Garage doors need to work perfectly every time. These tips from Garaga can help garage owners maintain their door so that they can rely on it for its entire lifespan without worrying about having to make major repairs.
Perform a regular inspection of your door
- Listen to your door when it opens and closes. You should hear the door operating (it won’t be totally silent), but you should not hear any thumps or snaps. This is a signal that something is broken or about to break.
- Look at the door. Do a visual inspection starting with the torsion springs and extension springs. Look to see if the former are intact and if the latter are loose or overly stretched. Move on to the rollers. Are they worn or broken? Finally, see if the chain or belt of your door opener is hanging abnormally low.
- Test the spring system. If you have an electric garage door opener, disengage the trolley by pulling on the emergency cord. Grab the handle with one hand and try to open the door manually. You should be able to pull the door up without much effort. If you can’t, it is time to call a technician. After the test, remember to re‑engage the trolley.
Basic maintenance to perform every six months
You should do the following two times a year. It is best to do it in the spring and autumn.
What do we mean by maintenance? We are mainly talking about lubrication, tightening of a few bolts, and checking the safety systems.
When performing tightening, you should be sure that all hinges are tight and the tracks are aligned. You should then tighten the bolts holding the perforated angle irons that form a right triangle to support the horizontal tracks and the electric garage door opener. If you have a three‑piece trolley on your door opener, you should also check the bolts there. These bolts frequently come loose because of the vibrations of the motor.
What about lubrication? First, you should lubricate the hinges, rollers and springs (basically, any metal parts that move). You should use a petroleum‑based lubricant. You should also use a silicon‑based lubricant for any PVC parts, such as weatherstripping under the door and between the sections of the door.
Do a test of your automatic reversal system
The safety systems are a vital part of your door. These features are called automatic reversal systems, and you should inspect them on a regular basis. If your opener was manufactured after 1993, you have both a mechanical system and a photoelectric one. You can test the mechanical system by placing a 2 × 4 under the door and then closing it. When the bottom of the door touches the 2 × 4, it should immediately reverse.
The two photoelectric sensors are connected to each other by a beam of light. When that beam is blocked, the door will automatically open. To test this system, start the close cycle and then pass your hand in front of one of the sensors. The door should reverse immediately once the beam connection is broken.
Can you do this maintenance for me?
Of course! To schedule, you can contact us at
- London: 519-685-9797
- Mount Pleasant: 905-304-9700
- Guelph: 519-821-4400
- Goderich: 519-482-3251
We perform a 28‑point tune‑up that includes inspection, adjustment and lubrication (everything you need).
What if you want to change your garage door? We can send you a detailed quotation by email or come to your home with samples, prices and advice about choosing a new door.
If you want to start thinking about the new door right now, you can use our Design Centre or browse our image gallery to get some ideas.
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