How often should I have my garage door serviced?

We recommend annual maintenance for optimal performance. Regular servicing includes lubrication, balance checks, safety testing, and hardware inspection. This preventive approach can extend your door's lifespan by years and help you avoid costly emergency repairs. If you notice unusual sounds, slow operation, or uneven movement, schedule a service visit sooner.

What are signs that my garage door springs need replacement?

Key warning signs include: the door feels unusually heavy when lifting manually, you hear loud squeaking or grinding noises, the door opens unevenly or appears crooked, visible gaps in the spring coils, or the door won't stay open on its own. Springs typically last 7-10 years with normal use. If you notice any of these signs, avoid using the door and call us immediately—broken springs can be dangerous.

Do you offer warranties on your services and parts?

Yes! We stand behind our work with comprehensive warranties. Our labor is covered for 1 year, and parts carry manufacturer warranties ranging from 1-lifetime depending on the product. New garage door installations include extended warranty options. We're a family-owned business that's been serving Lynnwood since 1993, and your satisfaction is our priority.

Garage Door Safety Tips Every Lynnwood Family Should Know

5 min read

The Importance of Garage Door Safety

Garage doors are the largest and heaviest moving objects in most homes. A standard two-car garage door can weigh 300 pounds or more, and the springs that lift it store enormous amounts of tension. While modern garage doors have multiple safety features, understanding how to use them properly.and recognizing potential hazards.is essential for every family.

Each year, garage doors cause an estimated 30,000 injuries in the United States, with many involving children. Most of these accidents are preventable with proper safety practices and regular maintenance.

Understanding Your Safety Features

Auto-Reverse Mechanism

All garage door openers manufactured after 1993 are required to have an auto-reverse feature that stops and reverses the door if it contacts an object. To test:

1. Place a 2x4 flat on the ground where the door closes 2. Close the door using the opener 3. The door should reverse immediately upon contact

If it doesn't reverse, stop using the opener and call a professional immediately.

Photo-Eye Sensors

These sensors, mounted 6 inches above the floor on each side of the door, create an invisible beam. If anything breaks the beam while the door is closing, it automatically reverses. Test monthly by:

1. Start closing the door 2. Wave a broom handle through the sensor beam 3. The door should stop and reverse

Keep sensors clean and properly aligned. Dirty or misaligned sensors can fail to detect obstacles.

Emergency Release

Every automatic garage door has a red emergency release cord. Pulling this disconnects the door from the opener, allowing manual operation. Family members should know:

- Where the release is located, How to use it safely, When to use it (power outages, opener failure)

Important: Never use the emergency release if the door is stuck partially open.the door could fall rapidly.

Child Safety Guidelines

Teach Children About Garage Door Dangers, Garage doors are not toys, Never run under a closing door, Keep fingers away from door sections (pinch points)

- The opener button is not for play, Stay away from springs and cables

Keep Remote Controls Secure, Store remotes out of children's reach, Treat remotes like car keys, Delete codes from lost remotes immediately, Use a keychain remote, not a visor remote, to keep it with you

Supervise Young Children, Always watch children near the garage door, Don't allow children to operate the door, Consider motion-sensor alarms for the garage, Install a keypad high enough that children can't reach it

Pinch-Point Protection

Modern garage doors have pinch-resistant panels that reduce the gap between sections. If your door is older: - Consider upgrading to safer panels, Teach children to keep fingers away from panel joints, Install finger guards if available for your door model

Pet Safety

Pets face similar risks as children: - Train pets to stay clear of moving doors, Test auto-reverse with a soft obstacle at pet height, Watch for pets before closing the door, Consider a pet door separate from the main door

Emergency Procedures

Power Outage

1. Wait for the garage door to stop moving (if it was in motion) 2. Locate the emergency release cord 3. Pull the cord to disengage the opener 4. Manually lift or lower the door carefully 5. Secure the door if leaving it closed

Door Won't Open or Close

1. Check for obstructions in the door's path 2. Verify power to the opener 3. Inspect photo-eye sensors for dirt or misalignment 4. Check the emergency release (it may have been pulled) 5. If nothing obvious, call a professional

Broken Spring

If you hear a loud bang and the door won't open: 1. Do not attempt to operate the door 2. Disconnect the opener using the emergency release 3. Leave the door closed if possible 4. Call a professional immediately 5. Keep family and pets away from the garage

Door Falls or Crashes

If the door falls unexpectedly: 1. Call 911 if anyone is injured 2. Do not attempt to move or repair the door 3. Call a professional for inspection 4. Do not use the door until it's been inspected

Regular Safety Maintenance

Monthly Tasks: - Test auto-reverse with a 2x4, Test photo-eye sensors, Listen for unusual sounds, Check for visible wear or damage

Quarterly Tasks: - Lubricate moving parts, Check spring tension (visually only) - Inspect cables for fraying, Verify emergency release works

Annual Professional Inspection: - Complete system check, Spring tension adjustment if needed, Opener safety feature verification, Hardware tightening and alignment

Safety Upgrades to Consider

For Older Doors, Upgrade to a door with pinch-resistant panels, Install photo-eye sensors if missing, Replace worn cables and springs, Add battery backup for power outages

For All Doors, Smart opener with auto-close timer, Motion-activated lighting, Security camera integration, Wall-mounted control panel with timer

When to Replace vs Repair

Consider replacement if: - Your door lacks modern safety features, Springs or cables have failed multiple times, The door is significantly damaged, Panels are warped, rusted, or deteriorating, The opener is more than 15 years old

Keeping Your Lynnwood Family Safe

Garage door safety is about awareness, maintenance, and action. By understanding your door's safety features, teaching family members proper use, and maintaining your system regularly, you can prevent the vast majority of garage door accidents.

At Garage Door Lynnwood, safety is our top priority. If you have concerns about your garage door's safety features or need a professional inspection, call us at (425) 696-6664. We're here to help keep your family safe.

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