There are many things that can wear down your automatic garage door system, ranging from shifts in the weather and temperature to general wear and tear through regular use. Without routine maintenance, this can eventually lead to something finally breaking down and causing problems with your garage door.
You may have problems with keeping the door on its track and problems with the electrical components that start and stop the mechanism. You may also experience issues with the motor that could prevent the door from opening or closing properly. Having a garage door that isn’t working properly could be a major inconvenience and lead to some safety issues.
How Often Should Your Garage Door Be Serviced
If you have a commercial garage door, it’s recommended that you have your door serviced once per year. A residential garage door should be serviced once every 18 months. It’s usually best to have it looked at in mid to late fall as the weather shifts toward colder temperatures. The cold weather can change the consistency of the lubricant that keeps the track running smoothly.
If the lubricant gets too thick, especially if your doors are set to detect light resistance, it might mistake the thickened lubricant as an object stuck in the track, causing the door to open slightly and then close. By having it serviced in the fall, the service professionals can calibrate the settings for the colder weather and make sure there aren’t any issues heading into the winter months.
Why Should You Get Your Garage Door Serviced
Just like any piece of machinery, like a car or your home heating system, it’s important to have your garage door serviced regularly to keep it running safely and smoothly. Not having your garage door serviced regularly can cause parts to break down, leading to malfunctions, potential safety risks, and costly repairs.
Having your garage door serviced at least once every 18 months can keep everything working smoothly and prevent costly repairs down the line. This is even more important for garage doors on your commercial property. With commercial buildings, certain safety standards and protocols need to be kept up to date, including having properly functioning garage doors. What’s more, you may even have a loss in profits if you are not able to use a particular bay or loading dock due to a faulty garage door.
Signs It’s Time for a Service Call
There are a few warning signs: it might be time to call a professional to inspect your garage door. Some of these signs are subtle, while others are obvious malfunctions with how the door is operating. First, it’s important to make sure the door opens and closes smoothly. If you notice any catching or that the door is getting stuck or it won’t open manually when the lock is disengaged, there is something wrong and it needs to be checked out.
Another obvious issue is damage to the door panels. Dented sections can buckle the door as it slides up through the track, causing it to stick or, in some cases, even shift the door completely off the track. If you notice the door is not properly aligned in the track, call your local garage repair company as soon as possible because this can be a major safety risk.
It’s also important to check the garage door torsion or extension springs. If they are fixed or properly aligned, it could prevent the door from properly opening or closing.
Lastly, if you hear any kind of unusual grinding or scraping noise while the door is opening or closing, it might be time to have it serviced. The cause for grinding or scraping noises could range from misalignment of the track to simply needing more lubricant to keep the door running smoothly through the track.
Getting Your Garage Door Serviced
If you are in Montgomery, IL or the surrounding area and it’s time for your routine service call, the team at BDK Door Company can help. Our certified professionals will answer any questions you have about your garage door and make sure everything is running smoothly. If we find a problem, we’ll set up a follow-up repair visit to repair the door quickly and efficiently. We provide a full range of garage door repair, maintenance, and installation services for residential and commercial customers. Call us at BDK Door Company today to schedule a service visit.
