Scheduling regular maintenance for your garage door will keep it operating as it should. This not only improves the security of your home but its convenience as well. Even though you should schedule maintenance each year, it’s also wise to book an appointment if you notice any of the following signs.
1. You Keep Hearing Unusual Noises
It’s important to respond immediately if you hear grinding, squeaking or rattling noises when you open or close the door. Lubricating the moving components, like the rollers and hinges, is a common solution to these problems. An expert will know which type of lubrication to use to reduce friction and keep these parts from wearing down.
2. The Door Closes Really Slow
Garage doors normally open and close somewhat slowly. This slowness keeps them on their tracks and helps prevent accidents. A door that shuts abnormally slowly, however, can cause safety and security issues too. The culprit could be a broken spring or an issue with the opening mechanism. No matter the cause, an expert will have the tools and skills to fix the problem.
3. The Door Is Jerky
Garage doors should never jerk. Any time they do, they can cause injury or damage to your automobile. The most common reasons that garage doors jerk are broken sensors, misaligned rails and worn-out springs. Checking the hardware carefully is key to fixing this problem correctly. An expert might need to align the tracks, grease moving components or even swap out damaged springs. The door will go through several safety checks before this type of maintenance is complete.
4. You See Damaged Cables
Don’t ever use the garage door if you notice frayed or damaged cabling. These cables are essential to the door’s operation and bearing its weight. Any time the cables become damaged, there is a serious risk of injury. Replacing the cables is a straightforward task but requires specialized equipment. This maintenance process usually takes about two hours to complete.
5. The Rollers Look Worn Out
The rollers on your garage door will wear out over time. If you see cracks or flat patches on them, there’s a good chance they make a lot of noise when the door opens and closes. When ignored, worn-out rollers eventually cause the door to become misaligned. Most experts recommend replacing the rollers once every five to seven years to keep the door safe and functional.
6. The Weatherstripping Is Deteriorating
A major part of weatherproofing your garage is insulating and weatherstripping the garage door. This protects the door from harsh weather elements. However, these same elements can cause the weatherstripping to crack and deteriorate. They can also cause the insulation in your garage door to become ineffective. Fixing poor insulation and weatherstripping is vital to protecting the garage from drafts, dampness and bugs. It’s also a great way to make your garage more energy-efficient and more comfortable to spend time in.
7. The Opener Is Faulty
Most garage door openers work by pressing a button. You press one button to open the door and a different one to close it. If you press the button and nothing happens, you should check the batteries. If this doesn’t fix the problem, you’ll need to schedule maintenance. Non-responsive remotes are often the result of internal malfunctions or sensor issues.
8. You See Visible Rust or Corrosion
Corrosion and rust will ruin your garage door and make it useless. Any time you see rust on metal components, you must act quickly to stop it from spreading. Rust weakens the structural integrity of doors, which can lead to failures and safety hazards. During maintenance, an expert will check the door from top to bottom and measure the amount of rust. They will be able to tell you whether it’s better to treat the rust or replace the corroded parts.
9. One or More of the Springs Is Broken
Springs on a garage door are another pertinent component that plays a part in bearing the door’s weight. When the door is under tremendous stress, it puts great strain on the springs. If a spring breaks, the door may suddenly drop with no warning. It may also become misaligned or fail to open at all. In addition to safety hazards, this can cause significant damage to the door. Springs are very risky if you try to fix them on your own. Only a trained expert should handle this problem.
10. You Think There Might Be Safety Sensor Problems
Photoelectric sensors and motion detectors are among the many sensors included in garage doors to make sure they operate safely. These sensors stop the door from closing any time they detect something in its path. Dirt, misalignment and electrical problems can all cause these sensors to malfunction. When this happens, there are major safety risks. Not only can the door close on a human or pet, it can also damage your vehicle if it closes on it. Scheduling maintenance will ensure the sensors always work correctly.
11. You See Paint Peeling or Fading
Even though it’s only paint, problems like peeling or fading might be hiding deeper issues with your garage door. When paint flakes off, the metal is left vulnerable to moisture, which can cause rust or corrosion. Your garage door will last longer and be more resistant to the weather with a new coat of paint. A garage door specialist can check the door during maintenance to determine when it needs a new coat.
12. You Can See Loose Wiring
Damage from rodents, incorrect installation, weather or general wear and tear can all lead to wiring on a garage door becoming loose. These problems might cause the door to open and close at random, which is annoying and dangerous. When left unfixed, it could lead to electric shock or broken sensors, among other complications. Consistent inspections during maintenance can catch loose wiring before it becomes a serious problem.
13. The Door Is Over 15 Years Old
You should probably have your garage door serviced if it’s more than 15 years old. Due to increased wear and tear, several parts of older doors may no longer work as well as they previously did. If the door doesn’t have an automatic reversal system, you may need to upgrade it with one to comply with insurance requirements. Automatic reversal systems are sometimes a requirement for compliance with local building codes too.
14. Recent Storm Damage
Garage doors are made of durable materials but strong winds and rain from storms can easily damage them. Dents in the door not only make it unattractive but can also affect how it operates. If the door becomes misaligned, it’ll be unsafe to use. A maintenance check after severe storms can help pinpoint any structural damage. The expert can realign the door if need be and make sure all of its parts work as they should.
Above the Rest Garage Door Repair is here to meet all of your maintenance needs for your garage door. We provide off track repairs, opener repairs, roller replacements and more. If we find something that needs to be fixed, you can rely on our garage door repair. Adding insulation to your door is simple with our garage door insulation services. A panel replacement may be necessary if your door has substantial damage. Call us now to book garage door maintenance for your home in Colorado Springs, CO.