Garage Door Repair Safety

June 19, 2025 Posted in: Garage

Garage doors do a lot of heavy lifting. They help secure your property, protect your belongings and make daily routines a little easier. But because they’re used so often and built with high-tension parts, garage doors need to be treated with care.

If you own a home or manage a commercial property, knowing how to stay safe around garage doors is just good practice. June is Garage Door Safety Month, making it a great time to check in on safety habits and repair practices that keep your garage door working the way it should.

Understanding Garage Door Safety

Garage doors aren’t just large panels on hinges — they’re made up of cables, springs, rollers and motors that all work together to lift a lot of weight. If something’s off, it can cause more than just inconvenience.

Poorly handled repairs or worn-out parts can lead to serious injury. Garage door springs, for example, are tightly wound and under a lot of tension. If one breaks or gets adjusted the wrong way, it can snap with force. That’s why it’s important to treat repairs with care and to know your limits when it comes to DIY work.

Families with young kids and property managers responsible for multiple units have even more reason to stay proactive. Children may not realize that a moving garage door isn’t a place to play. For landlords and facility managers, being aware of safety risks is part of maintaining a secure and functional space.

Recognizing Garage Door Safety Month

Each June, garage door professionals and safety organizations promote Garage Door Safety Month. It’s a national effort to spread awareness and provide simple, helpful reminders about how to keep garage doors operating safely.

Getting involved doesn’t take much. You might start by testing your door’s auto-reverse feature, inspecting the tracks or scheduling a tuneup. The goal is to make safety a regular part of home or property maintenance, just like checking smoke detectors or changing HVAC filters.

Important Garage Door Safety Tips

A few easy-to-follow garage door safety rules can go a long way in keeping everyone safe:

Stay clear of the door when it’s moving.
Keep remote openers away from young children.
Leave high-tension repairs — like springs and cables — to professionals.
Test your auto-reverse feature every month using a sturdy object, like a wooden board.
Use the manual release when the door is fully closed.
Use motion-sensor lights to brighten up entry points for safer access at night.
Upgrade older systems with modern features, like photo-eye sensors or backup batteries.

Technicians follow detailed protocols to stay safe while working on these systems. Homeowners and property managers can support that safety by knowing which tasks are best left to someone trained and equipped for the job.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Garage Door Repairs

Some repairs might look simple at first glance, but mistakes can happen easily. Trying to adjust parts under tension without the right tools can lead to injuries or bigger repair needs.

Garage door repair calls for more than a basic toolbox. Technicians use specific tools designed to work safely with high-tension systems, including:

Winding bars for spring adjustments
Cable pullers and locking pliers to stabilize components
Safety gear, like gloves and eye protection
Digital levels and torque tools for fine-tuned adjustments

These tools help keep garage door repairs steady and safe.

Another common mistake is skipping inspections or ignoring early signs of trouble, like strange noises or jerky movements. Small issues can build up over time without proper attention.

Emergency Procedures and What to Do If Something Feels Off

If your garage door stops midway, won’t respond or makes a loud sound, it’s best to pause before trying anything. Start by turning off the power if that’s safe to do, then keep the area clear and reach out for support. A stuck or lopsided door can seem like a small issue, but moving or forcing it may cause damage. Having a plan to call a trusted technician can help you stay calm and safe.

Regulatory Compliance and Safety Standards

Commercial and multi-unit properties often have local or state codes tied to garage door systems. These rules might involve:

Posting instructions near manual releases
Scheduling regular inspections
Using openers that meet recognized safety standards

Working with a knowledgeable team that understands your area’s requirements makes it easier to stay in step with these standards.

Maintenance Tips to Promote Garage Door Safety

Routine checkups are one of the simplest ways to keep your garage door safe.

You don’t need to be a technician to give your system a quick once-over each month. Look for signs of wear on cables and rollers, check that the tracks are straight and listen for anything that sounds off. A little lubricant on the rollers, hinges and springs every few months can help keep your garage door system’s components moving smoothly. Beyond supporting safety, these small changes can help your door last longer and reduce the chance of surprise repairs.

While you can handle some maintenance on your own, it’s worth scheduling a professional inspection once a year to make sure everything is working as it should.

When to Call a Professional

If you’re not sure what’s going on with your garage door, that’s usually the right time to ask for help. Some signs of trouble that a technician should take a look at include:

A door that closes too fast or slams
Springs or cables that look loose or broken
Loud or grinding noises
A door that’s off track or looks uneven

Waiting things out can lead to more damage. Getting the right support early helps keep your property safe and your garage door working like it should.

Stay Safe With Professional Help From Ben Druck Door

Ben Druck Door has been helping homeowners and property managers with reliable, innovative and turnkey garage door service for years. From quick inspections to detailed repairs, we know what it takes to work safely with garage doors of all sizes and systems. Our team values clear communication, quality workmanship and lasting results.

If you’ve been putting off a garage door checkup, June is the perfect time to take care of it. Call us or schedule a service with us online. We’re happy to offer inspections and answer questions about safety upgrades, maintenance tips or new installations. Our goal is to help you feel confident and secure every time your garage door opens or closes.