The garage door is one of your home’s hardest-working features, yet we easily take for granted that it needs attention.
Regular maintenance can make all the difference in the lifespan of a garage door, says Tom Smith, sales manager of ASAP Garage Door Repair. The company is based in Huntley but services customers in McHenry, Kane, Lake, Boone and Winnebago counties. It has a sister operation in Eagle River, Wis.
Spring and fall are perhaps the best times for a checkup on your garage door.
“Very cold temperatures can put a lot of stress on a door, so getting everything looked over before or after those cold snaps is a good idea,” Smith says.
A thorough checkup includes lubricating all moving parts such as hinges, rollers and bearings. Technicians also examine the springs and main motor to make sure everything is working correctly. Springs typically last five to 10 years with average use, and when it comes time to fix or replace them, it’s a job best left to the professionals.
“We don’t recommend people try to fix springs themselves, unless they are qualified and have the right tools,” says Smith. “One mistake, and getting hit by a spring means a trip to the emergency room.”
Garage doors need attention when they make unusual sounds like grinding and squealing. If a door is warped, cracked, rusty or sagging, or it doesn’t close evenly, it means something is out of balance and causing stress to the springs and motor. If the door isn’t opening and closing smoothly and steadily, that, too, is an indication of a problem, Smith says.
Now that the weather is warmer, garage door checkups can be scheduled online or by calling a reputable professional.
“Although there are some things we can’t predict, a lot of problems can be prevented by routine maintenance,” says Smith.
ASAP Garage Door Repair is located at 11351 Allison Ct. in Huntley, (847) 695-8888.