An electric garage door provides the utmost convenience to homeowners by offering the ease of access at the push of a button. With so many moving components involved, it's important for homeowners to routinely inspect their operating system to ensure the safety of their family and vehicles. To aid you in this process, the garage door experts at Mid-State Door & Opener Co. in Tomah, WI, offer this easy-to-follow three-step safety checklist.

Your 3-Step Checklist for Electric Garage Door Safety

1. Photoelectric Sensors

One of the first components of your electric garage door system that needs to be inspected is the photoelectric sensors. These are the two units placed on either side of the track that typically sit about six inches above the base of the garage. To inspect your garage door's photoelectric eyes, quickly move a small object back and forth in the path of the two sensors while it closes. If the door doesn't quickly reverse back to the open position, you should contact a professional to identify if the sensors need re-calibration or replacement.

2. Down Force

Another major component of garage door safety is the door's down force. This setting is typically located on the motor controlling the movement of the door, and it decides the door's sensitivity level to an opposing force. At the proper setting, the door will quit closing and reverse when it comes into contact with another object. However, if the force is set too high, it can continue closing and crushing anything in its way.

The best way to safely check this feature is by using a small piece of wood that's short enough not to trigger the photoelectric sensors. Lay it on the base of the door closing before triggering the door to come down. If the system doesn't automatically reverse when it reaches the piece of wood, a down force adjustment is needed.

3. Open Force

Your system's open force setting also needs to be checked. This setting controls the door's sensitivity to an opposing force as it opens, and like with down force, it should react to being touched. In this scenario, you can typically gauge its response by how easily it halts upon grabbing the bottom of the door as it opens. If it resists stopping or requires a substantial amount of force, the setting needs to be changed.

If your electric garage door doesn't pass the safety checklist, contact Mid-State Door & Opener Co. for assistance. Boasting more than 25 years of experience, the Monroe County-based company has earned a reputation for top-quality service at competitive rates. From new door sales and installation to regular maintenance and emergency repairs, their team of highly skilled technicians is prepared to handle all of your garage door service needs. Schedule your appointment by calling (608) 372-9681, or learn more about the garage door repair and replacement options online.