Limit use
A simple thing you can do to help maintain the life of your garage door is to limit the use of it. Many homeowners use the garage as a means to enter their home. By using the front entry door, you limit the number of cycles put on your garage door and your springs.
Garage door hardware (like springs) has a life cycle. For example, most garage door torsion springs are rated for 10,000 cycles. (A cycle of a garage door is equal to one full open and close sequence.) Think of it as opening and closing your garage door 10,000 times.
Inspect Garage Door Hardware
While your garage door is closed check the various hardware components. When in operation, listen for noises such as squeaking. If you notice any issues, call a professional.
- Rollers – Look to see if all rollers are moving properly or if they are coming out of the bracket. If the latter is the case, close your garage door and do not use it until a professional is able to come service it.
- Weather Stripping – Check for damage or gaps in the weather seal along the door.
- Inspect Cables – Check for broken strands or fraying (Do not attempt to fix the cables or replace. This should be done by a professional.)
- Hinges – Check for loose or missing bolts. (We recommend you do not do the work yourself but call and have a garage door professional fix hinge issues.)
- Springs – Listen for noises that are loud or out of the ordinary. If your spring breaks or is broken, immediately call a professional to come out to safely replace the spring.
- Opener Belt or Chain – Check the chain for buildup and the belt for cracks or fraying.
- Safety Eye Alignment – Most modern safety eyes make it easy to confirm they are in alignment. Both eyes have lights on them and when something is blocking the sensors, or they are not in alignment, one of the lights will flash.
- Garage Door Track – Check the track for debris. A common area where leaves and dirt build up is near the bottom of the track around the garage door floor. Remove debris as needed.
