A garage door cycles more than a thousand times a year in the average home. It is the largest moving machine most people own, and the only one that never gets scheduled service. Here is the schedule the door actually needs.
Once a year: professional tune up
An annual professional visit covers what homeowners cannot safely do: spring tension and balance checks, cable inspection under load, opener force calibration, and safety sensor verification. A maintained door routinely doubles the life of its springs and opener.
Every season: two minute homeowner checks
- Watch and listen to a full open close cycle. New noises are early warnings.
- Check the weather seal for cracks and daylight.
- Test the safety reverse by placing a board flat under the door, the door must reverse on contact.
- Confirm both sensor LEDs glow steadily.
Twice a year: lubrication
Use a garage door specific lithium or silicone spray on springs, hinges, and roller bearings. Avoid standard degreasing sprays, they strip lubricant and attract grit. Never lubricate the track surface itself, rollers should roll, not slide.
Doors that need more frequent service
High usage households, homes near the shore where salt air attacks metal, and older doors with original hardware benefit from a twice yearly professional visit. The cost is small compared to a single emergency call.
