Your garage door is a very important part of your home. It protects your family and belongings from theft, weather, and other dangers. But over time, it will start to show signs of wear and tear. It is an often overlooked but important part of home upkeep.
If you wait too long to replace an old or damaged commercial garage door, you could be putting yourself at risk for serious safety hazards that can cause property damage as well as personal injury.
Regular garage door maintenance will help keep your door functioning properly and safely. Our team of experts provides comprehensive garage door service that includes inspection, cleaning, lubrication, and adjustment. We’ll make sure your garage door is in good working order so you can avoid any costly repairs down the road.
FAQs About Garage Door Maintenance: When Should it Be Serviced?
What is the typical length of time a garage door lasts without repair? How often do garage doors need maintenance?
The average length of time a garage door can last without repair is 12-18 years. If you have a steel garage door that has been exposed to the weather it may only last 10 or fewer years.
In many cases, homeowners don’t need to replace their garage doors for several more years, but they should consider servicing them at least every other year because going much longer without maintenance will likely result in significantly higher repair costs when problems do arise.
What are some signs a homeowner should look for in order to determine whether or not their garage door needs to be serviced? What are the symptoms of garage door problems?
One sign is loud grinding noises while opening and shutting the garage door. This means the tracks are dry and need lubrication which can prolong the life of the garage door.
Another sign is that the garage will not open or close from its remote control, from the wall switch, or from inside the garage. This usually means a broken spring which can cause injury as well as property damage.
If your garage door is very hard to open or close, makes a loud noise that sounds abnormal, noisily screeches when in motion, sticks halfway up or down, or stops working completely there’s probably something wrong with the opener. Replacing the opener could be necessary if it’s defective but other times replacing broken springs will do the trick. These symptoms indicate that you should have your whole system checked out by an expert who knows how to fix any problems without charging exorbitant fees for each small step along the way.
Is it true that replacing garage doors can be expensive?
Yes, replaced garage doors are expensive and typically more expensive than repairing them by having regular maintenance performed at least every other year. Many times you can purchase much-needed replacement parts rather cheaply instead of paying to have an entirely new door installed by your contractor. Replacing worn parts when they break down prevents an entire door replacement because these parts are often cheaper than full replacements.
How do you maintain a garage door?
By lubricating the garage door track, hinges, sprocket, and pulley. We check all of which are components of your door to ensure it is working properly. For example, if your garage door has a broken spring you will need a new one so we can install it for you.
What is the best way to lubricate a garage door?
We recommend using a dry lubricant. We spray it directly on the track and hinges, not the garage door itself.
Is silicone spray good for garage doors?
It’s not the best choice for garage doors because it will quickly come off, but you can use it to lubricate locks and hinges.
Can you use WD-40 on a garage door?
WD-40 is great for lubricating locks and hinges but it’s not a rust-prevention or garage door opener solution. It’s used to loosen up mechanisms for easier moving by applying a thin coat of oil to them, but it will also come off rather quickly. There are special products designed specifically to keep your garage door in great condition so we recommend using those instead of an all-purpose lubricant.
How often should you have a garage door inspected?
It’s best to have a garage door inspected every six months by an expert who knows how to maintain your particular type of garage door. Having your opener tuned up will also extend its life greatly, so be sure to schedule service for this each year as well.
How often should you clean a garage door?
Every three months at minimum and every six months is recommended because of the weather exposure. Brushing and washing your garage door with warm water and mild soap at least once a year to remove dirt, grime, and debris that has accumulated over time.
Waxing your garage door will help protect against rust and corrosion for another few years or so. Over time even if it’s only used occasionally the coating will wear away from exposure to sun, rain, heat, and cold causing it to become more susceptible to damage which may require an entire replacement instead of just a coat of wax on the surface of the steel or.
What needs to be repaired with garage doors?
Garage door springs, tracks, and pulleys are all components of a garage door that can wear down over time. We recommend having these areas checked for any damage every six months to prevent more costly repairs in the future.
How often should you lubricate your garage door?
Every three months…every six months is best.
Is it ok to only have the garage door spring replaced?
Yes, replacing one or two garage door springs can be done without suspending your entire door. Replacing both of the springs at once will likely cause more problems though so it’s best to replace them separately.
How long do garage door springs last?
It depends on weather conditions and use but typically 7-10 years. Garage Door Express Austin offers replacement parts for much lower prices than having a completely new door installed because we take advantage of special discounts that are passed along to our customers.
What time of year should you replace garage door springs?
Neither spring should be replaced during summer nor winter because they are at their weakest when it’s very hot or cold outside. It’s much better to schedule this for another season such as autumn or spring. Our team can advise you on waiting until a good time if that isn’t an option for any reason.
