New-York-Gates-3

24/7 Emergency Service
1-718-614-0616

How Often Should I Have My Garage Door Serviced?

At least once a year. If you use it only twice per day, it will open and close 1,460 times per year. The recommended service interval is a maximum number of 3,000 cycles.

When it comes to figuring out when to have your garage door serviced and how often it should be done, there is no clear-cut rule. What would be ideal for one person, might be too often for another. It depends on the usage the door is subjected to. The 3,000 maximum usage cycles might be a few months for some doors but a few years for another. We have compiled a list of useful questions and answers to help you understand what is involved in a garage door service, so you can make an informed decision as to when your door needs to be serviced.

Is maintenance important for a garage door?

Your garage door may operate day in and day out for years without any problems, but there will come a time when you may have to call a professional garage door repair company because the door will not open, or close, or it is just broken. By not having regular maintenance done on your door, either by doing it yourself or having a garage door company maintain the door’s smooth operation, you could end up with a huge repair bill, or worse still needing a new door altogether. It may seem unnecessary, but regular maintenance will save you money and inconvenience in the long run.

How often should I have my garage door serviced?

The consensus of opinion amongst the majority of garage door professionals is that your garage door should be serviced at least once per year. Assuming that you have experienced no problems during the previous 12 months, then an annual service will suffice. However, if you open and close your garage door more than twice per day (once leaving home and again on your return), then you should consider having it serviced every six months. For example, you have two cars in the garage, each leaving home at different times, and returning at different times, which could add up to eight opening and closing cycles per day, or 2,920 times per year.

Should my garage door be tuned up regularly?

If you want to keep your garage door operating like new, then the answer is YES. Every six months or so, a tune-up can detect problems before they become a major headache. All the main components of the door can be checked to make sure they are in good condition, and if any are found to be suffering from damage or excessive wear and tear, they can either be repaired or replaced. You need to bear in mind that the average single garage door weighs approximately 125 pounds, and a double door weighs roughly 200 pounds, and that weight will take its toll on the parts without regular tune-ups.

Should the rollers & hinges be checked?

Apart from the garage door opener, the rollers and hinges are probably the most important parts of the door and should be checked on a regular basis. Garage doors are designed in such a way that you can’t replace a damaged or broken roller without first removing the associated hinge, and to make matters worse, you can’t replace a broken hinge without removing the roller first. Complicated isn’t it? By checking each roller and hinge on a monthly basis, and oiling the moving parts will save heartache down the road.

What about balancing the door?

Your garage door should be able to stay in any position you choose if it’s balanced. This is checked by disconnecting the door from the opener to see if it stays in place on its own. If it is balanced, then it should run up and down the tracks easily. Lift the door up approximately halfway up, then let go. If it stays put it is balanced. If it moves either up or down, then the balance is off. The most common problem is the door will fall to the floor because the springs have lost their tension, and you should have it corrected by a professional.

Is lubrication necessary?

As with any mechanical piece of equipment, lubricating your garage door is fundamental for it to operate efficiently. It helps to protect the door from early deterioration, helps keep all the moving parts stay in good condition, and goes a long way to reduce any squeaks or grinding noises. Lubricate steel rollers with lithium grease or silicone spray four times a year. Hinges should be treated with a silicone spray approximately every three months. The arm bar, which is found at the top of the door, also requires lubrication, as do the springs, again with lithium grease or silicone spray. Do not lubricate any rubber or nylon parts, only metal, moving parts.

What lubricant Is best for a garage door?

What lubricant Is best for a garage door?

Probably the most versatile type of lubricant to use on your garage door is a silicone spray. More popular than lithium grease, it is easier to apply and get into tight spaces, make less mess, and it also has better moisture resistance. Whatever you do, don’t reach for a can of WD40 to lubricate your garage door. Standard WD40 is not a lubricant. It is actually a solvent and a degreaser, manufactured as a rust remover and moisture preventer. The initials in the name refer to “water displacement”. However, the company does offer various products available specifically for garage door lubrication.

Can the bottom seal and weather seal be serviced?

The bottom weather seal and the side weather-stripping can be inspected, but not serviced in the true sense of the word. If, during an inspection of your garage door, the seals are found to be deteriorating, then they will most likely have to be replaced. The most common places to look at are at the bottom corners of the door. This is where the most friction occurs with the door going up and down. The bottom rubber seal may have damage to ends because of this, or the weather stripping could tear when the door goes up because of bad installation.

