Your garage door is one of the most frequently used entrances to your home. It opens and closes multiple times a day as you come and go. This frequent activity takes a toll on the various components that make up your garage door system. Over time, wear and tear can cause parts to malfunction or break if not properly maintained. Getting regular professional service is the key to preventing major garage door problems and keeping your door working smoothly for years to come. But how often exactly should you get garage door maintenance?
The general recommendation among industry experts is to have your garage door serviced and inspected professionally at least once per year. Annual servicing catches minor issues before they become major repairs and ensures all the complex, interrelated components are functioning properly as a whole system. Trying to put off service visits may seem like a money-saver in the short term, but it often leads to more expensive emergency repairs down the road. The small investment of an annual tune-up pays off exponentially in extended equipment lifespan, safety and convenience.
Now let’s look at the top reasons why annual garage door servicing is so important for homeowners:
Safety Inspections
There are several components on any garage door system that impact safety. An annual service call allows a professional technician to inspect these critical safety-related parts including:
- Cables – check for wear and proper tension
- Spring system – check for cracks or damage
- Auto-reverse sensors – ensure they are clean and working
- Safety containment cables – verify they are undamaged
- Door balance – adjust so the door operates smoothly
Identifying and correcting any safety concerns protects your property from damage and prevents potential injuries.
Operational Efficiency
Moving parts like rollers and hinges can gradually shift out of alignment over the year, causing extra wear on parts and inefficient operation. A technician will lubricate, adjust and fix minor alignment issues to maintain optimal performance. Keeping everything adjusted properly not only makes your door open and close smoothly, it reduces strain on the motor and hardware.
Preventative Maintenance
In addition to safety checks and operational adjustments, an annual service call includes a variety of preventative maintenance tasks. These include:
- Lubricating rollers and hinges
- Tightening loose screws and fasteners
- Cleaning and lubricating the garage door opener motor, chain or belt
- Testing and replacing old batteries in remotes
- Inspecting weather stripping condition
Preventative maintenance helps keep all parts clean, lubricated and adjusted. This maximizes their lifespan and reduces the odds of a stuck door or broken part at an inconvenient time.
Diagnose Early Signs of Wear
With frequent usage, garage door components wear down over the course of a year. An expert technician can spot subtle signs of wear on parts during an annual inspection. Identifying worn parts early on allows for proactive repair or replacement before failure occurs. Technicians can advise if cables, rollers, hinges or springs may need replacement in the near future based on their condition. Addressing worn components early reduces risk of sudden breakage.
Warranty Service
Many new garage door parts and opener systems come with warranties for parts and labor. However, those warranties are often contingent on getting regular professional service and maintenance. Having an annual tune-up inspection provides documentation that you have properly serviced your door per the warranty requirements. This ensures you maintain coverage should any defects arise with new parts.
Updated Safety Features
Garage door openers and sensors are now designed with advanced safety features like motion sensors, self-learning technology, and automatic reverse mechanisms. An annual service call ensures all systems are working properly and allows a technician to upgrade or add new safety technologies to an older opener system if needed. Updating safety features guarantees maximum protection.
While once a year is the recommended service interval, it’s a good idea to call a technician sooner if you notice any problems or unusual noises when operating your door. Routine service combined with responding promptly to any issues as they arise is the formula for maximizing the longevity and safety of your garage door system. Investing in professional preventative maintenance provides peace of mind and safeguards your home’s security for years to come.
