Many people use garage doors as the main entrance to their homes. The front entryway is much more easily accessible, whether you go in or out, as you go through the garage probably many times more than your front door. On average, the lifetime of a garage door will range from 15 to 30 years, depending on how well you manage to use it.
Proper care and maintenance can prolong the life of your garage door so let’s take a look at some of the most significant things to consider for its maintenance.
1. Thorough Visual Inspection
In order to perform a visual check of your garage doors, you should do it at least once every six months. Performing yearly maintenance by a trusted professional is also very useful. This will help you get the best performance out of your garage door and it helps you to address any problems early.
Your garage door could come down unexpectedly due to falling, flooding, or an accident with your vehicle. But it’s not always easy to know when to replace it. Here are some tips to remember as your door ages.
2.Visible Damage to Repair or Remove
Does your door have a gap, warp, or rust? Has the paint started to peel or fade? Do you notice scratches or damage to any of the active components, such as the springs or handles? If the answer is yes, then you may have to replace your garage door.
It doesn’t harm to get an expert’s perspective, but if your garage door is older and shows these problems, you can be sure that the time for a residential overhead door repair comes very soon.
3. Opening and Closing
Is your garage door doing what it is supposed to do—opening and closing? If your garage door cannot help do this 100% effectively all the time, you better get your garage door replaced soon. Another factor to keep in mind is the age of the garage door and, finally, get a professional opinion.
For instance, if you are experiencing this, repair would be the best option. But if your door is reaching the end of its lifespan, a garage opener replacement may be mandatory.
4. Materials & Location
Garage doors produced with lower-grade materials will wear out quickly, more so than those produced with high-quality materials. If you have a cheaper garage door, you should watch for the signs of wear and tear as it ages.
Additionally, living in a hostile place (extreme heat or cold or frequent storms) can be harmful for garage doors, and it wear out faster than a garage door in moderate weather.
5. Weird Noises
If you can clearly hear your garage springs making weird noises whenever you open or close the garage door, something is definitely wrong with it. A garage door’s operation must be smooth and very silent. Loud noises could be a sign that the parts no longer work properly and need to be replaced.
