The average garage door, whether it be made of glass, aluminum, or wood, is made up of a dozen little parts that work in harmony to seamlessly open. The overhead door is arguably one of the most convenient parts of the home and it can be difficult to deal with frequent repairs or replacements if things aren’t working as they should. After all, the last thing anyone wants is to have a faulty garage door that doesn’t work or can be easily broken into.
Garage door maintenance is one of the most important tasks a homeowner should have on their to-do. Whether an owner decides to participate in some DIY repairs or contact a garage door repair service, it’s prudent that maintenance becomes common. And quality maintenance naturally involves repairing or replacing existing garage door parts.
Here are some overhead door parts you should expect to repair or replace sometime during your routine maintenance.
Garage Door Hinges
The average garage door will last anywhere between 10 to 15 years depending on the level of maintenance and period repairs it goes through. To stretch the lifespan of an overhead door, keep an eye out on the door’s hinges. Think of the hinges as the parts of the garage door that glue everything together. These hinges connect the parts of the door together so everything stays in place. If garage door hinges aren’t in good shape, owners might hear the odd awkward and annoying noise. If garage door hinges aren’t properly operating or are loose, the overhead door could jump off track, which could become an expensive repair. Stay up to date with the hinges of your garage door and don’t wait in having them replaced.
Garage Door Opener
One of the most integral garage door parts, the overhead door opener is the mothership that help open your door effortlessly. It’s a safe assumption to make that every home with an overhead door has a garage door opener to do the heavy lifting. Request a garage door repair service to test out your overhead door periodically to ensure it’s working as it’s supposed to. If the overhead door opener is making far too much noise or frequently doesn’t react to the door opener remote or keypad, it’s time for a repair or replacement. Ignoring these issues can make homes susceptible to break ins.
In most cases it’s recommend that a new garage door opener is installed as technology continues to advance, allowing homeowners more flexibility. Modern “smart” garage door openers allow users to open or lock their door remotely, a great benefit when coupled with a security camera. Any garage door repair service will be able to recommend and install a new garage door opener.
Garage Door Springs
Springs are the most dangerous part of the garage door. Overhead door springs work in conjunction with the garage door opener to lift up the door without much fuss. The issue is that if garage door springs are in need of repair or replacement, the entire door shouldn’t be operated, which is why it’s important to spot issues before they become a hassle.
A garage door repair service will inspect springs to see if there is any separation or if they’ve stretched out. They will keep an eye out for any rust that is built up on the springs. Garage door springs should only be replaced by repair companies. Springs are under immense tension and one wrong move can lead to injury and the garage door to potentially come crashing down. A garage door repair service will also be able to advise on torsion or extension springs, depending on your door type.