How to Extend the Life of Your Garage Door
We use our garage doors almost every day. While a quality residential garage door should have a lifespan of 15-30 years, the length depends on how often it's used and how well it's maintained. We need our garage doors to operate safely and effectively, so getting an annual tune-up keeps things running smoothly. In the meantime, what are some ways to keep your garage working without any hangups? Here's some things you can do to help extend the life of your garage door.
Operate with care and attention.
Paying attention to the noises your car makes is a helpful method of predicting maintenance needs; think of your garage door in the same way. If you notice strange noises or straining, act quickly! Damage will escalate as the overhead door continues to be used. If you don't hear anything out of the ordinary, check to see if the system looks symmetrical and correctly in place. Staying observant of your garage door when its in use is the first step in preventing repairs.
Keep things in balance.
Test the balance of your garage door. How? Disconnect the opener (check your manual) and move the door halfway up yourself. If your garage door starts to move on its own, the springs are likely off balance. An unbalanced garage door will have to work much harder and will worsen over time with continued use. A garage door that is out-of-balance can also close at a faster rate, causing a potential safety hazard. If you find that your garage door seems unbalanced, contact a professional to check it out! In the words of Dr. Seuss, "Be sure when you step, step with care and great tact. And remember that life's a great balancing act."
Check your cables.
The high-tension cables that lift your garage door are very powerful. To check for possible cable damage, look for broken or frayed strands attached to the bottom roller bracket of your overhead door. If you notice any damage, it's important to immediately contact a professional due to the power of the cables and the harm they could cause if broken. Remember, safety always comes first!
Keep a clean garage.
Garage doors are exposed to the elements quite a bit! Sometimes cleaning your garage may seem endless, but keeping a focus on your garage door system's tracks will help keep it functioning optimally. Make sure the sensors are free of dust, debris or even nests and spider webs. This is an easy task you can do weekly or bi-weekly. Keeping a clean garage door system will eliminate at least one potential cause for functional issues!
Schedule an annual inspection.
Leave it to the professionals! If cables, alignment, lubrication and other garage door operations aren't your thing -- don't worry, it's ours. Scheduling a routine inspection will ensure your garage door functions its absolute best and help avoid preventable repairs! We are proud to offer a variety of preventative maintenance services with skilled technicians available at your convenience. Our goal is to make sure your garage door is high-quality, even if it means we have to be high-maintenance!
