Have you noticed a strange grinding noise or jerky movement when you go to use your garage door? If you have panel lift doors, roller doors, sectional doors or any other types of garage doors, this could be a sign that your garage door is due for some good old TLC.
Preventative maintenance and servicing can help you avoid a costly garage door replacement if any problems go unchecked. So, here are four signs that your garage door is in need of servicing.
Movement Has Become Jerky or Slow
When your door’s movement isn’t as smooth as it used to be, it could be the sign of any of a number of problems. It may be slow because it lacks lubricant or its springs are old and need replacement. When you notice jerking, let someone tend to it immediately because this often happens when the door is about to go off its track. Alternative reasons are loose components such as hinges.
Many of these problems are easy to solve if you call in a professional. So, get it sorted instead of risking more serious (and costly) damage.
There’s More Noise than Usual
If your door startles you with a noise you’re not used to, listen carefully. It’s actually possible to identify the source of the issue if you know what to listen for:
- When it rumbles or it sounds as if something’s grating, chances are your torsion springs need servicing.
- A ‘pop’ is often heard when different sections don’t join up perfectly anymore.
- When there are parts that grind against each other, it’s possibly the door scraping against tracks.
Discuss what you hear with your garage door technician, so they already have an idea what they need to service once they arrive.
You Notice It Sags or It’s Uneven
Here we’re talking about the door leaving an open gap on one side when you close it. This uneven closing or if it seems to sag on one side while moving, means it’s unbalanced. This could be because of worn springs or rollers and tracks that are now dull.
An effective way to test balance is to disconnect the door from the unit that controls it and then manually move the door so it’s closed halfway. A balanced door will stay in that position, but if the balance is wrong it will move.
This problem could actually be a sign of safety risks, so have this seen to as soon as possible.
There’s No Movement at All
It’s not only the door itself you need to keep an eye on. Your door opener could also deteriorate over time and the gears may be worn out. Unfortunately, this problem often requires a replacement, but your technician can confirm this for you.
Before you make the call though, first do a few tests, such as double-checking that the power is on and see if you can still open the door manually, so you know where the source of the problem is. You can even switch the power off and on to see if this will reset the controller to work smoothly again.
Another reason for the door not moving could be broken cables.
Time for Some Maintenance?
If you’ve just realised that the signs are all there and you’re overdue for a service, Dandenong Garage Doors are here to help. When having issues with your current door or when in need of a completely new garage door installation Melbourne residents know they can trust us for swift and efficient assistance. We supply and install a variety of designs.
Visit our showroom or see your options online or talk to us on 03 9791 4933.
