Garage doors are wonderful to keep vehicles safe and out of inclement weather. Unfortunately, the life of a garage door is limited. In fact, the more you use your garage door, the faster it will wear out.
Typically the life of a garage door is about 20 to 30 years. But that’s only the case if outside factors don’t effect it. The sections of the garage door is only one factor that can cause the door to wear out. For example, some garage door springs have a lifecycle of 10,000 cycles. That may seem like a lot at first, but if you are running the door up and down 20 times a day, the lifespan can quickly decrease.
Performing preventative maintenance can help extend the life of your garage door. At Sterling Door, we recommend a garage door tune-up at least twice a year. If your garage door is older, you may need a tune-up 4 – 8 times per year.
Here are some things you can do to extend the life of your garage door.
1. Lubricate Your Garage Door
You want to make sure you are lubricating your garage door springs, rollers and tracks to help reduce friction caused by daily wear and tear. If you are unsure which lubricate to purchase, call our office at 586-412-5600.
2. Check Your Garage Door’s Bottom Seal
The bottom seal of a garage door helps keep water, debris and animals out. In other words, if you have damaged seal, you will want to get it replaced to avoid future issues.
3. Tighten Loose Nuts and Bolts
Generally, a garage door should go up and down smoothly. You should get the door looked at by a professional if your garage door groans and shakes. First, you will want to examine your garage door springs, rollers, cables and other hardware for signs of wear, rust or debris. If you see anything loose or out place, call a professional at Sterling Door. The life of your garage door will be extended if take care of issues right away.
4. Clean Your Garage Door
From time to time, you want to clean your garage door. By cleaning your garage door occasionally can prevent rust from forming underneath mud, dirt and salt. You can clean it by using mild dishwashing detergent. Be sure to use warm water and a soft-bristle brush. Be gentle. The last thing you want is to damage the paint or cause delamination.
5. Garage Door Opener is Loud
On average, a residential garage door opener lasts 15 to 20 years. It could be time to replace it if the motor is making loud noises or shudders when it opens and closes. A garage door opener is the key to opening and closing your door. If it doesn’t work, you may have to open and close your door by hand.
7. Garage Door Constantly Needs Repairs
Lastly, a garage door and its parts can be repaired. But if you’re constantly fixing your door, it may be cost-effective to replace it sooner rather than later.
If you are in the market for a new garage door, feel free to give us a call at 586-412-5600. Or you can email us at info@sterlinggaragedoor.com. We’re always here for you!
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