Does weather affect garage doors?
Extremely so! The steel panels and tracks can rust and corrode which will decrease their lifespan dramatically, and the springs won’t work as well under certain temperatures so they need replacing more often than other times of the year. When installing your garage door all the components need to be checked for extreme weather conditions.
How does a garage door opener work?
It works by connecting to the trolley on each side of your garage door to let you open and close it from inside your home using an easy pull-down handle or thin flat remote control. The motor itself is either attached directly above or below where the rope/cable connects into the gears that move the door back and forth over time though they usually last about 10 years.
What might damage a garage door?
A lot can cause damages including rocks hitting the panels from cars driving too fast, lightning strikes which can travel through a power surge and ruin the opening mechanism, or someone having an accident with their vehicle that causes serious damage from bumper impact into the steel panels. Any one of these could require.
If something goes wrong with my garage door can I fix it myself?
There are many different components that make up your garage door so even if you have some experience with fixing an opener or springs it’s best to call us for any problems.
Why don’t garage door repairs cost very much?
Repairs are done on the spot without removing the whole unit which saves time and money compared to another type of repair where your entire system needs replacement instead. We also work with large suppliers who offer discounts on parts that are needed for repairs.
Is there anything else you would like us to know about garage door maintenance?
A common problem with older doors is that they may require little effort to lift but more strength to hold them open. If this is your case then safety sensors are needed to keep the door from closing on children or pets that may get in the way when it’s opening and closing.
Different Types of Garage Doors and How They Need to be Maintained
What kind of garage door do you have?
There are many different types of garage doors and they all need to be maintained in different ways:
- Wood:
Wooden garage doors tend to warp due to exposure to the sun and should be checked for cracks or gaps that could allow water into the garage. They should also be kept clean with a weekly washing to ensure dirt doesn’t build up on them, which can cause warping. Regular maintenance isn’t as important as it is for other types of doors because wooden garage doors rarely break down.
- Metal:
This type occasionally needs lubrication, especially if there is a newer one installed because metal often squeaks when opening and closing due to friction between its parts. It may also need cleaning every few months to prevent dirt buildup.
- Vinyl:
These doors can accumulate moisture when they are in an enclosed garage, which can damage their structure and warp the metal panels if it is not dried out. Maintenance for this type of door consists of air circulation in addition to cleaning or washing with water occasionally.
- Composite material:
This type of garage door does not require much maintenance because it doesn’t rust or warp due to exposure to water, but it may need painting every few years because its color fades over time. It also tends to get dirty fairly easily so it should be cleaned regularly.
- Insulated:
Insulated doors tend to lose heat in the colder months, so garage owners must reduce the temperature inside the garage by opening the garage door when they are away or turning up the heat in the winter. This type of storage needs to be air ventilated throughout the year because it accumulates moisture during hot weather, which can cause damage to its structure and wood panels.
- Fiberglass:
Like metal, this door sometimes requires lubrication but needs little maintenance otherwise. It is often painted with a variety of different colors, so it should be checked for scrapes that may have accumulated over time.
Are you looking for a garage door maintenance service provider?
Garage Door Express Austin strives to provide quality garage doors and outstanding service at prices that are very competitive with other local companies. Our owners live in our communities and take pride in maintaining their business practices as well as strong personal relationships with each other, our customers, and our employees.
We strongly believe that satisfied customers make happy employees which results in consistent high-quality workmanship year after year. Furthermore, customer referrals increase profits by providing us with consistent future business while simultaneously lowering the cost of new customer acquisitions.
We offer a wide range of garage door styles as well as numerous garage door opener options to suit individual needs and wants. Some energy-efficient choices we have available are insulated steel doors, fiberglass doors, and windows in some garage doors.
Additionally, our trained technicians provide quality service for your garage door by servicing all makes and models including Genie, LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Sears, Craftsman, Allister, Martin Door, Overhead Door Company, Clopay Building Products, Northwest Door Company, Amarr Garage Doors.
Garage Door Express Austin offers a preventive maintenance program that will help keep your garage door running smoothly all year long. Our technicians will perform a safety inspection and tune-up and will lubricate all moving parts to help keep them in good working condition. We also offer 24/7 emergency service in case of an unexpected breakdown.
For free estimates, it’s best to schedule an exact date and time with us by calling (512) 482-0081 because conditions like weather can sometimes cause delays in our schedule.
Garage Door Express Austin prides itself on providing high-quality service at competitive rates so we want to make sure we have a set appointment so we don’t miss out on your business.
Contact us today to schedule your preventive maintenance visit!