Test your garage door monthly: look over the hinges, rollers and panels, lift it by hand to check balance, and run the auto-reverse test. Add a seasonal check for seals and tracks, and book a technician once a year. Leave springs, cables and brackets to a technician.
1Why Illinois doors need a schedule
Northern Illinois averages about 140 days a year at or below 32 degrees and about 36 inches of snow, according to the Illinois State Climatologist. That is a lot of freezing, thawing and ice for a door to sit through. A short check each month catches small problems before they stop the door on a cold morning.
2Monthly checks: about ten minutes
DASMA, the garage door trade group, asks owners to make a monthly check part of the routine.
Look the door over
With the door closed and the opener disconnected, look for wear or damage on the hinges, rollers, springs and panels.
Lift it by hand
The door should move freely. It should stay put when raised 3 to 4 feet off the floor. If it feels heavy or drops, it is out of balance, so stop and call.
Check the photo eye
The sensor should be no higher than 6 inches from the floor.
Run the 2x4 test
Reconnect the opener, lay a 2x4 flat in the door's path and close the door. It should stop and reverse on contact.
Wave an object by the sensor
The door should not close unless you hold the wall button.
3Fall and winter
- Look at the bottom and side seals for cracks and gaps.
- Sweep leaves and dirt out of the track area and from the floor line.
- Replace remote and keypad batteries if the range has dropped.
- Clear snow and ice from the bottom edge before you run the door.
- If the door is frozen to the floor, stop. Do not keep pressing the button.
4Spring and summer
- Look for loose bolts and hinges after storm season.
- Wipe the tracks and the sensor lenses clean.
- Use a spray-on lubricant for squeaks, as DASMA suggests for squeaky springs, and check your owner's manual for which parts need it.
- Check that the door runs evenly and quietly.
5You and the technician
| Task | You | Technician |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly look, balance check and auto-reverse test | Yes | At the yearly visit |
| Seals, track cleaning, remote batteries | Yes | Checked at the yearly visit |
| Springs, cables, bottom brackets | No | Yes |
| Opener adjustment and safety settings | Basic tests | Yes, if a test fails |
DASMA says only trained technicians should adjust springs, cables and brackets.
6The yearly visit
DASMA recommends an annual visit from a trained door systems technician. Our 12-point safety inspection is $89 and covers springs, cables, rollers, tracks, sensors and the opener. The final price is confirmed after we see the door. See garage door repair and spring repair for what a visit can lead to.
The Illinois winter posts, such as winter garage door problems, cover cold-weather issues in more detail.
7Who to call
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Illinois, including Cicero, Evanston and Oak Lawn. Call or send your details and we book the soonest visit.
Questions people ask
How often should I maintain my garage door?
DASMA recommends a monthly check by the owner and a yearly visit from a trained technician.
How do I test the auto-reverse?
Lay a 2x4 flat in the door's path and close the door with the opener. It should stop and reverse when it touches the board. If it does not, stop using the opener and call a technician.
Should I lubricate my garage door?
Squeaks can come from normal use, and DASMA suggests a spray-on lubricant before you call. Check your owner's manual for the parts that need it.
Can I adjust the springs myself?
No. DASMA says springs, cables and brackets are for trained technicians only.
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Sources
- DASMA: Automatic Garage Door Opener Safety and Maintenance Guide (monthly checks, balance test, auto-reverse test, photo eye height)
- DASMA: Garage Door Systems Safety Tips (annual technician visit, springs, cables and brackets)
- Illinois State Climatologist: Climate of Illinois (winter, snowfall, thunderstorms, tornadoes and summer heat by region)