5 Maintenance Mistakes Homeowners Make With Garage Doors

Your garage door is the most significant moving part in your home, and yet it may be the one you take the least notice of when it comes to maintenance. There is more to a properly functioning garage door than just ensuring it opens and shuts without issues. Here at DoorMaster Garage Doors Services, we’ve responded to countless service calls that could have been prevented had the door been adequately maintained. Here are the top five maintenance mistakes homeowners make with their garage doors — and how you can avoid them.

1. Skipping Regular Lubrication

Garage doors are equipped with lots of moving parts (rollers, hinges, springs). With no fat to lubricate the process, friction proliferates, wearing parts out more quickly, and under certain conditions, breaking them. Most homeowners tend to overlook the application of a silicone-based lubricant twice a year, which is essential for avoiding squeaky, grinding, and straining of the opener.

Tip: Use a garage-door-safe spray lubricant, not heavy grease that can draw dirt and dust.

2. Ignoring Unusual Noises

A squeak, rattle or grinding noise might not sound like much, but more often than not, it’s the first sign of something being wrong. Homeowners disregard them until the door fails, making repairs extremely expensive.

Tip: If you hear any unusual noises coming from the garage door, check with a professional immediately. The sooner you identify it, the less it’ll cost you.

3. Not Testing the Safety Features

Today’s garage doors are equipped with safety items such as auto-reverse sensors and force settings. However, few homeowners regularly test these. A broken safety sensor can put children, pets, or even your vehicle at risk.

Tip: Practice a monthly sensor check by blocking the door with an object. If the door does not reverse, call a garage door technician right away.

4. DIY Fixes on High-Tension Springs

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is attempting to fix or replace garage door springs themselves. These springs have a tension strong enough to cause serious injury if mishandled.

Tip: Never attempt spring repairs or replacements yourself; have a professional, such as DoorMaster Garage Doors Services, do that for you. It’s not worth your safety.

5. Neglecting Routine Inspections

For most people, the time they think about their garage door is when it stops working. Forgetting those annual inspections never reveals the tiny issues, such as worn-out rollers and off-kilter tracks, until they become a significant problem.

Tip: Get a professional inspection at least annually to ensure your door and opener system are in good working order.

Final Thoughts

Your garage door is a critical element of your home’s quality and security. By steering clear of these five common maintenance pitfalls, you can extend the life of your door, minimize unexpected failures, and avoid costly service calls.

DoorMaster Garage Doors Services can ensure that your garage door is always functioning properly with our expert services.