home needs for heating and cooling. That’s why insulated garage doors can make a difference in reducing your heating and cooling bills, and saving our valuable energy resources. Tax credits are available for qualifying garage door purchases placed in service by Dec. 31, 2010. A taxpayer may claim a maximum of 30 percent of qualifying home improvement products, and a maximum of $1,500 for qualifying purchases in 2009 and 2010. For example, if you replace two garage doors with two new qualifying insulated doors that cost $1,000 each, you may claim a tax credit of $300 per door, or a total of $600, provided you have not exceeded the $1,500 total over the two years of the tax credit period.To be eligible for the tax credit:

• The door must be an insulated residential garage door, installed on an insulated garage.
• The door must have a U-factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) equal to or less than 0.30, even if the door contains windows.
• The door perimeter must have a means to control air infiltration.
• The door must be expected to remain in service for at least five years.
• The garage must be part of the taxpayer’s principal U.S. residence.
• Qualifying doors specs here.

DON’T DO IT YOURSELF. Garage door installation is best left to the pros. Why? Your garage door is more than just a door – it’s a system that includes springs, cables, rollers, tracks and other hardware. This system is under high tension that can cause severe injury or even death if improperly installed. In short, it’s not a job for the weekend warrior. To properly install, or even repair, a garage door system, an experienced professional is always your best bet.

Non Reversing Garage Door Openers: A Hazard

From: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Homeowners with automatic garage door openers that do not automatically reverse should repair or replace them with new openers which do reverse to prevent young children from being trapped and killed under closing garage doors.

According to reports received by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 60 children between the ages of 2 and 14 have been trapped and killed under automatic garage doors since March 1982. This is approximately 4 such deaths per year. Other children have suffered brain damage or serious injuries when the closing door contacted them, and failed to stop and reverse its direction.

CPSC urges consumers to check the condition and operation of their garage door and the opener. A properly operating garage door will be "balanced." This means that the door will stay in place when stopped in any partially opened position. A severely unbalanced garage door could unexpectedly crash to the floor possibly striking someone under the open door.

To check the garage door, the garage door opener must be detached from the door while in the closed position.On most openers manufactured since 1982, a "quick-release" mechanism is provided which permits the opener to be detached from the door.

To avoid amputation or crushing injuries, homeowners should be careful when manually operating the door not to place hands or fin-gers between door sections or near pulleys, hinges, or springs. The door should not stick or bind when opened or closed. If doors are not "balanced," or if they bind or stick, they should be serviced by a professional.

Once the garage door is operating properly, homeowners should check to see that the garage door opener's force and limit settings are adjusted according to manufacturer's instructions. Check the garage door operator owners manual for any instructions on testing the safety features. One quick test is to place a 2x4 on the floor of the garage in the door's path. If the door does not properly reverse on striking the 2x4 then the garage door opener should be disengaged until the unit is either adjusted according to the instructions in the owners manual, repaired, or replaced with a new garage door opener. A professional garage door service should be contacted if the homeowner is not comfortable with performing these tests, repairs and adjustments.
All homeowners should disconnect all garage door openers that have not been certified as meeting the requirements of the voluntary ANSI/UL standard 325-1982.The standard calls for a number of safety features not found on earlier openers, and also subjects new openers to more stringent safety tests.
CPSC cautions consumers that not all devices that open and close the garage door are necessarily safe. Some old openers are equipped with a mechanism that only stops the closing door when it strikes an object, not reversing the door in the process. Other pre-1982 openers have a device intended to reverse the closing door when it strikes an object, but for reasons related to age, installation and maintenance, these products may not be safe enough to pre-vent entrapment of a child. These openers cannot be adjusted or repaired to provide the automatic reversing feature found on later devices.
The CPSC requires that all garage door operators manufactured or imported after January 1, 1993, for sale in the United States be outfitted with an external entrapment protection system.This system can be an electric eye, a door edge sensor, or any other device that provides equivalent protection. If an electric eye is used, it should be installed at a height of 4 to 6 inches above the floor.
Consumers should inspect garage doors and operation of the door opener every 30 days to verify that the system is functioning properly. Hardware and fittings should be checked to keep the door on track at all times. Should a hazard exist, homeowners should disconnect the automatic opener from the door as specified in the owner's manual, and manually open and close the garage door until needed repair/ replacement is completed.
Lastly, homeowners should relocate the wall switch in the garage as high as practical above the floor in an effort to restrict children's use of the automatic garage door. Remote control door operating devices should be kept locked in the car and away from children. Parents should also tell their children about the potential hazard. Article by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov)

Avoid a Home Break In

Attention!! All across the country there are increased reports of burglars using garage doors to enter homes. Some are simply left standing open... many more are not locked!!

Want to avoid a possible break in? Close and Lock your garage door - especially when going on vacation!