You use your garage door every day to get in and out of your home. You wince as you hear that strange rattle yet again, and promise yourself that you’ll have it looked at eventually. In the meantime, it’s no big deal, is it?
Actually, an aging garage door can be both an eyesore and a source of hidden danger. It can even detract from the value of your home.
So, yes, you can wait on that garage door maintenance, but think about the risks you are taking, and the danger you’re exposing your children and pets to.
Why Does Garage Door Damage Matter?
Before we get too far into our discussion, let’s consider why maintenance and repairs actually matter with your garage door. That door is the single largest moving piece of equipment on your home. As such, it is vital that it operates safely. Likewise, you cannot neglect the fact that your garage door makes up as much as 40% of your home’s façade. That means it has a tremendous impact on your home’s value and aesthetic appeal.
Understanding the Spring System
Garage doors are heavy. To alleviate that weight, a system of springs is used to counterbalance the door. If you’ve never had your springs serviced in the past, chances are excellent that they have stretched out and are about to fail. Both torsion and expansion springs have short lifespans, usually between five and seven years.
If those springs fail, it means the entire weight of the door is on the garage door opener. While the opener can lift up to 350 lbs., your door probably weighs as much as 260 lbs. if you have a double door. If the photo‑eye safety reversing system is not working properly, the opener can push down with as much force as it uses when it opens the door, putting children, pets and even vehicles in danger.
How do you tell if your springs are in good working shape? It’s actually pretty easy to tell. First, disengage your garage door opener by pulling the emergency cord. Next, try to raise the garage door with one hand. If you can, then your springs are still OK, but probably need service. If you cannot, then call us immediately.
Nuts and Bolts and Hinges
You’ve probably heard that strange rattle your garage door makes when opening and closing so often that no longer pay it any attention. However, it could be a sign that nuts and bolts in the track system have gotten loose. Check the door’s hinges and track system for loose bolts, and tighten them up if needed.
Keep On Rolling
Garage doors need rollers to ensure they move through the track smoothly. If your rollers are not rolling smoothly, it could be that they are lacking lubrication, or that they have been damaged. Check your rollers regularly and if you notice anything out of the ordinary, have them serviced.
Eliminate Rust
Your garage might stay sealed most of the day, but it can still be subject to a lot of moisture. If left unprotected from that moisture, the metal components on your garage door will begin to rust and degrade. Eventually, rollers can rust solid, tracks can be damaged, and other components will fail. Make sure that all metal components are lubricated regularly.
The Importance of Your Garage Door Opener
How old is your garage door opener? If it’s more than a decade or so old, it probably has an automatic reversal system, which is designed to reverse the door’s movement when it encounters an obstruction in its path. However, if the opener has not been properly maintained, there is a chance this system will not operate, putting pets, vehicles and even your children in significant danger. If your garage door opener was manufactured prior to 1993, it is imperative that you consider replacing it as soon as possible.
Modern Technology and Convenience
You might not immediately think of the Internet when you think of your garage door opener, but LiftMaster’s MyQTM system offers the ability to open and close the garage door from your smartphone. The system has been around since 2014, and helps provide you with a significant amount of peace of mind. Imagine never having to worry whether you left the garage door up in your rush to get to work on time, or the ability to open or close it from anywhere in the world!
Not Sure How to Proceed? Let Us Help You
Unsure what steps you should take to ensure that your garage is safe for your family and pets? You can contact us at 1-800-957-5865. We’ll provide you with an in‑person, professional examination and evaluation of your garage door and opener. We’ll also provide you with an explanation about your options in terms of service and maintenance, or recommend replacement if needed. Prefer to communicate online? We’d also be happy to send you a quote by email.
You can also free to stop by our showroom in person. On the other hand, you can use our Design Centre to see how our doors will look on your home, or use our image gallery to see the results we’ve achieved for real customers just like you.
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