On average, most doors are used 10,000 times before they break down. At that point, it is usually the spring that goes, the main gear that wears out, or the tracks that get dirty and bent. Depending on how well you take care of your garage doors, they should last anywhere from 20 to 50 years. Learning to do good maintenance on your doors will keep them running for longer and save you money in the process. Here are a few tips for long lasting garage doors:
- Clean and oil the tracks monthly –As you use your garage door, it can pull dirt and gunk into the track with it. When enough of this builds up, it can slow down the door, wear out the motor faster, and even completely stop the door from lifting all the way. We suggest wiping the tracks out with a rag and spraying some WD-40 into them each month.
- Change the spring before it breaks –Unfortunately, most springs only last about 10 years. If you check it occasionally, you can tell when it is losing its bounce.
- Oil main gear –It is a good idea to do this every few years. When you do so, carefully apply the lubricant to the main gear wheel.
If your garage doors are not working right, just give us a call and we will help you get them back on track.