Signs Your Garage Door Needs a Tune Up

A few tell-tale signs your door may need a tune-up: 

• Strange noises: Grinding, scraping, creaking, or other unusual noises when your garage door opens and closes indicate it needs maintenance.
• Slow operation: Opening or closing slowly due to a lack of lubrication, worn-out parts, or obstructions in the door's tracks.
• Lopsided movement: A door should be adjusted if one side moves faster than the other.
• Sagging: When parts of the garage door droop or are out of shape, the panels or hardware are likely damaged.
• Unresponsive: If you press the button on your garage door opener and it doesn't open right away, there may be a problem with the sensors or the wiring.

When You Need a Garage Door Tune Up

We recommend having an annual tune-up. Once-a-year garage door servicing enhances the performance and life of your garage door and prevents expensive future repairs. During the tune-up, a garage door technician examines all the door components and makes any required adjustments. Regular tune-ups for your garage door ensure it is always safe and secure.

Dangers of a Garage Door Without Proper Maintenance

An unmaintained garage door poses a severe danger to you and your family. 

• Malfunctioning sensors: Should these malfunction, the door could close on someone or something, causing injury or damage.
• Broken springs: Faulty springs cause a door to drop, potentially injuring anyone standing below it suddenly.
• Loose hardware: If hardware becomes loose or damaged, it could cause the door to malfunction or fall off its tracks.
• Lack of lubrication: Parts wear out faster and cause malfunctions without regular lubrication.
• Electrical issues: If electrical components, like garage door openers, fail or malfunction, they could cause electrical shocks.

Is it Easy to Do It Yourself?

If you don't have experience with garage doors, attempting DIY garage door maintenance can be time-consuming and hazardous. For this reason, we highly recommend hiring a professional, as this will guarantee that the job is completed accurately and safely.

Our technicians guarantee all the elements of your door are adequately checked and fixed, including any harm or wear and tear on the tracks, rollers, hinges, springs, and other parts of the door. 

How Much Does It Cost?

Doing a garage door tune-up yourself lowers costs, but hiring a professional repair service like ours guarantees your door is in good condition.

DIY

You’ll save money on maintenance by doing a DIY garage door fix, which will cost you between $50-$200 depending on what needs to be done - lubricating moving parts, tightening screws and bolts, inspecting springs and cables, and replacing worn parts.

By a Professional

Knowing the cost of the tune-up is vital, and it varies depending on the type of service and handyman garage door repair company you hire. Generally, a basic tune-up for an average garage door costs between $75 and $150, while more extensive repairs cost upwards of $200 or more.

Other Things to Consider If You Decide to Do It Yourself

Required Tools

You need the following tools to tune up a garage door:

• Socket set
• Wrench set
• Screwdriver set
• Hammer
• Ladder
• Flashlight
• Lubricant (such as WD-40)
• Garage door opener manual or instructions
• Safety glasses or goggles
• A helper (optional, but recommended!)

If any garage door parts need replacing or repairs, do so before proceeding with the tune-up process.

Safety Measures

Here are some tips for ensuring your safety:

• Turn the power off before working on electrical components.
• Wear protective gear such as safety goggles and gloves.
• Test the garage door after every adjustment, opening and closing it slowly to ensure smooth performance.
• Never stand under a moving garage door - always wait until it has completely stopped before working.
• Secure your ladder properly before use and clear obstructions on the floor below it.
• Check all cables for fraying and replace any worn-out or damaged ones.
• Once you have finished your tune-up, test the automatic control panel before restoring power and the safety settings to ensure everything works and is safe.

A Brief Plan of Action

Steps you should take when performing a tune-up on your garage door:

1. Inspect the hardware: Check all nuts, bolts, and screws are tight and in good condition.
2. Inspect the rollers: Look for any signs of wear or tear on the rollers, such as cracks or chips. Replace with new ones if necessary.
3. Lubricate moving parts: Lubricate hinges, tracks, springs, and rollers.
4. Adjust the limit switch: The garage door should stop at the right point each time it opens or closes.
5. Test safety features: Make sure photo eyes and reverse sensors that prevent the door from closing if something is blocking its path work properly.