Garage door openers are often a neglected part of doors. More attention is placed on panels, windows, and the variety of safety features that they come with. But don’t let that lack of care fool you; garage door openers serve an important purpose, and you shouldn’t neglect maintenance on them for too long. The last thing any homeowner or business owner should want is to have trouble opening and closing the door. Following these maintenance tips can help prevent a problem with your automatic garage door openers.
Always Listen for Any Strange Noises
Noises are usually the key indicator for issues with garage door openers. When doors are properly maintained, they shouldn’t let off loud noises or stutter in place. Stand by your door and listen to how it operates during one cycle (one full opening and closing of the door). Observe the opener chain and other parts of the door, and contact your local garage door company if you hear any sounds that differ from the norm.
Test Your Safety Features
Your door’s safety features are important to keeping individuals safe while also protecting important products and appliances. Having a functioning garage door opener is a huge part of keeping those safety features working correctly. Testing your auto reverse features gives you the peace of mind that everything is working as you need.
Test the mechanical safety feature of the door by placing a wood block or other object down in its path. Once the door connects with this object, it should turn back up. Test your door’s photoelectric system by closing the door and sticking an object out in front of the lasers. The lasers should sense it and immediately open up the door.
Test Your Doors Balance
Without proper balance, your door opener must work overtime to manage the difference between the door sides. Balance can be hard to detect with the naked eye unless your door is an abject mess. Without testing the door occasionally, you can easily end up with a broken garage door opener much sooner than anticipated.
Prevent this by occasionally testing the balance of your door. Disconnect the opener from the door so that you can operate it manually. Lift your door about halfway, and let it drop. The door should remain in place with minimal movement. If it drops or leans on any side, you have an issue with the door’s balance.
Inspect Your Garage Tracks and Rollers
The tracks and rollers are another overlooked section of garage doors. They’re another important section responsible for smooth operation. Over time, door tracks and rollers accumulate dirt and debris, making it a bit tougher for the door to open and close. If you work hard in the garage or surrounding area, it’s easy for tools and other things to get stuck in the door’s path. Even if it doesn’t prohibit you from operating the door, it can make it more difficult for the door to open. Inspect tracks and rollers for any debris or unwanted items and ensure your tracks are level — or get help from a professional.
Service Your Springs and Cables
The door’s cable and springs keep it in place and are essential for operation. These items have a lifespan based on cycles and can open or close about 10,000 times before they need to be replaced. A professional technician can address any concerns with your cables, belts, or springs, but you can also take a few measures to prevent problems. Certain metal parts benefit from occasional spray lubricant to prevent the onset of rust. You should also check the drive chain and belt to ensure the bolts are tight enough for an operation. Discuss maintenance methods with your contractor to determine the best route to take.
Contact Us Today to Service Your Garage Door Opener!
Many commercial services forget to service their garage doors, and one of the main parts that suffer is their automatic opener. Automatic openers are long-lasting and worthwhile, but like any other part of your door, a bit of maintenance can go a long way. Are you in need of garage door opener maintenance in Phoenix, AZ, and the surrounding areas? Keep your doors opening and closing with Overhead Door Arizona! Contact us today to learn more about why Arizona businesses and residents trust us for high-quality garage door maintenance.
