Your garage door is one of the largest and most frequently used entrances to your home. It’s also one of the most important investments that you make for the safety and security of your family.
We rely on the garage door and garage door opener each and every day. Whether it’s getting out of the house on time, closing the garage door securely in the evening, or fast auto-reversal when the unexpected happens – you count on the garage door opener to work.
Like any piece of equipment, general maintenance and services are important for prolonging the life and efficiency of your garage door and opener. Thankfully, this doesn’t require much time or effort. Investing just a few minutes here and there to perform some simple checks can save you money (and a headache) in the long run.
Here are four simple instructions to help ensure your garage door and opener stay in top working order.
1. Look and listen
The simplest way to keep your system in working order is by performing regular visual and audible inspections of your garage door and opener.
Keep your eyes peeled for water damage, dents and peeling paint. Exposure to these elements can cause different garage door materials to rust or rot, so getting these issues fixed quickly is a great way of preventing minor damage from worsening.
Listen out for any changes that indicate your garage door opener is not running smoothly, like grinding or scraping sounds. If you notice these sounds, stop using your garage door opener and organise to get it fixed straight away.
Remember to read the manufacturer’s instructions, as each door and opener can have different parts that require specific care. If you require any assistance with your garage door opener, the local Chamberlain customer service team is the best point of call.
2. Safety tests
Safety is our number one priority at Chamberlain. Safety around the garage is essential, especially if you have young children. Ensure that you regularly check your garage door’s safety features.
To test your safety reversal system, you will need to place an object 40 millimeters above the base of the garage door’s path and set it to close. If the door doesn’t reverse in less than a second (or two seconds if Safety Beams are installed) when it touches the object, contact Chamberlain customer service team for support.
You should also regularly check that the manual release cord is in good working order, that the cord is not frayed and still has the plastic handle attached. To learn how to operate the manual release cord, click here.
3. Regular cleaning
It’s easy for dirt and grime to build up and stop the door from sliding open and closed. Wash your garage door regularly and carefully. For aluminium or steel doors, it’s as easy as rinsing with plain water, washing with warm soapy water, and rinsing again.
These easy steps are the same if you have a wooden garage door, however you will need to take care to have a low concentration of detergent in your warm soapy water to avoid damage to the finish of the door. A 1:5 ratio of soap to water is the general rule of thumb.
It’s important to take care not to get the motor wet when cleaning, as water can cause irreversible damage.
4. Remote control security
Chamberlain strives to continually raise industry standards in security, safety and convenience. As technology advances, we continue to improve our products and increase security measures.
To upgrade your garage door opener to the latest in convenience, safety, and smart technology, our myQ Connectivity Bundle is all you’ll need. myQ technology is the highest level of security encryption available in the market.
This technology adds monitoring and control away from home via the myQ app for your smart devices. You can receive alerts and notifications for complete peace of mind knowing you are in control away from home, allowing you to protect your loved ones and belongings.
Your garage door opener is a significant investment in safety, technology, security and convenience. By following these four simple steps, you can prolong the life of your garage door and opener.
For more information about Chamberlain’s range of garage door openers and accessories, visit our website or call 1800 665 438.