How to Check Your Garage Door and Opener for Wear

A man is fixing a garage door with smoke coming out of it

One of the biggest headaches you can experience is when your garage door or opener stops working! You get sound, but no action. You need out of your garage. You’re late. You roll your eyes, throw up your arms. What went wrong?

Let us help you be a little proactive and be ahead of the problem. We recommend giving your garage door opener and garage door a check over every 5-6 months. Doing this can prevent routine problems, and postpone major repairs.

A person is holding a wrench in front of a sign that says preventive maintenance before it breaks.

What do you look for? Here are a few recommendations:

Clean and lubricate your opener where needed, especially on chain drive openers. Be careful to not over-lubricate.
Open the cover of the motor and check the gear inside for wear and tear. If you notice the “teeth” are worn, it’s time to replace it. Being plastic, the gear is usually the first thing to break in your unit. (This is where you get the sound, but no action.)
Check the force and limit settings on the opener and adjust where and if needed (if you know what you’re doing)
On your door, check hardware and tighten where needed.
Check the rollers and tracks for wear and tear. Is it time to replace any?
Look for signs of corrosion, rust, or general wear and tear
Listen for unusual sounds- Does something sound like it’s struggling?

If you’re hesitant on performing any routine maintenance please contact us to schedule an appointment for one of our professionals to service your opener/door. We offer same-day appointments; our full service tune-ups for both your opener and garage door come with a full one-year labor warranty! 972-422-1695

By Nick McGregor , General Manager of Plano Overhead Garage Door

Tags: DIY Garage Door Maintenance , DIY Garage Door Repair Plano , Garage Door Repair , Garage Door Wear and Tear , preventative garage door maintenance , Texas