Garage doors are one of the most neglected areas of a home. They tend to work reliably day-after-day and we often forget that they need a little attention to stay functional. If you can’t remember the last time you inspected your garage door or lubricated it, then you’re probably past-due for a tune-up.

A garage door inspection can help detect problems before they occur and can often save you a significant amount of money. For example, a garage door torsion spring repair is often cheaper than replacing the entire thing.

An inspection for your garage door is simple to do and usually only takes a few minutes of your time. And if you’re not comfortable inspecting it yourself, most garage door repair technicians would be happy to look for you. Inspections are usually very affordable with costs coming in at less than $100.

Inspecting & Lubricating Your Garage Door

One of the first things you should look for are signs of rust or corrosion. Rust eats away your metal garage door parts. Eventually, the parts will seize up which may prevent your garage door from opening. Inspect both the interior and exterior of your overhead door, paying special attention to the springs found above the panel. If you do see signs of rust, you can try to remove it with a garage door safe solvent but you must do so carefully. Once you’ve treated the rust, be sure to apply a light coating of white lithium grease or silicone spray to the parts.

Other parts you should inspect include your garage door trolley as well as any cables. In addition to a visual inspection, you may want to operate the garage door a few times and listen for any unusual sounds. Grinding, squeaking, and any other type of noise is a sign that something’s not right.

By spending just a few minutes of your time, you can help detect garage door problems before they occur and you may even save a considerable amount of money in the process.