FAQs

A garage door opening represents a large opening in your home’s thermal barrier. Aligned with the tax credit incentives to promote a healthier and more energy-efficient environment, an insulated garage door will help to reduce the amount of outside temperature that enters your garage, thus reducing the amount of energy required to cool or heat your home. Insulated doors also reduce noise from the exterior of your home.

While we suggest a certified professional undertake any major repairs, there are some steps you can take to maintain your door. They are:

• Periodically lubricate your garage or overhead door track. Just give us a call to help you determine the best methods for lubricating your specific door.
• Clean the frame’s weather stripping with vinyl cleaner and lubricate it once every other month with an appropriate product to keep the stripping pliable.
• Inspect the rollers every six months and replace any that are worn or broken, or call us and have us replace them.
• If you have a painted door, periodically paint the exterior to help protect it from the elements.

A "cycle" is one full opening and closing action. Garage door torsion springs are rated by cycle life, with 10,000 cycles as the industry standard minimum. Upgrades are available to around 100,000 cycles. The average spring breaks about every 7 to 12 years with average usage for the recommended product. If a garage door has two or more springs and one breaks, all springs should be replaced to maintain proper balance.

The leading causes of garage door failure and/or replacement include lack of maintenance and being hit by vehicles. A proper maintenance schedule for a garage door includes lubrication of the rollers, bearings, pulleys, and springs once a year; washing painted steel surfaces several times a year; painting or refinishing wood surfaces as necessary; and making proper adjustments to the counterbalance system as necessary to maintain door balance. A properly balanced garage door should be able to be stopped mid-travel without drifting down or up when operated manually.

• DO NOT let children (or adults) play "beat the door." It is dangerous and can result in serious injury or death. Adults should set a good example. Know how to use the emergency release, in case someone is pinned by the door.
• DO NOT let children play with or use the transmitters or remote controls. Always place and store them out of the reach of children.
• The pushbutton wall control should be out of the reach of children (at least 5 feet from the floor) and away from all moving parts. Mount and use the button where you can clearly see the moving garage door.

LiftMaster provides step by step suggestions for common questions regarding controls and garage door openers. Please visit their site for their FAQs, here.