Autumn is here! That means it is time to enjoy your favorite activities and treats while being surrounded by a backdrop of golden hues and enveloped in crisp fall weather. The change in seasons also provides homeowners with the perfect opportunity to hire a repair professional to inspect, maintain, and repair their garage door systems. That is particularly essential if replacement garage door springs are necessary as the torsion or extension springs, depending on your specific door model, are under immense tension.

The following five tips can maximize the efficiency, safety, and reliability of your door.

Schedule Professional Maintenance

A garage door repair professional possesses specialized knowledge combined with years of experience. They can identify potential issues by inspecting the door and its essential components and provide practical solutions so that you can be assured of the system’s continued safe operation.

You can also hire them to tighten all hardware, perform necessary safety tests, and lubricate critical parts as part of seasonal maintenance. Ideally, you should schedule maintenance appointments with a repair professional, once in the fall and again in the spring.

Clean the Garage Door’s Exterior

While the Valley’s monsoon officially ended on September 30, traces from the last storm may remain on the exterior of your garage door, but this is not something soap and water cannot fix. Most materials, aside from natural wood, can be washed with a mild detergent. To start, hose the door down, then use soapy water and a soft sponge to clean it, working your way from the top down.

Follow up by hosing it down to thoroughly rinse it and then dry it with a soft microfiber cloth. Avoid using a power washer on a garage door as this could cause it to chip, making it susceptible to rust. While you are at it, you may also want to check the weather stripping along the door’s bottom, replacing it as needed. These are DIY tasks, but it is best to contact a pro if you suspect anything amiss. 

Replace the Garage Door Springs

Depending on the type, the garage door springs are either attached above the garage opening or horizontal tracks and work by counterbalancing the door’s weight as it opens and closes. They, along with proper maintenance, can extend the longevity of your automatic garage door opener by preventing putting strain on the opener’s motor.

Typically, most springs are designed for 10,000 cycles, which translates to about seven years if the door is operated four times per day. However, there are other reasons to consider replacing them, including investing in heavy-duty springs. For your safety, the springs must be replaced by a properly trained and experienced repair professional.

Reduce Noisy Door Operation

While not all noise is cause for concern, you should consult a repair professional to inspect the rollers if it develops suddenly or intermittently. There may also be a problem if you hear a popping sound, the noise increases in frequency or volume, or the door appears uneven. Roller replacement is often advisable under these circumstances.

However, there are other reasons replacement may be advised, including visible signs of wear and tear. You may also want to consider this service to reduce the noise associated with raising and lowering the door each time someone comes and goes.

In addition, you can be assured that a professional will install the correct size rollers for your garage door, providing you with the peace of mind that comes from knowing your door is opening and closing safely and reliably. Apex Garage Door & Repair offers a premium set of nylon rollers with ball bearings for quiet operation for $99, installed.

Apex Garage Door & Repair has fully stocked trucks and readily dispatched technicians to install, maintain, or repair all garage door and garage door opener models, along with essential system components, often that same day. That includes replacing broken garage door springs, installing nylon rollers with ball bearings, and repairing common garage door problems. Of course, we also sell and install new garage doors and openers! Schedule an appointment with a local garage door repair, service, and installation company today.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in September 2018 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.