Why Regular Garage Door Inspections Matter

Your garage door is an important part of your home’s structure, adding both monetary and aesthetic value to the property. It also provides a vital function concerning your safety and security. Garage doors include a lot of moving parts that are likely to wear out over time, especially since each garage door opens and closes at least twice a day - that’s a minimum of 730 operations each year! With this in mind, it is so important to schedule regular garage door inspections. They don’t cost much in terms of time or money, but could save you hundreds of dollars in repairs, and a whole lot of inconvenience in the long run.

The Importance of Regular Garage Door Inspections

Regular inspections of your garage door involve thorough checks of all the major components. They can help identify potential issues before they become a problem. Scheduling inspections every few months is an excellent way to keep your door running smoothly and obviate the need for significant repairs. Inspecting your door, or having a tec

hnician do it for you, will help you prolong your door’s lifespan, optimize its functionality, ensure your home’s security, and save you money. 

Components Checked During Inspections

During a routine garage inspection, technicians will usually check:

• Nuts, bolts and brackets
• Lubrication on cables, pulleys and rollers
• Wear and tear on rollers, weatherstripping and other components
• Springs
• Chain
• Limit switches
• Functioning of the drive mechanism
• Functioning of the auto-reverse system

How Regular Inspections Prevent Issues

By taking the time for a regular inspection of your garage door, you prevent any unforeseen mishaps. A thorough inspection will quickly reveal any components that are wearing out or likely to fail in the near future. You can then make the necessary repairs or replace the faulty components. In this way, your garage door is unlikely ever to break down. Prevention is far better than cure, as the saying goes - and it is certainly far cheaper. Skipping a garage door inspection might save a few dollars in the short term, but if you continue to put it off, you could find yourself having no choice but to pay for expensive repairs just a few months or years down the line.

DIY Inspection Tips

You don’t have to get a professional technician to inspect your garage door - at least not every time. You can run simple checks yourself, and then call out a technician if you spot anything that worries you. If you are going to do DIY inspections, we recommend the following:

• Check the tracks every few weeks. They can very easily become bent or damaged over time. 
• Check that the rollers and hinges are moving smoothly. Lubricate them with WD-40 or a similar product, if necessary.
• Carefully look at every screw, bolt, hinge, spring, cable, pulley and roller every few months. You can tighten bolts and screws yourself, but if you spot a worn-out spring, you should call a technician as soon as possible.
• Don’t forget to wash the door. It may seem like a small thing, but keeping the door clean can help its functionality.
• Test the door at least once a month. Check the opener and try opening it in manual mode as well. 

When to Seek Professional Inspection Services

If, during the course of any of the basic inspections mentioned above, you come across a component that looks as though it is about to fail, it is always advisable to call a professional to replace it. You can manage lubrication or tightening the bolts, but replacing the springs or repairing the opening motor is probably best left to a trained technician.



Tri-Lakes Garage Doors supplies, installs and repairs quality garage doors throughout the Front Range area. Contact us for more information about our custom garage doors. We understand the importance of regular garage door inspections, and our technicians are always available to help.