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Garage door safety guides

Safety checks, springs and cables under tension, auto-reverse tests and when to stop and call a technician.

Guides

Safety: 9 guides

Close-up of the edge of an insulated white garage door section showing the foam core, the joint between two panels and a black side seal, thumbnail for the garage door safety test guide, for homes near downtown Long Beach

Garage Door Safety Tests: Balance, Auto-Reverse and Photo Eyes

Three ten-minute tests keep a garage door safe: balance, auto-reverse and photo eyes. Here is how to do each one, what a pass looks like and when to call.

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Two-story white farmhouse-style home with a dark bronze paneled garage door, thumbnail for the replace garage door spring yourself guide, for homes near central Manhattan Beach

Is It Safe to Replace Garage Door Springs Yourself?

No. Torsion springs hold high tension and makers say only a trained technician should repair or adjust them. See why, what you can check and what to do.

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Townhouse row with dark garage doors, thumbnail for the garage door safety children guide, for homes near central West Sacramento near City Hall

Garage Door Safety for Kids and Pets

Keep remotes out of reach, mount the wall button high and test the reverse monthly. A simple checklist for families, by day, month and year.

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Gray modern home with a full-view glass garage door, thumbnail for the garage door security guide, for homes near Old Town Clovis

Garage Door Security: Release Handle, Remotes and Keypads

Police advise a zip tie on the emergency release, remotes kept out of the car and a locked door into the house. A checklist for each, by interval.

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Brick and stone home with two cream carriage garage doors under dormers, thumbnail for the garage door auto reverse not working guide, for homes near central Victorville

Garage Door Auto-Reverse Not Working

If the door does not reverse on a 2x4, CPSC says to disengage the opener until it is adjusted, repaired or replaced. Here is what to check and when to call.

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Modern ranch home with white siding and a dark brown garage door with a window row, thumbnail for the can a handyman fix a garage door guide, for homes near central Carlsbad

Can a Handyman Fix a Garage Door?

A handyman can do small, safe jobs on a garage door. Springs, cables and brackets are not among them. See the myths, the facts and the California rules.

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Two blue garage doors on a light blue sided house, thumbnail for the garage door repair scams guide, for homes near central Monterey

How to Choose a Garage Door Company and Spot Scams

Check the address, the CSLB license, the written quote and the payment terms before anyone touches your door. Here are the scam signs and what to do about them.

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Gray garage door with black side windows, thumbnail for the check contractor license california guide, for homes near central La Habra near City Hall

How to Check a California Contractor License

Look up any garage door company on the CSLB Check a License page in seven steps: status, class, bond and workers' compensation. Here is what to look for.

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Dark glass garage door on a cream stucco wall, thumbnail for the garage door spring danger guide, for homes near central Chula Vista near Broadway

Why Garage Door Springs and Cables Are Dangerous

Garage door springs and cables hold the door's weight under high tension. See why industry rules say leave them to a technician and what to do if one breaks.

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