How often should I have my garage door serviced?

We recommend having your garage door professionally serviced at least once a year. Regular maintenance helps prevent unexpected breakdowns, extends the life of your door, and ensures safe operation. During a maintenance visit, our technicians will inspect all components, lubricate moving parts, check the balance, test safety features, and make any necessary adjustments. If your door is used more frequently than average or is exposed to extreme weather conditions, semi-annual service may be beneficial. Between professional visits, you can perform basic maintenance like keeping the tracks clean, listening for unusual sounds, and visually inspecting the springs and cables for signs of wear.

What are the signs that I need garage door spring replacement?

There are several warning signs that indicate your garage door springs may need replacement. The most obvious is if your door won't open at all or feels extremely heavy when you try to lift it manually. You might also notice the door opening unevenly, with one side higher than the other, or the door may slam shut instead of closing smoothly. Visible signs include gaps in the torsion spring (it will look like it's in two pieces), rust or corrosion on the springs, or stretched-looking extension springs. Strange noises like loud banging, squeaking, or grinding when the door operates can also indicate spring problems. If you notice any of these signs, it's important to call a professional immediately—garage door springs are under extreme tension and can be dangerous to repair without proper training and tools.

Why should I choose fiberglass garage doors?

Fiberglass garage doors offer several advantages that make them an excellent choice for many homeowners. First, they're incredibly durable and resistant to denting, cracking, and warping, making them ideal for homes in areas with extreme weather conditions. Unlike wood doors, fiberglass won't rot, and unlike steel doors, they won't rust. Fiberglass doors are also highly customizable—they can be made to mimic the look of real wood grain without the maintenance requirements. They're lightweight, which puts less stress on your opener and springs, potentially extending their lifespan. In terms of energy efficiency, fiberglass doors can be filled with insulation to help regulate your garage's temperature. They require minimal maintenance, typically just occasional cleaning with soap and water. At Garage Door Cypress, we specialize in fiberglass door installation and back all our work with a complete peace of mind guarantee.

Garage Door Safety: Essential Tips for Families with Children

5 min read Garage Door Cypress

Garage doors are marvels of engineering, seamlessly lifting hundreds of pounds with the touch of a button. But this power comes with responsibility.a garage door that isn't properly maintained or used correctly can pose serious safety risks, especially to children. As parents and homeowners, understanding these risks and taking proactive steps to address them is essential.

Understanding the Risks

Garage doors are among the heaviest moving objects in your home. A typical residential garage door weighs between 150 and 400 pounds, and even more for larger or custom doors. This weight, combined with the door's moving parts and powerful springs, creates several potential hazards.

Entrapment is the most serious risk. If a child is caught under a closing door, the weight can cause severe injury or even death. The springs and cables under tension can also cause injury if they break or are tampered with. Additionally, children playing with the door controls can cause accidents.

Essential Safety Features

Modern garage door systems include several safety features designed to prevent accidents. Make sure your system has these features and that they're working properly.

Auto-Reverse Mechanism

All garage door openers manufactured after 1993 are required to have an auto-reverse mechanism that reverses the door if it encounters an obstruction while closing. Test this feature monthly by placing a 2x4 board flat on the ground in the door's path. When the door touches the board, it should immediately reverse. If it doesn't, call a professional immediately.

Photo-Eye Sensors

These sensors, located about 6 inches above the ground on either side of the door, project an invisible beam across the opening. If anything breaks the beam while the door is closing, the door automatically reverses. Keep the sensors clean and properly aligned, and test them monthly by waving an object in front of them while the door is closing.

Manual Release

Every garage door opener has a manual release that allows you to disconnect the door from the opener. Make sure you and other adults in your household know how to use this feature in case of emergency.

Teaching Children About Garage Door Safety

Education is your first line of defense. Age-appropriate conversations about garage door safety can prevent many accidents.

For young children, the message is simple: the garage door is not a toy. Teach them to never play under, on, or near the garage door. Explain that they should never try to race under a closing door. Make sure they understand that the door controls are off-limits.

For older children, you can provide more context about why these rules exist. Explain the weight of the door and how the mechanical components work. If they're old enough to use the door independently, teach them proper procedures and supervise until you're confident they understand the safety protocols.

Keep Controls Out of Reach

Wall-mounted door controls should be installed at least 5 feet above the floor, out of reach of young children. Remote controls should be stored securely and treated like any other potentially dangerous tool.not left where curious hands can find them.

Never let children play with remote controls. What seems like a harmless game can quickly become dangerous if a child decides to "test" the remote with the actual door.

Regular Maintenance Is Safety Maintenance

A well-maintained garage door is a safer garage door. Worn parts, imbalanced doors, and malfunctioning safety features all increase the risk of accidents.

Schedule annual professional inspections of your entire garage door system. Between inspections, perform your own visual checks. Look for frayed cables, worn springs, damaged panels, or any other signs of wear. Listen for unusual sounds during operation that might indicate a problem.

Keep the tracks clean and lubricate moving parts regularly. A door that operates smoothly is less likely to malfunction.

What to Do If There's an Accident

Despite our best efforts, accidents can happen. Know what to do if someone becomes trapped under a garage door.

First, if possible, use the wall-mounted control or remote to reverse the door. If that doesn't work, use the manual release to disconnect the door from the opener, then carefully lift the door manually. Call 911 if the person is injured or trapped.

Never attempt to repair or adjust garage door springs yourself. The tension in these springs is extremely dangerous and has caused serious injuries and deaths among untrained individuals.

Creating a Safety Plan

Consider creating a family safety plan for your garage that includes regular testing of safety features, rules about who can operate the door and when, what to do in case of an emergency, and periodic reminders and discussions about safety.

At Garage Door Cypress, we're committed to helping families stay safe. Our technicians can inspect your system, test all safety features, and make any necessary repairs or upgrades. We can also advise you on the best practices for keeping your family safe around your garage door.

Contact us today to schedule a safety inspection and enjoy complete peace of mind knowing your garage door is operating safely.

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