Unless you perform maintenance on your garage door, it won’t last as long as it could. Neglecting regular checkups might lead to a lot of expensive repairs and replacements. Maintenance is an ongoing process that will help keep your garage door in good shape over its lifespan.
Regular maintenance checks on the garage door not only extend its useful life but also prevent small problems from becoming big ones. Here are a few tips for keeping your garage door working optimally and safely for as long as possible.
What We Look For During A Maintenance Check
The lifespan of a garage door can vary depending on the type of door, but many last somewhere between 15 and 20 years. If you perform regular maintenance, you can expect to get a lot more life out of your door.
Here are some items we keep an eye out for when performing a maintenance check.
Damaged Panels: Repairing or replacing panels is a common repair and relatively cheap, but you’ll want to act quickly if they’re already damaged. They can fall off completely, posing a serious hazard to you and your loved ones. Not to mention, it will allow access for pests.
Bent Or Misaligned Rails. Our garage door technicians will inspect the rails for misalignment or warping that could be causing the door to travel unevenly. A crooked door can increase the likelihood of problems like a bent track or a sagging door.
Cables & Springs: Another troublesome area for garage doors can be the cable and springs. We inspect for rust and signs of worn-out parts. If a spring is broken or starting to wear, it can snap, causing an injury to you or your family.
Caring For Garage Cables, Springs & Rollers
At some point, you’ll probably need to change the springs. These are what provide the lifting power that opens and closes the door. Depending on where you live, they may last anywhere from five to 15 years. If they’re old or showing signs of wear and tear, they may need to be replaced.
The same goes for the rollers. These are what transport the door to either side of the opening. They don’t last forever, and when they show signs of wear, they should be replaced. It’s important to note that, when changing the rollers, you may also need to change the tracks as well.
Check The Opener & Sensors
If you notice your garage door is taking longer than normal to open or close, the sensors may need to be adjusted. A broken or non-functioning opener might be an indication of a more serious problem.
If the unit is connected to a circuit board, you may want to have a professional take a look at it. Garage door openers are fairly reliable, but still may need a tune-up or adjustment from time to time.
If you’re noticing a lot of vibration or noise, the torsion springs may need adjusting. A garage door inspection can help you troubleshoot any problems before they become serious. You can also perform a visual inspection to check for any worn or damaged components.
Some of the things you’ll want to look for are bent or misaligned rails and rollers, a saggy track, and worn or broken parts like the springs or cables. You can also check to see if the door is aligned correctly.
The Nuts & Bolts
As part of our garage door maintenance inspection, we’ll make sure the screws and nuts are tight. Loose screws can lead to misalignment and other serious problems. For areas of visible rust, we may treat the affected area with a rust-inhibiting spray.
Inspecting Weather Seals
Garage doors are often exposed to harsh weather conditions. You may notice that the edges of the door are very dirty. As they age, they will wear down and start to deteriorate. This can cause the seal to lose effectiveness, allowing water to get inside the garage. If the garage door seal is damaged in any way, it is a good idea to replace it as soon as possible.
The Benefit Of Regular Garage Door Maintenance
When you hire a garage door repair company in Calgary to conduct your annual maintenance, we can catch smaller issues before they become bigger. We’ll tighten screws, adjust rails and make any other improvements required to keep your door in top shape. With regular maintenance you can save time and money from dealing with costlier repairs
When You Need Garage Door Repair
As soon as you notice something is not functioning correctly, it may be too late for maintenance, you may need a local garage door repair service instead. At the first signs of trouble, don’t hesitate to contact A1 Overhead Door Services.
We have been serving the Calgary area for over 25 years and offer garage door repair, emergency garage door repairs, maintenance and more. Call us today at 403-923-8186 or submit a contact form request. A1 Overhead Door Services is Calgary’s top choice to all garage door troubles.