Angie's List: Garage door safety and maintenance

Fall is a good time to have your garage door inspected before the cold weather is upon us.

Garage doors can weigh hundreds of pounds and are used almost daily in most homes; meaning parts eventually wear out and need replaced.  A routine inspection, however, can help keep your garage door functioning smoothly – and most importantly, safely.

Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews , asked highly rated garage door repair companies about inspections and taking care of your door.

·         What’s included in an inspection? Typically for around $80-$100, a garage door professional will do an inspection and tune-up, which should include adjusting springs and cables, lubricating moving parts, tightening all hardware, tracks and hinges, inspecting the safety sensors and opener gears, as well as troubleshooting other issues. By staying on top of needed maintenance, you’ll protect yourself from potentially expensive repairs down the road.

·         Common problems: One frequent problem with garage doors is a broken spring. Springs generally last anywhere from 5 to 7 years before needing replaced. Living in a cold-weather climate can cause springs to wear out even faster. Other common issues include squeaky hinges, stripped gears, and liquid or debris covering the photo sensors, which can keep the garage door from shutting.

·         DIY maintenance: You can keep your garage door operating smoothly on your own in between inspections by lubricating the tracks with a small amount a silicone spray. Adding a lubricant like petroleum jelly to the bottom of the rubber door seal can help keep it from sticking to the ground when the temperatures drop below freezing.  Avoid contact with springs and cables and never take bolts out or hardware off your door. Because of the high tension involved with garage doors, serious injuries can occur if handled improperly. When in doubt, call out a qualified professional.

·         Testing your garage door:  You can also test the functionality of your garage door on your own in manual mode. Disconnect the opener by pulling on the release cord or lever. The door should lift up easily. If it is difficult to lift, there could be a problem with the spring tension and you should contact a professional.

·         Is it safe? One important safety feature on most garage doors is the reversing action they take if there is something blocking the door as it closes. You can test the reversing feature by placing a small piece of wood on the floor in the center of the door and pushing the button to close the door. When the door comes in contact with the wood, it should immediately reverse back to the open position. If it doesn’t, contact a qualified service provider for repair.

·         Don’t forget curb appeal: Your garage door is exposed to the elements the same way the exterior of your home is, but it has the added challenge of also moving and vibrating several times a day. If the paint is flaking off, this added movement will accelerate your need to paint. Make sure that you prepare the door for paint before you start the process.

·         Time to replace? Sometimes garage doors are beyond repair. Signs that you need to replace your garage door include cracking and warping. Some garage door brands come with varying degrees of insulation which could lower your heating and cooling costs.