Spring means spring cleaning for many homeowners and that means cleaning out the garage, a chore that no one likes. Yet homeowners always forget one task: checking on the condition of their garage door.
Aside from making sure the garage door opens and closes smoothly, homeowners don’t look beyond the fact that eventually the door will need replacement. Home remodelers should remind their clients that spring is the ideal time to replace garage doors, what to look for, and why it’s necessary.
Security is Important
Homeowners secure their windows and have up-to-date locks and alarm systems for their front and back doors. The garage door is an important area of access that gets the least attention when it comes to security.
Garage doors should be replaced for the sake of security when a non-functioning or damaged door makes access to the home easier for criminals with a little elbow grease. They can enter the home in less than six seconds.
Garage doors are a common weak point when code-grabber devices lock into the signal and memorize a code to open the door. Emergency release systems are easy to break into, and open windows provide insight to when a client is gone from home. Families travel more in milder seasons, and in colder seasons, they tend to be at home with family. Many clients also make the mistake of leaving their garage opener in the car!
Wear and Tear: Springs Wear Down by Spring
Many moving parts go into making a garage door open, and a client who tries to DIY a fix is headed for trouble. The wear on garage springs is one of the most common garage door issues a client faces with a malfunctioning garage door.
A failing spring will make the door heavier to lift and doesn’t seem like a big deal to the client at first. Replacing a few springs will save the client money now, instead of having to replace the entire lift down the road as tension on the system builds. Wear and tear on the physical garage door will be visible, with scrapes signaling imbalanced springs caused by friction.
Colder temperatures aren’t the best time to work on garage doors, but spring is the perfect season to call on repair specialists to fix those springs. Just like car tires misalign, temperature has an effect on the wearing down of springs, and this season is the best time to check for this imbalance and make repairs. As temperatures increase, the imbalance only gets worse.
Spring is Easier for Repairs
Seasonally speaking, it’s common sense to get major repairs done when there’s a balance in the weather and less tension on moving parts and equipment. During inclement weather, the garage is used as a shelter for vehicles, and the summer weather presents its own challenges.
Imbalanced temperatures and temperamental weather make it more difficult to access conditional weaknesses and make repairs. Yet, these are the occasions when clients experience repair and remodeling emergencies. Encourage clients to get a consultation when the season is right to prevent a major hazard.
A Malfunctioning Garage Door is a Major Safety Hazard
When a garage door fails, it poses risks to the lives of families and property. The full weight of a crashing door can be fatal to both humans and pets. Every year, hundreds and thousands of people report serious injuries related to a malfunctioning garage door, such as lacerations from window glass, being hit with the spring, and the door falling. Garage door injuries are no joke, and clients shouldn’t race to beat the door.
Educate your clients about garage door safety standards and how to check for malfunctions in case that a garage door needs repair or replacement. Encourage clients to perform a monthly inspection of their garage door, check their owner’s manual, and keep the opener out of the car and away from the hands of children.
It’s important for clients to learn how to check up on their garage doors as they do spring cleaning, preferably monthly. Inclement weather and temperature changes work against the life of the garage door and its parts. A malfunctioning garage door presents a serious security and safety threat for the whole family. Spring is the ideal time to encourage clients to make repairs and replace a garage door.
