Your garage door does a lot of heavy lifting. Literally.
It opens and closes hundreds of times each year, shielding your vehicles and belongings from the elements while helping to secure your property. But like any mechanical system, it can wear down over time.
Many homeowners wait until something breaks to call for service. That quick fix might solve the immediate problem, but without routine maintenance, more issues will follow. And the costs will add up. Fast.
Here’s why you should invest in regular maintenance. And how an ounce of prevention can save you hundreds, if not thousands, in the long run.
Fewer Emergency Repairs
Garage doors are made of moving parts that rely on balance, alignment, and tension to work correctly.
When one component starts to wear down, it puts extra stress on everything else. A frayed cable, for example, is a relatively quick and inexpensive fix if caught early. But if that cable snaps while the door is in motion, it can lead to a sudden drop, damaged panels, or even a bent track. That’s a much bigger (and more expensive) repair.
Routine maintenance helps catch those warning signs before they turn into urgent service calls.
Extended Lifespan
A well-maintained garage door can last 15 to 30 years. But without regular upkeep, that lifespan shrinks.
Failing to lubricate moving parts, adjust spring tension, or check for wear can cause unnecessary strain on the system. Over time, those small problems lead to larger failures that shorten your door’s working life.
Routine service helps you get more value out of your investment by keeping everything running the way it should.
Better Performance
You might not think twice when your opener suddenly gets louder or the door starts rattling on the way down. But those signs often mean something is off. And if you don’t take action now, you’ll pay for it later, whether in repair bills, part replacements, or a door that suddenly stops working.
Regular maintenance catches these issues early, saving you from bigger problems and unexpected costs down the line.
Energy Savings
If your garage is connected to your home, it affects your heating and cooling costs.
Gaps in the door seal, poor insulation, or a door that doesn’t close properly can all lead to unwanted air flow, which means unwanted energy bills.
Regular maintenance helps identify and correct those issues so your HVAC and heating systems don’t have to work harder than necessary.
Signs It’s Time to Call a Pro
How do you know it’s time for a checkup? Watch for these signs:
- Changes in how your door sounds, moves, or opens — especially if it’s getting slower or louder
- Cracked or brittle weatherstripping
- Visible wear on cables, rollers, or springs
- Buildup or debris in the tracks that causes friction
If you’re seeing any of these signs, don’t wait. A trained technician can catch small issues early, before they turn into costly repairs or system failures.
Trust L & L to Keep Things Running Smoothly
At L & L Overhead Garage Doors, we’ve spent more than 65 years helping homeowners protect their investments and avoid surprise (and costly!) garage door repairs.
Our maintenance services are built to catch problems early, prevent major breakdowns, and keep your system running smoothly for years to come.
We don’t believe in quick fixes that cause more problems later. We believe in doing things right, now and for the long haul.