Is it easy to replace the light bulbs and the batteries in the opener?

Replacing the bulb(s) in your garage door opener is a simple task. The dome cover or light lens is usually retained by two small clips either at the top or the sides of the lens. Pull down on the cover while gently squeezing the points where the clips are and let it hang down. Remove the bulb(s) and replace them with similar wattage, or LED bulbs. If your door opener has a battery backup, this will need to be replaced every 12 to 24 months, and a red indicator light will alert you to the fact. The battery compartment has a cover that needs to be removed before you can access the battery. Remove the cover, disconnect the two wires from the terminals. Connect the new battery terminals to the corresponding wires, and replace the battery compartment cover. Finally, snap the light lens back into place.

Is garage door maintenance expensive?

Like any service, the cost of garage maintenance varies depending on your location, the size of the garage door, the condition of the door, and whether it has been running smoothly or not. All these factors can mean a varied cost range for materials and labor. Basic maintenance costs to inspect, clean, lubricate drive and guide mechanisms, adjust spring tension, closing force, and obstruction detection can range from an average of $87.00 to $238.00 per door. Obviously, if your garage door is old or has not been serviced in a while, then the cost could be much higher. All the moving parts in a garage door suffer from wear and tear, and if the door hasn’t been checked regularly for things like loose hinges, worn rollers, etc., then the costs are going to escalate.

Garage Door Servicing FAQs

How often should a tune-up be done on my garage door?

Generally speaking, a tune-up should be done annually—if the door is new, or isn’t used very often—then every two years. However, one item that should be checked more often, is the auto-reverse system. Since 1993, this feature has been federally mandated on all electric garage doors to prevent the door from coming down and causing injury. This check can be done by the homeowner, by placing an object under the open door. If the auto-reverse is working, when an attempt is made to close the door, it should reverse its direction after touching the object. Annual tune-ups will help prevent any major problems from occurring in the future by making adjustments to the door, lubricating the rollers, tracks, and springs, and making certain that all the major components are in good working order.

How do I know if my garage door needs servicing?

If you notice any of the following, then your garage door may require servicing sooner than you thought:

1. Any strange noises, such as grinding when the door is opening or closing could be an indication that hardware is loose or the tracks need cleaning.
2. Tracks that have become bent may prevent the door from opening or closing.
3. Rollers that have been damaged with chips or cracks will affect the smooth, efficient opening and closing of the garage door.

4. Juddering when the door opens or closes, or if the door moves slower than in the past, then it could indicate problems that need immediate attention.

Any of the above may be a sign that your garage door is in need of a tune-up.

Should I lubricate the garage door periodically?

Although garage doors come in different styles, the majority need a little lubrication every few months. If you look at your garage door, you can see just how many different parts there are, all designed to move in conjunction with each other, to give you a smooth opening and closing motion. However, as the door opens or closes, these parts could be grinding against each other. The weather can also cause your door parts to expand and contract, and without lubrication, damage could occur. All the rollers, springs, and tracks should be lubricated at least every three months to ensure the smooth operation of your door.

Do I really need my garage door serviced?

No matter what type or style you have, all garage doors need to have good servicing during their lifetime to perform properly. In fact, a new garage door that has a warranty will stipulate that timely and consistent service procedures are carried out for it to remain in force. You may be thinking, “The door is working fine, why should I have it serviced?” A good question, but without appropriate servicing, you could be living on borrowed time. If you neglect to have your garage door serviced regularly, there are many issues that may develop which could be expensive, not to mention complicated, and inconvenient to deal with quickly.

How much does a garage door service cost?

The cost of a garage door service varies considerably from state to state, even county to county. However, depending on where you live, you can expect to pay, on average, anything from $100.00 to $300.00. Companies in the same area can offer different prices for the garage service, plus some may have special offers during certain months of the year. It is wise to “shop around” to get the best deal available, comparing what is included in each service offered. Typical service items should include, at a minimum:

Condition of the springs and tracks
The door alignment
Each roller’s condition and movement
All the hinges move as they should
Any wear and tear on the cables
The operation of the door opener
The auto-reverse safety system
Weatherstripping and bottom seal.

Spending up to $300 on a service isn’t cheap, but bear in mind that it is cheaper than having a major repair. For example, without labor charges, a new track costs between $130 and $300, cables – $110 to $200, door opener – $100 to $200, springs – $50 to $300.