What’s Included in a Professional Garage Door Maintenance Visit?

Thorough Inspection of All Garage Door Parts

The first step in a professional maintenance visit is a complete inspection of every part of your garage door system. Technicians take a methodical approach, beginning with the largest components and moving down to nuts, bolts, and fasteners.

Key areas include:

• Garage door panels: We check for warping, peeling paint, dents, or signs of water damage. On steel doors, we watch for rust spots. On wood doors, we inspect for cracks or splitting due to weather.
• Springs: Our technician checks both torsion and extension springs for signs of wear, elongation, or corrosion. Springs are essential for lifting the heavy weight of the door.
• Rollers: Garage door rollers must spin smoothly without resistance. We inspect for wear, chips, or cracked wheels.
• Hinges: Hinges that hold door panels together are examined for looseness, rust, and alignment.
• Cables: Worn or frayed lift cables are a hazard. We assess cable tension and attachment points.
• Garage door tracks: We verify alignment, ensure bolts are tight, and inspect for bends or gaps.
• Garage door opener: We observe motor behavior, listen for grinding sounds, and test the wireless remote.
• Arm bar and top rail: These pieces connect the opener to the door. They must be secure and straight.

Every component, from large torsion springs to small roller brackets, is inspected with safety and longevity in mind.

Balance Testing and Spring Adjustment

Your garage door relies on spring tension for safe operation. Springs lift most of the door’s weight, making it feel light to the garage door opener. Without proper tension, the door becomes unstable.

Here’s how we test and adjust:

• Disconnect the door from the opener using the release handle.
• Manually lift the door to mid-height and observe whether it stays in place.
• If the door falls, the springs are likely under-tensioned. If it rises, they may be over-tensioned.
• Our technician uses winding bars and a socket wrench to safely adjust torsion springs.
• We inspect spring anchor brackets and center bearings for stress or wear.

This balance test is vital for preserving your opener’s motor and preventing excess strain on tracks and rollers.

Lubrication of All Moving Parts

One of the most critical tasks in any garage door maintenance visit is proper lubrication. Without the right lubricant, metal-on-metal contact leads to noise, rust, and part failure.

We use white lithium grease and spray lubricants designed specifically for garage doors. These lubricants protect against moisture and allow for quiet operation year-round.

We lubricate:

• Torsion springs: Coating the coils prevents rust and reduces friction.
• Hinges: Ensures each panel swings freely without squeaking.
• Rollers: Especially if they’re metal. Nylon rollers with no bearings may not require lubrication.
• Pulleys and bearings: Enhance spinning motion and load support.
• Top rail and arm bar: Allows for smooth motor engagement.
• Chain or screw drive: If not factory-lubricated, these systems benefit from added grease.

We never over-lubricate, as excess grease attracts dirt and dust. Proper lubrication is the secret to a smooth, quiet, and efficient garage door.

Cleaning the Tracks and the Surrounding Area

Tracks guide the rollers and control the path of the door. If they become dirty, misaligned, or damaged, your door can derail or bind.

Our cleaning process includes:

• Vacuuming debris, leaves, or cobwebs
• Wiping the track interior with a dry cloth or a damp sponge
• Avoid any greasing of the track surface to prevent gunk buildup
• Checking for rust, especially near welds or screw holes
• Inspecting the junction between horizontal and vertical track sections

Proper track care ensures your door glides like new and reduces wear on garage door rollers.

Tightening Hardware and Fasteners

Every vibration from opening or closing can loosen parts of your door over time. If ignored, this leads to rattling, sagging panels, or even catastrophic failure.

Our maintenance technician will:

• Tighten all bolts and nuts using a socket wrench or ratchet
• Re-secure roller brackets, hinge mounts, and track fasteners
• Inspect and replace stripped screws or worn hardware
• Check arm bar and opener mounting brackets for a secure fit

This process stabilizes the entire system and prevents long-term issues from developing.

Garage Door Opener System Check

Garage door openers are now smarter, quieter, and more reliable than ever. But they require attention too.

We inspect:

• Motor performance for smooth startup and shutdown
• Chain or belt tension (especially on Stealth Drive Connect systems)
• Remote control battery and range
• Keypad function and connectivity
• Wall control button responsiveness
• Backup battery status and health (if installed)