30
Testing and Maintaining The Garage
Door
Never remove, adjust or loosen the screws on the
bottom brackets of the door. These brackets are
connected to the spring by the lift cable and are under
extreme tension.
!
Make sure the additional safety devices, such as
photo eyes or edge sensors, are properly installed and
adjusted (see owner’s manual).
Test the Reversing Feature every month.
•
First test the balance of the door (see “Testing
and Maintaining the Garage Door”). If the door is
properly balanced, proceed.
•
With the door fully open, place a 1-1/2” thick
piece of wood (a 2” x 4” laid flat) on the floor in
the center of the door opening.
•
Push the transmitter or wall button to close the
door. The door must reverse when it strikes the
wood. (Note that the bottom part of “one-piece
doors” must be rigid so that the door will not
close without reversing.)
•
If the door does not reverse, have it repaired
or replaced. Have a qualified individual adjust,
repair or replace the opener or door.
Force Setting Test
Test the force setting of your garage door opener by
holding the bottom of the door as it closes.
If the door does not reverse readily, the force may be
excessive and need adjusting. See your owner’s manual
for details on how to make the adjustment.
Test the reversing feature after any adjustment.
Additional Safety Devices
Many garage door openers can be equipped with
additional safety devices. Consider adding a photo
eye or edge sensor as an extra measure of safety to
protect against entrapment. Keep in mind that adding
more safety devices will not make an old opener meet
current UL Standards.
Perform routine maintenance steps once a month.
Review your owner’s manual for the garage door.
If you don’t have a manual, look for the model number
on the back of the door, or check the lock handle,
hinges or other hardware for the manufacturer’s name
and request a manual from the manufacturer.
Visual Inspection
Look at the garage door springs, cables, rollers, pulleys
and other door hardware for signs of wear.
If you suspect problems, have a qualified person make
repairs.
WARNING
- Springs are under high
tension. Only qualified persons
should adjust them.
Garage door springs, cables, brackets and other
hardware attached to the springs, are under very
high tension and, if handled improperly, can cause
serious injury. Only a qualified professional or a
mechanically experienced person carefully following
the manufacturer’s instructions should adjust them.
The torsion springs (the springs above the door) should
only be adjusted by a professional. Do not attempt to
repair or adjust torsion springs yourself.
A restraining cable or other device should be installed
on the extension spring (the spring along the side of
the door) to help contain the spring if it breaks.
