You have a huge day at work, the kids are late for school, you press the garage door opener, and then, apart from some grinding noises, nothing happens. The garage door doesn’t open, and now, your vehicle is stuck inside.
Although that’s a worst-case example, it can happen if you don’t have your garage door serviced regularly. Here are a few other reasons you should have your garage door serviced by a professional once a year.
Why have your garage door serviced by a professional
A garage door is made up of many moving parts. As the largest piece of machinery in your home, the sudden failure of a garage door that you use every day can be extremely dangerous, potentially causing serious injuries or damage to your vehicle.
As well as performing a monthly maintenance inspection yourself, you should have a professional service your garage door at least once a year. This is for several reasons:
- Prevent dangerous, sudden failures: Garage doors move by using high-tension springs controlled by a motor. These springs need to be re-tensioned each year to prevent the motor from wearing out. This is a job for a professional as, if the springs break, they can be dangerous.
- Extend your garage door’s lifespan: A grinding or scraping noise is a sign that your garage door is well overdue for a service inspection. Lubrication of the moving parts, such as springs and cables, ensures the smooth operation of your garage door while making sure it is in alignment and running on the tracks, ensuring it will not fail unexpectedly.
- Save money in the long run: A professional garage door service can identify any necessary minor repairs before they turn into expensive problems that may be hard to fix down the road.
- Keep your home reliable: If the opening mechanism or motor fails, you may not be able to get your car out of the garage.
- Prevent parts from wearing out prematurely: From the opener mechanism to sensors, springs, tracks, cables, rollers, and hinges, all the parts of your garage door work together to ensure it opens and closes smoothly. If one part is not working correctly, it can put added pressure on other moving parts and cause them to wear out prematurely.
- To keep your warranty: If your garage door is not serviced annually to address normal wear and tear, you may void the manufacturer’s warranty.
- Ensure energy efficiency: A professional inspection can find things that homeowners may miss, such as weather seals with cracks or breaks. These gaps leave your house exposed to the elements. Rain, cold, and heat can cause issues such as pests, rust, mould, and wasted energy and affect the functionality and durability of your garage door.
Can homeowners perform service inspections on garage doors?
Regular inspections of your garage door to ensure it’s in good working order can extend its lifespan. Although homeowners should have a garage door professionally serviced each year, a minor garage door maintenance inspection each month doesn’t take long and ensures your garage door operates exactly as it is meant to.
From cleaning tracks to lubrication and checking alignment, there are several maintenance checks you can and should perform yourself. However, due to their complexity, some aspects of garage door maintenance, including the springs and opening mechanism, need to be left to the professionals.
Maintenance issues that require professional attention
If you notice any of the following issues with your garage door, it’s likely you’re well overdue for a service, and you should call a professional technician to repair the door as soon as possible.
Unusual noises
Grinding, scraping, squeaking, or thudding are noises a homeowner should never ignore when it comes to a garage door because they indicate an underlying problem that needs to be addressed.
Slow response time
If you’ve tried replacing the batteries and the garage door opener is still slow to respond, it’s time to call in the technicians to identify if the problem lies with the openers or some other part of your garage door.
Broken cables, springs or hinges
High-tension springs are responsible for lifting your garage door, so they require regular inspection and maintenance to keep them in good working order. If they break, you could be injured or your property damaged, and you may not be able to open and close your garage door.
Shuddering when open or closing
Shuddering when opening or closing indicates that your garage door may be out of alignment, the tracks may need replacing, or the springs may need re-tensioning. A professional garage door technician can identify the problem and fix it before an expensive replacement part is required.
A garage door service is an investment in your peace of mind
Regular garage door servicing is not just a maintenance task; it’s an investment in your home’s functionality and durability. By understanding what sort of maintenance and care homeowners can perform themselves and recognising when to seek professional help, you can ensure your garage door remains a reliable and efficient part of your daily life.
Call us for a set-and-forget garage door service package
Don’t wait for a noisy door or a malfunction to remind you of the importance of servicing. Contact Steel-Line’s professional garage door service team today and get peace of mind knowing your garage door will continue operating optimally.
Steel-Line Garage Doors will perform a thorough inspection of your garage door, including lubricating springs, hinges, rollers, and the locking device. We’ll also check the door’s alignment on the tracks, ensure the motor and electronics are working correctly, check the condition of other parts, such as weather seals, and perform any required repairs.
Call 1300 767 900 to book your service inspection today.
