Garages are an important residential and commercial feature. They are not only used to park cars but also as storage and working space. Many store their lawnmowers, recycling bins, bikes and most importantly tools and equipment. Garages are considered equivalent to warehouse space by some and hence maintenance is crucial. Garage doors just like Garage space require more maintenance than any other kind of door. Unlike other doors, Garage doors are mechanical and more likely to jam in severe weather conditions or via improper handling. Some of the major reasons for garage door jams are jams caused by Garage door hardware, Garage door opener parts as well as Electronics.
First of all, Garage Door Hardware may be the primary reason for garage door jams and damage. Lack of maintenance becomes clearly visible in garage door hardware in the form of rust and corrosion. Many stainless steel Garage door rollers may develop rust over a period of time if not maintained regularly. Rust on rollers may eventually put more strain on garage door opener and chains causing them to come off the pulley and leading to an accident. To add, rust on rollers and/or tracks may eventually lead to loss of traction as Garage door opens and closes. If a roller goes off track, it may damage your garage door and may cause a jam. Not to mention, most garage doors are door fragments held together by garage door roller brackets and other hardware. Hence, loose stainless steel roller brackets from incorrect installation or rust may lead to an accident as loose door fragments fall on vehicles and other assets. Moreover, rusted and loose bolts mounted on Garage door roller brackets and door hardware may also lead to an accident with the same consequences. Also, broken torsion springs are one of the most common replacement parts in a garage door repair business. Hence, if these torsion springs are not maintained regularly via a rust loosen er chemical, they may cause an accident as well along with frayed cables. Altogether, garage door hardware plays an important role in its smooth function hence regular maintenance is a key to keep it in one piece.
Secondly, Garage Door Openers and their parts are one of the main reasons for a garage door jam. Many garage doors have plastic pulleys while some have stainless steel pulleys. In severe weather, plastic pulleys may break from the extreme weight of garage doors caused by snow and ice accumulation as well as frozen hardware. Though Stainless steel is a corrosion resistant material to some extent, this material does develop rust over a period of time. This rust may be a result of extreme weather, constant water exposure as well as lack of maintenance. Lack of maintenance may be caused by lack of chain lubrication, chains which form part of Garage door opener. It is possible, this is the reason why many manufacturers use vinyl and galvanised steel pulleys to overcome this issue. However, those homeowners who still have plastic and stainless steel pulleys and parts as part of their garage door and garage door openers may be risking their vehicles, assets and their lives from lack of care and maintenance. Next, rust development on Garage door opener chains could also lead to accidents if a chain comes off a pulley. Hence, regular use of WD-40 as well as other chemicals to loosen up the rust might prove useful in avoiding corrosion on garage door opener pulleys and chains.
Last but not least, Garage door safety sensors malfunction often result into garage door jams as well. Sensors that detect obstructions between a garage door and concrete floor often malfunction as a result of improper handling or an accident. Moreover, any malfunction caused by Garage door motor control board as well as the electronics inside the garage door opener may cause a Garage door jam.
In conclusion, Garage doors are not only a functional residential or commercial feature but also a security feature. Properly maintained and secured garage doors may lead to less accident and fewer Insurance claims. These claims may in turn bring down Insurance premiums.