How to Safety Test a Garage Door

There's an important test that everybody with an automatic garage door opener should conduct from time to time.

Most folks think their garage door opener is working properly if they push the button and the door goes up and down. But there's another important factor. Garage door openers are equipped with a safety feature that stops the door and reverses it when it encounters resistance, like a child or a pet.

A simple test you can perform to be sure that your door is adjusted properly is to start the door closing and then place an unopened roll of paper towels underneath it. The bottom of the door should contact the paper towels, compress it slightly, stop, and then reverse. If it doesn't, your door needs to be adjusted. You can do that yourself by checking your owner's manual, or you can call a professional.