Simple Ways to Keep Your Garage Door Safe, Quiet, and Working Smoothly
A garage door can weigh as much as 1,000 pounds, making it one of the largest and most powerful moving systems in your home. When improperly installed or left unrepaired, it can pose a serious safety risk to people, vehicles, and property.
Simply put, your garage door is relied on every day — and a little routine care can go a long way. Basic maintenance helps prevent breakdowns, extends the life of your system, and keeps your family safe.
Below are ten practical garage door safety and maintenance tips created by LARA Garage Doors to help keep everything running smoothly for years to come.
Simply put, your garage door is relied on every day — and a little routine care can go a long way. Basic maintenance helps prevent breakdowns, extends the life of your system, and keeps your family safe.
Below are ten practical garage door safety and maintenance tips created by LARA Garage Doors to help keep everything running smoothly for years to come.
─ Tip #1 ─
Test the Auto-Reverse Safety Feature
Ensure the opener reverses when an object blocks the door
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
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.
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 protect your family with a safety beam.
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.
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.
Your door will “talk” to you when something’s wrong.
Noises to Watch For:
✔ Grinding
✔ Popping
✔ Rattling
✔ Scraping
✔ Squealing
✔ Popping
✔ Rattling
✔ Scraping
✔ Squealing
Pro Tip:
This is often caused by worn rollers, loose hardware, or an off-balance door.
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!)
A 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.
✘ 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.
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.
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
✔ Doesn’t attract dust
✔ Reduces friction
✔ Prevents rust
✔ Keeps operation quiet
Pro Tips:Use Blaster Premium Silicone Garage Door Lubricant.
*** Never lubricate the tracks ***
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 for Safe, smooth operation
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.
If something doesn’t look or sound right - contact a professional to handle the maintenance.