Your garage door inspection may not be on your weekly to-do list, but it should be part of your annual home maintenance routine. A well-maintained door doesn’t just look good it ensures your family’s safety, keeps your home secure, and prevents costly repairs down the road.
The good news? You don’t need to be a handyman to complete a basic inspection and tune-up. With a flashlight, a few household tools, and the steps below, you can spot potential problems before they become serious.
Step 1: Perform a Visual Check
Start with a visual garage door inspection:
- Look closely at the cables, tracks, rollers, and springs.
- Watch for signs of rust, wear, or damage.
- Use your phone camera to take photos of anything that looks “off.”
Documenting issues helps you track changes and makes it easier to explain the problem to a technician if needed.
Step 2: Test the Door in Action
Next, open and close the door using the remote control. Keep a close eye on the cables and tracks while it’s opening and closing to ensure that everything is running smoothly. Again, if you notice anything out of the ordinary, it might help to record a video of it to refer back to later.
While the door is opening and closing, listen carefully. Any unusual noises might be an indication of a mechanical problem. Even if the door sounds normal to you, just a little bit louder than usual, there might be a problem.
Typically, a door that’s too noisy might just need some lubrication – a pretty easy solution! Any new noises, or noises that you’re not sure of, should most likely be discussed with a qualified garage door repairman.
Step 3: Check the Safety Reverse
One of the most important functions of any automatic garage door is the safety reverse. You definitely want to make sure that your door will stop when it detects anything in its path, so you can rest assured that your kids and pets will be safe around the door.
You can test this out yourself by placing an object in the path of the door. For safety, make sure you use a box or another object that you don’t mind damaging, just in case the door doesn’t work as it should. Please don’t use your foot!
If it’s working properly, the door’s sensors should detect the object in its path and immediately reverse. If it doesn’t, it’s time to give The Garage Door Guy a call, since this could become a serious safety hazard.
Step 4: Inspect the Springs
Right above the door opening, you’ll see some metal springs. Take a close look at these and make a note of any signs of rust or excessive wear. If you do notice rust or if you did hear squeaking coming from this area while testing the door earlier, these springs might need to be replaced. You should make sure to handle this repair as soon as possible, since the springs are an important part of the door’s function and could even cause injury if they break off.
Warning: Never try to replace springs yourself they’re under high tension and can be dangerous. Call a garage door expert to handle repairs safely.
Step 5: Complete a Basic Tune-Up
Even if no major issues pop up during your garage door inspection, a quick tune-up keeps everything running smoothly:
- Lubricate moving parts with WD-40 or white lithium grease.
- Clean dirt and debris from the tracks.
- Tighten any loose nuts and bolts with a wrench.
These simple steps can extend your door’s lifespan and ensure quiet, efficient operation.
When to Call the Pros
ISome garage door problems require professional attention. If your inspection reveals broken springs, misaligned tracks, or major mechanical issues, don’t wait call in an expert.
At The Garage Door Guy of Central Arkansas, our skilled team can handle any repair, big or small. We’ll keep your door safe, secure, and operating at its best.
📞 Ready for peace of mind? Contact us today to schedule your professional garage door inspection and tune-up.