Ever wonder how to keep that garage door of yours in tip-top shape? As a garage door repair technician, I’ve seen every problem under the sun when it comes to garage doors in need of a little TLC. The good news is with a few simple tips, you can avoid most common garage door issues and keep that big door working like a charm for years to come.
Inspect Your Garage Door Regularly
01. Inspect Your Garage Door Regularly
To keep your garage door in tip-top shape, perform regular inspections. We recommend checking on your garage door at least once a month. Look for any signs of damage, rust or wear and tear. Check that all hardware like springs, rollers, hinges are properly installed and secured.
Test the door balance – your door should stay stationary when stopped at any point during opening or closing. If it drifts up or down, the springs likely need adjustment or replacement. Call a professional garage door company to handle spring repairs or replacement.
Inspect the door panels – ensure all panels are securely installed with no dents, holes or damage. Wooden doors should be stained or painted to prevent weathering and rot. Steel doors can rust over time, so inspect for any rust spots and treat them.
Test the automatic opener – your garage door opener should open and close the door smoothly and stop/reverse when an obstacle is detected. If the opener is making strange noises, opening/closing unevenly or not automatically reversing, it likely needs repair or replacement.
Lubricate all moving parts – apply garage door lubricant or light oil to hinges, rollers and tracks. This helps your door open and close properly while reducing noise. Avoid over-lubricating to prevent dirt and grime buildup.
Seal any gaps – look for any gaps, cracks around the edges of the door that could allow air, water or pests to enter. Apply weatherstripping or caulk to seal these gaps and improve energy efficiency.
Following these tips for inspecting and maintaining your garage door will help ensure it continues operating safely and smoothly for years to come. If you have any concerns or need professional garage door services, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to provide a free onsite inspection and quote.
Keep the Tracks Clean and Lubricated
To keep your garage door rolling smoothly, it’s important to keep the tracks clean and lubricated.
Those metal tracks your door slides up and down guide your door properly and help it seal when closed. Over time, dirt and debris can build up in the tracks, preventing your door from closing fully or causing it to stick or bind. Get in the habit of vacuuming out the tracks monthly to remove any dirt or leaves.
You’ll also want to lubricate the tracks, rollers, and hinges to prevent squeaking and keep parts moving freely. Use a spray-on garage door lubricant or light oil and coat the inside of the tracks, the tops and sides of the rollers, and all hinge points. Wipe away any excess lubricant with a rag to prevent drips.
Properly lubricating and cleaning your garage door tracks and hardware can help extend the life of your garage door and opener. If your door continues to stick or squeak frequently after lubricating, it may indicate larger issues with your garage door that require professional servicing. Don’t hesitate to contact your local garage door company for an inspection to diagnose the problem. They can get your garage door rolling smoothly again and ensure safe operation for you and your vehicles.
Keeping your garage door tracks and hardware in working order with regular cleaning and lubrication is one of the easiest ways to keep your garage door functioning properly for years to come. Be sure to add it to your monthly home maintenance routine!
Test the Auto-Reverse Safety Feature
To keep your garage door in tip-top shape, test the auto-reverse safety feature regularly. This mechanism is designed to automatically reverse the closing door if it detects an obstacle, preventing injuries and damage.
Testing the Auto-Reverse
Once a month, place a 2×4 board or similar object on the ground underneath the closing garage door. When the door contacts the board, it should immediately reverse direction and open back up. If it does not reverse, call us right away for garage door repair service. Do not operate the door until the auto-reverse safety feature has been checked and fixed if necessary.
Safety sensors are another critical component. Located at the base of the door opening, these sensors project an invisible beam across the doorway. If the beam is broken by a person or object while the door is closing, the door will reverse. Test the sensors monthly by waving an object in front of the beam as the door is closing. Again, if the door does not reverse, call for emergency garage door service.
Additional Safety Checks
While testing the auto-reverse, also check that the garage door is balanced and opens and closes evenly without sticking or binding. The door should require only minimal force to operate. If it’s difficult to open or close, or closes unevenly, the door likely needs adjustments or repairs to springs, rollers or cables.
