Garage Door Maintenance & Tune-Up

Why Garage Door Maintenance Matters

Your garage door cycles 1,500+ times per year. That's 1,500 cycles of metal-on-metal friction, springs under 200+ lbs of tension, cables supporting 300 lbs, and rollers spinning in metal tracks. Without maintenance, small issues become emergency repairs.

). When we arrive, we find:

• Worn rollers with flat spots (caused the spring to work harder and fail early)
• Dry, squeaking hinges (creating excessive friction)
repair)
• Loose hardware (track bolts backing out, creating misalignment)

All of these issues were developing for months. annual tune-up would have caught and fixed them before the spring failed. , preventive maintenance would have added 2-3 years to the spring's life.

What's Included in Our Maintenance Service

22-Point Inspection & Service

Maintenance Service Estimates

How Often Should You Service Your Garage Door?

Standard Recommendation: Once Per Year

For average use (4-8 cycles per day = 1,500-3,000 cycles/year), annual maintenance is sufficient. Schedule in spring or fall—mild weather is easier on technicians and door components.

Twice Per Year If You Have:

• Heavy use: 3+ vehicles, frequent deliveries, commercial garage (8+ cycles/day)
• Harsh environment: Coastal areas (salt air causes rust), dusty areas, extreme temperature swings
• Older door: 15+ years old—more frequent inspections catch age-related failures early
• Recent repairs: Follow-up inspection 6 months after major repair ensures everything is holding up

Signs You Need Maintenance NOW

Don't wait for your annual service if you notice:

• Squeaking or grinding noises: Dry rollers, hinges, or bearings
• Jerky or uneven movement: Worn rollers, misaligned tracks, or imbalanced springs
• Door slams shut: Springs losing tension (dangerous—call immediately)
• Visible rust on springs or cables: Indicates advanced wear
• Gap at bottom when closed: Worn weather seal or track misalignment
• Opener struggles to lift: Imbalanced door or dying motor

DIY Maintenance You Can Do (Safely)

Between professional tune-ups, here's what you can safely do yourself:

Monthly: Visual Inspection (5 Minutes)

• Watch the door operate—look for jerky motion, listen for new noises
• Check weather seal for cracks or gaps
• Look for rust on springs or cables
• Test safety reverse: place 2x4 on floor, close door—should reverse when it touches wood

Every 3-6 Months: Lubrication (15 Minutes)

What to lubricate:

• Rollers (NOT the tracks—dry tracks are good)
• Hinges at pivot points
• Torsion spring (light coating)
• Opener chain or belt
• Top of vertical tracks where rollers curve

Use: White lithium grease or garage door spray lubricant (NOT WD-40—it's a degreaser, not a lubricant).

DON'T lubricate: Tracks (slippery tracks cause binding), photo-eye sensors, weather seals.

Annually: Clean Tracks (20 Minutes)

• Wipe tracks with clean rag to remove dirt, dust, old grease buildup
• Don't spray lubricant in tracks—dry tracks work better
• Check for dents or bends in tracks (professional repair needed)

⚠️ NEVER Attempt These DIY:

• Spring adjustment or replacement: Springs under 200-400 lbs tension—can cause death
• Cable replacement: Cables under tension—dangerous
• Track realignment: Improper alignment causes door to bind or fall off track
• Roller replacement on torsion spring systems: Requires releasing spring tension

What We Find During Typical Maintenance Visits

70% of Doors: Minor Issues (Fixed During Visit)

• Dry rollers and hinges (lubricated)
• Loose hardware (tightened)
• Slightly misaligned sensors (realigned)
)

20% of Doors: Moderate Wear (Needs Service Soon)

to replace) replacement) )

Recommendation: Schedule repair in next 3-6 months before failure. We'll give you upfront estimates and priority scheduling.

10% of Doors: Critical Issues (Immediate Repair Recommended)

• Springs about to snap (visible gap, severe rust)
• Severely frayed cables (imminent failure)
• Cracked hinges (door can separate if hinge breaks during operation)
• Severely misaligned tracks (door binds or off-track)

Recommendation: Repair same day. We carry parts on trucks. depending on issue.

Frequently Asked Questions