Your garage door is more than just a convenience; it’s crucial to your home’s security and functionality. Neglecting its maintenance and making common mistakes can significantly reduce its lifespan, leading to costly repairs or replacements.
In this blog, we’ll look into the common mistakes you should avoid to ensure your garage door serves you well for years.
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Common Mistakes That Shorten the Lifespan of Your Garage Door
Many homeowners unwittingly make common mistakes that can significantly reduce the lifespan of their garage doors, from the lack of regular maintenance to neglecting essential tasks like weatherstripping.
More of such common mistakes are mentioned below.
1. Lack of Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance ensures various equipment and systems’ efficient and reliable operation. Its importance extends across multiple facets of our lives, from the longevity of machinery to financial considerations.
Firstly, consistent maintenance significantly prolongs the lifespan of equipment and systems. By addressing wear and tear promptly it prevents premature failures and costly replacements.
Secondly, regular maintenance translates to substantial cost savings. It curtails the risk of unexpected breakdowns and significant repairs, mitigating the financial burden of emergency fixes.
2. Ignoring Lubrication
Lubricating moving parts in your garage door reduces friction and wear, extending the components’ lifespan. It ensures smooth operation, minimises noise, and prevents rust and corrosion, contributing to the door’s longevity and functionality.
You should use silicone- or lithium-based lubricants to lubricate your garage door properly. Avoid grease or oil-based products, as they can attract dirt and debris.
Apply a small amount of lubricant to the moving parts, such as rollers, hinges, and springs, and wipe away any excess to prevent buildup. Regularly lubricate these components to maintain smooth operation.
3. Neglecting Balance and Alignment
An imbalanced garage door can have a detrimental impact on its operation and longevity. It poses a severe safety hazard by operating unpredictably, potentially causing injuries or damage. Additionally, an imbalanced door places excessive strain on the door opener and other components, leading to premature wear and frequent breakdowns.
This not only shortens the overall lifespan of the garage door but also results in increased maintenance costs.
You must look for signs of an unbalanced garage door, including uneven movement during operation, increased noise, and difficulty manually lifting the door. To check for balance, disconnect the opener and lift the door halfway; it’s unbalanced if it doesn’t stay in place.
4. Overlooking Spring Replacement
The springs in a garage door play a pivotal role in its operation. They serve as the counterbalance mechanism that offsets the door’s weight, making it easy to open and close manually or with a garage door opener.
Typically, two types of springs are used: torsion springs, which are mounted above the door, and extension springs, which are installed on the sides. These springs store and release energy as the door moves, helping to minimise the effort required to lift the door and prevent it from crashing down when closing.
5. Using the Wrong Opener Settings
Using the wrong opener settings for your garage door can result in undesirable consequences. One immediate issue is the strain it places on the door’s motor, potentially leading to premature wear and costly repairs.
Moreover, incorrect settings can compromise safety, as the door may not respond appropriately to obstacles, posing risks to people and property.
Additionally, improper settings can result in noisy and disruptive door operation, causing disturbances to your household and neighbours.
6. Neglecting Weather Stripping
Weatherstripping serves the vital purpose of sealing gaps around your garage door, preventing unwanted elements such as rain, wind, dust, and pests from entering your garage. When neglected, weather stripping can lead to several consequences.
Without proper sealing, your garage becomes susceptible to moisture, which can cause corrosion and damage to your belongings.
Additionally, it can lead to temperature fluctuations inside your garage, making it less energy-efficient and potentially impacting the comfort of adjacent living spaces.
Furthermore, neglecting weather stripping can increase energy costs, as your HVAC system works harder to maintain temperature control.
7. Poorly Maintained Tracks and Rollers
The tracks and rollers play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of a garage door. Tracks guide the door panels as they move up and down, while rollers enable these panels to glide effortlessly along the tracks.
Proper maintenance is crucial because, if neglected, these components can accumulate dirt, debris, and wear over time. When not maintained properly, the door may experience jerky movements, become noisy, or even get stuck, leading to inconvenience and potential damage to the door itself.
Regular cleaning and lubrication of tracks and rollers are essential to prevent these issues and ensure the door operates smoothly and efficiently.
8. Neglecting Safety Features
The importance of garage door safety features lies in safeguarding lives and property. These features prevent accidents, injuries, and property damage by stopping the door’s movement when an obstruction is detected. Ignoring these safety features can result in grave consequences, including accidents that can harm individuals or damage vehicles and belongings.
Neglecting safety features puts your family and assets at risk, making it essential to maintain and regularly test these critical components of your garage door.
9. Using the Wrong Garage Door Materials
The choice of garage door material has a substantial impact on its longevity. In North Shore, Sydney, where weather conditions vary, selecting materials that can withstand the coastal climate is crucial. It is advisable to opt for materials like steel or aluminium with proper corrosion-resistant coatings, as they can endure the coastal environment’s salt exposure and humidity. These materials provide durability and longevity, ensuring your garage door meets the challenges of North Shore’s weather conditions.
How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Garage Door?
To extend the lifespan of your garage door, proactive maintenance is critical. Regularly lubricate moving parts, check for balance and alignment issues, and replace worn-out springs.
Additionally, ensure your weather stripping is intact and maintain tracks and rollers for smooth operation.
Don’t forget to test safety features regularly. For a more detailed guide, check out our blog on how to extend the lifespan of your garage door to keep your garage door functioning optimally for years.
Takeaway
Avoiding common mistakes that can shorten your garage door’s lifespan is essential for your investment’s safety, security, and longevity.
By addressing issues like neglecting maintenance, using the wrong opener settings, or overlooking worn-out springs, you can ensure your garage door serves you well for years.
One effective way to prevent these mistakes and extend the life of your garage door is through regular servicing by professionals.
At Pittwater Garage Doors, our garage door servicing experts are trained to identify and address these issues, ensuring your door is in optimal condition. With routine inspections, maintenance, and timely repairs, you not only enhance the performance and reliability of your garage door but also save on costly replacements in the long run.
Call us at (02) 9971 1111 or fill out the contact form for a FREE quote. Schedule your servicing today and enjoy the benefits of an extended garage door life.
