Extend the Life of Your Garage Door

Homeownership comes with a lot of costs that can add up over time. Costs that never cross your mind until they arise. For example, when people choose their dream home, they don’t think of a potential flood, or how a winter thaw may expose issues with their foundation.  Homeownership is still the American dream, but buying the home is not the end of the story, it’s really the beginning. In order to make sure your house remains in good condition, there is maintenance involved to make sure your dream home doesn’t become a nightmare.

Experts estimate that 1-3% of the purchase price of your home should be set aside yearly for maintenance costs. On a $200,000 home, that would be $2,000 - $6,000 per year in maintenance. That’s a lot of money to earmark, especially when added on top of your regular monthly payment commitments. While homeowners often think of the large things that can go wrong (roofing, electric, plumbing etc.), there are everyday conveniences that can be a nuisance if they are not working correctly, such as your garage door opener. This is a device that brings so much convenience to your day, but it's something that often goes overlooked until it's too late. This may result in costly repair services. However, with the right maintenance and upkeep, you can avoid costly replacement costs, and get extended use out of your garage door opener. So what are some strategies to extend the life of your garage door? Keep reading for four tips you can use to extend the life of your garage door opener.

Tip 2: Clean and lubricate your garage door tracks, hinges and rollers

Garage door tracks can become filled with debris such as dust, cobwebs and leaves.  If you are cleaning your garage door tracks, do not feel like you need to use any chemical cleaners or even water. Use of these types of items may cause product build up and may do more harm than good. If you’d like to clean your garage door track, keep it simple by using a broom to brush out any debris.

Homeowners can do this type of cleaning seasonally. Pay close attention to the spring season, as lots of grime and debris may have been brought into the garage during the winter months. To keep your garage door tracks, hinges and rollers lubricated, you can use a spray silicon lubricant. Your garage door manufacturer should be able to point you to the best lubricant for your door.

Tip 3: Check the balance of your garage door

This may sound difficult, but it can actually be quite easy.  Even if your door seems to be working correctly (the door goes up and down without any issues), it is still a good idea to check the balance. So, how do you do this? If you have an automatic garage door opener, the first step is to disconnect the automatic opener. The garage door should be closed when you do this. The next step is to go to the door and open it manually - even though garage doors are quite heavy, the door should lift easily with little resistance. Once open, the door should remain open on its own - not slide down. 

Next, you want to do the same process in reverse. The door is already open, you now will manually move it to a closed position. You should have to apply a bit of pressure to get the door started. Once it is coming down, it should not slam down quickly. Balance is an important principle behind the proper working order of your garage door. This tip is a quick way to assess if your door has any balance issues.

Tip 4: Listen!

This may not seem very technical or scientific, but strange noises can point to bigger problems. For instance, if you start your car and hear a grinding noise - you will automatically be put on alert. As you are driving, if the noise gets louder and sharper, you will be taking that car to be checked out very quickly. Similarly, if your garage door suddenly starts making weird noises - you need to pay attention. These noises can point to a larger and more serious issue. There could be an issue with your springs - if the springs are suffering, this can lead to the door malfunctioning and causing a big accident. A grinding noise may indicate an issue with your garage door opener motor. Whatever the issue may be, listen up and take note of any unusual noises with your garage door.

The above tips are just a few things you can do to extend the life of your garage door opener. If issues arise with your door, the best course of action is still to call a qualified professional for help. If you are in the Arvada, Colorado area, make a call to Arvada Garage Door Repair Pros. We have technicians available who can provide a consultation for you. Give us a call!