How to Maintain Your Garage Door for Longevity

Benjamin Franklin is famously credited with the familiar maxim: “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In other words, it is easier and more cost-friendly to prevent something from happening in the first place than having to repair the damage after it has happened. For garage doors, as with many other things in life, this adage rings true. 

Maintaining your garage door doesn’t require a significant amount of time or financial investment, but it can pay off in reliability, safety, and longevity. Since your garage door is one of the most frequently used and integral components of your home, proper maintenance ensures that it continues to operate efficiently and lasts for many years without requiring costly repairs. By performing regular inspections, lubrication, and minor repairs and scheduling annual professional maintenance, you can make sure your door remains in excellent condition for many years to come.

Regular maintenance can significantly extend the lifespan of your garage door. Depending on its usage and material, garage doors have a lifespan of between 15 to 30 years and garage door openers can last between 10 to 15 years. Neglecting regular maintenance, though, can lead to wear and tear which, over time, can cause breakdowns and safety risks. Regular maintenance costs less than an estimated $100 per year while larger garage door repairs can each cost an average of between $150 and $400. In other words, consistent maintenance can help you avoid these unnecessary and potentially pricey expenses and maintain optimal performance.

Regularly Inspect Your Garage Door

Every three to six months, perform a simple but thorough visual inspection of your garage door. You know what looks typical for your door and home, so be on the lookout for potential issues before they escalate. Specifically, look at the:

• Springs and Cables: Check for signs of wear, rust, or fraying. These seemingly small issues can cause significant damage or safety risk if left unattended. 
• Tracks and Rollers: Ensure they are clean, aligned, and free of debris, including sticks, rocks, dirt, etc. Misaligned tracks, which can be caused by debris, can be the cause of malfunctioning doors.
• Door Panels: Look for dents, warping, or cracking, especially on wooden doors which are more susceptible to weather, including humidity and temperature fluctuations.
• Weatherstripping: Weatherstripping is the bottom seal of your door which affects insulation and prevents pests from entering your garage. Inspect for gaps, brittleness, or flaking. 

 Lubricate Moving Parts

Friction in your garage door’s mechanical components will not only affect its operation but also its noise. A well-lubricated system operates smoothly and quietly. In fact, the operational noise of properly lubricated doors is about 50% less than that of improperly or inadequately lubricated doors. Lubricating the moving parts every six months can reduce friction and strain on those parts and prolong the door’s lifespan.

• Recommended Lubricants: Use a silicone-based spray or white lithium grease. Avoid products like WD-40 since it is a degreaser and ultimately not suitable for long-term lubrication like garage doors require.
• Components to Lubricate: The moving parts, including the hinges, rollers, springs, and chain and/or screw drive on your opener.

Tighten Hardware and Check the Balance

Since most garage doors operate via a complex system of bolts, brackets, and springs, which can all loosen over time as a result of vibration and regular use, it’s important to tighten the hardware and check your door’s balance. A balanced door reduces strain on the opener and can extend the door’s life.

• Tighten Bolts: Use a socket wrench to secure any bolts or brackets you notice.
• Check Your Door’s Balance: To do this, disconnect the opener by pulling the release handle and manually lift the door halfway. If the door stays in place, the balance is correct. If it moves, the springs may need adjustment by a professional.

 Test the Auto-Reverse Safety Feature

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that garage doors cause approximately 20000 injuries per year. The auto-reverse feature is a critical safety mechanism that prevents the door from closing on anything in its path, including objects, pets, or people. To test your garage door’s auto-reverse function:

1. Fully open the garage door.
2. Place an object, like a wooden block, under the door.
3. Close the door using the opener.
4. The door should reverse its function immediately upon contact with the object; or, if your door is also equipped with object-detecting sensors (further discussed below) and you place the object at the sensor’s height the door should reverse function immediately upon detection of the object.

If the auto-reverse feature fails, consult a professional to address the issue quickly.

 Clean and Inspect the Sensors

Garage doors equipped with electric openers also often have sensors near the ground on either side of the door that prevent the door from closing if something obstructs the beam. 

• Cleaning: Use a microfiber or soft, dry cloth to remove dust and debris from the sensors.
• Alignment: Check the sensors are properly aligned since misaligned sensors can cause the door to behave erratically and dangerously.

 Repaint and Protect Against the Elements

Proper maintenance of the exterior of your door not only preserves the integrity of the door but also maintains and enhances the curb appeal of your home. The exterior of your garage door is constantly exposed to sun, rain, and temperature fluctuations which can lead to warping, cracks, and other wear over time.

• Wooden Doors: These doors are the most susceptible to weather damage so you’ll need to repaint or reseal every 2-3 years to prevent rot and cracking.
• Steel Doors: Check for rust spots and repaint as needed with rust-resistant paint.
• Vinyl or Aluminum Doors: These require minimal maintenance but should be cleaned with a mild detergent twice a year. 

 Address Minor Repairs Promptly

Small issues, such as a sticky roller or squeaky hinge, can escalate into more serious issues if not addressed promptly. Homeowners can tackle minor repairs, like replacing weatherstripping or tightening a loose bolt, themselves.

For more complex issues, like a broken spring or frayed cables, consult a professional since attempting these repairs without proper training can be dangerous. 

Schedule Annual Professional Maintenance

Even with regular, at-home maintenance efforts, professional inspections are essential. Certified technicians can identify and address issues that you might not notice but that can have a substantial impact on your door’s operation. At RJ Garage Door Service, our repair services include safety sensor repair, garage door insulation, weatherstripping or weather seal replacement, hinge repair, roller replacement, track alignment and repair, cable repair, etc. We also offer preventative maintenance plans to ensure your doors receive regular quality, professional care.