The Importance of Garage Door Maintenance

When you own a property, your maintenance and to-do list can often seem never-ending. From keeping on top of your garden and keeping the inside of your home clean to regularly inspecting your roof and ensuring that your home is safe and secure, there are likely a whole lot of things that need to be completed regularly. When it comes to home maintenance, very few people think of their garage door, but garage doors require regular maintenance and care too.

While your garage door is a strong and sturdy piece of equipment, just like anything, it can suffer from damage and general wear and tear over time. Your garage door is likely something that you use every single day, and it’s an external barrier to your home. Therefore, it’s essential that it is maintained and looked after correctly to ensure that it remains in top condition - particularly if it’s protecting something as precious as your car.

With winter on its way, there is no better time to carry out some garage door maintenance. The cold weather can damage and take its toll on your garage door, so ensuring that your door is in top condition before the cold weather sets in is wise. Read on to learn all about the importance of garage door maintenance.

Safety

If your garage door is faulty or not operating correctly, it could be a hazard to you and your family. Each year, thousands of people are injured in garage door related incidents - and many of these accidents can be avoided if the correct preventative maintenance and repairs are carried out. When a garage door malfunctions, it can close on a person or a vehicle which can be extremely dangerous and cause damage and injuries. Your garage door is both heavy and powerful and it can put you at great risk if it’s not operating effectively.

If your door is having difficulty opening and closing as it should, you could be putting yourself in danger. If you begin to notice any issues, you should have your garage door professionally inspected and maintained as soon as possible.

Convenience

It’s possible that your garage door is the most used entrance and exit to your home. If your garage door is malfunctioning or not working correctly, it can be far from convenient. In fact, you may even find yourself stuck on either side of your garage door. If you lead a busy lifestyle, the last thing you need is a faulty garage door that keeps you waiting each time you need to use it - especially if you use it a lot.

Carrying out the correct maintenance and ensuring that your garage door is always in top condition is essential to ensure that it always works seamlessly and effectively.

Avoid unexpected repairs

If your garage door suddenly breaks down, it can be costly to repair or replace, especially if you’re not expecting it. While general repairs are not particularly expensive, suddenly being hit with a broken door can be costly. Many garage door replacements are a result of a lack of maintenance, and many unexpected faults and repairs can be avoided simply by carrying out the correct maintenance throughout the year.

Neglecting your garage door can lead to a whole host of issues and problems that can quickly put you out of pocket. Small issues such as a misaligned track or a faulty spring can be fixed quickly and inexpensively, however, if these issues are ignored or not recognised, they can quickly lead to bigger problems. This is why it’s important that your garage door is regularly maintained and inspected.

Remember, the worse your garage door issues get, the more expensive they’ll be to repair. While a broken garage door mechanism can be quickly and easily repaired, neglecting the issue can result in you having to replace the entire mechanism or even the whole door which is far more expensive.

Increase lifespan

Your garage door is an investment and therefore it is essential that you look after it properly. Improper maintenance or neglect can shorten the lifespan of your garage door. For example, unaligned tracks, lack of lubrication, faulty safety sensors and loose volts can prevent your door from working correctly and damage your door in the long run, shortening its lifespan and meaning that it will need to be replaced sooner than a door that is correctly maintained.

As previously mentioned, replacing your garage door can be expensive and therefore it’s important that you carry out the correct maintenance to ensure that you don’t end up spending unnecessary money on issues that could otherwise be avoided.

Increase the value of your property

A brand new garage door can increase the value of your property. Potential homebuyers will always favour properties that require little work and maintenance, and if your garage door is not working properly or requires repairs, this could put homebuyers off your property. Taking the time to properly maintain your garage door will ensure that it operates smoothly and efficiently, and is more appealing to potential buyers. As previously discussed, an efficient garage door is convenient and can save you time when it comes to entering and exiting your property - something that will appeal to buyers.

Tips for maintaining your garage door

With the above in mind, the importance of garage door maintenance is clear. Not only can it save you money, but it is also essential to ensure that you, your family and your vehicle remains safe. Below, we share our top maintenance tips.

Regularly inspect your door

Perhaps the most important preventive step to take is to simply keep an eye on your garage door throughout the year. Take the time to regularly inspect your door, looking out for any jerky movements and listening out for odd noises such as scraping and grinding. Your garage door should operate silently, smoothly and seamlessly. If you notice anything strange, this could be a cause for concern and it’s a good idea to get in touch with a professional to inspect the issue.

Check the balance of your door

It’s good practice to check the balance of your garage door at least twice a year. This is fairly simple: turn off the automatic opener and manually open the door around half way up. It the door stays up then you have no reason to be concerned, however, if it doesn’t stay in place, it’s likely that your door is in need of repair and it’s worth contacting a professional.

Lubricate garage door springs, joints and openings

Just like it’s important to keep a bike chain lubricated to ensure that it remains in safe working order, keeping your garage door parts lubricated is essential too. Keeping the joints, springs and openings well lubricated ensures that the parts continue to move together correctly without getting stuck - something that can cause strain on the parts and long term damage. Invest in a spray lubricant to lubricate the springs and solid grease for the joints and openings, and be sure to lubricate the parts every couple of months.

Thoroughbred Industrial Doors Ltd: your reliable garage door company for garage door repairs

At Thoroughbred Industrial Doors Ltd., we offer a comprehensive garage door repair and maintenance service in Mildenhall and Royston. Whether your garage door is broken, making strange noises or occasionally sticking, our team of highly-trained and experienced experts are on hand to ensure that it is back in working order as soon as possible. We can help to fix any faults and can even offer scheduled maintenance to ensure that your garage door remains in top condition.

Our services include maintenance plans and routine servicing, and we can update existing garage doors too. At Thoroughbred Industrial Doors Ltd., we understand that garage door problems can be inconvenient and costly, which is why we are dedicated to ensuring that your garage door is always working correctly and efficiently. For more information about our services, simply visit our website or get in touch with us today.