Extending the Lifespan of Your Garage Door
Extending the Lifespan of Your Garage Door: Key Maintenance Tips to Help Protect Your Garage Door
In Ontario, the average cost of a new garage door, along with its installation, is approximately $2,300. The average lifespan of a garage door ranges from 15 to 30 years, depending on a range of factors, including its usage, the quality of the material, and most importantly, garage door maintenance. Because garage doors have the potential to last up to 30 years (some restrictions may apply!), most homeowners are more comfortable with making that large of an investment.
While your garage door is designed to last, Ontario garage doors have a difficult opponent to defeat: weather. As an Ontarian, you are tasked with the difficult assignment of maintaining your garage door with the cruelties of ol’ Jack Frost. But as a tried-and-true Canadian homeowner, this is just something you have to come to terms with. And, if you are going to extend the longevity of your garage door, you need the right maintenance tips.
It is true that regular maintenance is key to helping extend the lifespan of your garage door. At Dodds Doors, since 1958, we have been helping homeowners like you find the best garage door solutions. While we are always happy to help with replacing your garage door, we want to ensure you’re not doing it prematurely. That’s why our GTA garage door experts have compiled the essential tips for extending the lifespan of your garage door. So, stay tuned as Dodds Doors will help you extend your garage door’s lifespan and avoid costly repairs or replacements down the line.
1. Inspect and Keep Your Garage Door Clean
One of the most basic yet effective maintenance tasks for your garage door is to inspect it regularly for signs of wear and damage. The closer you keep an eye on it, the more apparent strange noises or difficulties opening and closing your garage door become. Wear and tear is par for the course for garage doors; however, what kills them in the end is not acting quickly enough when garage door repairs are needed.
So, when it comes to extending the lifespan of your garage door, it’s time to play inspector every few months to see how it’s holding up. Cleaning is also an essential garage door maintenance task. Ridding the panels of debris that can scratch the surface will not only ensure your door remains aesthetically pleasing, but also ensure the smooth functioning of your garage door. You can use a mild detergent and water to clean the door, then rinse it thoroughly to prevent any soap residue from causing damage.
2. Tighten Loose Hardware
Your garage door system works hard every day to open and close at the tap of the button (and even if you forget to close it, some are equipped with sensors to do it for you!), so it’s no wonder that certain components like bolts and brackets become loose over time. Because you use your garage door almost every day, you should probably use a socket wrench to tighten loose bolts, brackets, screws, hinges, and tension springs every couple of months.
Make sure you don’t tighten them too tightly, as it could damage your door or strip the bolts of their purpose. Tending to loose hardware is key in extending the lifespan of your garage door, however, it’s also useful in preventing future issues like door misalignment or sticking.
3. Lubricate Moving Parts of Your Garage Door
Lubricating the moving parts is probably one of the most fundamental tips for extending the lifespan of your garage door. You shouldn’t take it lightly. Lubrication is essential in garage door maintenance because it reduces the strain and friction on the garage door opener.
Nobody likes the sound of nails on a chalkboard, and the sounds garage doors make when they are not adequately lubricated are just as unpleasant. Screeching, hissing, moaning, groaning—it’s quite brutal, and it’s also a sure way to get a noise complaint from your neighbours.
So, in addition to all the hardware mentioned above (tracker bolts, brackets, screws, and hinges), make sure to lubricate moving parts like rollers, bearings, garage door springs or cables, and the garage door opener chain to ensure smooth operation. If your garage door is used frequently, kindly use a premium silicone or lithium-based lubricant every six months.
Because of our climate, even if you don’t use your garage door every day, lubricating its moving parts twice a year will extend its lifespan. We highly recommend avoiding products like WD-40 or similar alternatives on your garage door because they tend to attract dirt and debris.
3. Ensure Proper Balance of the Garage Door
Garage doors are just like you; they need balance in order to ensure they can continue to work, thrive, and well, live fully. So, when it comes to extending the lifespan of your garage door, we encourage you to test your door’s balance. Do this by disengaging the opener and manually hoisting the door. If it is properly balanced, it should stay in place without crashing down or requiring extra effort to keep it up. If your door doesn’t stay in place, you will have to evaluate the spring tension, which is critical in maintaining the door’s equilibrium. Also, when it comes to your garage door’s lifespan, we encourage you to replace springs about every 7 years and the cables every 8 years.
4. Call Dodds Doors When You Need Professional Maintenance!
At Dodds Doors, we believe that most garage doors can live up to or even exceed their expected lifespan if you take the time to implement garage door maintenance. Extending the lifespan of your garage door isn’t just about costs; it’s also about peace of mind.
Whether you have more questions about your garage door or would like to schedule professional maintenance or repair services with us, we invite you to call us at 1-877-503-6337. We proudly serve throughout the GTA, so whether you’re located in Hamilton, Markham, or Mississauga, we are happy to help with your garage door installations, repairs, and maintenance!
Looking for peace of mind knowing you’re working with a reliable company that won’t rest until you’re completely happy? As a proudly Canadian business since 1958, we’ve helped over 800,000 Canadians and counting. But don’t just take our word for it—find out why our customers love us.
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Contact us today at 1-877-503-6337 and experience the Dodds difference!