Union Garage Door Repair teamYour garage door opens and closes thousands of times a year. Every cycle wears springs, rollers and hinges a little, and vibration slowly loosens hardware.
A yearly tune-up catches that wear early, while it's still cheap to fix.
A tune-up, step by step
- Visual inspection. Springs, cables, drums, rollers, hinges, tracks and panels are checked for wear, rust and damage.
- Balance test. With the opener disconnected, the door should stay put when lifted halfway. If it drifts, the springs need adjusting.
- Hardware tightening. Hinges, brackets and track bolts are tightened.
- Lubrication. Springs, hinges, rollers and bearings get garage door lubricant, not grease.
- Track check. Tracks are checked for alignment and cleaned of debris.
- Opener safety test. Photo-eye sensors and auto-reverse are tested, and force settings adjusted.
- Weather seal check. The bottom seal and weatherstripping are checked for gaps and cracks.
How often should you service your door?
Once a year is right for most homes. If the garage is your main entrance and the door cycles many times a day, every six months is better.
Doors near the coast benefit from regular service because salt air speeds up rust on springs and cables.
What you can do yourself
- Keep the tracks clear of debris.
- Wipe the photo-eye sensor lenses.
- Test the auto-reverse by closing the door on a roll of paper towels.
- Lubricate hinges and rollers with garage door lubricant.
Never adjust spring tension or loosen the bottom brackets yourself.
Book a garage door tune-up with our team.
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Garage Door Maintenance across Sonoma County and the North Bay
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a garage door tune-up take?
Most tune-ups take about an hour, depending on the door's condition.
Will a tune-up make my door quieter?
Usually. Most noise comes from dry hinges, worn rollers and loose hardware.
What lubricant should I use on a garage door?
Use a lubricant made for garage doors. Avoid heavy grease, which attracts dust and grime.
