Your overhead garage door is one of the most complex working parts of your home or business. Whether you open and close your door multiple times a day to bring your car in and out or if you have it open for extended periods to run your business, your door eventually needs maintenance to keep it in the best possible shape. Maintenance through timely servicing. It is an adage that a stitch in time saves nine, implying the timely servicing of all your devices. But how frequently should you maintain your overhead door?
Let’s break it down.
Why Regular Maintenance Matters
An overhead door is comprised of various moving components, such as springs, cables, rollers, hinges, and, of course, the opener itself. Gradually, such parts can wear out, become loose, or fall out of alignment, leading to decreased door performance—or malfunction.
Regular servicing helps you:
- Prevent sudden breakdowns
- Increase the door’s lifespan
- User and vehicle safety is guaranteed
- Increasing energy efficiency (more so if you have an insulated garage)
- Keep the warranty on that manufacturer
Recommended Service Frequency
At Halton Garage Doors, this is the servicing schedule we would recommend based on door usage:
Residential Overhead Doors: Once a Year: Most homeowners only need to service their gas furnace once a year. This may involve tightening particular hardware, lubricating specific moving parts, and verifying the door’s balance and opener safety.
Commercial Overhead Doors: Biannually (or Quarterly) – Commercial doors take more of a beating, sometimes opening and closing dozens of times a day. Frequent maintenance checks, performed as often as every 6 months or quarterly for high-traffic doors, can help ensure the doors operate smoothly.
After Any Unusual Incident: No matter if your door was hit by a car, jammed, or just started making odd sounds, schedule an appointment for service right away, even if you’ve had service recently.
Signs Your Overhead Door Needs Immediate Attention
Even with a maintenance routine, there are red flags you should never ignore:
- Jerky or uneven movement
- Grinding noises that can become loud or squeaky.
- The opener’s response was too late
- Sections that droop or are visible when the door is closed
- Cables or springs are frayed or come loose
These symptoms may be the result of failing or misaligned parts, which could pose safety concerns if left unaddressed.
What’s Included in a Professional Overhead Door Service?
Our checklist at Halton Garage Doors is among the most thorough in the GTA.
- Full safety inspection
- All moving parts are lubricated
- Check of bolts and hardware.
- Check and adjust the spring tension
- Alignment of course and roller control
- Test openers and safety sensors
- Suggestions for all necessary repairs or replacements
DIY Maintenance Between Services
Professional servicing is essential, though you can also do a few basic things on your own:
- Maintain clean and free of obstructions
- Check for rust, frayed wiring, and damaged panels.
- Check for abnormal noise when operating.
- Test the auto-reverse feature every month with a small object.
Whatever the problem, never attempt to adjust springs or cables yourself – they are under high tension and can cause injury.
Trust Halton Garage Doors for Reliable Service
As a homeowner or commercial facility owner, periodic maintenance of your overhead door or gate is an investment in safety, security, and long-term performance. Our skilled technicians at Halton Garage Doors can repair all major makes and models of doors so your door works like new.
Schedule your annual service now for an overhead door that runs smoothly all year long!
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