The Complete Guide to Garage Door Maintenance in Miami-Dade County
Your garage door is an important part of your home — it provides security and functionality while contributing to your property’s overall design and aesthetic. If you live in a storm-prone area like Miami-Dade County, a strong door and regular upkeep are critical to protecting your space. Making garage door maintenance a priority can help ensure your system remains reliable and lasts for years.
Use this comprehensive garage door maintenance guide to learn key considerations and tips.
Why Should You Maintain Your Garage Door?
Explore the importance of regular garage door maintenance below:
- Convenience and reliability: A well-maintained system combats inconvenient breakdowns that disrupt your daily routine and add stress to your already busy day.
- Improved safety: Proper operation is critical to safe garage door functionality. In 2022, garage doors were responsible for 34 injuries. Keeping these heavy units in good condition makes operating them safe and lowers the chance of accidents.
- Extended service life: A garage door involves various parts that work together to keep it operational. Regular maintenance helps you identify and fix potential issues within the system before they cause a breakdown, helping to extend its working life.
- Cost-effectiveness: Sudden malfunctions can be more costly than preventive maintenance. Routine inspections can help you catch issues before they lead to more serious and expensive problems.
- Boosted curb appeal: According to a 2024 report, garage door replacements have the highest return on investment (ROI) compared to other remodeling projects. That means people value well-maintained garage doors, and taking good care of yours will likely increase your home’s resale value.
How Often Does a Garage Door Need Service?
Garage doors have an average life span of about 15 to 30 years. However, its working life depends on many factors, particularly how often you use the door and how well you maintain it.
Daily usage will help you determine how often a garage door should be serviced. Aim to have a professional inspect and perform maintenance at least once a year. If you use your system multiple times a day, you may want to schedule upkeep more often since more use contributes to higher rates of wear and tear on key components like the system’s springs, rollers, cables and tracks.
Garage Door Maintenance Tips
While working with a professional for maintenance is essential for optimal garage door care, there are a few tasks you can handle on your own. A combination of expert and do-it-yourself duties will help ensure your system is at its best.
Explore the top tips for garage door maintenance below.
1. Schedule Inspections
Inspections are important for garage door preventive maintenance. Having an expert technician take a closer look at your system and its parts is key to proactively identifying components that need replacing or repairs.
You can perform visual inspections on your own, too. If you notice any parts look damaged or if the system makes unusual sounds during operation, contact a professional. The sooner you identify potential issues, the less likely you’ll have to deal with breakdowns or malfunctions.
2. Prioritize Lubrication
Lubrication is an easy maintenance practice that prevents parts from wearing due to friction. Regular lubrication alone can save you a lot of money in repairs and replacements as it can help keep metal parts in good condition for much longer.
You’ll want to lubricate parts such as hinges, metallic rollers, springs and tracks using a lubricant specific to garage doors — a professional technician can help you identify the right product for your system. Lubricate often if you use the garage door frequently.
3. Test for Safety
Safety is a critical concern. Regular garage door maintenance and inspections will help you ensure your system is reliable and works correctly. You can also carry out various safety tests on your own to ensure your garage door is operational.
Here are key tests you can perform yourself:
- Garage door balance: To test the door’s balance, disconnect it from the opener for manual operations, lift it halfway and let go to see if it remains in place. If it drops, it has failed the balance test.
- Reverse feature: Garage doors must have a reverse feature that protects against entrapment. When you place a solid item beneath the door, the door should slide back up once it contacts the obstructing object. If the door doesn’t rise, the reverse safety feature likely has a problem.
- Sensor test: Electric garage doors have photo sensors at the base that react and stop the door from closing when an object crosses its path. This feature ensures safety, especially for kids and pets who may follow you in or outside the garage when it’s closing. Clean your sensors and test for proper operation by placing an object in its path and ensuring it does not close while the object is present.
4. Clear the Tracks
Since your garage door is exposed to the elements, debris can clog the tracks, making it difficult to operate the door because the movement along the tracks is not smooth enough. Check the tracks frequently, especially if you experience significant rain or wind. Remove dirt and debris from the tracks using a cloth or an old toothbrush and wipe it clean.
5. Examine Hardware
Inspect your garage door hardware for signs of damage or wear. Areas like lift cables, hinges, tracks and rollers are easy to inspect during your garage door check up without handling them yourself. Remember, some parts of your garage door, like springs and cables, are under extreme tension and may cause serious injuries. Look out for cracks on nylon rollers and worn bearings on steel rollers. For lift cables, look for signs of wear, like rust or fraying. If you notice anything, call in a professional to handle the repairs.
6. Rework the Door
As a resident of Miami-Dade County, you’re probably aware that Florida experiences more thunderstorms than the rest of the nation. With all the heavy winds and debris pelting your garage door, it may begin to stain, lose paint or show signs of damage, like chipping. You can keep your garage door in its best condition by cleaning, repainting and refinishing it periodically.
If your garage door system is outdated, consider upgrading it with a modern model to enhance aesthetics, functionality and reliability.
Get Expert Inspection and Maintenance at ADCO Garage Doors
Maintaining a garage door is a simple practice that doesn’t take much of your time, and the outcome is smoother operation and a longer service life. While our guide touches on a few maintenance tips you can perform yourself, it’s always best to call an expert for professional inspection and maintenance services.
ADCO Garage Doors is an award-winning company specializing in quality garage doors and services like installations, inspections and repairs. Our track record and satisfying services make us a leading provider for residents of the Miami-Dade area.
Contact us today for expert garage door services!