Skip to Main Content

1 (800) 929-3667 (Door) Request a Quote Find a Distributor

Search...

- Commercial Product Categories
- All Commercial Doors
- Commercial Operators
- Commercial Accessories
- Loading Dock Equipment
- Commercial Resources
  - Commercial Door Repair
- Overview
- Customize Architectural Drawings
- BIM Object Library
- CAD Drawings
- Specifications
- Additional Resources

Search...

Home
Blogs
Blog Detail

Signs Your Garage Door Needs Help

Simple Steps for Safer, Longer-Lasting Performance

Your garage door is one of the hardest-working pieces of equipment in your home—often used multiple times a day, year after year. With proper care, a garage door can last anywhere from 15 to 30 years. But like any mechanical system, it won’t last forever. Knowing the signs of wear and tear and practicing a few simple habits can help you stay ahead of issues before they turn into costly repairs or safety concerns.

We’ve outlined five key steps to help you stay in tune with your garage door’s health and get the most out of its lifespan.

Step One: Know What You’re Working With

Not all garage doors are created equal. Doors made from thinner materials naturally wear out faster than their higher-quality counterparts. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures or frequent storms, your garage door may age more quickly due to weather exposure.

If you weren’t the one to purchase or install your current garage door, you might not know what materials you’re working with—or how long it’s been in service. In that case, it’s worth having a garage door professional evaluate your setup. Understanding the door’s construction, insulation level, and components helps you better anticipate its needs over time.

Step Two: Build Good Garage Door Habits

The best offense is a good defense. What is true for sports is also true for your garage. If you stay on top of visual inspections and yearly maintenance, you will know when something is wrong or not working at optimum performance.

Try to do a visual inspection of your garage door about once every six months. This includes cleaning, lubricating and addressing any minor issues you notice.

It’s also a good idea to have a trusted professional perform yearly maintenance to keep your garage door operating at its best and to alert you to any issues that come up that your visual inspection could have missed.

Between your care and observations and the opinion of a professional, you’ll know when something is not right and when to take action to fix or replace it.

Step Three: Look for Damage

Is your door cracked, warped or rusted? Is the paint peeling or faded? Can you see damage to any of the working elements, like the springs or pulleys? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, repair is needed.

We use our garage day in and out at some of the busiest moments of our day (going to and from work and school, etc.) and it can be hard to always stop and notice the look of your garage door. But if you can get in the habit of doing a visual inspection of your door, you can spot damage before it goes too far.

Step Four: Listen for Weird Noises

If your garage door is making a racket each time you open and close it, that is a big cause for concern. A garage door should be quiet when operating. If it is noisy, this could be a sign that the parts have worn out and need to be replaced.

When you use your garage door, listen to the noises it makes. Use the moments when you are pulling into and out of your garage to listen and observe for any possible issues. If you notice something odd, plan a time to investigate in detail. Hearing a weird noise could be the canary in the coal mine for a bigger issue down the road.

Step Five: Watch the Movement

Is your garage door doing its job—opening and shutting? If your garage door is struggling to do this consistently and in good working order, something needs to be addressed.

Your garage door is a large piece of equipment and often the largest moving machine in your home. Safety is of utmost importance. If your garage door is closing off balance, at an angle or in any way not symmetrically, something is not right. Have a professional take a look so you know you are safe and so you know your garage is in good working order.

If you implement these five steps into your daily life with your garage door, you’ll know when something is not right, so you can address it quickly. Not waiting until the issue is out of hand will help you make the most out of your garage door and prolong the lifespan of this large piece of equipment.

And when it’s time for an upgrade, use our DoorDreamer™ tool to explore new styles and find the perfect door to fit your home and lifestyle.

Service

Share This Article

1 (800) 929-3667 (DOOR)

Homeowners

All Residential Garage Doors
DoorDreamer® : View any Door on Your Home in Seconds
Repair My Garage Door
Smart Home Hub

Professionals

Commercial
Architects
Loading Dock Equipment
DoorView - Configurator

Useful links

About Us
Blogs
News
Contact Us
Careers

Legal
Privacy Policy
Sitemap
Supply Chain Ethics Policy