Have you ever considered how much you rely on your garage door? You count on your garage door to open on a dime day in and day out. When you’re away from home, your garage door is on the front lines protecting your property.
Many homeowners recognize the importance of a high-quality garage door, so they invest a lot of money in their initial purchase. That brand new door brings many benefits, but how long do garage doors last? Most last for 15 to 30 years before you’ll need to buy a new one. The trick to getting the most value for your purchase is extending your garage door’s lifespan with proper care.
Getting your garage door to last requires careful use and occasional maintenance. In this post, we’ll discuss how to maintain a garage door so it lasts as long as possible.
Eight Tips to Make Your Garage Door Last Longer
Maximizing your garage door’s lifespan is worth the effort. Any homeowner can do a few things to get the most out of their garage door. Here are eight garage door use and maintenance tips you can begin implementing today:
1. Use Old Doors Sparingly
This is especially important for older garage doors. The more you open and close your door, the more likely your door will experience wear and tear. While you should continue operating your door as needed, try your best to avoid opening and closing repeatedly. Keeping children away from the garage door opener can prevent unnecessary motion.
2. Examine Safety Features
Your garage door has safety features such as an emergency release rope, photocell motion sensors and reverses functionality to avoid injury or property damage. You can test your sensors by placing a wooden block in the door’s path before closing or quickly putting the block in the way during a cycle. The door should reverse when it detects something in the way. For the emergency cord, pull the cord, ensure that you can move the door along the track manually and then plug it back into place.
3. Inspect the Hardware
Your garage door has various screws, nuts and bolts holding it together. These components can loosen over time. It’s smart to check and tighten your hardware every few weeks so that every component is secure.
4. Test the Door’s Balance
Testing a garage door’s balance involves detaching it from its opener and manually moving it along its tracks. A well-balanced door should stay in place at the track’s halfway point, even without its opener. You can test your door’s balance on your own, but fixing it will require professional assistance.
5. Audit the Weather Stripping
Your garage door features rubber lining around its outer edges to prevent water and debris from getting through or damaging the panel. These strips can rip or crack over time, so occasionally inspect them to catch issues before they worsen. Scheduling stripping replacement as soon as you notice the problem can save you a lot of money down the line.
6. Clean and Lubricate the Tracks
A garage door’s tracks are essential to its smooth operation, so it’s important to keep the path clear. Frequently cleaning the tracks to remove dust and debris will prevent any obstruction from interfering with the door’s function. Lubrication can further improve the door’s cycles so it experiences even less strain over time.
7. Wash Your Panel
Keeping your garage door panel clean is another way to maximize its lifespan. A dirty garage door can corrode and lose its pristine look. Washing your door with an all-purpose cleaner will ensure your home’s most prominent feature looks beautiful and lasts.
8. Monitor the Cables
A garage door’s cables connect to the opener to lift the door when you click your button. These cables must be strong to lift the door without breaking, so inspect for signs of damage. If a cable breaks, the door could fall, potentially injuring someone or damaging property.
Schedule Regular Maintenance With AAA Garage Door
While you can follow the above tips to take control over your garage door’s longevity, scheduling annual maintenance from a trustworthy professional crew is the best way to maximize its lifespan.
AAA Garage Door offers preventive maintenance services in Nebraska to spot problems before they escalate and extend your door’s life. Our crew will pay attention to the fine details so you can trust that your door is in good health until your next appointment. If we see a problem, we’ll fix your garage door on the spot or schedule a time to return with the necessary equipment.
For more on our garage door maintenance services, contact AAA Garage Door today!
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