Garage doors open so smoothly they feel as light as a feather. It’s easy to forget this is a highly complicated mechanical device that weighs hundreds of pounds. And considering most families uses their garages 3 or 4 times per day, that’s easily 1,000 times over the course of a year. After a few years, the garage door will start to wear out. You can expect your overhead door run to up to thirty years, though it will run slower than usual, perhaps noisier than it once did. The good news is there is plenty of preventative maintenance and repairs you can do to your garage door that will have it running smoother and even extend its lifespan. Here’s how to speed up a slow-moving garage door for better performing longevity overtime.
How Long Should Your Garage Door Take to Open and Close?
Most residential garage doors should open and close anywhere from 12 to 15 seconds. And that’s a full cycle. Take a stopwatch and time your door. If a full cycle takes longer than 20 seconds, there are likely maintenance issues slowing it down. In many cases, these are minor problems that can be addressed by regular preventative maintenance. If your garage door is becoming slower overtime, it can signal a larger issue, as well.
Repairs to Speed Up a Garage Door
Most slow garage doors are due to lubrication. If your garage door isn’t well oiled, it has to work overtime. This not only slows down your door, it puts undue strain on your garage door parts and components. Your garage door won’t last as long.
Lubricate all tracks, hinges, and brackets with an approved garage door lubricant. Don’t use WD40 — which can cause the parts of your garage door to prematurely rust. It’s also a good idea to oil pulleys, cables, and springs. Be sure to do this every few months so your overhead door run as smooth as it possibly can. Pay attention to your tracks. Are they dirty and filled with grime? Are they broken or bent? A dirty or broken track can slow the door, and could even force the door off track. Clean your tracks regularly and have a garage door repair company fix your tracks.
It’s worth checking the balance of your garage door. Disconnect the opener and open the door halfway. Does it bend to one side? Chances are your door is out of balance. This can slow the functioning of your door. It also puts extra strain on certain parts of your garage door.
After the balance is checked and the issue persists, take a look at your springs. You should do this regularly, regardless of issues. If your springs are broken or riddled with rust, they’ll need to be replaced as soon as possible. In terms of speeding up your door, it’s entirely possible that a damaged spring is responsible. Garage door spring repair should only be handled by experts as the spring could snap, hurting you. On a similar note, a speedy garage door can be the result of springs that are loose. Have an expert tighten them down. It’s important that your door operates at a moderate level. Both fast and slow are dangerous.
If all else fails, it might be time to inspect your garage door opener. When was the last time you replaced your opener? The average opener will last up to 15 years, half the time the average door lasts, meaning it’s possible that it’s time for a replacement. A new overhead door opener will come with faster horsepower and highly advanced technological features that will improve quality of life.
Still Have a Problem? Call Us!
If you still have a slow garage door, give us a call. We offer 24/7 emergency garage door repair to the El Dorado Hills area. We’d be happy to diagnose the problem and help you have a smooth and fast operating garage door.
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