Garage door openers are amazing inventions. They make it possible to use the garage without getting out of your car and manually opening or closing the door. However, they can also be a source of frustration when they stop working properly. If these devices stop working, getting into the garage can be difficult. Not to mention that it's downright dangerous when they are broken.
The good news is that there are some easy ways to make your garage door opener last longer with just a few simple changes and maintenance.
Preventative maintenance tips for garage door openers.
There are some simple things you can do regularly to help keep your garage door opener running smoothly and prevent costly repairs down the road:
Clean all moving parts with a dry cloth and lubricate them with silicone spray or WD-40. Do this every six months.
Check for broken or worn-out parts and replace them as necessary. This should be done at least once a year.
Adjust the force needed to open and close the door so that it's neither too easy nor too difficult.
Purchase a new garage door opener. This may not be the most convenient option, but it is one of the easiest ways to make your current unit last longer and perform better than ever before. A newer unit will have more updated parts, so they are less likely to break down or malfunction in any way.
If you cannot use this feature from the inside, always check for problems by opening and closing the unit manually with either a detached control panel or a button outside your building. If anything is wrong with how it opens and closes, that's something that needs fixing immediately instead of waiting until it malfunctions further.
Also, keep an eye out for rusting components which can cause many issues when left untreated for too long.
Types of garage door openers and their life expectancy.
Your garage door opener is most likely one of three types: belt drive, screw drive, or chain. The first two are the most common and last about 15 to 20 years. On the other hand, a chain-driven unit lasts between five to ten years, depending on how often it's used.
How you use your garage door opener can affect its life expectancy. Each door opener has a limited number of cycles. It can open and close the door. If you use your opener frequently, it will wear out sooner.
Just like any other piece of equipment in your home, your garage door opener needs regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly. This includes cleaning and lubricating moving parts, checking for broken or worn-out parts, and adjusting the force required to open and close the door.
Signs of a malfunctioning garage door opener.
There are several signs that your garage door opener is not working properly. If it's making an unusual sound, the first thing to do is try and figure out what the noise is. Is it grinding? Does it sound like something metal rubbing against itself or another piece of equipment?
If you notice any lights on the unit flashing erratically, this may indicate a problem with one of its components, such as fuses or circuit breakers. The best way to avoid having issues with these components is by replacing them before they wear out or stop working altogether. That means changing both light bulbs regularly and checking for loose wiring periodically.
While some problems may be simple to fix, others may require the help of a professional garage door contractor. If you are not comfortable fixing the opener yourself, don't hesitate to call in a technician from We Fix It.
Consider garage door opener replacement.
If your garage door opener just isn't working like it used to or is in such a state of disrepair that you're afraid for the safety of yourself and others, then consider replacing it. A newer unit will have more updated parts, which are less likely to break down over time than older ones with worn-out components.
Of course, not all malfunctions can be fixed by simply cleaning and lubricating moving parts, so if this fails, there's no choice but to buy a new one. An experienced technician from We Fix It Garage Door Repair can help find an affordable model that matches up perfectly with your needs and any other features you may want to be included in the unit itself.
A professional garage door contractor in Durham, NC.
We Fix It is a garage door contractor in Durham, NC, specializing in replacing existing garage doors and repairing and servicing any make or model of a unit. We Fix It also installs brand new units from some of the best manufacturers on the market today, including Clopay, Amarr Garage Doors, LiftMaster, Genie, among others.
If you're experiencing problems with your current opener, don't wait until it's too late to call for help. Call us today for advice and a free estimate for our garage door services.