Garage doors are an essential component of a home’s security system. As such, it is crucial to ensure they are maintained correctly. One way to achieve this is through an annual garage door inspection. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of garage door inspections, the benefits of performing garage door inspections annually, and how to perform them.
Why is Annual Garage Door Inspection Important?
Annual garage door inspections are critical for several reasons. Taking these to heart will help you get the full use out of your garage door.
Prevent Costly Repairs
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Regular maintenance can prevent costly repairs down the road. It is easier and cheaper to fix a minor issue than to wait until they become a significant problem. The last thing you want is to expect your garage door to open in order to go to work and then it won’t lift. Garage door technicians regularly find loose or worn-out cables, malfunctioning sensors, and a host of items that need lubrication. Without a maintenance plan in place, these items will do the best they can until they can’t any longer.
Proactive Safety
Garage doors can pose potential safety hazards to you and your family if not maintained correctly. Take any of the items discussed from the last point and it can lead to unexpected accidents that can cause injury or worse. There are over 20,000 people injured each year from accidents involving garage doors. An annual garage door inspection can keep you from becoming a part of that statistic.
Extend the Life of Your Garage Door
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Having a trained professional perform annual maintenance can extend the life of your garage door. Since these inspections include lubing and tuning the many moving parts of a garage door, you can expect to add years of life to those parts versus what you would get without it.
These benefits of an annual inspection far outweigh the price. Without a maintenance plan in place, the door you rely on one day will not open when you press the button. Being proactive with garage door maintenance helps you see issues before they turn into emergencies.
What Is Part of an Annual Garage Door Inspection?
An annual garage door inspection should be completed by a professional garage door technician. Here are the items that are a part of the inspection process.
Check the Door Balance
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Garage door technicians will close the door and disconnect the automatic opener. Once that has been completed, they will manually open the door halfway and release it. If the door stays in place, it is usually balanced. If it moves up or down, it is unbalanced and will require adjustment.
Inspect Hardware
Techs will inspect all the hardware that is part of the door. This includes rollers, hinges, and springs for signs of wear and tear or damage. They will also replace any of these as necessary.
Check Cables
They will also inspect the cables for signs of fraying or other damage. If any problem is found, they will replace the ones that are worn out. The cables are vital to keeping your door operational. Without these, your door will not function properly.
Test Sensors
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Sensor tests are conducted by placing a barrier in the door path and attempting to close the door. If the sensors identify an object in the way of it’s travel path, it will reverse course. Sensors are vital to door safety that greatly reduce the potential of an injury or door damage.
Lubrication
Finally, the tech will also lubricate all moving parts of the door including the tracks, rollers, hinges, and springs. Overall lubrication will continue to keep the entire system working properly.
While homeowners can perform basic garage door inspections, it’s best to hire a professional for a detailed inspection of your garage door. A professional can identify issues that may not be apparent to the untrained eye and perform repairs safely.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, performing an annual garage door inspection is critical for maintaining the safety and functionality of your home’s garage door. It can prevent costly repairs, detect potential safety hazards, and extend the life span of your garage door. Homeowners should invest in annual maintenance to ensure that their garage door doesn’t cost them big bucks down the road. Avoiding costly repairs is done through small maintenance throughout the years. Keep your door in great condition and it will keep operating for years to come.
