Garage Door Not Working? Here's What You Need To Know

Most garage doors take up much of the front façade of a home. When a feature is that prominent, it should not only look good but also function well. Here is what you need to know to keep your garage door looking and running well. 

Can garage door panels be repaired?

Garage doors are made up of several panels held together with hinges so that they can easily roll up and out of the way. There are times, however, when an errant ball or distracted driver causes damage to one or more panels. Luckily, dents and dings are easily resolved. Small dents can be worked out with some elbow grease or the aid of a professional garage door service, while larger areas of damage can be resolved by replacing a panel or two. 

What kind of maintenance does a garage door need?

Like many items in your home, your garage door will last longer and function better if it is well-maintained. While your owner's manual has clear, written instructions on how to maintain your exact model, you should know how to lubricate all the moving parts.

Additionally, you should check to make sure the auto-reverse feature works on a regular basis. This safety feature is incredibly important, especially for families with small children and pets. In fact, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission requires that all automatic residential garage doors made after January 1991 have this safety feature to prevent future injuries and deaths. If your garage door is pre-1991, you should consider replacing it.

Why does my garage door go back up after I close it?

While the auto-reverse feature is great for preventing injury, it may sometimes appear to have a mind of its own, causing your garage door to go back up for no apparent reason. This happens when the red sensor lights are blocked or out of alignment. Remove anything that is blocking the sensor. If that doesn't solve the problem, adjust the sensors to re-align them or consult your owner's manual for additional information. 

Should I repair or replace my garage door?

While cosmetic damage can easily be repaired, consider replacing any garage door that is ten years old or more. This is especially true for garage doors that are pre-1991. Keeping a damaged garage door in service can do more harm over time, potentially warping the structural components of your garage.  

What is the life expectancy of a garage door?

Your garage door should last up to 30 years if well taken care of; however, the garage door opener only has a life expectancy of 10-12 years. 

How dangerous are garage door springs?

Garage doors are raised and lowered via springs. Torsion springs are located above the track, and extension springs are located above the garage door itself when the door is closed. These are under a lot of tension in order to be able to lift and lower a heavy garage door. Do not attempt to adjust or repair either torsion or extension springs. They can be deadly if accidentally released. 

Be safe and call the professionals when you think you may have an issue with your garage door's springs. 

How long do garage door springs last?

Most garage door springs get about 10,000 cycles of use before they need replacing. What this means in terms of months or years is different for every person. If you are constantly running in and out of the house for errands or to chauffeur children, you will run through 10,000 cycles quickly. If, however, you are working and schooling from home due to the pandemic, it could take much longer.

As a homeowner, you can certainly take good care of your garage door through regular maintenance, keeping safety ever in the forefront. 



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Learning More About Garage Doors Although most people don't think that much about how their garage door is functioning, it can really be detrimental if your system isn't working properly. Issues with your garage door could make it hard to access your garage or store your items properly, which can make it difficult to use your space. However, by understanding and resolving garage door problems early, you can ward off problems before they begin. On this website, you will be able to learn more about what makes garage doors tick, and what you can do to resolve early issues. After all, staying on top of repairs can be helpful later.

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