Signs a Garage Door Needs a Tune-up

For most people, a garage door is also a door used to enter and exit their homes, which means that it goes up and down several times a day. Every time you use a garage door, all of its components are working to ensure smooth operation. Also, a garage door stands tall through rain, heat, cold, and other weather conditions. Regular usage can take a toll on the safe working of the door and its other essential components and parts like the rollers, springs, panels, openers, cables, and hinges. If any of these parts malfunctions, the door will either operate slowly or not operate at all.  Broken garage doors not only cause inconvenience but can also be dangerous to you and your family.

Like any other mechanical device, a garage door needs regular tune-ups to keep it in the best of shape and avoid unwanted repairs. Here are a few signs that indicate that the garage door needs a tune-up:

Strange noises

One of the best indications of a garage door problem is when you hear unusual and unfamiliar scraping, squealing, or grinding noises. A finely tuned door makes subtle and smooth sounds. You will have to promptly look for the issue behind these sounds and fix them up soon. The noises usually indicate loose hardware, broken rollers, or lack of lubrication. 

Automatic reverse malfunctioning

The automatic reverse feature of a garage door prevents any injury to people or animals when the door closes. It can be very dangerous to operate the door without this feature. If you find a non-working or malfunctioning automatic reverse, call a professional for a tune-up.

Damaged rollers

Inspect the garage door for any signs of chipping, cracking, or worn-down rollers. Damaged rollers hamper the smooth and efficient working of the door. They should be replaced immediately. 

Worn weatherstripping

Look for broken or brittle weatherstripping at the bottom and around the sides of the door. If you notice any worn or cracked weatherstripping, get it replaced without any delay.

Bent tracks

The problem of bent tracks is easy to avoid with regular maintenance. Any problem with the tracks will eventually prevent the door from opening and closing. Whenever you notice a damaged track, get the door tuned-up by an expert. 

Rough operation

Another common sign that a garage door needs a tune-up is when it operates slowly, or jerks or shudders during functioning. 

Faulty springs

Garages have one or two torsion springs that allow smooth door movement. If the spring breaks, or appear rusty, old, or stretched, avoid using the garage, and get them inspected and repaired by a professional.

Look for the signs mentioned above to know when you need to tune-up the garage door. An annual or a bi-annual garage door tune-up ensures safe, reliable, and smooth operation. Keep your garage door in good working condition by taking the services of a garage door repair company. Their technician will run safety inspections to check all the aspects of the door, lubricate all the moving parts, check the opener for proper functioning, and repair existing or potential issues.