Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Tips for keeping your garage door in great condition

K2 American Veteran Garage Doors native

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While the garage door may not be the most glamorous aspect of your home, it is one of the most functional — and likely one of the most-used — elements. For this reason, keeping your garage door in good working condition is necessary.

Though it’s generally low-maintenance, it can be easily overlooked, and many of us wait until there’s a big problem before calling a professional. Here are tips for keeping your garage door in good shape all year round.

Should you get your garage door serviced?

Yes. It’s a mechanical item that benefits from being serviced — just as you’d service your air conditioner or pool. It’s recommended that you have the garage door serviced annually, unless there are any specific issues that come up throughout the year.

During a service appointment, the garage door professional will check to make sure the door is working well, and that its lubrication, springs, hinges, rollers, pulleys and bearings are maintained.

Even if you don’t think the door needs to be serviced, doing so is good for general maintenance and a step toward better home security. Mechanisms within the door keep it locked and generally don’t affect how well the door is working. This could mean the garage door could be opened from the outside without ever indicating there was a problem that needed to be fixed.

What else should you do to maintain your garage door throughout the year?

Pay attention to it. It can be very easy to overlook the garage door because it seems like such a simple mechanism, but that’s not always the case. Keep an eye on the hardware, cables, tracks and even little things such as the weatherstripping. If you see a problem, or notice a change, call an expert to have it checked.

What are the most common issues with garage doors and how are they solved?

Problems with garage door openers are most commonly reported. The “eye sensor” in the remote can be very sensitive, and when the lenses are obstructed — either from objects or dirt/dust, even cobwebs — it can affect how well they respond.

If you’re having issues opening the garage door, check the sensor first to make sure nothing is obstructing it. You can also try a new battery to see if that helps. If neither fixes the problem, inspect the tracks to make sure they’re properly aligned.

Additionally, some people use garage door openers that don’t correspond to the right system. If the problem persists, check that your opener and system are the same brand.

When should you call a professional for garage door problems?

Generally, you should call a professional as soon as possible. A garage door that won’t close is more than an annoyance, it’s a home security risk — especially if you have to leave your garage open overnight. Getting a professional there as soon as possible can ensure both your safety and convenience, regardless of what the problem may be.