Ensure the manual release cord is securely attached and will disengage the opener so you can operate the door manually if needed. Lubricate all moving parts including roller bearings, hinges, pulleys and tracks according to the manufacturer’s directions. This helps prevent excess strain on the motor and ensures quiet, efficient operation.
Keeping up with these routine safety and maintenance checks on your garage door and opener will help guarantee safe, trouble-free operation for years to come. If anything doesn’t seem right or you have questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re happy to provide an onsite inspection and service or replacement of worn or damaged parts. Your garage door’s proper functioning is important for security, convenience and safety.
Replace Old and Worn Out Springs
One of the most important parts of your garage door are the springs. The springs provide the tension needed to properly open and close your door. Over time, these springs can become worn out or even break, preventing your door from functioning properly. For the continued safe operation of your garage door, it’s critical to replace your springs if they show signs of aging or damage.
Inspect Your Springs Regularly
Check your garage door springs regularly for any signs of rust, dents, or damage. Springs that are more than 7-10 years old are more prone to breaking and should be replaced. If your door seems slower to open, closes unevenly, or makes loud squealing or grinding noises, it’s a good indication your springs may need replacement.
Replace Both Springs at Once
For the best performance, replace both of your garage door springs at the same time, even if only one is broken. This helps ensure your door will open and close evenly and properly. Mixing old and new springs can lead to uneven tension that damages your door and opener.
Use High Quality Springs
When choosing replacement garage door springs, select high quality springs that match your specific door size and model. Generic or mismatched springs may not work properly and can damage your door. High quality springs also last longer, providing safe operation of your garage door for years to come.
Have a Professional Replace Your Springs
Garage door springs can be extremely dangerous to work with due to the high tension and forces involved. For your safety, always have a trained professional handle replacing your garage door springs. They have the proper training, tools, and equipment to safely remove your old springs and install the new replacements.
Replacing your old, worn out garage door springs helps ensure your door continues operating properly for many years to come. By regularly inspecting your springs, replacing them in pairs, choosing high quality parts, and having a professional handle the installation, you’ll keep your garage door in perfect working order. If your springs show any signs of damage or aging, don’t hesitate to call MOJA GARAGE DOORS at (916) 975-0705 for a free onsite inspection and quote for replacement.
Have a Professional Inspect Annually
Having your garage door professionally inspected once a year is one of the best ways to keep it in perfect working order. Garage doors are heavy machinery that undergo a lot of wear and tear, so it’s important to have a trained technician evaluate how all the moving parts are functioning.
A professional inspection will check that all the hardware like springs, cables, and pulleys are properly lubricated and showing no signs of rust or damage. The technician will test that the opener and safety mechanisms are responding properly and ensure the door is balanced so it opens and closes smoothly. They’ll check the panels and seals for any dents, holes or air leaks and make adjustments or repairs right away to prevent expensive damage down the road.
Annual maintenance is key to preventing unexpected problems and prolonging the life of your garage door. Minor issues like loose or misaligned panels, imbalanced springs or faulty sensors can turn into much bigger headaches if left unaddressed. A once-a-year tune-up by a pro is a small investment that will save you from inconvenient and stressful breakdowns.
Rather than trying to inspect and service the door yourself, leave it to the experts. Garage doors can be extremely dangerous if mishandled, and technicians have the proper training, tools and experience to get the job done safely and correctly. They can spot subtle signs of issues that you might miss, and know exactly what to do to optimize your garage door’s performance.
For the best value in garage door services, contact Moja Garage Doors today at (916) 975-0705 for a free onsite inspection and quote. Our expert technicians serve Sacramento and surrounding areas. Don’t settle for anything less than perfection when it comes to your garage door. Call today!
Conclusion
So there you have it, 10 tips to keep that garage door of yours humming along perfectly for years to come. Keeping up with minor maintenance and repairs now will save you from costly emergency calls down the road. If your garage door needs a tune-up or isn’t functioning properly, give Moja Garage Doors a call. Their expert technicians provide affordable, quality service and can inspect your garage door, make necessary repairs or install a brand new door if needed. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your garage door is safe, secure and ready to face whatever comes through. Why wait? Call or request a free estimate on their website today.
Garage Door Repair in Sacramento ☎️ (916) 975-0705
