How To Maintain Your Electric Garage Doors

With so much going on in our lives today, garage door maintenance is not always at the top of our priority list, it is important to keep them working at their best and ensure their longevity, however, if saving time and money is a concern. Many garage doors are designed to last more than 10 years, so proper care and maintenance will reduce wear and keep them in good condition for many years.

Electric garage doors are a fairly costly investment, so we have provided a list of tips to help your electric garage doors last as long as possible and help you maintain your warranty.

We would recommend placing your garage doors in the best position possible for cleaning them (eg. closed) and disconnecting them from the power source before performing any cleaning any maintenance work on them to avoid any risk of injury.

Clean/Wash Regularly

Hose down the outside of the garage door and use a bucket of warm soapy water and a sponge as you would a car to remove any dirt. Hose down lightly and leave to dry. Once the surface is completely dry, on a dry day apply a coat of weatherproof paint to help preserve the door from the elements. This is a good idea to help prepare your garage door before winter.

Expose bits of metal and paint flaking away can result in rust developing over time, which are a good indication of when you should consider repainting.

Use the same method to clean the inside of your garage door but pay attention to dirt and debris which may be clogging the bearings and mechanism and can cause damage if it isn’t dealt with properly.

Check The Attach Points

Over time attach points can become worn out or loose. Every couple of months check the attach points, including any hinges, springs, pivot points and rollers in the door system, which may need tightening up. If you feel confident you can attempt this yourself, but we would recommend seeking the help of an expert to avoid the risk of injuring yourself or causing damage to the garage door system.

Lubricate Moving Parts

If you have a track and chain electric garage door, you will need to lubricate the track and chain regularly in order to ensure that it properly aligns and runs smoothly along the tracks. Dirt can clog the tracks and cause the lubricant to jam the mechanism, so we would advise cleaning all moving parts with a stiff-bristled brush and wiping clean with methylated spirit before applying lubrication.

A mechanism that produces squeaky or noisy sounds when you open or close it is an indicator that you need to lubricate the mechanism. You can spray WD40 or other garage lubricants along the guide tracks and your garage should open and close smoothly without producing too much noise.

Garage Light

Install a garage light on a sensor which comes on every time you open the garage door. This can help avoid injury whilst the mechanism is in operation and to help ensure nothing is blocking the path of the garage door mechanism.

Garage Door Sensors

Not all electric garage doors feature sensors but it is a good safety feature which can prolong the life of your garage doors. The purpose of a sensor is to detect if there are objects blocking the door. For example, your garage door will not close if there is something blocking the path. Sensors can become misaligned when things are knocked off inside the garage, so if your garage door is not working this could be one of the reasons why. This is quite common as sensors are located close to the ground and can easily be knocked.

Sensors will prevent the electronic garage door system from operating if something is blocking the path, helping to avoid damage.

Regular Inspection

We would recommend giving all parts of your garage doors system an inspection every couple of months to check it’s safety reversal system. If your garage door makes a clunking sound or is difficult to open this could be a sign of issues which are best investigated sooner rather than later to avoid problems getting worse. Damage or weakness in your garage door system can put your possessions and your property at risk of breaking and entry. Look for faults including any signs of attempted forced entry, general wear and tear or faults with the safety mechanism. If you aren’t sure what you’re looking for or are concerned you may have identified a problem it could be worth getting in touch with an expert. A registered garage door company can provide a professional inspection service, including being able to diagnose and fix issues with your garage door quickly.

Annual Garage Door Service & Maintenance

Don’t underestimate the importance of regularly servicing and maintaining your electric garage door system. Having a professional regularly service your garage door system is one of the best ways to prolong the longevity of the system. An engineer will be able to provide a professional inspection, helping to diagnose any parts that may not be working properly which could develop into bigger problems and cause you more expensive repair bills further down the line.

Operate With Care

An obvious one, but treat your garage door carefully. Leaving objects in the way while it is closing is going to cause damage to the motor and the mechanism. Mistreating the door like opening and closing it before it has completed a full cycle could also cause a malfunction. Keep safe possession of your garage door remote, such as on your keychain, and avoid leaving it with anything that may contain your address on it to avoid any would-be thieves from gaining access to your property. Damage to the remote can also be costly, as they have to be specially programmed to ensure that they cannot be easily hacked into by thieves, so keep your garage door remote control in a safe area where it will be protected by damage.

Check The Reverse System

Most modern garage door systems have a built-in safety feature that means if it hits an object in its path, the receiver will stop the signal from being transmitted. Place an object such as a brick in the path (ensure it will not cause damage to the door, however). The garage door system should reverse and lift back up to prevent damage to the motor and the system. If this isn’t the case, call an expert to rectify the problem. Older garage door systems may not have this feature, so we would recommend updating the electric garage door mechanism to a newer, safer one.

Repair Any Faults

If your door has become damaged, ensure you have it repaired as soon as possible. A seemingly small fault can worsen over time, putting the security of your premises at risk from thieves. It can also cause the garage system to become unsafe and risk injury for someone under the path of the door.

Sometimes the solution is as simple as replacing the batteries in the remote control, but other times it might be more complex. We would advise briefly investigating the source of the problem, however, before contacting the services of a professional.

Cornwall Garage Doors: Electric Garage Door Maintenance By The Experts

We can offer help and advice on all parts of your garage door system, whether you need servicing, repairs or installation of a brand new system. We have plenty of stylish and functional options available to choose from, including electric garage doors, roller garage doors, up and over options and more. We can install them for both businesses and homeowners across Cornwall, able to tailor them specifically to suit your needs. Get in touch with us today if you would like to learn more or arrange the services of our experts.