B&D BLOG.
How Often Should A Garage Door Be Serviced?
Your garage door probably isn’t something you think about very often… until it starts making a strange noise, becomes difficult to open or just refuses to close properly. Like any mechanical system, garage doors experience wear and tear and so require you to regularly schedule a garage door service.. Garage doors contain springs, cables, rollers, tracks, hinges, hardware and an opener that all need to work together every time the door opens and closes. Regular garage door servicing helps identify wear before it becomes a bigger problem and keeps the door and opener operating safely and reliably.
How often should you service a garage door?
For most residential garage doors, we recommend having the door professionally serviced within the first 12 months after installation, followed by a service every two years.
This is B&D’s recommended servicing schedule for its garage doors and openers. Here at B&D Garage Doors Wollongong, we service all makes and models of garage doors and openers.
The first garage door service is particularly useful because a new door can settle during its first year of use. After that, regular servicing gives a technician the opportunity to check the condition and operation of the door and opener before small issues develop into larger ones. If your garage door is used particularly frequently or is exposed to harsh conditions such as salt air, it may benefit from more regular servicing. B&D recommends considering yearly servicing for motorised doors or doors that receive heavy use.
Why does a garage door need servicing?
There are a lot of moving parts behind a garage door, even if they might look simple from the outside. Every time you open and close the door, components such as springs, rollers, hinges, cables and the opener are doing work. Over thousands of cycles, these parts naturally experience wear. A professional service can identify issues for our technician to adjust or repair. Such as:
◆ Worn or damaged components
◆ Loose hardware and fixings
◆ Changes in spring tension
◆ Track or door alignment issues
◆ Problems with the garage door opener
◆ Issues with safety sensors and safety reversal systems
◆ Unusual or uneven operation
◆ Parts that require cleaning or lubrication
What happens during a garage door service?
A proper garage door service is more than simply putting some lubricant on the moving parts. The technician will inspect the door and opener and check that everything is operating as it should. Depending on the system, a service can include checking and adjusting spring tension, lubricating critical moving parts, tightening hardware, checking the door’s alignment and adjusting the opener’s travel limits and force settings. Safety components such as safety beams and the auto-reverse function should also be checked. The technician can also look for early signs of wear or damage that may not be obvious during everyday use. That’s one of the biggest benefits of regular servicing: you don’t have to wait until something breaks to find out there was a problem.
Don’t wait for your next service if something seems wrong
Your scheduled service is not a reason to keep using a garage door that is already showing signs of a problem. If your garage door suddenly starts behaving differently, it’s worth having it checked. Some warning signs include:
Unusual Noises
A garage door that suddenly becomes louder, starts squeaking, rattling or grinding may have a worn or poorly adjusted component.
Jerky or uneven movement
If the door doesn’t move smoothly, appears to be sitting unevenly or hesitates during opening or closing, there may be an issue with the door, tracks, springs or opener.
The door won’t open or close properly
A door that gets stuck, only opens part way or won’t close completely shouldn’t be ignored. The cause could be something as simple as an obstruction or a problem with the safety system, but it may also indicate a mechanical issue requiring professional attention.
The opener is behaving differently
If the motor is struggling, making unusual sounds, responding inconsistently or the door is moving differently from normal, it’s worth getting the system assessed.
Visible wear or damage
Frayed cables, rusted components, damaged panels, worn seals or other visible damage are all reasons to arrange an inspection rather than waiting for the next scheduled service.
What can you do between professional services?
Professional servicing is important, but there are a few simple things you can keep an eye on yourself. Pay attention to how your garage door normally sounds and moves. If something changes, don’t dismiss it. You can also keep the area around the door and tracks clear of obstructions and make sure the door isn’t being used when something is interfering with its movement. If you’re unsure about a component, it’s best not to attempt to adjust springs, cables or other high-tension parts yourself. These components can store significant energy and should be handled by a trained technician.
What about a brand-new garage door?
A new garage door still needs servicing. In fact, the first service is an important part of the recommended maintenance schedule. B&D recommends servicing within the first 12 months after installation, then every two years thereafter. For B&D products, maintaining the servicing schedule is also a condition of the warranty. Keeping a record of your servicing can therefore be useful, particularly if your garage door is still within its warranty period.
“What if my garage door is already overdue for a service?”
If you can’t remember the last time your garage door was serviced, don’t worry, you don’t need to wait for a problem to appear. A professional technician can assess the condition of the door and opener, identify any maintenance or repairs that are needed and get the system back into good working order. Older garage doors can still operate reliably for many years, but regular servicing becomes increasingly useful as components experience more wear.
Don’t wait until your garage door stops working
A garage door is one of the largest moving parts in your home and one that you may use several times a day. Regular servicing is a simple, affordable way to stay ahead of wear and tear, maintain smooth operation and identify potential problems before they become an emergency.
Our recommendation is: service your garage door within the first 12 months, then every two years. Sooner if you notice anything unusual.
If your garage door is due for a service, or something doesn’t seem quite right, get in touch with our team to arrange an inspection and professional service from one of our dedicated service vans. You can call us, or book online using the Enquire button on the side of this webpage.