Guides and Tips
The Hidden Costs of Neglecting Garage Door Maintenance
Introduction
If you ask us, your garage door represents more than just an entrance for cars; it offers also a security feature and enhances the aesthetics of both home value and curb appeal. However, as with all mechanical systems, regular service will be needed to remain in peak condition. While garage door maintenance may seem like a minor task, long-term consequences can lead to costly repairs, safety risks, and loss of value in your home.
We recommend that people take a proactive approach to garage door maintenance, which can save them much more in costs down the line! We will examine the true cost of not performing regular maintenance and ways to keep yours working great in the long haul.
1. Repairing the Preventable Thing
When regular maintenance is necessary, small problems can quickly become costly issues. Things like springs, cables, and rollers take their toll on it after some time. If these are not detected promptly, they can cause the fulcrums to fail abruptly and lead to worse damage.
Critical examples of preventable issues
Brand New Springs:
Bent Tracks:
Worn rollers:
The Expense:
2. Decrease In Garage Door Component Lifespan
Maintenance also helps in preserving your garage door and its components. However, neglect speeds up degradation and the wear of the components making some mechanical parts break after a short time.
Brand New Springs:
If a spring is already worn out, it may waiver and then eventually snap rendering the door unable to be opened. Then the expense of repairing the damage done to try and force open a stuck door is much more expensive than replacing springs.
Bent Tracks:
If the tracks of an automatic garage door become misaligned or bent, it can cause your garage door to jerk up and
down, creating major issues if not fixed in time.
Worn rollers:
A worn roller may cause shaking in the door and force the
opener to work harder, failing both roller and opener.
Brand New Springs:
Getting those little parts fixed or replaced is much cheaper than when they break. Preventive maintenance helps you detect these issues early, before they cost hundreds in emergency
fixes.
3. When you realize that your insulation is poor, this means one thing: Higher Energy Bills.
However, garage doors also have a way of helping you keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. If your door is still intact but has become a little worse for wear, it may develop gaps around its edges through which air can seep in and out.
How Poor Maintenance Hurts Energy Efficiency:
Cracked or missing:
If the grey (or black) weatherstripping surrounding your garage door shows signs of age, it needs to be
replaced as cold drafts enter inside that aren’t sealed, altering the temperature within.
Door out of alignment:
A door that does not close right for the winter causes heat to escape and in the summer quickly allows cooler air to
die
Poor Lubrication:
Insufficiently lubricated components can make the door move extraordinarily, potentially eliminating its capacity to seal accurately.
The Price:
Increased energy bills that come with poor insulation can
make a dent in your budget after a while. Maintaining your garage door will help even out the temperature in your garage and save you money on heating or cooling costs.
4. Increased Safety Risks
However, garage doors also have a way of helping you keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. If your door is still intact but has become a little worse for wear, it may develop gaps around its edges through which air can seep in and out.
Safety Risks from Neglect
Broken Springs or Cables
While the door is in movement, a
snapping spring will cause it to drop suddenly and create the
potential for injury.
Faulty Photo-eye Sensors
This would prevent the door from closing while sensing people or objects. When these sensors are not functioning properly, the consequent risk of accidents is on hire.
The Price:
Sacrificing safety leaves your family in danger. It is the same
cycle: you cannot ensure the operation if you do not have regular inspections and maintenance, again… thus avoiding accidents.
Unbalanced door
An unbalanced door may swing closed unexpectedly or with dangerous force, risking the safety of your family.
Lack of curb appeal and lower property value
An unkempt garage door can detract from your overall home appearance and value. Rust, peeling paint and dents give a rustic look to casual passers-by when the rest of your home is perfectly maintained.
Impact on Curb Appeal
Worn Door Panels
Rust and corrosion
Aged Appearance
The costs
Tips on how to Keep away from the Hidden Costs: Maintenance Tip
Fortunately, most of these hidden costs can be prevented by having proper maintenance done. Regular garage door maintenance tips:
1. Regular Lubrication:
Is your garage door squeaking during the opening or closing process due to friction among these moving parts and pieces — apply silicone-based lubricant to them.
2. Tighten Loose Fasteners:
Inspect and tighten mounting hardware: Look for loose bolts or screws that can rattle.
3. Inspect for Damage:
Check for Dirt and Debris on the Tracks: Make sure that all debris is removed from your garage door tracks.
4.Test the Balance:
Make sure you regularly assess whether or not your door is properly balanced to prevent damage to the opener.
5. Replace Weatherstripping:
Examine and change any broken or lacking weatherstripping.
6. Inverter Test the Safety Features:
Make certain that the photo-eye sensors are working and the auto-reverse function
When to Call a Professional
Homeowners can take on simple repair tasks, but there are some things you will want to call the professionals for. If you hear strange sounds, or if it becomes a hassle to open and shut the door on your own, then take note that this time will certainly include parts of a professional technician.
At Affordable Garage Door Repair we can provide maintenance service to help you maintain your garage door. Whether it is lubrication, track alignment, or a safety inspection from our experienced technicians we keep your doors running well to prevent unnecessary repairs.
Conclusion
The cost of ignoring garage door maintenance, while seemingly a simple mistake, can be quite high. The consequences of neglect can range from frequent repairs and higher bills to safety risk, or even decreasing the value of your home. Scheduled maintenance is often an inexpensive solution to prolong the longevity of your garage door, enhance safety, and retain a visual appeal for years.
Don't wait for problems — come in today to schedule a maintenance check with Affordable Garage Door Repair. For any problems with your garage door, our experts are here to assist you in maintaining it and saving you time and money as well as reducing the stress on how often they need repair services done.
