Your garage door is likely one of the most frequently used moving parts in your home. However, the truth is that this machine is often overlooked when it comes to regular maintenance. If you don’t perform proper garage door upkeep on a regular basis, you might end up facing expensive repairs, safety hazards, frequent breakdowns, and plenty of stress along the way.
At Lightning Garage Door Solutions, we’ve seen it time and time again – big problems that could have been avoided early on with the right upkeep routine. We put together this little article to help you avoid unpleasant surprises and situations with your garage door, by understanding why maintenance is essential.
How Often Should You Inspect Your Garage Door?
A good upkeep routine always begins with regular inspections. A good rule of thumb is to carry out a visual inspection of your garage door and its operating system every three months. We would also recommend scheduling professional garage door servicing every year as well, to make sure all the components are working as they should be.
This Is Why Routine Garage Door Upkeep Is A Must
We’ve put together the key reasons why regular maintenance and upkeep is critical for your garage door and its operating system.
1. It Saves You Money
Routine garage door maintenance and repair will help you catch small problems early. This is a great result because it means you can address the issues before they turn into expensive repairs or replacements. For example, replacing a worn cable or lubricating rollers costs way less than fixing a snapped spring or damaged motor!
2. It Leads To A Safer Environment For Everyone
A faulty garage door is a serious safety hazard and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Broken springs, misaligned sensors, or a damaged belt/chain can cause serious injuries or damage to your home or vehicles. Regular garage door upkeep helps you spot any hazards as early as possible. When you do that, you’ll be preventing accidents and making sure the door is safe to operate.
3. It Maintains A Smooth Operation
There’s nothing more frustrating than a garage door that jerks, grinds, or refuses to open when you press the button on your remote! This usually happens because operational parts like the rollers, hinges, and springs aren’t lubricated or aligned. Therefore, regular lubrication and inspection will lead to a more quiet, efficient system.
4. It Contributes To Energy Efficiency
A well-sealed and properly functioning garage door can help regulate temperature and reduce energy costs in your home. On the other hand, a poorly maintained garage door can have gaps that compromise your insulation and let warm or cool air escape. In the long run, that leads to a less efficient temperature management system and more power spent to keep your home cool or warm. Along with that, a garage door that isn’t operating properly may also use more power than it should.
Things To Look For When Checking Your Garage Door System
There will often be subtle signs that your garage door does need maintenance or some kind of repairs. Catching these early can save you time, money, and hassle.
Some common issues to keep an eye out for include:
- Gaps between the door and the ground – these can let in pests, water, or debris and are often caused by warping, wear, or weather damage.
- Unresponsive or inconsistent sensors – if you regularly have to operate your automatic garage door manually, it’s likely the sensors are malfunctioning and require adjustment or replacement.
- Rust – surface rust can worsen over time, affecting both the appearance and functionality of your garage door if left untreated.
If you notice any of these issues, don’t ignore them. Prompt garage door upkeep prevents minor problems from turning into major repairs… and keeps more money in your pocket!
Quick Tips On Better Upkeep For Your Garage Door
Here are a few quick tips that can lead to an improved upkeep regimen for your garage door.
- Inspect regularly and check for rust, gaps, or signs of wear and tear.
- Lubricate moving parts, including rollers, hinges, and springs.
- Test the balance by operating the garage door manually.
- Check the sensors and make sure they are aligned and working.
- Clean the tracks on a regular basis.
- Listen for strange noises when operating.
If you’re unsure how to actually perform maintenance on a garage door, it’s always best to consult a professional technician. There are also a number of issues that should only be handled by an expert technician, so it’s best to check beforehand.
Speak To A Garage Door Maintenance Technician Today
If your garage door isn’t operating as it should, but you’re not too sure why, it’s always a good idea to speak to an experienced garage door maintenance technician. At Lightning Garage Door Solutions, we help Brisbane homeowners tackle garage door issues before they become big, expensive problems. If you need routine maintenance or larger repairs, we can help.
