Your garage door has many components, and, like any technology, they have the potential to fail at any time. To lower the risk of failure, preventative professional inspection and maintenance is strongly encouraged on an annual basis. During this inspection, a technician can identify potential problems and provide maintenance to ensure your garage door functions optimally.
What Is Professional Inspection and Maintenance?
Professional inspection and maintenance involves a technician coming to your home and thoroughly looking over all the components of your garage door system. Through inspection, the technician can identify any parts that may be damaged or nearing the end of their lifespans. There are many aspects to this routine maintenance that we’ll discuss below.
Perform Safety Tests
Your garage door weighs up to 200 pounds. The door may seem light thanks to the belts, rollers, and other moving parts. However, that just isn’t the case. If your door does not open and close as designed with working safety mechanisms, you are at risk of significant injury or property damage. As part of the inspection process, your technician will test the safety of the door. During this safety inspection, the technician will disconnect the motor, causing the door to operate manually. When the door opens, it should stay in place when let go and not drop back down. Manual reversal is another safety feature that requires inspection. With this, the door should reverse directions from closing to opening when it senses an object in its path. The technician can safely test this feature by placing a brick or log on the ground where the door closes. If either of these safety tests fails, you should refrain from using your garage door until repairs occur. If not, you may be crushed or have your vehicle or other belongings severely damaged if the door falls on them.
Adjust the Springs
The weight of your garage door is balanced by springs for smooth and steady operation. These springs may become worn or loose over time. Your garage door technician will inspect these springs and make the necessary adjustments. If the springs are excessively worn or loose, they may require replacement. The springs on your garage door are under high tension and should only be handled by a professional to avoid injury and damage.
Adjust the Motor
An electric motor provides power to your automatic garage door. This motor lifts and lowers the door upon receiving commands from a remote or a control on the wall. Your motor is hardwired to your electrical system and may have a backup battery. The motor works in conjunction with the balancing springs to ensure safe and easy functionality. Indications that your garage door motor may need adjustment include the door opening too quickly or closing too hard. Additionally, if you have an issue with your garage door opener and have already changed the batteries, the technician will look at the motor to determine if it is the source of the problem.
Lubricate Moving Parts
There are many moving parts in your garage door system. These moving parts create friction when they rub against each other or other components. Your garage door professional will lubricate certain moving parts to reduce wear and tear and premature damage. The rollers, springs, and hinges require lubrication to keep them moving smoothly. However, never lubricate the tracks your garage door moves on. Lubricant in the tracks will mix with dirt and debris and create a gunky mess. This buildup can get in the way and affect the operation of the door. Although your professional technician will handle lubrication during inspection and maintenance, it is also something you can do on your own. Lubrication is one of the only parts of garage door maintenance that you can take care of without the help of a professional.
Service the Chain or Belt
Your garage door operates with help from either a chain drive or belt. Your technician will inspect the chain or belt, checking for signs of damage or deterioration. If the technician discovers excessive wear to these components during the inspection, they need to be replaced immediately. A damaged chain or belt can lead to faulty operation, meaning your garage door may not work automatically.
Examine Garage Door Hardware
Hardware in your automatic garage door system includes bolts, fasteners, rollers, springs, and lift cables. Each piece of the system should be inspected. Bolts and fasteners may require tightening to keep the system on track. The technician will inspect the rollers on your door for signs of damage. Nylon rollers may crack as they age, and steel rollers can rust or have worn bearings. The technician will also assess the springs and lift cables for rust, corrosion, or other deterioration. If any of these components appear damaged, the technician will make repairs or replace them immediately.
Check Seals and Weather Stripping
The bottom of your garage door has a weather strip to provide a barrier for dirt, debris, and moisture. The weather strip also helps block out cold and heat to better regulate the temperature inside the garage. Your technician will inspect this seal as it can become worn out over time or damaged with use. The strip is often made of rubber and can crack or break when it becomes brittle, especially in cold weather. When damaged, you may notice dust and dirt coming through underneath your garage door. You may also get moisture from rain and snow. Let your garage door technician know if you spot any indication of damage or improper sealing. The annual maintenance appointment is a suitable time to have this weather strip replaced.
Replace the Battery and Bulbs
Your garage door motor usually connects to a battery for backup power to ensure that everything continues to function if you lose power in your garage. You also have light bulbs to illuminate the area. The bulbs and battery should be replaced periodically to ensure they do not go out unexpectedly and leave you in a bad position. The technician can inspect the battery and bulbs to decide if they are ready to be replaced.
While you may think of a garage door inspection as being an extra expense, you should think of it as being a strategic investment that will contribute to the upkeep of your home. Taking this measure also helps preserve any property that you may store in your garage, such as vehicles, power tools, and lawn equipment.
If your home has an automatic garage door and you have not had an inspection in some time, you must schedule one straight away. Without this extra bit of care, your door and its components can wear out much sooner than designed. At [company_name], we pride ourselves on being experts in everything related to garage doors. We offer maintenance, installation, and repairs. We also help with garage door openers and provide emergency services if your automatic system fails.
Call the experts at [company_name] today to schedule your annual garage door inspection and maintenance.
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