Garage Door Service in Calgary: Monthly Safety Checks

Safety checks a homeowner can do on a garage door, what a garage door service should cover, and published Calgary prices.

A closing door can kill. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission says about 73 children aged 2 to 14 have been trapped and killed under automatic garage doors in the US since March 1982, about three deaths a year. It says to test the reversing feature monthly, and Chamberlain says the same.

To test reversal, per Chamberlain: with the door fully open, lay a 2x4 flat on the floor, centred under the door, and close the door. It must reverse when it hits the board. DASMA adds a sensor test: stand inside and clear of the door while it closes, and wave an object through the sensor beam. The door should reverse at once. If either test fails, stop using the opener and call for service. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission says an opener that fails should be disengaged until it is adjusted, repaired or replaced. Don't run these tests if you already see damaged springs, cables or hardware.

From inside with the door closed, DASMA suggests looking over the springs, hinges, brackets and fasteners without touching them, and checking the panels for cracks or separated material. The red release handle should be easy to reach, no more than 6 feet above the floor. Wall buttons should be at least 5 feet up, out of the reach of children.

DASMA's balance check: with the door closed, pull the release, and without straining, lift the door by a safe grip. It should move freely, stay fully open, and stay put when partly open, 3 to 4 feet off the floor. If it doesn't, stop and have a trained technician look at it. Keep other people clear, don't stand under the door, and don't do this if you see a broken part. When you're done, close the door fully and reconnect the opener.

When you book a service, ask what is included, and get the price first. Calgary averages about 139 cm of snow a year and January lows of −13.5 °C (Environment Canada 1991–2020 normals), so it's worth doing these checks before winter.

Common jobs

• Door balance and spring check
• Roller, hinge and track check
• Opener force and travel settings
• Safety sensor and reversal tests
• Bottom and weather seals

Have this ready when you call

• Single or double door, and roughly how old it is
• The opener brand if you can see it
• Any noises or problems you've noticed
• Your community or town

Common questions