What is the Life Expectancy of My garage door?
As someone who invests money into something expensive, the first question he/she would normally ask is, how long will it last? However, this question is quite difficult to answer as there are many factors that contribute to its length.
The most important role of a garage door in your home is to keep you, your family and your belongings safe from any danger. One of the most common crimes nowadays is burglary. If your garage door is broken, it can provide access to these people. Then, any damage or loss of personal belongings might occur. Don’t wait for that time to come. Moreover, your garage door is the one that gives you access to evacuate your home. You don’t want to wake up one day and just get stuck in your garage because the garage door won’t open. With this, knowing and understanding how and when the capacity of your garage door to perform is really important.
An average life expectancy of a garage door
It’s typically difficult to determine the life expectancy of a garage door. But, normally manufactures would say that it will last for 30 years. You would probably be happy to get this kind of information because it means you don’t have to spend a lot of money for the next 30 years. However, this longevity would only be achieved if proper maintenance is done.
What factors contribute to the Life Of your Garage Doors?
As mentioned above, there are factors that contribute to the longevity of your garage doors.
#1: Weather conditions – Especially during winter, this season brings havoc to your garage door. In most cases, unwanted or unexpected breakages and warping metal parts can happen. Extreme cold temperature can freeze the components at the bottom of the garage door causing it to have difficulty opening the door.
#2: The product quality – This factor applies to all kinds of machines or equipment. The better the quality is, the longer your machine stays. Normally, an aluminum or steel garage door can perform for 20 years. However, a wooden door can last a little bit shorter than the later, but if well-taken care it can last for 20 years as well.
#3: Maintenance – Giving your garage door some time for cleaning and maintenance has a big impact on extending the life cycle of your garage doors. A well-maintained garage door can last longer than the life expectancy stated above and can prevent you from spending costly repairs. Check the parts, especially the spring torsion rings, to prevent you from any accidents.
How Can I extend the Life Expectancy of my Garage Door
- Lubricate the Critical Parts
Lubricating critical parts is a very important maintenance procedure in keeping the parts of your garage door in good condition. Lubrication prevents friction from metal-by-metal contact. Lubricate your garage door spring and other parts of your garage door once a month. You can use a silicone based-gel and wipe it generously.
- Test Safety Reversal System
The reversal safety system functions to reverse automatically when your garage door comes in contact with a certain hindrance. Malfunctioned or absence of this system might cause some serious injuries. Test this system by putting a one-inch board on the floor, facing on the center part of the garage door.
- Inspect the Garage door hardware
Checking the springs, cables, rollers, and other door hardware is really vital. Look for signs of wear and tear and any potential problems. Repair only those that are minor but leave the complicated tasks to the professionals. Remember that your garage door is considered as the heaviest item in your house, and when mishandled it could lead to accidents.
- Inspect and Test Monthly
Your garage door is also the same as the other equipment you have in your home. A monthly inspection and testing can prevent you and your family from serious injuries.
Garage Door Torsion Springs
Your garage door torsion spring is a crucial component to your door’s opening system. This spring allows your door to be lifted easily. Thus, this component plays an important role in determining the life expectancy of your garage door. According to some manufacturers, a standard garage door spring has a life expectancy of up to of 20,000 cycles. A cycle shows opening and closing the door one time. If you use your garage door more than three or four times a day, your torsion springs will experience more wears than a door that is used once a day only. To keep your door extends its life expectancy cut back your garage door usage. You may need to park outside when it is necessary.
Quality and Trusted Garage Door Company
Are you experiencing any problems with your garage door? Does it need to be replaced or repaired? We can help you. We offer a wide variety of services for garage door repairs and maintenance. We also have a variety of garage door designs. Call us today.
