Your garage door is one of the most frequently used components of your home, operating multiple times a day as a primary entry and exit point. Like any mechanical system, regular maintenance is key to ensuring it functions smoothly and lasts as long as possible. Many homeowners overlook the importance of scheduling maintenance, which can lead to unexpected repairs, higher costs, and even safety hazards.
Knowing when to schedule garage door maintenance can significantly extend its lifespan and enhance its performance. Here are some guidelines to help you keep your garage door in top shape.
1. Annual Preventative Maintenance
A general rule of thumb is to schedule a professional garage door maintenance service at least once a year. This allows a trained technician to perform a comprehensive inspection, checking all major components, including the springs, cables, rollers, and opener. During this inspection, the technician can also lubricate moving parts, tighten hardware, and realign the door as needed.
Annual maintenance is critical for catching small issues before they turn into big problems. For example, a simple adjustment to your springs could prevent them from snapping, saving you from a potentially expensive repair and dangerous situation.
2. After Extreme Weather Events
Garage doors are designed to withstand various weather conditions, but extreme temperatures, storms, or wind can put extra strain on your door's components. After experiencing harsh weather, it's a good idea to schedule a maintenance check to ensure that your door hasn't been damaged. High winds or severe rainstorms can cause doors to shift slightly, and freezing temperatures can put stress on the springs and cables, making them more susceptible to breakage.
Regular maintenance after such events can help prevent long-term damage and keep your garage door operating smoothly.
3. Every 6 Months for High-Usage Doors
If you use your garage door multiple times a day—such as when your garage serves as the main entry to your home—you might need to schedule maintenance more frequently. High-usage doors undergo more wear and tear, which means they are more likely to develop issues sooner. For these situations, we recommend scheduling a maintenance service every six months to ensure the door and opener can handle the extra strain.
During these more frequent maintenance checks, a technician will pay particular attention to components that wear out quickly, such as rollers, hinges, and the garage door opener itself. Keeping these parts in good condition will help your door operate efficiently and prevent premature failure.
4. If You Hear Unusual Noises
Your garage door should open and close smoothly without any grinding, squeaking, or other loud noises. If you hear unusual sounds when operating your door, it could be a sign that something is wrong. In this case, scheduling maintenance immediately is the best course of action.
Unaddressed issues like grinding noises could indicate problems with the rollers, springs, or opener, and ignoring them could result in more significant repairs down the road.
5. After a Major Repair
After any significant repair or replacement—such as fixing broken springs, cables, or an opener—it's a good idea to schedule a follow-up maintenance check a few months later. This allows a professional to ensure that the repair has been successful and that your door is functioning as it should.
Schedule Your Garage Door Maintenance with Us for Long-Lasting Performance!
Regular garage door maintenance is essential to keeping your system running efficiently and prolonging its lifespan. Whether it's annual preventative maintenance, post-repair follow-ups, or checks after extreme weather, scheduling regular inspections will help prevent costly breakdowns.
Contact Fawley Overhead Door, Inc. today at (269) 443-1093 to schedule your next garage door maintenance and keep your system in top condition for years to come!