2 Tips for Making Your Garage Door Opener Last Longer
One of the most important parts of your garage is the garage door opener, and as such you will want to make sure that it operates well for as long as possible. Proper lubrication and cutting down on the weight of the garage door are just two ways to make your garage door opener last longer.
Proper Lubrication
One of the easiest ways to make your garage door opener last longer is to cut down on the amount of work that it has to do. The main way to accomplish this is to ensure that the garage door moves smoothly, mostly because a garage door that does not open smoothly is going to put quite a bit of strain on the system. An easy way make sure that the door opens smoothly is to utilize oil or grease on the individual components of the garage door.
For example, oiling the hinges and rollers will allow the entire garage door to open and close more easily. You will also want to lubricate any springs and bearings in order to reduce friction when the opener activates. The more friction that the moving parts of the opener experience, the more wear and tear occurs. Be sure to use an oil-free lubricant that will not attract dirt and dust, which can cause further issues.
A nice added bonus to keeping your garage door opener lubricated is that it will eliminate a lot of the shaking and rattling that occurs when some garage doors open, which will keep you and your neighbors happy because the noise levels will be reduced. This is particularly useful if you come and go very early in the morning or late at night when making a lot of noise can not only be disruptive and annoying, but illegal as well.
Reducing Weight
Another way to make your garage door opener last longer is to keep the amount of weight that it needs to routinely open and close as low as possible. While a big steel or wood garage door may be very durable and aesthetically pleasing, consider utilizing a fiberglass, aluminum, or composite garage door as they will weigh substantially less and put less strain on your opener.
Keeping the weight down is also very important if you have a multi-car garage, mostly because extra-wide doors are going to be much heaving than their regular-sized counterparts. If you need put a door on a multi-car garage, consider multiple garage doors so that each opener only has to deal with the weight of a single door. If you must have an extra-wide door due to the way your garage is built or your personal preference, use a very light material for the door.
Speak to a garage door dealer or service today, such as Door Doctor Inc, in order to discuss the many ways to maintain your garage door and opener. By reducing the weight of the garage door and lubricating the moving parts of the opener, you will be able to make your garage door opener last longer.