Every homeowner has constant maintenance projects. Furnaces need replaced, security systems need upgraded, maybe your home’s gas line has sprung a leak or the seal on your kitchen sink drain isn’t so effective anymore. But if you have a garage, something you probably use every day likely isn’t getting the attention it needs: your garage door.

Why Should I Maintenance my Garage Door?

Garage doors have a lot of moving parts that haul a lot of weight, both vertically and horizontally. You have tracks, springs, cables and a motor all repeatedly lifting and lowering a large door made of hinged sections. Already, there are several parts in this list that need lubricated every so often to keep the open and close motions running smoothly. The wear and tear on these moving parts, combined with the weathering of the door itself, makes it essential to care for your garage door if you want it to last. Let’s be honest- replacing your garage door(s) isn’t exactly your favorite thing to spend a big chunk of money on.

Can I DIY my Maintenance or Should I Call a Professional?

Because of their size, weight and all their moving parts, it’s often pretty risky to perform actual repairs on your garage door yourself: there are people who do this professionally for a reason. But some things you can do yourself to catch potential issues before they become huge problems include checking your door’s alignment by opening and closing it manually. Is it really hard to do? It might be misaligned, or the tracks/rollers may need lubricated. Is your door opening erratically? Like opening halfway and shutting, or not shutting at all? Check the “eyes” (the little safety parts that tell your garage door when it is or isn’t okay to close) to make sure they’re clean. If you’ve checked all you can and your problems persist, it’s probably time to call a professional (like SACS Garage Door Repair!).