How to Maintain and Extend the Lifespan of Your Garage Door

Garage doors offer both security and convenience, yet they often go unnoticed until something malfunctions. Not to mention, the average garage door goes up and down more than a thousand times a year, so it's essential to keep it in good working order.
Regular maintenance is about more than just preventing frustrating mornings. It’s a smart investment that extends the lifespan of your garage door, saves you money, and ensures smooth operation.
In this guide, we provide practical advice and actionable steps to maintain your garage door to keep it in top shape, helping you avoid those unexpected and costly repairs.

The Role of Garage Door Maintenance

If you’ve ever had to deal with a garage door that just won’t budge – or won’t function properly – you know the importance of performing garage door maintenance.
A well-maintained garage door goes beyond boosting your home’s curb appeal. It’s about identifying small issues, like a misaligned track, before they snowball into costly repairs. To give you an idea, misalignment impacts the door's functionality and puts undue stress on the door opener – which can lead to extremely costly repairs if left unchecked.
Ultimately, maintaining your garage door ensures it remains a reliable, convenient, and secure entry point to your home.

How To Maintain Your Garage Door: 6 Easy Tips

Now that we’ve established the importance of garage door tune-ups, let’s dive into some simple tips to keep your door in top condition. From regular inspections to lubrication, these tips will help you extend the life of your garage door and keep it functioning smoothly.

1.  Inspect Your Garage Door Regularly

Regular inspections are the first step to maintain your garage door. Check for visible damage, such as dents, rust, or wear on the door and its components. Additionally, look for frayed cables, broken springs, and worn rollers.
You should also test the balance of your garage door. An unbalanced door can strain the opener and cause premature wear. To ensure a properly balanced door, disconnect the opener and manually lift the door halfway. If it stays in place, it’s balanced. If it falls, it likely needs an adjustment by a professional garage door technician.
Be sure to always listen for any unusual noises during operation, as these can be early indicators of potential issues.

2. Take Care of Moving Parts

Lubricating the moving parts of your garage door is an essential task in garage door maintenance. Apply a high-quality lubricant to the door’s hinges, rollers, and tracks. Pay special attention to the garage door rollers, as proper lubrication reduces friction, prevents wear, and ensures your door moves effortlessly.
Since garage doors move up and down many times a day, the hardware can loosen over time. Inspect the brackets, bolts, and screws and tighten them as needed. Keeping the hardware secure ensures the door operates safely and efficiently.
Make sure to inspect and tighten the roller brackets using a socket wrench, but be cautious not to overtighten and damage the components.
Remember to also check the tension of the springs, which last around 7-10 years.

3. Keep the Door and Tracks Clean

Dirty or obstructed tracks can cause your garage door to malfunction. To fix this, clean the garage door tracks with a damp cloth to remove dirt and debris. Ensure the tracks are aligned and free from obstructions so the doors can move smoothly.
Moreover, cleaning your garage door prevents rust and corrosion. Use a mild detergent and water to clean and rinse the door thoroughly. For steel doors, regularly check for rust spots and clean them to keep the door looking new. If you have wood doors, inspect for water damage and warping, and consider repainting or re-staining as needed to protect the wood.
For the best results, start at the top and work your way down, using a soft sponge or cloth to avoid scratching the surface. Don’t forget to dry the door with a clean towel to prevent water spots and streaks. While doing this, you can also inspect the door for any areas that may need touch-up paint.

4. Inspect and Replace Rollers and Cables

Rollers are small wheels attached to the garage door that move along the tracks. It’s a good idea to regularly inspect them for signs of wear and tear.
Additionally, it may be beneficial to test the door's path by placing an object in its way to check the auto-reverse safety features.
Another component to inspect is the cables, which help lift and lower the door. They are constantly under high tension and should be checked for fraying or damage. If you notice any issues, contact a garage door specialist to replace them, as attempting to replace cables yourself can be dangerous.

5. Test the Door Opener

The door opener is another area to pay attention to. Regularly test your garage door opener to ensure its functioning correctly. Listen for any unusual noises and watch for any irregular movements.
Replace the batteries in the remote and keypad as needed. Test the opener’s responsiveness by opening and closing the garage door multiple times, observing if there are any delays or stuttering movements.
Pay attention to the opener’s light, as a flashing light could indicate an issue. If you notice any inconsistencies, consult your garage door manual for troubleshooting tips or contact a professional for assistance.

6. Schedule Professional Garage Door Maintenance

While you can maintain your garage door with some DIY tactics, scheduling professional maintenance with a garage door technician at least once a year is highly recommended. A professional can spot issues that may go over your head to extend the lifespan of your garage door and opener – as well as prevent costly repairs down the road.
A garage door technician can properly adjust the tension of the springs, check the balance, and ensure all safety features are working correctly. Professionals can also help with lubricating the door, checking the weather seal, and performing safety tests.
Another benefit to hiring a professional is to avoid injury. Garage door injuries are unfortunately common, with nearly 30% of them being finger injuries. To keep your fingers, head, and hands safe, we recommend leaving maintenance to the professionals.

Get Your Garage Doors Serviced Today

Maintaining your garage door doesn't have to be complicated. With regular inspections, lubrication, and timely repairs, you can have a garage door that stands the tests of time.
At All-Pro Quality Garage Doors, we are committed to helping you keep your garage door functioning optimally. If you’re looking for top-notch garage door professionals in San Diego, don’t hesitate to contact us today.