Like any other gadget or appliance, your garage door requires regular maintenance to keep working properly. Failing to provide the proper maintenance is may result in a malfunctioning door. If you can’t quite find the time, then you should call a professional to perform routine maintenance.
Maintenance tips
These tests should be several times a year, and are recommended to be done in the order listed.
Visual inspection – stand inside the garage with the door closed and check the door mechanisms for damage and signs of wear. Pay special attention to the door springs, cables, rollers, pulleys, and mounting hardware. Inspect cables for signs of wear or fraying. Check the mountings to see if they’re coming loose. If anything seems off or doesn’t quite look right, contact a qualified technician immediately.
Balance test – close the door and disconnect any automated door mechanism you might have and attempt to open the door manually. Check that the door lifts easily and opens smoothly with little resistance, and that it is capable of remaining fully open. Any difficulty opening the door, or having the door stay open, may indicate a door balance problem and a qualified technician should be contacted.
Automated mechanism maintenance
After the visual inspection and the balance test, if your door has an automated opening system, the following tests should be done.
Reversing mechanism test – with the door fully open, place a small piece of wood, such as a 2×4, or some other similar item where the door would normally come in contact with the floor, and then activate the mechanism to close the door. If the door mechanism does not automatically reverse on contact with the wood, the door should be serviced.
Photo eye test – open the door and trigger the mechanism to close it. As it is closing, wave a long item, such as a broomstick, in front of one of the photo eyes. If the door does not reverse, clean the eyes and try again. If the door still closes, the door will require servicing.
Force setting test – open the door and trigger the mechanism to close it. While it is closing, hold up the bottom of the door with your hands stiff and outstretched. If the door continues to close, let go immediately and contact a technician; the door is closing with excessive force.