Avoiding High Garage Door Repair Costs
The best way to avoid expensive surprises is with regular preventative maintenance.
The garage door is an essential part of any home and is constantly used throughout the year. Any system that works that hard is bound to break down or malfunction at some point. When disaster strikes, the bills can often compound the headache. Here are some ways to lessen the impact on the garage and wallet:
Adopt preventative maintenance
The best way to avoid expensive surprises is with regular preventative maintenance. Regular professional garage inspections may seem unnecessary, but they can prove much cheaper in the long run. Routine maintenance should also service the various garage door parts, ensuring they’re well-lubricated and free from obstruction.
Homeowners can undertake superficial maintenance tasks while leaving the in-depth evaluation to the experts. For example, ensuring that the system is well-oiled (especially the motor and the tracks) and that the sensors and motor receive regular dusting can extend door longevity. Changing the opener batteries on DC door motors is also quite simple.
Treat the opener right
Unnecessarily straining hardworking machinery like the garage door opener is not a good idea. One way to keep repair costs down is to ensure the opener has enough horsepower to handle the garage door. For instance, wooden doors should always use a three-quarter horsepower motor for longevity.
Avoid stopping mid-cycle or pressing the open button for too long when opening and closing the door. Such actions can strain the opener, increase mechanical malfunction risk, and decrease lifespan.
Invest in quality parts
When buying parts for a garage door, price should never be the deciding factor. Cheap parts may save money upfront but will cost more in the long run. Ensure that all parts meet the industry standards and have respected brand names. They should also come with a substantial warranty to cover any malfunctions. Buying parts through a professional garage service ensures the parts meet these criteria.
Recalibrate sensors
Garage door sensors can become obstructed by dust and debris over time, and the sensor itself may begin to behave erratically. Regular cleaning and recalibration will prevent accidents should the sensors not work correctly.
Resist forcing it
If a garage door is not opening properly or stops in the middle of a cycle, don’t move it further. Forcing a faulty door open or closed can exacerbate a rail blockage, motor malfunction, or belt derailment. Instead, contact an expert garage door service immediately to address the issue.
Enlist the experts!
A professional installation makes all the difference in the well-being of a garage system. An expert team can ensure that the opener is connected correctly, that parts are balanced and secure, that all systems are suitable for each other, and that it has sufficient power. Doing the job right the first time can ensure that it won’t need costly repairs further down the line.
Phoenician Garage Door & Repair offers full-service garage installation, repair and maintenance in Maricopa County. Emergency service available. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. Call (602) 610-0112.
