Does your garage door make strange noises when opening or closing? Many homeowners don't realize that regular servicing of their garage doors is crucial for optimum performance and longevity.
In this article, Discount Door Service, the preferred family owned garage door repair company in Tucson since 1999, will demystify how often you should have your garage door serviced, what to expect during a service appointment, and offer preventative maintenance tips to keep it running smoothly.
Let's get your garage door performing like new!
Key Takeaways
- Regular servicing of your garage door is crucial for optimum performance and longevity.
- Garage doors should be serviced at least once a year by a professional technician.
- Monthly checks performed by homeowners can help detect early signs of issues that require professional attention.
- Signs that your garage door needs servicing include unusual noises, difficulty in opening or closing, and visible wear and tear.
Importance of Regular Garage Door Servicing
Servicing your garage door on a regular basis plays a critical role in prolonging its lifespan. This involves skilled service technicians who execute comprehensive preventative maintenance routines at least once per year.
These specialists use their expertise to adjust spring tension, lubricate moving parts, and tighten any loose bolts and screws.
Additionally, noting any unusual noises when opening and closing the door paves way for early detection of issues that require professional attention. Your garage door's ability to completely close without problems is also an essential facet of these routine inspections.
Indications Your Garage Door Needs Servicing
If you notice unusual noises, difficulty in opening or closing, or visible wear and tear on your garage door, it's a clear indication that it needs servicing. The following video by our colleagues at Continental Doors Company give a very nice overview.
Unusual noises
Unusual noises from your garage door often signify a problem. These sounds can be the result of loose hardware, rusty springs or problematic rollers, and may indicate that your garage door needs servicing.
Frequent vibrations from regular use can unhinge bolts and screws over time, causing a succession of clicks or a high-pitched whine while opening or closing the door.
If you notice such sounds, it's best to contact a professional for an inspection as soon as possible. Ignoring unusual noise could lead to more serious issues down the line, like damaged tracks or roller malfunctions.
Hence it is wise not to overlook these warnings as minor inconveniences; they are early signs requiring immediate attention.
Difficulty in opening or closing
Experiencing difficulty in opening or closing your garage door is more than just a minor hassle. This could be an alarm bell ringing, signaling potential underlying issues with your garage door system that need immediate attention.
A residential or commercial garage door should operate smoothly; any obstruction or impediment to this operation may indicate problems within the moving parts such as the rollers, springs, cables, or hinges.
These troubles can stem from wear and tear over time or inadequate lubrication of these components. Regular maintenance services by service technicians are key to fixing these issues before they escalate into serious complications that might require complete replacement of parts.
Conducting monthly checks yourself can also help ensure that your manual or automatic door opening system functions correctly and safely at all times.
Visible wear and tear
Visible wear and tear on your garage door should never be brushed aside. This often signals a need for prompt servicing or even replacement of certain parts. Such signs may include rust, loose bolts, dents, or damage to the cables, such as fraying.
A compromised door is not only unattractive but can also pose serious safety risks over time. Regular services from trained technicians can spot these issues early, preventing minor problems from escalating into major ones.
By practicing proactive maintenance such as a monthly check or annual tune-up, you can ensure the longevity of your garage door while keeping your home safe and secure.
How Often Should You Schedule Garage Door Maintenance?
Garage doors should be serviced at least once a year. During this annual service, service technicians perform preventative maintenance to keep the door operating smoothly. In addition to the yearly service, it is recommended to conduct a monthly check on the garage door.
This check includes determining if the door can be opened manually and checking for any unusual noises. Regular garage door tune-ups are essential in maintaining the lifespan of your door and ensuring it is working properly.
Tips for Basic Garage Door Maintenance
Regularly inspect your garage door for any signs of wear and tear, lubricate the moving parts to ensure smooth operation, and don't forget to replace the batteries in your garage door opener remotes regularly.
Regular inspection
Regular inspection is an important aspect of garage door maintenance. It helps identify any potential issues and ensures that your garage door is working properly. During a regular inspection, you should:
- Check for any signs of wear and tear, such as frayed cables or damaged hinges.
- Test the balance of the door by disconnecting the opener and manually opening and closing it.
- Examine the rollers for any signs of damage or excessive wear.
- Inspect the photo eye sensors to ensure they are properly aligned and functioning.
- Verify that the safety mechanism is working correctly by testing it with gentle pressure when the door is closing.
Lubrication of moving parts
Proper lubrication of the moving parts is crucial for maintaining a garage door. This helps ensure smooth operation and prevents excessive wear on the door. Regular lubrication of hinges, rollers, springs, and other moving parts is essential for their proper functioning. It is recommended to lubricate these parts at least once a year, using lithium-based grease as the preferred lubricant. However, it's important not to over-lubricate as this can attract dirt and debris which may damage the door over time.
Replacing batteries in garage door opener
To ensure proper operation of your garage door opener, it is crucial to replace the batteries regularly. Neglecting this simple maintenance task can lead to unexpected issues. Keep your garage door functioning smoothly by following these tips:
- Check the batteries in your garage door opener at least once every six months.
- Use fresh, high - quality batteries to ensure optimal performance.
- Replace the batteries if they are weak or corroded.
- Pay attention to any warning signs, such as a slow or unresponsive opener, as it may indicate that the batteries need replacement.
Conclusion
Regular servicing of your garage door is vital to ensure its longevity and proper functionality. It is recommended to have your garage door serviced at least once a year by a professional technician.
This preventative maintenance will help identify any potential issues early on and save you money in the long run. By scheduling regular maintenance, you can keep your garage door operating smoothly and avoid any unexpected breakdowns or costly repairs.
Don't wait until something goes wrong – take proactive steps to maintain your garage door's performance today!
FAQs
1. How often should a residential garage door be serviced?
You should have your residential garage door serviced by a professional technician at least once a year.
2. What does garage door maintenance include?
Maintenance services typically involve inspecting the opener, cables, springs and rollers for wear and tear, lubricating moving parts for smooth operation, and tightening loose bolts and screws.
3. Why is regular maintenance important for my garage door?
Regular tune-ups help keep your garage door working correctly and safely while preventing severe issues that could cause serious injury or more expensive repairs in the future.
4. Can I service my own residential or commercial garage doors?
While homeowners can perform minimal maintenance like lubrication or manual door opening checks; technical aspects such as adjusting spring tension or repairing broken sections need to be handled by professionals.
5. My overhead door seems fine; do I still need preventative maintenance?
Yes! Even when your overhead or standard garage appears to work without any issue it's best not to overlook routine service; this ensures longevity whilst keeping you safe from unforeseen failures which can lead to damage or injuries
6. Will getting my doors checked early save me money?
Absolutely! Early inspections allow techs' prompt identification of small problems before they turn into major issues, thus saving the homeowner money in the long run.