A garage door is so important to convenience and security. It doesn’t just protect your garage — it protects the entire home. And of course it also protects the thousands of dollars in tools, equipment and vehicles inside, not to mention your family’s very safety.

Say your garage door gets stuck tomorrow morning when you’re leaving for work: What do you do now? Safe to say, your morning is ruined. You need to be able to access that garage door to be able to get your vehicle out safely. Likewise, you need that door to be tightly secured so your home and possessions are properly safeguarded.

You depend on your garage door for safety and convenience. It’s an important piece of equipment in your home. Want it to work more efficiently and last longer? That all depends on how you take care of it. Let’s look at what you can do to your garage door to ensure it’s in great repair and lasts a long time.

Quality Matters.

The first step you can do is to invest in a high quality door. When it comes time to consider a new garage door installation, don’t try to skimp with a cheaper model. This will only come back to haunt you. A cheap garage door won’t last as long and will come with a host of repair problems. You think you’re saving money, but you’ll actually spend more on garage door repair. And your door won’t be as reliable nor last as long.

That’s why we always recommend planning a new garage door installation, especially when it comes to finance. Plan to get a new door after you get your tax return. If necessary, talk to your bank about a home improvement loan. A new garage door definitely qualifies, as it’s one of the soundest home improvement decisions you can make. A new garage door delivers an incredible return on investment — 98%, nearly dollar for dollar, because of how it boosts the equity value of your home. It’s virutlaly money in the bank. Your creditors will likely look to it as a sound investment.

The Importance of Proactive Garage Door Repairs.

You service your car every year. You regularly look at your furnace and make sure your roof’s in great shape. Your garage door is no different. Regular garage door repairs are essential.

We recommend having your garage door inspected at least one a year to spot any potential repair issues ahead of time. This way you won’t be caught off guard with a garage door repair emergency. And the repairs will cost you less in the long run,

We’d also recommend regularly servicing your garage door every few months: Go over all moving parts with an approved garage door lubricant (never WD40 as this will cause the parts to prematurely rust.) Tighten down any loose bolts with a lug wrench. Check the tracks to ensure they are properly bolted to the wall and perfectly vertical. Inspect your garage door springs and look for wear and tear. Be careful to look for signs of brittleness, rust or slack. If you notice a problem, contact a garage door repair professional for a more thorough inspection.

Fix Problems Early.

For most garage door repairs, you’ve got some warning — even if it’s subtle. You’ll notice something not quite right about how the garage door opens or closes. Perhaps it’s sticking at a certain point. Maybe it’s opening slower than usual. This is a sign you need to have the garage door inspected by a professional. The problem will get worse — and likely more expensive — the longer you put it off.

Take Good Care of Your Garage Door

Garage doors are highly complex pieces of mechanical equipment that weigh hundreds of pounds. Keeping them in great repair is both a matter of safety and convenience. Stay up on garage door repairs. Take time every now and again to really pay attention to how your garage door operates. Don’t take your garage door for granted. The better you care for your door, the longer it will last. You’ll save more on garage door repair and get longer enjoyment out of it.